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I got my FT-857 mid 2000. The only places it hasn't been operated is maritime mobile (which will not happen) and portable, which I intend to take care of this summer. I have the IR 2.4KHz filter and have considered the TXCO module and may still install one as I may try FT8 from a picnic table. My unit was mostly mobile with the ATAS-120 which I ditched the included whip for a Larson Kool Rod VHF whip, I lost UHF but that is of no interest to me.I have never had any issues from the rig (touch wood) mostly OP problems, the manual soon sorts that out. I think the FT-101 series may have lasted longer than the FT-857. If a new ham is looking to get one of these rigs, do not modify it in any way and if you want the MARS mod done, get someone knowledgeable to assist you. Other than the filter, I have not touched the inside of my 857, I've no need to, it has provided many hours of enjoyment and as long as I can press the buttons, it will stay with me, also in the shack are an 817 and a FTdx3K. The 857 is a decent all-round rig, marginal for contesting, great for rag chewing and not too bad at DX'ing. It is my longest owned radio ever. John VE7KKQ On Sun, Jan 31, 2021 at 8:00 AM Philip Salley <pcsalley@...> wrote: The FT-857 series is an amazing rig on a saga proportioned marathon run. It may have been in production longer than any amateur radio transceiver in history, and still going.? Believe it was first introduced about 2001.? I recall a QST review in Nov 2003 of the new "D" model.? One of the distinctions of the non-D model was the ability to do the MARS/CAP modification by the "hidden" menu.? That changed with the "D" model.? My personal FT-857D was among the earliest of the "Ds," has performed flawlessly for over 16 years both mobile (for many years) and in base station with not a single hitch.? Today the panel display has one single pixel wide vatical streak - that's all.? ?It has been MARS modified, added TCXO, YF-122S, YF-122C filters, and replaced the power cord connector with PowerPole.? Brown wire disabled.? Amazing receiver for its time, and operated full break-in CW like a champ.??It joined me in retirement, now resides in a faraday container tucked away just in case.? I take it out every few months for a wake up, and leave on power supply for a day or so then back to storage.? ?Don't mobile anymore, and base station is now an FT-991.? Phil / K4PO |
