Re: Another newbie question - programming frequencies
Hi Stewart, ? Although you can program in any frequency to receive, you may not use the radio to transmit as it is not a type approved radio for transmitting outside the Amateur bands in Australia. ? 73¡.Eric VK2VE. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of vk2dhv@...
Sent: Wednesday, 7 July 2021 10:45
To: [email protected]
Subject: [FT-857] Another newbie question - programming frequencies? Is it possible to program non HAM frequencies into an 857 using something like CHIRP?
In Australia we have HF networks which cater for remote area 4WD travel. They license frequencies off the regulators for club members to use.
An example is??which uses 3890.5, 11487, 7899, etc.
If it is technically possible to access those frequencies from an 857 (once the legalities have been sorted), that avoids the need to carry a (heavy and bulky) second radio.
Thanks.
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Re: Another newbie question - programming frequencies
David,
The specific answer to your question is YES however...
I'd (strongly) suggest the 'legalities' can not be sorted as you are suggesting.
Have a good read of the Radiocommunications Act in particular Clauses 46-48 and Clauses 157- 161 (FYI - your FT-857 is a non-standard device).
Regards,
Cameron - VK2RA/VK2CKP/KX4BS
----- Original Message -----
To: <[email protected]>
Cc:
Sent: Tue, 06 Jul 2021 17:44:50 -0700
Subject: [FT-857] Another newbie question - programming frequencies
Is it possible to program non HAM frequencies into an 857 using something like CHIRP?
In Australia we have HF networks which cater for remote area 4WD travel. They license frequencies off the regulators for club members to use.
An example is??which uses 3890.5, 11487, 7899, etc.
If it is technically possible to access those frequencies from an 857 (once the legalities have been sorted), that avoids the need to carry a (heavy and bulky) second radio.
Thanks.
|
Re: Another newbie question - programming frequencies
Yes, but if he wants to listen to various frequencies? without having to tune to them each time, the rig will accept any frequency in its range for receive only. I am never going to transmit on LF NDB frequencies or AM BCB frequencies, but I have quite a few of those programmed into the radio with CHIRP.
73, Zack W9SZ
Although technically possible your amateur rig, FT 857, will never be permitted to Tx on those commercial frequencies, sorry, you will need a commercially approved radio.
--
Compton
VK2HRX
Sydney, Australia
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Re: Another newbie question - programming frequencies
Although technically possible your amateur rig, FT 857, will never be permitted to Tx on those commercial frequencies, sorry, you will need a commercially approved radio.
--
Compton
VK2HRX
Sydney, Australia
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Re: Another newbie question - programming frequencies
Yes, I have all sorts of frequencies programmed into mine via CHIRP. LF NDB's, broadcast band, various shortwave stations, the local NOAA weather on 162.55 MHz, etc. They all work fine.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 7:45 PM < vk2dhv@...> wrote: Is it possible to program non HAM frequencies into an 857 using something like CHIRP?
In Australia we have HF networks which cater for remote area 4WD travel. They license frequencies off the regulators for club members to use.
An example is??which uses 3890.5, 11487, 7899, etc.
If it is technically possible to access those frequencies from an 857 (once the legalities have been sorted), that avoids the need to carry a (heavy and bulky) second radio.
Thanks.
|
Re: Another newbie question - programming frequencies
You can certainly program those
frequencies, although it will not transmit o nthose without a
modification to open up the transmit.? Just program them like a regular
frequency as it has 500 Khz to 30 MHZ continuous receive vk2dhv@...
wrote on 7/6/2021 17:44:
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Show quoted text
Is it
possible to program non HAM frequencies into an 857 using something like
CHIRP?
In Australia we have HF networks which cater for remote
area 4WD travel. They license frequencies off the regulators for club
members to use.
An example is??which
uses 3890.5, 11487, 7899, etc.
If it is technically possible to
access those frequencies from an 857 (once the legalities have been
sorted), that avoids the need to carry a (heavy and bulky) second radio.
Thanks.
--
Jeff K. Steinkamp (N7YG)
Tucson, AZ
Scud Missile Coordinates
N32.2319 W110.8477
|
Another newbie question - programming frequencies
Is it possible to program non HAM frequencies into an 857 using something like CHIRP?
