Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
I bought my used 817 a couple of years ago with a Windcamp battery and cover already fitted.? It works well, but it is no longer holding charge as long as I would like. I have opted to switch to 18650s and have ordered this case and charger from eBay:?? 18650 battery power bank box case for yaesu FT-817 FT-817ND FT-818 transceiver??  (and have ordered some 18650s, but as said above the capacity seems a bit of a lottery) Anyone else using this option? -- Rob VE3RXH
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Great it is ok now, Dave,?
Steve,
I have had this problem on my FT818 on occasion but not the 817.? I think it just goes stupid for one reason or another and I end up forcing a factory reset to clear everything.? I use it generally everyday for an hour on 2 meters to talk with a friend.? He will report a little noise on my signal and when I look at the display I see the HSWR warning flashing.? I have checked with a dummy load and it still occurs.? A factory reset clears it.? Be sure you have saved memories and such first.
--
Al Skierkiewicz
WB9UVJ
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Steve,
I have had this problem on my FT818 on occasion but not the 817.? I think it just goes stupid for one reason or another and I end up forcing a factory reset to clear everything.? I use it generally everyday for an hour on 2 meters to talk with a friend.? He will report a little noise on my signal and when I look at the display I see the HSWR warning flashing.? I have checked with a dummy load and it still occurs.? A factory reset clears it.? Be sure you have saved memories and such first.
--
Al Skierkiewicz
WB9UVJ
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Has anyone built one of these? Start a cottage business....
I am VE team Leader at VFW post 3115 Amateur Radio Club, W?VFW.? We have 4 blind hams including the President of the club who also is a Vietnam, vet. We keep one of our repeaters on ALLSTAR -Blind hams Talk group which is active, interesting and has become the most active repeater in the area.
A group in Australia has developed a speech synthesizer for the FT-817 series. I spent over a month gathering parts to build 2 of these. One for my rig and spare parts in case something is defective. Some of it came from China. Best scenario is I'll build 2. I have all the parts sitting here since Christmas.. Everything is an emergency including driving to Orlando to help a stranded friend for a week and tomorrow.. report for jury duty.. Last time that happened, it was a week, no one saw me.. which backs up the repair of my Windom flat top the mast as one end failed in last weeks 55mph high winds.
Here's the full write-up.. It basically makes the FT-817 speak, frequency, band, mode including menu items.
I mentioned it on Blind Hams Talk group and I keep getting emails.. build me one. I see parts to build cost about $30.. You have to get them from various sources. Then they can be put into a external speaker enclosure..
Why I suggest if someone wants to Start a cottage industry, You all ready have a FT-817 to test them, and blind hams don't solder very well. So they are looking for assembled and tested.? I have been building SHARI's for ALLSTAR network and can do it for? under $150 complete.. there is a guy that offers his version called? a clear node .. where he set's up all parameteres for the blind ham and delivers it for $295. They gobble them up... Blind hams can't homebrew or do kits.
Setup of either is about 2-3 hours, depending on how skilled you are. So he's making money.
Anyhow if someone want's to try building them and make a few dollars for the next toy we all need to buy. Let me know. I may even invest. The Chinese have jumped on the N7DCC auto tuner and DL5MAN's uSDX qrp rig.. so there's money to be made. I don't have the time.? Plus there are plenty of guys who would buy here.. Let alone Blind hams...
Regards,
Larry W8LM..
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Re: Bluetooth CT62 interfaces and soon available YAESY CT62B-Meter/Interface!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! just dont tell my boss he (VE2DX!) will kill me, list is getting so long.... ;P I will put it on the list, but I do have a lot to do for a while...? most important are my new CAT62B-Meter/Interface (Now this one your going to love!) for FT-8X7 radios and CT17B-Meter/Interface with 3 ports hub and WILL work with most newer CI-V radios...? these I am hoping for late April early May... Maybe show them off at DEERFIELD hamfest! maybe!? and new CAT62B-BT, but that is a long way from done still debugging... Glad it finally got there! -- 73 Richard VE2DX Lead Designer and President WWW.VE2DX.COM¡±From Canada 2 the World!¡± ve2dx@...
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Re: Bluetooth CT62 interfaces and soon available YAESY CT62B-Meter/Interface!
