Hello,
I am new to digital HF. I am using an early FT-817 with W-SJTX or JSTX and experience the same issue, that has me stumped. I am able to use FT8 without any issue, but FT4 just does not work. I have tried changing settings and levels, with no success. The interface is Rigblaster Plug And Play (6 pin data jack) with USB soundcard.
I am using the following:
PKT RATE 1200
DIG MODE USER-U
DIG DISP 0
DIG MIC 12
DIG SHIFT 0
I saw a post where someone said to adjust menu #55 USB offset, but my radio goes to #51.
Any wisdom on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc
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Re: For Sale: MURATA CFJ455K-14 2.4Khz CERAMIC SSB FILTER
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Re: For Sale: MURATA CFJ455K-14 2.4Khz CERAMIC SSB FILTER
Isn't that the stock filter that comes inside the FT 817 and 818?? The K5 version has steeper skirts and comes stock in the TS 830 and the Icom 703 and 706 as I recall. I've had a few, they all had that filter.? It is a ceramic filter, not mechanical, and the skirts are not nearly as sharp as a mechanical filter.? In my 817, I've replaced the K14 stock filter with a K12 (Murata CFJ-455-K12 is the nomenclature, I believe) and it has steeper skirts and a slightly wider bandwidth than the K14 and I like the difference.? A bit more selectivity AND a bit more sound.
Hadassah, WA3JPG
On Fri, Jul 12, 2024 at 8:32?PM Ham Radio via <bernard.murphy= [email protected]> wrote: This 2.4 KHz SSB filter has been tested in my FT817.
The mounting PCB is a bit short so I just added an external connector. See the pic for details.
If you wish, you can order the exact mounting PCB for the FT817 by contacting Arthur, SP6AB. This filter also is used in some Kenwood radios.
Price: $25 US plus shipping from Ottawa, Canada
-- Hadassah Freyja Sobel, J.D., Ph.D. Arroyo Grande, CA.
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For Sale: MURATA CFJ455K-14 2.4Khz CERAMIC SSB FILTER
This 2.4 KHz SSB filter has been tested in my FT817.
The mounting PCB is a bit short so I just added an external connector. See the pic for details.
If you wish, you can order the exact mounting PCB for the FT817 by contacting Arthur, SP6AB. This filter also is used in some Kenwood radios.
Price: $25 US plus shipping from Ottawa, Canada
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Re: How to assemble an Collins filter + Board for FT-817/857 and save $$$!!!
I have an FT857D that has a DSP filter. It will go down to 60 Hz width. I will tune in a CW signal at a much wider bandwidth, then narrow it down to 120 or 60 Hz if need be. Very useful. I wish the FT817ND had it.
Zack W9SZ
On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 3:41?PM Ron Wright via <lt_wright_flg= [email protected]> wrote: I dont think you would like a 100 Hz filter.? Makes tuning to find stations difficult.? I use a 300 Hz Collins filter in my FT817 and also other rigs with IF DSP with adjustable filters for CW.? I often use a 1.4kHz filter for tuning.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
Spring Hill, Florida also n9ee55@...
What other filters exist for the 817/818 rigs?
Looking at INRAD's old page I see a couple of options, though they are long gone.
CW: 300 and 500Hz
SSB: 2000, 2300, 2500, 2900KHz
I thought there was a narrower CW filter out there somewhere, but maybe I'm thinking of a different rig.? I thought there was a 100Hz option.
Greg, K3RW/KH7
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Re: How to assemble an Collins filter + Board for FT-817/857 and save $$$!!!
I dont think you would like a 100 Hz filter.? Makes tuning to find stations difficult.? I use a 300 Hz Collins filter in my FT817 and also other rigs with IF DSP with adjustable filters for CW.? I often use a 1.4kHz filter for tuning.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
Spring Hill, Florida also n9ee55@...
On Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 06:27:37 PM EDT, Greg, K3RW <gregory.c.winters@...> wrote:
What other filters exist for the 817/818 rigs?
Looking at INRAD's old page I see a couple of options, though they are long gone.
CW: 300 and 500Hz
SSB: 2000, 2300, 2500, 2900KHz
I thought there was a narrower CW filter out there somewhere, but maybe I'm thinking of a different rig.? I thought there was a 100Hz option.
Greg, K3RW/KH7
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Re: How to assemble an Collins filter + Board for FT-817/857 and save $$$!!!
What other filters exist for the 817/818 rigs?
Looking at INRAD's old page I see a couple of options, though they are long gone.
CW: 300 and 500Hz
SSB: 2000, 2300, 2500, 2900KHz
I thought there was a narrower CW filter out there somewhere, but maybe I'm thinking of a different rig.? I thought there was a 100Hz option.