In Australia we have HF networks which cater for remote area 4WD travel. They license frequencies off the regulators for club members to use.
An example is??which uses 3890.5, 11487, 7899, etc.
If it is technically possible to access those frequencies from an 857 (once the legalities have been sorted), that avoids the need to carry a (heavy and bulky) second radio.
Thanks.
|
Re: FT-857 power connector
On 2021-06-27 07:13, Zack Widup wrote: I own both an FT897D and an FT857D. I have three power plugs that are
supposed to be for the connectors on the FT897 and 857. All three work
perfectly well on my FT897. However, none of the three will fully seat
on the connector that is on the wire on the FT857. I have a hard time
plugging any of them in on the FT857. Have any of you encountered
this? I haven't been able to figure out WHY the connectors won't fully
seat on the FT857 connector.
73, Zack W9SZ Hullo Zack, Most interesting. I've read the suggestions posted thus far. A thought, simply because a connector works on the FT-897 you have, and works with one doesn't mean that it hasn't adjusted itself. It may not be the functional standard there. <g> Have you more samples of this type to try it with, friends or locals perhaps? I have the FT-857D and there is a fine match between it's connector, the stock one for my Kenwood TS-440Sat, and the spare I bought for the latter for mobile installation back in the day. All will fit either radio, and power it. All I can offer for the moment. 73, John -- J. D. Erskine VA7OTC/VA7RCN Victoria, BC
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A couple of times my FT-897 flashes the frequency and mode portion of the screen.? If I power off and on, it clears.? The frequency displayed is a random HF frequency.
This has happened when I was starting up JTAlert and turning on radio at same time
73 Steve VE5SR
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Re: Spurious transmission on 6m
I have opened the unit, and re-tightened all the bolts that hold the PCB's
Most seemed OK, but some could be turned a little.
Tested it, and until now (2 days) I haven't seen the fault re-appearing, while before it was almost permanent on 6m.
So it seems to do the trick.
I tried to understand what happened. I can't believe that the screws are actually too loose. I noticed they are (probably) zinc plated. I guess that over time some oxyde layer develops,causing high impedance at certain positions. Moving the screws a bit (losing and re-tightening) will probably damage the oxydelayer enough to lower the impedance to within tolerances to avoid oscillation.
Another explanation can be oxydation in the tapped holes in the alumin(i)um frame they are connected to?
The solution may be temporary, will keep an eye on it.
73
Peter/PA3FQH
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Re: Spurious transmission on 6m
I experienced a similar situation where the ALC display would max out on 6m when operating digital modes and the supply voltage displayed on the rig would drop to approx 9 volts, but the voltage displayed on the power supply was normal (13.8).? I didn't think to switch the power supply meter to show current.
It looks like I might have experienced a similar, if not the same issue.
I searched the group for "ALC maxing out" and similar terms but didn't find anything relevant so gave up and?swapped the rig out with an FT100D that was in my mobile so I didn't ever get to the bottom of the issue.
I'll pull the covers off the 857 again and check the contacts on the mounting screws etc.
Thanks for this info.
--
73
Rob
VE3RXH
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Re: Spurious transmission on 6m
Thanks all,
Will give it a try next week. I will post results when done
73
Peter/PA3FQH
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Re: Spurious transmission on 6m
I remember this issue coming up on
the group from time to time, over the years.? So far as I
remember, it's usually caused by a loose screw holding the PCB
to the chassis which isn't making good electrical contact.
???? Good luck,
????????????? cheers,
??????????????????????? Darrel,
aa7fv.
On 6/28/2021 07:07, David wrote:
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It is known that the 857 tents to have spurious
oscillations once in a while. I think it is a feedback from
the filters into the first stages of the RF generation.
What I suggest is:
?- remove top and bottom enclosure
?- clean all mating surfaces, I use sandpaper
?- I add thin 1 mm gaskets (foam over fabric) to improve
contacts
?- check all screws that hold the board down.