Hi Richard,
Your BT CAT interface works great. Any chance of making a simple dual ACC cable for the FT8x7 series transceivers so we can connect an external ATU and a PC to do CAT at the same time?
73 de Demetre M0SUY (SV1UY)
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
Having tried a variety of NiMH internal batts with varying success, I found using the 7 Ah gel cells pictured in Martin's post to be the most reliable for the cost. I always bought used gel cells labeled "alarm pulls" and found capacity at least 6 Ah. Yes, they're heavy and not suitable for backpacking but they power the '817 to 5w for a long time. Ok, I'll admit that I backpacked one up to Big Baldy (Kings Canyon Natl Park, CA). I own 3 of them and have paid from $5 to $10 max. At Dayton some years ago, I bought this charger from batteriesamerica.com: #12BC0500D-1. Its designed for SLA batts only. I even use to charge my 12 lawn mower starter battery.
Recently I purchased a Bienno 9 Ah lithium batter that is the same size as the old 7 Ah gel cell battery. It comes with a charger and it all works very well. It will run a '817 all day and then some. The Bienno being very light is easy to backpack for SOTA excursions.?
73, Larry W7DGP
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Recalling how I had it set up before, that was the reason?I using the front antenna connector for VHF/UHF.
Steve?
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Good advice Bob. We tend to not think about those components.
Don K8EAA
We all must remember to remove all non UHF and VHF rted devices such as SWR meters, Power meters, and tuners or amplifiers and antenna switches from the RF path when operating above 54 mhz! (Routing a UHF or 2meter signal through an HF tuner,switch, amplifier, SWR meter, etc. can cause high loss and SWR increase, as wiring in such devices is usually inadequate at 440 mhz.)-Go direct from the radio to your VHF or UHF antenna, amplifier, etc.(or use an external coaxial relay/switch rated for 500 mhz or higher!)
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
We all must remember to remove all non UHF and VHF rted devices such as SWR meters, Power meters, and tuners or amplifiers and antenna switches from the RF path when operating above 54 mhz! (Routing a UHF or 2meter signal through an HF tuner,switch, amplifier, SWR meter, etc. can cause high loss and SWR increase, as wiring in such devices is usually inadequate at 440 mhz.)-Go direct from the radio to your VHF or UHF antenna, amplifier, etc.(or use an external coaxial relay/switch rated for 500 mhz or higher!)
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
Martin, you can tell the radio to use 5 watts with internal batteries. It defaults to 2.5 but can be changed to full power. It¡¯s in the manual. ?
-n7hex
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
Martin, ??? I do the same. I use the slightly larger 10.2AH version and yes they work longer and a full TX power.
Dan KD3CEU
On Saturday, April 9, 2022, 10:24:39 AM EDT, Martin - PA2RUS <pa2rus@...> wrote:
Yes you can use the internal batterycompartment, however my experience is that it won't last very long.
Besides that the TX power is limited when using the internal batteries.
My recommendation would be to invest in a new external gel battery, like the example-image, and use that instead.
It lasts longer (7.2 Amp) ¨¢nd you will have the bennefit of full TX power since you will be feeding the power through a regular powercable.
The variety in available amps is huge, but the 7.2 Amp version usually works fine.
Just my 5 cents. 73 Martin - PA2RUS
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
Yes you can use the internal batterycompartment, however my experience is that it won't last very long.
Besides that the TX power is limited when using the internal batteries.
My recommendation would be to invest in a new external gel battery, like the example-image, and use that instead.
It lasts longer (7.2 Amp) ¨¢nd you will have the bennefit of full TX power since you will be feeding the power through a regular powercable.
The variety in available amps is huge, but the 7.2 Amp version usually works fine.
Just my 5 cents. 73 Martin - PA2RUS
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Dave your comment had the brain firing this morning. I have had the 817 put away for some time and just set it up in the shack the other day. I used to use VHF/UHF on the front antenna because the rear was connected to the HF antenna. I checked menu 7 and it was in fact on front but I was connecting to the rear. I changed it the rear and I still had high SWR. My thought was maybe it is the Z100 now.
I switched menu 7 back to front and connected a jumper to the amp. That has corrected the problem. Little bit of old age and OHS!?
Thanks Dave,
Steve
VA3FLF
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Dump it into a dummy load and see if you still have high SWR.
