Yaesu FT-818 Review

Waiting for the new Yaesu FT-818 qrp portable ham radio? Watch this before you by.

Hello Operators
In todays video we review the Yaesu FT-818, in comparison to the Yaesu FT-817 and FT-817nd which came before it. The video goes through the top 5 reasons I believe the Yaesu FT-818, all mode, all band HF VHF UHF radio is a complete fail, as a replacement to the Yaesu FT-817 series. It's not a slam job. The intent is to open an honest discussion about the community expectations for the Yaesu FT-818, and the Yaesu Field radio strategy going forward.
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Julian #oh8stn

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Julian oh8stn Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

[backcountryamateurradio]

As a newer operator to HF, this is really insightful. Thank you for making this review. It give me a lot to think about.

[TangoOscarMikeNWS]

I was really disappointing with the FT-818 as well, but even with the short comings of the FT-817 and FT-818 I still consider them a top pick for an "All Band", highly portable and rugged radio. Right now you can get a new FT-818 for $600 US. That is a lot of radio for that price. Yaesu could be dominating the market if they just paid a little more attention to what people want.

[CWB-RF]

If you don’t already have an FT-817ND I think the 818 is still a good buy.With the current sale prices ($599) I can’t find anything with the same capabilities and band coverage including VHF/UHF at that price. I don’t own a QRP rig yet but I’m tempted to pick up an 818 to add portable QRP capabilities.

[Bobu]

I bought my 817 right after the 818 came out as it was $100 cheaper at the time. I am not a "fan boy" but I do like my 817. If I want to blast out I use my 100 Watt radio. If I am just looking for a quick setup and fun I go with the 817. Question: Does the 891 feature VHF/UHF? No. For a learning radio the 817 is ok. Do I recommend it as a first radio? Yes, because it is an all mode 70cm - 160M radio. I know I will probably get hate replies but to each their own. Question: How many of the marketing department actually are licensed and operate these radios? I went to a Motorcycle shop once and offered to help push all of the motorcycles that were waiting to be repaired in at the end of the day. "Those are the employees motorcycles. If you work here you have to own and ride a motorcycle." Same thing for Ham Radio???

[arlipscomb]

Just purchased a FT-818. Glad I did and this video is a hoot. Yes if you had a 817 the 818 probably was not worth the cost to "upgrade". But I sure am glad the Yaesu kept this great little rig in production and made incremental improvements. Not a fanboy, pretty much an Icom owner for everything else (including a 703 for most of my QRP work). But this is still a great rig for what it was designed to do: portable QRP with all band/mode coverage.

[alaska]

I think you nailed it on all points. I was also expecting a much more improved radio than the FT-817 MK3. I still love my FT-817ND, but I'm also very interested in the announced new Icom IC-705 and how well it performs!

[theoldhobbit]

This just goes to show how each of us have our own opinions on different things and that is a great thing to have. I came very recently into the hobby (3 yrs) and like many, on a limited budget. As an M6 I soon discovered that field operations was the way forward for me and that is what I have slowly built my kit around. An 817ND, 4500mah lipo RC batteries, solar charger and my own little collection of homebrew resonant antennas so no tuner required. I would agree with two of the issues with the newer 818 that I can relate to and that a much better internal battery and an increased TX to 10w. The rest I have no worries about and happily make contacts far and wide on my stock 817 without the need for filters or other mods. I absolutely understand that as an M6 with very little experience my opinion is restricted to what I know, but I just love getting out with my backpack on, up a hill with my little 817 and get on with it.

[levlev]

I owned the 857, the 897, and now I have the 891 for portable operation. I need more than 10/20 watts. I almost exlusively operate on PSK31. But I see your point. Even the 891 is too heavy and draws lots of current. Almost 2A on RX. But I don't think the IC-705 will be the silver bullet for off grid radio. I even started designing my own radio to address the issues. I wold need at least 50 Watts with a tuner., isolated audio interface, IF dsp (this is where my engineering ability is weak), and CAT control. For now, I follow your magnificent tutorials, and I integrate my computer, display, and other stuff in one unit. Thanks for sharing all your ideas! 73s de HA5OGL

[michaelc]

Long-time 897 field user, always thought about picking up an 817/818 mainly due to size. But this video is dead on. Probably enough room inside an 897 for all the mods you discussed, but it's still a big unit. Imagine a mini QRP 991a: Oh wait, that would be the IC-705... Yaesu is easily capable of making a killer field radio, it's time for them to get off the couch and actually do it.

