Is the Yaesu FT-817/FT-818 still worth it?

The Yaesu FT817 is pretty old now - almost a modern classic. The new FT-818 is basically identical to the FT-817. So you might ask: is it still worth it buying this transceiver? Here's my take on the pros and cons and why I think the FT-817 is still a fun ham radio.

[webmastercaribou]

Great little all mode radio. Got mine for $50.00 on craigslist, listed as a CB radio with no microphone or power cord untested. (Works great)

[MrRadiorobot]

Norfolk England to Melbourne Australia on 20 meters..my best dx on battery power with the Ft817.. 3-5 watts..antenna was a wire multiband vertical. Yes the band was wide open and the op at the other end was using stacked mono band beams, but this was achieved long path..amazing little radio. Goes with me on every vacation.

[vrzn]

as a beginning amateur, i bought the 818 new as a sort of present for getting my license. it is a super beginner radio, and i guess it will stay my main rig for some time, as you will learn all the in's and outs of hf, antenna's, propagation, etc
having a good antenna, and good coax is much more important than the rig itself.
feel free to ask
73, PD1BAS

[AngryitNerd]

just bought one tonight 4/13/2020 cant wait to use it.

[sparky]

great Video ! Been a HAM 40 plus years now and primarily a HF, QRP, CW operator . Great little rig . Have mine since they first came out and it is still going strong . Saving up for another, then I will delegate the old one for back pack SOTA type operation and the new 818 will stay nice and warm in the shack ..

best 73,
de ka3fad

[mrquick]

Thanks very much for sharing! I have had this radio for 10+ years and still love it. It’s really fun to talk to somebody who is very strong of course, on say 75 m, and tell them after 5 or 10 minutes into the QSO what I’m running. It’s always a surprise. If band conditions are right you will be surprised how well it works. About 9 years or so ago, I worked DXCC with this radio and a G5RV!!! Can’t do it any more with the bands as bad as they are now so it sits waiting for the next sun spot peak (if that ever happens again) .. 👍. I forgot to mention your video was so well done that I am now a subscriber and look forward to more like this.

[KBCWN]

I have made several contacts with the power turned down to 2 watts. If propagation is right its not impossible. I have no problems with the included microphone. Putting a power microphone will probably overdrive the audio section and cause damage. Setting the ssb to 100% is also not a very good idea. It is what it is, if your not having any luck making contacts one day, put it away and try the next day. Keep a close eye on the flux index. When its up, no modifications are needed.

[tomgallagher]

Lucien: thanks. Quite a good précis of this radio. I've owned one since it was first introduced and have experienced both the pro/con features. The major limitation for me is the design of the DC power connector which is very fragile, especially when considering that the -817 is a portable designed for a back-packer. SOTA makes a power pole modifier for the DC input that literally bolts on and provides a rugged connector. I now use my 857D in place of the -817. With custom-designed L-ion battery pack weighing 3.0 lbs off-setting the extra weight, the 857 runs for ever.

[kwinzman]

Buy the FT-857. It's approximately the same size, internals are extremely similar but it goes up to 100W. With the right LiFePo4 you can take the FT-857 portable.

[jozefbezan]

Danke für das tolle Video.73, von Wien.Österreich.😊😊😊

[scotthansenmtbt]

I learned HF on an FT-817nd. With a home brew vertical antenna mount and an adjustable stinger Buddiepole vertical, I worked Japan from Montana during portable outings. I learned how to be a better operator because I did have to work harder for a contact....if you are not a motivated person, it may not be the radio for you, but I absolutely do not regret having a qrp rig for my first Hf have I learned? If I fail at making a qrp contact, a lot of times even 75 watts won’t get usually make qrp contacts even on days with no I tell everybody the secret weapon for qrp contacts?? My home brew 75 and 40 meter NVIS dipole is the 15 feet height and the sloping ends about 1.5 ft off the is 12ft off the ground and it kicks serious bootie...👍👍 KF7CLH

[bobdillashaw]

As Tim the tool man Taylor says....MORE POWER😂 great video

[jasonposte]

Love the little rig but to little screen always need the back light on watch drains the batteries Enron more.

[bill-]

A great little rig and a well proven design. Why change it? I got my 817ND just before the 818 came out and got a £45 discount, I guess they were clearing out ready for the 818. A lot smaller than my homebrew QRP rig for portable use on a motorbike. I don't think anyone would buy a QRP radio to win a contest unless it's a QRP contest. A bit of C.W. goes a long way.
73, Bill, G4GHB.

[sulochanasatyan]

I will never part my 817nd, I am thrilled every time I make a contact on the cute little rig. I spent more time on this qrp than my 7300. I have a perfectly resonating efhw4010 at 60 feet which works with out a tuner...73 de vu3mes

[eldontyrellcorp]

I saw other videos saying the 818 was a total fail, so I'm surprised by your review. Yaesu should have brought new features to the 818. They didn't (10w, internal antenna tuner, better battery consumption, they should have included one filter...).

[ivandubinsky]

It's a great radio...just get one if you can as they've now been discontinued.

[ianmcgarrigle]

My only critisism is the horrible mess of menu's needed to set it up but once set you can live with it.

[eduardopower]

Hello Lucien what's the desk Mic you have back there? Thanks

[jeromegrzelak]

T RY THE VK3YE MIC CONDENSER MIC MOD WORKS ON MY 857 991 AND FT817 KG6MN