Don K8EAA
Hi have you tested both antenna sockets, Thanks Dave 2E0DMB
I have a RFC 2-23 RF concepts amp that I wanted to use for 2 Meters with the 817. I have high MAX SWR on 2 Meters on the rig SWR meter.. Thinking it was the amp, I connected straight to my antennas, (2 Meter yagi and a X50 Vertical) both have max SWR on 2 and 440.
I have power out it appears. I tried going directly from the rig thinking might be the Z100 tuner. Still the same. I took my SWR Meter and checked the VHF antennas and they are both around 1:5 to 1.
When I connect to HF, 6 Meters all the way down SWR is good. Faulty SWR meter on 817 or do I have an issue with the rig? The PO meter changes levels when I switch power levels, and ALC seems to adjust fine. I am puzzled. Any ideas?
Steve
VA3FLF
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
I used the WinCamp replacement for a couple of years and was very please with it - then it stopped working completely (I suspect an internal fuse link gone). As I had fitted the Anderson Powerpole power input adaptor with regulator but without the by-pass switch I have assumed that the original Ni-Cad's would not charge so, for the time being, have been using it mostly with external power or receive only with AA alkalines.
Philip G4KIL
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
Panasonic black Eneloop Pro's are rated at 2550mAh. I test my 1yr old battery pack at 2500mAH (B6 mini tester).
Easy enough to solder up a battery pack.
Weight is 249g
Eneloop Pros would be my starting place, given the ease of charging in the radio, and robustness against over/under charge, low self discharge (compared to older NiMH), no need for special storage charge (unlike Li), and that they are _actually_ the rated value.
[I also added a pfet across the schottky to claw back 300mV when using batteries.]
I have started using 3x18650 LiIon for long trips - lighter at 150g. They test at 2700mAh,
I have carbon covers, and I have hacked away at the chassis under the cells to get them in. Not sure if they go in a standard case, but you would only need to modify/replace the plastic battery cover to use 18650's.
So far I have found the LiIons are not testing anywhere near the 3200-3400 I was expecting.
I also have some LIPO's (labelled 4200mAh) that fit inside nicely, and they test at ~2500mAh at 212g.
BTW, I would expect those pale blue batteries have all go an SMPS in each cell, and there must be frequencies that will flatten the RX. Personally wouldn't believe the mAh rating unless I tested them.
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
Not internal but works for me. I use a 3.0ah or 4.5ah Bioenno with power pole connector mod. The 3.0ah can lie on top with Velcro to bat/top 818.
I use this for SOTA and can easily activate 2 summits on one 3.0ah.
73
Erik
KE8OKM
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Re: Recommendations for a replacement battery pack for F-817ND
I made up a new pack using tagged AA cells - 1800s, I think?? I also cut the case off the original battery pack to cover them and removed the temp cut-out.? My 817 runs on the desk quite a lot, and with the external power connected.? I have had no problems with the continuous trickle charge that goes into the batts and it means it is useable whenever I need it.? I can operate for quite a while on just internal batts and the 20m whip on the BNC - even when pushed to 5w!? The batts have been in for about 2 yers now.? Soldered the tags and glue-gunned the batts into the correct shape then wrapped the cover around the new pack.
73
Mike - G8NSZ
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Re: High SWR on VHF / UHF
Hi have you tested both antenna sockets, Thanks Dave 2E0DMB
I have a RFC 2-23 RF concepts amp that I wanted to use for 2 Meters with the 817. I have high MAX SWR on 2 Meters on the rig SWR meter.. Thinking it was the amp, I connected straight to my antennas, (2 Meter yagi and a X50 Vertical) both have max SWR on 2 and 440.
I have power out it appears. I tried going directly from the rig thinking might be the Z100 tuner. Still the same. I took my SWR Meter and checked the VHF antennas and they are both around 1:5 to 1.
When I connect to HF, 6 Meters all the way down SWR is good. Faulty SWR meter on 817 or do I have an issue with the rig? The PO meter changes levels when I switch power levels, and ALC seems to adjust fine. I am puzzled. Any ideas?
Steve
VA3FLF
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Al WB9UVJ
Larry Macionski
Demetre - SV1UY (M0SUY)
Doc Sarvis
Martin - PA2RUS
Mike G8NSZ