?- close the unit, add the four screws from mounting into a
car. Be careful not to use too long screws
?- I also add ferrite loaded elastomer on the inside of the
enclosure on the RF power amp side. I do not know if this
helps and is needed.
Overall, I think very good contact of the PCB to the frame
and the lids to the frame are needed.
Last time when I had oscillations I found that I had
forgotten to add a screw to the lid
David?? OE6NZM / AD0PY / DL7ZM
Hello All,
Since a couple of days I have an annoying problem when
operating 6m,
I have the power output limited to 30W, but sometimes I see
the A-meter of my PSU going all the way up while
transmitting. Power output and ALC go to max, no matter
what, even without modulation. This happens on all modes.
I checked with a spectrum analyzer, and found out that when
this happens, it outputs a high signal on around 47MHz, and
nothing on the expected frequency. This happens irregularly,
sometimes it is ok for hours, and suddenly it's not, for a
couple of transmissions. Often it resets after a few
transmissions.
I believe I have seen it on other HF bands as well, but
recently I have only been able to replicate it on 6m. In any
case, it seems to happen more frequently on 6m.
It looks like some oscillation is going on in the unit,
causing maximum output on a wrong frequency?
I removed all the input and output connections (except the
antenna and mike), but this does not change the behaviour.
My antenna is reasonably well adjusted, VSWR <1,5. I
haven't checked it with a dummy load yet, will do that
later.
Does anybody recognizes this?
73
Peter/PA3FQH
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Re: FT-857 power connector
One has to wonder why the connector is made and broken apart so much that this wear takes place. Andersons were installed at the opposite end so that there was minimal need to make and break the original connector. In my vehicle, there is a heavy power lead with Andersons on the end, want the rig in the car, pull apart the shack Andersons, connect to the car Andersons, simple.
That "Molex" type connector on the 857 can be a bit of a PIA to disconnect but not near as a PIA as the one on the FTdx3000.
John VE7KKQ
Howdy!
I've got an 857d, and the connector on the radio side of my power plug had a similar issue; turns out that the metal pins inside the plastic connector weren't fully seated because they'd worn into the plastic and didn't allow for a solid connection.?
I cut the 'molex' connector off, installed an Anderson Power Pole connector using the ARES standard, and haven't had any issues with power connections since.
I've also been using APP connectors for more than a decade on various other DC powered equipment in my vehicle, office, and shop without any issues.
If you want to go the 'long route', you could check/verify the issue is the pins in the power connector (again, radio side, not the power connector side that connects to other radios fine), and just replace the external section of the molex plug. If you do this, i'd urge you to spend the money to buy the better quality one so you don't have this issue again.
73, de KI4WIN
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Re: Spurious transmission on 6m
I seem to recall that one way to do something about this is to open up the rig, then clean all the grounding points for the circuit boards, tighten all the screws securing the cct boards or improve them, this was an issue many years ago. Interesting that these old issues with power cords, interfacing and oscillations are resurfacing. I haven't searched Google yet, but I wonder if some of the websites detailing these issues are still up and running.
John VE7KKQ
Hello All,
Since a couple of days I have an annoying problem when operating 6m,
I have the power output limited to 30W, but sometimes I see the A-meter of my PSU going all the way up while transmitting. Power output and ALC go to max, no matter what, even without modulation. This happens on all modes.
I checked with a spectrum analyzer, and found out that when this happens, it outputs a high signal on around 47MHz, and nothing on the expected frequency. This happens irregularly, sometimes it is ok for hours, and suddenly it's not, for a couple of transmissions. Often it resets after a few transmissions.
I believe I have seen it on other HF bands as well, but recently I have only been able to replicate it on 6m. In any case, it seems to happen more frequently on 6m.
It looks like some oscillation is going on in the unit, causing maximum output on a wrong frequency?
I removed all the input and output connections (except the antenna and mike), but this does not change the behaviour. My antenna is reasonably well adjusted, VSWR <1,5. I haven't checked it with a dummy load yet, will do that later.
Does anybody recognizes this?
