I believe the main reason for bringing the FT-818 out was some
parts are no longer available for the FT-817.
It is sort of a "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."? By upgrading
to parts that are available, keeps the cost in line and
that seems to be the case with the FT-818.
73, Joe, K8JP/K5-V31JP
On 4/21/2019 8:42 AM, 'Mike Olbrisch'
Mike-2020@... [FT817] wrote:
Good morning Ray.
?
Going over my notes, I show 240,000 radios
sold a couple of years ago.? I imagine they hit 250,000 radios
before the 818 came out.? Maybe not….. but only Yaesu knows for
sure, and they are not telling.
?
I sometimes wonder if the 818 should be
carried as 817 sales, or if it should stand under its own
numbers.? Is it different enough to make a difference?? To me,
there is a difference, and not for the better.? While the 818 is
essentially an updated 817, for my wants the made it a bit
worse..? The 817 power levels are 5w-2.5w-1w-0.5w.? The 818 runs
6w-5w-2.5w-1w.? The difference between 5w and 6w is only useful
if you are driving an amplifier that needs the 6w input.?
Actually on the air, all the 6w does is run your battery flat
20% quicker.? But for my ops, the 0.5w level is very miserly on
battery use, and is great for driving transverters, a very
popular use among V/UHF ROVERS.? The FT-818 announcement was a
roar.? The actual implementation was a whimper!
?
And you are correct.?? There still is not any
other radio out there that directly competes with the FT-817.?
The FT-818 could have been so much more.? It could have beat the
KX3.? Instead, it was a disappointment.? But at least it kept
the style out there.? It would have been even worse if the 817
were discontinued and no replacement made.
?
Vy73 - Mike - KD5KC.
El Paso, Texas - DM61rt.
SOTA W5T-Texas Association Manager.
NA-SOTA info is at:?
--
Regards, Joe, K8JP/V31JP, Ronnie, Martin & Sidney Pontek
175 Diamond Loch Rd., Apt. 5
Gilmer, TX 75644-9374
U.S.A.
or
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
903-204-2318 (My TX cellular)
903-884-5990 (Skype telephone number, Belize & TX)
Also, K8JP, member FOC-1743, QCWA-LM21894, OOTC-4607, A1OP, SKCC-3171T, NAQCC-5798, Flying Pig-2819, FISTS-7625CC951, A1C-2299, SOC 1075, 10-10 22977, PG1915841, CW Rag chewers #21,
Facebook: Joe Pontek
Skype: v31joepalooka
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever and prefer basket cases to restore.
LotW