Greg, K3RW/KH7
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
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Okay, learned some today. I off-loaded the Windcamp battery and went out with the Bioenno 12v/3Ah for a SOTA activation. Indeed the power symbology did change with the external battery to show the full 6W (blank display) and all the subsequent settings. Through some reading on previous posts WRT the battery drain on the 818/817, I believe this is completely negated by using the off switch on the Windcamp battery cover which preserves the battery. Correct?
As Tobias suggested, I set the 'PWRMtr' setting to SWR. On a multiband 10-15-20-40 EFHW, I only saw "S" when in RX and occasionally saw "SW" when transmitting. I assume this to mean my SWR was acceptable, but cannot confirm. The manual makes vague reference to the SWR meter but says nothing about what is displayed in this mode.
I've also ordered the 3D printed rails to replace the PortableZero rails which are robust but heavy. Next I need a DIY hand mic that is smaller/lightweight than the OEM mic which came with the radio.
If anyone would care to chime in and fill in any blanks, I'll gladly take the feedback. Really enjoying the radio.
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
Matt,
Just go ahead and send me those portable zero rails that you're not using. As for a mic, how about K6ARK?? ?
r/ Paul
Okay, learned some today. I off-loaded the Windcamp battery and went out with the Bioenno 12v/3Ah for a SOTA activation. Indeed the power symbology did change with the external battery to show the full 6W (blank display) and all the subsequent settings. Through some reading on previous posts WRT the battery drain on the 818/817, I believe this is completely negated by using the off switch on the Windcamp battery cover which preserves the battery. Correct?
As Tobias suggested, I set the 'PWRMtr' setting to SWR. On a multiband 10-15-20-40 EFHW, I only saw "S" when in RX and occasionally saw "SW" when transmitting. I assume this to mean my SWR was acceptable, but cannot confirm. The manual makes vague reference to the SWR meter but says nothing about what is displayed in this mode.
I've also ordered the 3D printed rails to replace the PortableZero rails which are robust but heavy. Next I need a DIY hand mic that is smaller/lightweight than the OEM mic which came with the radio.
If anyone would care to chime in and fill in any blanks, I'll gladly take the feedback. Really enjoying the radio.
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
Hi Matt, ? I believe that the 818 is almost identical to the 817 in operation with just a few enhancements. So here are my comments. ? The power indication flashing or not flashing when in the high power mode is purely dependant on the voltage being fed to the radio from whatever source. You could test this by powering it from an external variable supply starting at 12V and then gradually reducing the voltage and you’ll find that at a certain point the icon will start flashing. The rationale is that when using an external supply of around 12V the display doesn’t flash but when using the battery, which normally has a nominal voltage of about 10.2 V (NiMH) the icon will flash to warn you that you are on high power and hence will run down the battery much faster. ? Regarding the S and SW indications, it will read S on receive indicating that you are reading signal strength and SW on transmit indicting that you are reading SWR. If you had it set to Power, then it would read P instead of SW on transmit. Obviously, the less bars shown in SWR, the better. ? 73….Eric VK2VE. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Matt W7MDN via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 1:38 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)? Okay, learned some today. I off-loaded the Windcamp battery and went out with the Bioenno 12v/3Ah for a SOTA activation. Indeed the power symbology did change with the external battery to show the full 6W (blank display) and all the subsequent settings. Through some reading on previous posts WRT the battery drain on the 818/817, I believe this is completely negated by using the off switch on the Windcamp battery cover which preserves the battery. Correct?
As Tobias suggested, I set the 'PWRMtr' setting to SWR. On a multiband 10-15-20-40 EFHW, I only saw "S" when in RX and occasionally saw "SW" when transmitting. I assume this to mean my SWR was acceptable, but cannot confirm. The manual makes vague reference to the SWR meter but says nothing about what is displayed in this mode.
I've also ordered the 3D printed rails to replace the PortableZero rails which are robust but heavy. Next I need a DIY hand mic that is smaller/lightweight than the OEM mic which came with the radio.
If anyone would care to chime in and fill in any blanks, I'll gladly take the feedback. Really enjoying the radio.
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
Okay, learned some today. I off-loaded the Windcamp battery and went out with the Bioenno 12v/3Ah for a SOTA activation. Indeed the power symbology did change with the external battery to show the full 6W (blank display) and all the subsequent settings. Through some reading on previous posts WRT the battery drain on the 818/817, I believe this is completely negated by using the off switch on the Windcamp battery cover which preserves the battery. Correct?
As Tobias suggested, I set the 'PWRMtr' setting to SWR. On a multiband 10-15-20-40 EFHW, I only saw "S" when in RX and occasionally saw "SW" when transmitting. I assume this to mean my SWR was acceptable, but cannot confirm. The manual makes vague reference to the SWR meter but says nothing about what is displayed in this mode.