73
Peter/PA3FQH
|
Re: Spurious transmission on 6m
It is known that the 857 tents to have spurious oscillations once in a while. I think it is a feedback from the filters into the first stages of the RF generation. What I suggest is: ?- remove top and bottom enclosure ?- clean all mating surfaces, I use sandpaper
?- I add thin 1 mm gaskets (foam over fabric) to improve contacts ?- check all screws that hold the board down.
?- close the unit, add the four screws from mounting into a car. Be careful not to use too long screws ?- I also add ferrite loaded elastomer on the inside of the enclosure on the RF power amp side. I do not know if this helps and is needed.
Overall, I think very good contact of the PCB to the frame and the lids to the frame are needed. Last time when I had oscillations I found that I had forgotten to add a screw to the lid
David?? OE6NZM / AD0PY / DL7ZM
Hello All,
Since a couple of days I have an annoying problem when operating 6m,
I have the power output limited to 30W, but sometimes I see the A-meter of my PSU going all the way up while transmitting. Power output and ALC go to max, no matter what, even without modulation. This happens on all modes.
I checked with a spectrum analyzer, and found out that when this happens, it outputs a high signal on around 47MHz, and nothing on the expected frequency. This happens irregularly, sometimes it is ok for hours, and suddenly it's not, for a couple of transmissions. Often it resets after a few transmissions.
I believe I have seen it on other HF bands as well, but recently I have only been able to replicate it on 6m. In any case, it seems to happen more frequently on 6m.
It looks like some oscillation is going on in the unit, causing maximum output on a wrong frequency?
I removed all the input and output connections (except the antenna and mike), but this does not change the behaviour. My antenna is reasonably well adjusted, VSWR <1,5. I haven't checked it with a dummy load yet, will do that later.
Does anybody recognizes this?
73
Peter/PA3FQH
|
Re: FT-857 power connector
Howdy!
I've got an 857d, and the connector on the radio side of my power plug had a similar issue; turns out that the metal pins inside the plastic connector weren't fully seated because they'd worn into the plastic and didn't allow for a solid connection.?
I cut the 'molex' connector off, installed an Anderson Power Pole connector using the ARES standard, and haven't had any issues with power connections since.
I've also been using APP connectors for more than a decade on various other DC powered equipment in my vehicle, office, and shop without any issues.
If you want to go the 'long route', you could check/verify the issue is the pins in the power connector (again, radio side, not the power connector side that connects to other radios fine), and just replace the external section of the molex plug. If you do this, i'd urge you to spend the money to buy the better quality one so you don't have this issue again.
73, de KI4WIN
|
Spurious transmission on 6m
Hello All,
Since a couple of days I have an annoying problem when operating 6m,
I have the power output limited to 30W, but sometimes I see the A-meter of my PSU going all the way up while transmitting. Power output and ALC go to max, no matter what, even without modulation. This happens on all modes.
I checked with a spectrum analyzer, and found out that when this happens, it outputs a high signal on around 47MHz, and nothing on the expected frequency. This happens irregularly, sometimes it is ok for hours, and suddenly it's not, for a couple of transmissions. Often it resets after a few transmissions.
I believe I have seen it on other HF bands as well, but recently I have only been able to replicate it on 6m. In any case, it seems to happen more frequently on 6m.
It looks like some oscillation is going on in the unit, causing maximum output on a wrong frequency?
I removed all the input and output connections (except the antenna and mike), but this does not change the behaviour. My antenna is reasonably well adjusted, VSWR <1,5. I haven't checked it with a dummy load yet, will do that later.
Does anybody recognizes this?
73
Peter/PA3FQH
|
Re: FT-857 power connector
It's your rig, carry-on...
John VE7KKQ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 1:55 PM Zack Widup < w9sz.zack@...> wrote: I want to be able to restore the rig to its original condition if I sell it.
73, Zack W9SZ
Why would you open the rig to replace the power leads???
Just cut the connector off and crimp on the Andersons, you are making more work for yourself and you will need a high wattage soldering iron (don't use a soldering gun, high current magnetism could damage or destroy components within the rig) to unsolder the power leads.
