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Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

The FT-817/818 was an amazing collection of features and compromises, it's very unlikely it will be repeated any time soon. (As I recall it was a labor of love for one Yaesu Executive, he built the radio he always wanted.)

New technology uses more power than the turn-of-the-century technology in the FT-817/818, so the low-power consumption ship has sailed, for example...

The radios you describe had minimal info to display, so they could get away with minimal front panels (a meter and a seven segment channel display, for example on a CB), but modern radios are expected to have things like band scopes and waterfall displays, something that's all but impossible in the FT-817/818 form-factor.

The IC-705 has a similar shape, and plenty of after-market cages and lids to protect them have come to market, I see no reason the Yaesu after-market vendors won't do the same for the new FTX-1 Field radio.

You are literally rejecting the radio because of its shape, nothing more - amazing.

Tell you what, why not take the radio, it's ATU, and it's battery pack and then get a really big piece of heat shrink tubing and make it the radio you want it to be - a rectangular box with a conventional face... if you did that, I suspect it wouldn't be long before you complain about weight, and once that's addressed, I suspect power consumption will be the next thing you complain about.

Perhaps you just aren't the target market for this new radio?

Ken, N2VIP

On Sep 7, 2024, at 14:54, Andy Foad via groups.io <andyfoad@...> wrote:

?
The form factor as been around since WW2 (WS32 rigs?), Midland Chicken Banders,
Yaesu with the original FT290 etc from the early 80's and ending with the FT818.
?
A tried and tested format, easy to use, can be easily laid down and remain stable etc.
?
Now we get folk wittering on about the fake new replacement, sorry I'm still not biting
for that.
?
And for a field radio, it's not even got any ruggedization applied to it.
?
That would at least have been a step in the right direction for a OUTDOOR pursuits
rig.
?
It's not like they don't have experience with this stuff, their HT's have gasket seals etc
and built like nuclear bunkers.
?
I sure wouldn't wanna be /P in the English rain with this fake news replacement ;-)
?
73 de Andy
?
?


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

The form factor as been around since WW2 (WS32 rigs?), Midland Chicken Banders,
Yaesu with the original FT290 etc from the early 80's and ending with the FT818.
?
A tried and tested format, easy to use, can be easily laid down and remain stable etc.
?
Now we get folk wittering on about the fake new replacement, sorry I'm still not biting
for that.
?
And for a field radio, it's not even got any ruggedization applied to it.
?
That would at least have been a step in the right direction for a OUTDOOR pursuits
rig.
?
It's not like they don't have experience with this stuff, their HT's have gasket seals etc
and built like nuclear bunkers.
?
I sure wouldn't wanna be /P in the English rain with this fake news replacement ;-)
?
73 de Andy
?
?


Re: Weird behaviour with power supply

 

Hello,
Have you checked the output of your powersupply under a load? I had one that measured 12.5 volts with no load, but? when I connected to a radio, the output dropped to under 7 volts.
I had to repair the supply, then it was good again.
Just a thought.
Clyde KC7BJE?


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Thanks, Mike.

?

73….Eric VK2VE.

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike EI9FEB
Sent: Saturday, 7 September 2024 18:33
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

?

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 11:15 AM, Eric van de Weyer wrote:

For instance, what is ASIC?

Application Specific Integrated Circuit, i.e. a custom part as opposed to a generic FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for DSP (Digital Signal Processing), or indeed any custom IC replacing a number of generic parts. Pedantically an SDR (Software Defined Radio) relies more on DSP implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) than an FPGA (because it doesn't run software unless it has a CPU core),

These terms are common in radio / communication engineering for over 30 years.


Virus-free.


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Thanks, Steve. I would never have guessed that one.

?

73….Eric VK2VE.

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of tomsdad97
Sent: Friday, 6 September 2024 21:25
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

?

Application Specific Integrated Controller.

ASIC

Steve VK2ARS

?

-------- Original message --------

From: Eric van de Weyer <groups.io@...>

Date: 6/9/24 20:15 (GMT+10:00)

Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

?

Hi Mike,

?

PLEASE, if you’re going to use acronyms, spell them out the first time you use them unless they are obvious such as SSB, FM or DSP etc.

?

For instance, what is ASIC? To me, it’s the Australian Securities and Investments Commission!

?

Acronyms can be fine so long as everyone understands what they mean immediately. If not,, they should be defined the first time they are used in your writing.

?

73….Eric VK2VE.

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike EI9FEB
Sent: Friday, 6 September 2024 19:05
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

?

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 06:38 AM, Ken N2VIP wrote:

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out (essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they wanted something different

Surely it was mainly for new hams, new owners?

My query is. Is it an ASIC based DSP set (low power receive, but design fixed in silicon and high NRE? Or an FPGA based DSP which is much higher power consumpution on receive, but can be updated to fix bugs or change functionality?

It does look more suited to a dashboard than a belt punch. The FT81x series probably isn't much used like a 1950s WS88 (fitted in an amunition pouch with 1.5V + 90V combo battery in a second pouch.