[VKYK]

Would agree with all parts on the FT-818 down falls. I used a FT817ND for 7 years and added the windcamp internal battery, then added a DY-8x7 2.0 compressor and then added another windcamp battery for backup. This setup was used for both SOTA & WWFF activations, it did very well.
My upgrade path was when looking at everything that I do I choose the KX3. I was lucky enough to pick one up a 2nd hand for a very good price ($1500 AUST) with all extras except 2m module and came all packed in a pelican case all ready to go, this was a no brainer for me to buy and sell the FT-817ND.
Cheers Adam VK2YK

[johnk]

For the ham looking at an FT818, I would suggest rather getting the FT-891. For the same or less money, they will get the ability to go to 100 watts if condx are bad, they get a nice BIG display, and tons of more features. The 817 was ground breaking when it came out...but 20 years have passed since then. It is obviously still selling very well, so Yaesu are just letting it continue as is. I think a built in ATU is more needed than built-in batteries. I prefer to use an external battery pack - the internal batteries will never last long when transmitting a lot. Rather use the battery space for an ATU.

[michaelsharp]

Julian, all good points. New ham here, and still haven’t settled on a radio, as I’m doing my homework with videos like this before I commit to a serious buy. That being said, I am waiting for the QRP-Labs QSX to come out. I know its a kit, but it offers a ton of features out the door at what is supposed to be a very reasonable price. I also have given up, for a lack of better words, on small QRP rigs like this, and have looked at other rigs like the FT-857D, and the FT-991A. The one thing that bothers me about Yaesu’s product line is that they seem to be out of focus, or like you say, not listening to the customer. Sure, they have interesting gear, but IMHO too many radios to choose from, and not enough features in any one radio to make it a complete buy. I might find a standard mil-spec hand held on their site, but it lacks a few features that one of their newer line of hand helds have. I get it, its all about marketing, but their sales will die a slow death if they don’t start listening to the customer’s needs. Thank you for enlightening me on this gear, and all of your expertise and input. I find it very helpful. 73 -KD9MED

[TheDPrintingWarrant]

As a new ham and my only rig is the Yaesu FT-818 is there a video you recommend on how to use it? I would go to a local club but being stationed overseas there is a huge language barrier. Any help would be great. Thank you KD9VUL

[survivalcomms]

I agree . I looked at it at Hamcation and couldn't really see any real upgrade over the 817ND besides marketing. Thanks for sharing !

[dakkargray]

First of all, I'm asking these questions because you have great videos and I respect your opinion on the subject. I'm in the same position as some others as a first time QRP buyer. I did not previously own a 817 and was looking for my first QRP rig at a reasonable price. I got my FT-818 new for $575. Since you call it a complete fail, ridiculous, and a waste of time, I thought I made a poor choice in radio. But it seems like you just don't think its a big upgrade from the 817nd (i agree). But if the 817 is a great radio (for what it is intended to be) and the 818 is basically the same thing, wouldn't it fall into the same category as a great QRP rig? I'm asking for clarity, not to argue. Is your dissatisfaction because its not a great upgrade from the 817nd or is it a terrible failure of a radio in general like you seem to suggest?

Also, why is it a poor choice for doing ft8, js8, psk31? I was looking forward to exploring these modes QRP. Is it just the power output limitations?

Thank you for the videos and all the great content you put out.

[KeithCPerry]

You nailed it Julian... I have the 817ND and the 857D. While the 891 has a better receive capability, for me a field radio needs VHF/UHF (if for no other reason that to be a backup to the HT). I had hoped the 818 would be a significant improvement but it was an immediate disappointment for all the reasons you hit on. Off of your list, I would have even forgiven omitting the tuner function since I've recently paired my 817ND with a MFJ-971 manual tuner (no additional power consumption unless you want /need to light the swr for the price of 6uA).

Hopefully the next unit in the series will be a quantum leap.

[Mike-]

Excellent review as someone who gave up on Armature radio years ago now is getting interested in FT8 looking for a mobile digital rig for my jeep.

[MrJTPEPPER]

Well I don't think it's a fail. I'm happy with mine. I have 4 FT817s and the 818 and I've been more than satisfied with all of them. After watching this video I ordered another 818. I'm glad they didn't change it. And after it comes in I might just buy a third one. K4JTP

[JasonHulet]

Totally thought the same thing when the FT-818 came out - thought it a complete insult. Wow... Years ago I had already sold the FT-817 for an ICOM IC-703+ wow, what a great radio complete with LC-156 backpack and AH-703 5-band whip. Works great for FT-8 portable with Signalink USB. I was waiting for Yaesu to come out with a REAL replacement for the FT-817 but didn't wait long after the IC-705 came out. Kept the IC-703+ setup and ADDED the IC-705 with LC-192 backpack. Wow...the IC-705...nice nice job Icom!

[ronk]

I own the FT-817 and FT-818. Both rigs are great for my needs.