I've also ordered the 3D printed rails to replace the PortableZero rails which are robust but heavy. Next I need a DIY hand mic that is smaller/lightweight than the OEM mic which came with the radio.
If anyone would care to chime in and fill in any blanks, I'll gladly take the feedback. Really enjoying the radio.
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
I use B to cycle POW and Swr to make ture things are working properly.?
Blinking power symbol is correct for full power on internal battery. On 13.8v there will be no power logo.
One other thing you can do is calibrate the battery voltage display. This is an internal menu item, but I found that mine would show a much lower voltage than the battery had available. I don't think the display has anything to do with when the transmitter will reduce power, however.?
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
Andy:
I have not, but will bring the 12v Bioenno LiFePo next time. I don't have a home power supply; no setup at the house.
Coax is a 10' length of RG-316, off the ground to the max extent possible. Acknowledge the minuscule difference between 5 and 6W, but it was a factor in waiting for a FT-818 vs the 817.
Matt
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
I wasn't aware of that WRT the POW graph. I think it was going full right but will need to look next time. I do recall the L)) was blinking when I was in TX and sometimes in RX. I'm only using the radio in CW right now. Previous owner installed a Collins/Inrad CW filter.
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
Hi Matt,
Have you tried to see what power options your radio gives when on a 13.8v external power supply? You should get all 4 options.
I have the 817 and 818, both give full power on a psu and external 12v battery, I don't use internal batteries.
Also the difference between 5 and 6w really isn't worth worrying about, to get the best out of these radios use good antennas and low loss coax.
Have fun?
Andy
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Re: TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
With no logo visible you will have 6w, when the voltage of the battery drops below (not sure exactly but something near) 11v the logo will blink. But still at full output.
It's not the clearest, but it works. Remember that the POW graph is a full range, so bars all the way to the right is 6w, so when in doubt look at the power out.
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TX power symbology (FT-818 specific)
FT-818 Jedis:
Recent owner of a FT-818ND. The book and Nifty manual state there should be four symbols for determining TX power:
[blank] - full 6W (5W internal battery)
L))) - 2.5W
L)) - 1.0W
L) - 0.5W
I'm using the internal Windcamp battery mod. My screen will only display L)), and L) regardless of the number of times I push the B button. It also seems like there are some extra button pushes in the cycle that don't change anything, i.e. it takes two button pushes to get from L)) back to L). The battery is fully charged.
FT-818 veterans, need a brief explanation of the symbology for internal versus external battery sources.
Also is 6W achievable with the internal battery? Is that why only two symbols are displaying?
If using an external Bioenno 12v, 3Ah battery, is full power an option or am I limited to 5W?
Thanks in advance,
Matt W7MDN
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Re: Measuring the output power
Two excellent field tools to establish that your radio actually transmits are:
- See how fast a resistor heats up using a calibrated ouchometer - thanks VK3YE
- Have a torch light bulb dummy load.
To make an accurate measurement, the best, cheapest and most accurate way is a simple dummy load and Schottky diode.
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2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
FT-817's set the world on fire for Portable QRP Operation.? ?Now would be a good time to get your FT-817/FT-818 out there and turn it into a Bumblebee !!?
2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
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The annual Flight of the Bumblebees will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
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The event ?will be in a four hour daytime window, from 1700 to 2100 UTC.
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This casual QRP CW event consists of 'Bumblebees' who are operating portable stations at outdoor locations, and 'Home Stations' who try to work as many of these 'Bumblebees' as possible.
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This event is open to all operators.? Anywhere.? Being at the top of the sunspot cycle, this year's? event has the potential to be very interesting.
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Operators who want to go out and setup a portable station at some outdoor location, and be a highly sought after 'Bumblebee', need to obtain a "Bumblebee Number".?
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The window for obtaining your 2024 'Bumblebee Number' is now Open.
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The web site will explain the whole process.
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I'll be out there as a 'Bumblebee' - hoping to work you during the event.
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72,
Jody - K3JZD
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Re: Measuring the output power
> 1N60 diodes as a peak detector.
Germainium diode voltage drop drifts with temperature, that's why
we don't use them anymore.
Use a decent Shottky diode with ultra low capacitance like a BAS70
with only 1pf.
They will be good for measuring down to 1mw with a simple power meter.
For sub 1mw levels you can use add some forward DC bias to the device
and recalibrate.
You'll then get a stable 0.35v drop like a Germanium that is more constant
with temperature.
Anyone remember the old AM broadcast receivers from the 60's/70's ?
On a hot day the those old Germanium trannys wilted and lost the plot.
- Andy -
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Ham Radio
KM4JHK paul
Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF
M0RON