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YAESU 897D, GOOD OR BAD CHOICE?

Gary-MI6SIS

Posted: Jan 3 2009, 01:15 AM

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Hi everyone firstly i'm Gary (foundation hopeful haha) I am sitting my foundation in the next few weeks and I am looking to get myself up and running I have been looking at the Yaesu 897D as a first time radio as its pretty much all I would need and more. What I want to know is (and sorry if you get asked this alot) is has anyone got one and how do you rate it? Also I have a very limited space at the back of house (a yard 2 meters long max) is there a good vertical antenna I could use or can anyone recommend this to please?

Sorry for all the questions many thanks in advance for the help.

Gary

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Gary
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MW3YMY

Posted: Jan 5 2009, 08:06 PM

Post #3435

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Hi,

I'm in pretty much the same situation as you (concerning exams) and have been running a Yaesu FT-897D for the better part of the year. Fantastic radio. Couldn't fault it.

I'm very interested in HF and it does everything I want it to. Also works great on VHF/UHF.

I can cart it around to the top of a hill (on batteries) or use it from my base station (using Watson W-25AM power supply - I don't recommend buying the internal power supply).

Interfaces nicely with the computer also. It's got great DSP on it.

If you want to buy one second hand (which is great because often you can get them cheaper and with all the accessories as well) try www.junksale.com and post in the adverts section.

I started off with a Sandpiper Portable Antenna, which didn't take up much room (except for laying out a few radials on the ground) and could be easily put up/down as required. Also, would your roof be suitable for a small antenna?

Hope I've put some constructive stuff here.

LT

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Riverside

Posted: Jan 11 2009, 01:44 AM

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Hi Gary,
I bought an 897d about 3 months ago. I decided I needed a proper sized set for base station use to replace the 817+ linear I had been using. I've kept the 817 for mobile/portable use. The 897 is a superb set. My friend lent me his spare 757gx a while back, the 897 is about the same size, but 25 year old technology! My, how performance and facilities have come on since that 757 was new!
Dont be put off by the menu system, it is easy to manage, especially since many of the settings are set once and forget. I find the set a doddle to use, the dsp works well, perhaps not as good as the big base rigs, but, for the price, the rig does everything it says on the tin, very well.
Regarding antennas, well, you did ask.
Verticals, well, above ground they dont need much space, BUT regardless of what some claim, a decent radial/ground system is essential if you are going to get them to radiate efficiently. There is no way round this. OK, try physically shortening radials by winding loading coils in as part of the design, similar idea to winding loading coils on the radiator to shorten it. It can work, but reduces bandwidth and efficiency. This gets worse/harder to resolve on the lower bands, 40m and 80m. Some well respected and expensive commercially made verticals have a usable bandwidth of as little as 100Khz on 80m. Not much use.
I have no land, but, I live on a riverbank with trees, which are, I guess owned by the rivers authority. I have a 200' loop in these trees made of thin wire, which comes down to my shed. In the shed is the ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC SGC 239 remote ATU, 20m of coax from this up to the radio. Take a look at their website for full details of how this box of tricks can make stealthy wire antennas work! Without doubt this atu is the best bit of kit I have bought in over 25 years of amateur radio. Running a loop above your roof and yard may not get you 200' but the SGC atu is versatile and yuo wont need a ground system.
Cheers, Bill, G6BCC

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73 n gud dx

G6YGZ

Posted: Jan 11 2009, 11:46 AM

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Fully agree on the radial/ground system for the verticle my 33ft vert. for 40m is strapped to the back of my shed with base 1" from the ground and 3" from the earthing rod to which i have about twenty radials attached. Plus some old steel welded mesh under the slabs. When a length of wire becomes available it is added to the ground spike plus any offcuts of copper, alum. and solder etc are thown around the ground spike. hi hi.

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Gary-MI6SIS

Posted: Jan 11 2009, 06:43 PM

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Thanks again for the help guys its most useful. I like your design on the cobweb david and it looks like an easy enough task with abit of patience. As for the rig review you all seem to be spot on with how I thought it would be. Cant wait for it to arrive should be here mid week or end of week.

Will let you know when I am up and running (still waiting to sit the exam so I will quietly listen in. haha)

Many thanks again for the feedback.

Regards

Gary

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Gary
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G6YGZ

Posted: Jan 11 2009, 07:48 PM

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Thanks Gary, but the man who designed the Cobwebb was Steve Webb.
http://www.g3tpw.co.uk/

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Gary-MI6SIS

Posted: Jan 11 2009, 11:22 PM

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I actually knew that. oops. What I was supposed to be saying was I was impressed with how you built yours. But I am sure you get where I am coming from. haha.

Thats going to be my first project I think. Any excuse to cut, solder and make a mess.

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Gary
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G6YGZ

Posted: Jan 12 2009, 05:45 AM

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Yes when I started years ago. All I could make solder stick too was the carpet he he he he he he

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The Doctor

Posted: Mar 22 2009, 08:36 AM

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after much soul searching and justifying the cost, I too am looking at the 897D. What is wrong with the Built in PSU?

The Cobweb aerial design, where can I find instructions on how to build one?

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Sandhound

Posted: Mar 22 2009, 03:56 PM

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G'day The Doctor.

QUOTE

The Cobweb aerial design, where can I find instructions on how to build one?

Try the ANTENNA DESIGN part of this forum.

Antenna Design/Antenna Solution/ and read yellowgreenzebra's postings for info and links..

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The Doctor

Posted: Apr 2 2009, 11:37 AM

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Thanks for the antenna link, been had a look, and very interesting.

So back to my question

what is wrong with the 897D mains PSU?

Don't want to buy one and then find it's a pile of!

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Gary-MI6SIS

Posted: Apr 2 2009, 01:47 PM

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Hi DOC,

With regards to your question about the internal PSU its not that there is anything wrong with it as such. Firstly I think it is over priced for a psu that only suits the one rig and secondly I think what puts most people off is that its suited to the rig and the rig only where as if you get an external supply it can be used to power other equipment you may come to own in the future (and believe me you will end up with more hihi).

Hope this helps you decide on what option to go for oh and the 897 itself is a fantastic rig for the price no complaints at all so far and it gets used everyday.

73

Gary
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The Doctor

Posted: Apr 2 2009, 05:24 PM

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QUOTE

and believe me you will end up with more hihi).

I see your point, a black box type PSU is more versatile.

The 897D is a kind of "in at the deepend" rig, all or nothing, however looking at whats on offer for other bands, by the time you have bought a rig for VHF/UHF and HF 6m etc, you could end up spending a load more money. So I guess it's a case of you have to spend money to save money. Think I'll just convert it into wife pounds, doesn't sound so bad then

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