John VE7KKQ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 12:23 PM Zack Widup < w9sz.zack@...> wrote: I haven't had the radio open yet, but if it's not too difficult, I could unsolder the wires to the connector and replace them with wires ending in Powerpoles (which is what I planned on using, anyway). Thay way, if I want to sell the radio, I can just swap for the original connector again,
73, Zack W9SZ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 10:51 AM Stu Nutt < stunutt@...> wrote:
Definitely replace the "Molexes" or add Andersons if they are
okay.? It's a common problem and I left the original connectors
when I bought mine, but cut the lead short and added Andersons
when I bought my 857.? I used to work commercially on equipment
that had Molexes? on the power supply units and I suspect those
aren't intended for frequent plug/unplug, only when a power supply
was faulty and needed replacing (only once in several years).
Stu (G3OCR)
On 27/06/2021 04:38 pm, John wrote:
Could it be that the connectors on your three cables and
the connector on the 897 are not original? I know some time
back when these rigs were new there were complaints that Molex
connectors would not fit and that was because the original
connectors were NOT made by Molex but by some Asian company.
Why not just cut them all off and use Anderson connectors,
frustration eliminated.
I have an FT-857, bought new, it is nearly twenty years old
now, it has had no issues whatsoever, it has been a desktop
rig, a mobile rig (two different cars) for several years and a
portable rig and I'm not gentle with it.
John
VE7KKQ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 7:13
AM Zack Widup < w9sz.zack@...> wrote:
I own both an FT897D and an FT857D.? I have three power
plugs that are supposed to be for the connectors on the
FT897 and 857. All three work perfectly well on my FT897.
However, none of the three will fully seat on the
connector that is on the wire on the FT857. I have a hard
time plugging any of them in on the FT857. Have any of you
encountered this? I haven't been able to figure out WHY
the connectors won't fully seat on the FT857 connector.
73, Zack W9SZ
--
Sty Nutt, G3OCR
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Re: FT-857 power connector
I want to be able to restore the rig to its original condition if I sell it.
73, Zack W9SZ
Why would you open the rig to replace the power leads???
Just cut the connector off and crimp on the Andersons, you are making more work for yourself and you will need a high wattage soldering iron (don't use a soldering gun, high current magnetism could damage or destroy components within the rig) to unsolder the power leads.
John VE7KKQ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 12:23 PM Zack Widup < w9sz.zack@...> wrote: I haven't had the radio open yet, but if it's not too difficult, I could unsolder the wires to the connector and replace them with wires ending in Powerpoles (which is what I planned on using, anyway). Thay way, if I want to sell the radio, I can just swap for the original connector again,
73, Zack W9SZ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 10:51 AM Stu Nutt < stunutt@...> wrote:
Definitely replace the "Molexes" or add Andersons if they are
okay.? It's a common problem and I left the original connectors
when I bought mine, but cut the lead short and added Andersons
when I bought my 857.? I used to work commercially on equipment
that had Molexes? on the power supply units and I suspect those
aren't intended for frequent plug/unplug, only when a power supply
was faulty and needed replacing (only once in several years).
Stu (G3OCR)
On 27/06/2021 04:38 pm, John wrote:
Could it be that the connectors on your three cables and
the connector on the 897 are not original? I know some time
back when these rigs were new there were complaints that Molex
connectors would not fit and that was because the original
connectors were NOT made by Molex but by some Asian company.
Why not just cut them all off and use Anderson connectors,
frustration eliminated.
I have an FT-857, bought new, it is nearly twenty years old
now, it has had no issues whatsoever, it has been a desktop
rig, a mobile rig (two different cars) for several years and a
portable rig and I'm not gentle with it.
John
VE7KKQ
On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 7:13
AM Zack Widup < w9sz.zack@...> wrote:
I own both an FT897D and an FT857D.? I have three power
plugs that are supposed to be for the connectors on the
FT897 and 857. All three work perfectly well on my FT897.
However, none of the three will fully seat on the
connector that is on the wire on the FT857. I have a hard
time plugging any of them in on the FT857. Have any of you
encountered this? I haven't been able to figure out WHY
the connectors won't fully seat on the FT857 connector.
73, Zack W9SZ
--
Sty Nutt, G3OCR
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Compton
John D Erskine VE7MHI VA7OTC
Steve Lenaghan
Daniel