The FT818ND always looked to me like simply a cost reduction and update because some parts were now obsolete or even unavailable. Likely with care any FT817ND can do 6W (a factory setteing), but 5W to 6W is insignificant and I swapped the 1800 mAH pack for a 2700 mAH and then a 2500 mAH (lower self-discharge). Most people don't need the TXCO, which is why it was an option, but those were cheap buy the time the FT818ND came out.

I looked at getting an FT818ND, but decided it was for people without a working FT817ND. Instead I bought an FTdx10 to replace my FT101ZD MkIII, though i'd wanted an FT897 when I had no spare cash. But it was gone and nothing else seemed as attractive. So I got a 20W UHF linear for the FT817 (shack or car) to add to the 20W VHF linear.

The FTX-1F isn't really an FT81x replacement, except in sense that the FTdx10 replaces the FT101 series. I used my FT101ZD mkII (I have the mkIII now with no battery adaptor) on a mountain top (road access) with a generator and also once on 12V. The FTdx10 is more portable & I have an old video projector carry case (like a fat laptop bag) that takes the FTdx10, its accessories and AC-DC PSU or big 12V gel cell. I may get an LiFePO4 pack if I can get mains and car chargers.

I'll wait and read real reviews of the FTX-1F. I'm not interested in video reviews of anything except TV/Movie productions. Videos of old gear working (1920s and later radios, manufacturing, etc) can be interesting, but written reviews and how-tos with photos ar better than video unless it's documentary or entertainment.

?

Virus-free.


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

G’day Greg,
I wasn’t being particular.
You are correct.
Steve VK2ARS
?

From: Greg D
Sent: Saturday, September 7, 2024 1:18 AM
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement
?
Application Specific Integrated Circuit, if we're being particular.

Greg? KO6TH


tomsdad97 via groups.io wrote:
Application Specific Integrated Controller.
ASIC
Steve VK2ARS
?


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 11:15 AM, Eric van de Weyer wrote:

For instance, what is ASIC?

Application Specific Integrated Circuit, i.e. a custom part as opposed to a generic FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for DSP (Digital Signal Processing), or indeed any custom IC replacing a number of generic parts. Pedantically an SDR (Software Defined Radio) relies more on DSP implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) than an FPGA (because it doesn't run software unless it has a CPU core),

These terms are common in radio / communication engineering for over 30 years.


Re: Weird behaviour with power supply

 

开云体育

I had the happen to me and got the small ring left in it by heating up a tip of a small safety pin and poking that into the yellow ring and slowly lifting it out off the power pin.

Marty kd8bj


On 9/6/24 20:21, VK1MA Matt via groups.io wrote:

Check the power socket on the radio to see if the little yellow insulation tip on the end of the plug has not dislodged and is stuck in there. If that happened from another cable, you won’t be able to insert the plug in far enough to make contact. In this case it may be that the tip of the charger plug is stuck in there.

?

?

Matt

VK1MA

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of gabrillo@...
Sent: Saturday, 7 September 2024 2:58 AM
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: [ft817] Weird behaviour with power supply

?

Hello everyone :)

I have recently came back to the ham radio hobby, and decided to remove some dust from my old FT-817 (not ND)

To my surprise, the unit refuses to turn on when connected to a 13.8V power supply, but when I use the 12V charger everything is normal

?

I have checked the power supply with a tester and I see the correct voltage on both ends of the power cable, so I'm a little puzzled.?

I don't think this should be a problem, since the radio should work just fine even with 12V, still I'd like to understand what's happening

?

Has someone experienced the same issue? I made a quick search on the topics and the FAQ, but didn't find any?

?

Thanks!


Re: Weird behaviour with power supply

 

开云体育

Check the power socket on the radio to see if the little yellow insulation tip on the end of the plug has not dislodged and is stuck in there. If that happened from another cable, you won’t be able to insert the plug in far enough to make contact. In this case it may be that the tip of the charger plug is stuck in there.

?

?

Matt

VK1MA

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of gabrillo@...
Sent: Saturday, 7 September 2024 2:58 AM
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: [ft817] Weird behaviour with power supply

?

Hello everyone :)

I have recently came back to the ham radio hobby, and decided to remove some dust from my old FT-817 (not ND)

To my surprise, the unit refuses to turn on when connected to a 13.8V power supply, but when I use the 12V charger everything is normal

?

I have checked the power supply with a tester and I see the correct voltage on both ends of the power cable, so I'm a little puzzled.?

I don't think this should be a problem, since the radio should work just fine even with 12V, still I'd like to understand what's happening

?

Has someone experienced the same issue? I made a quick search on the topics and the FAQ, but didn't find any?

?

Thanks!


Re: Weird behaviour with power supply

 

You mean disconnect it from battery pack? Sorry I forgot to mention this, I have no battery pack installed (to be honest, I don't have my battery pack anymore). Or pull it from mainboard entirely?
?
Thanks!


Re: Weird behaviour with power supply

 

Pull the battery connector and try again.
?
--
Al Skierkiewicz
WB9UVJ


Weird behaviour with power supply

 

Hello everyone :)
I have recently came back to the ham radio hobby, and decided to remove some dust from my old FT-817 (not ND)
To my surprise, the unit refuses to turn on when connected to a 13.8V power supply, but when I use the 12V charger everything is normal
?
I have checked the power supply with a tester and I see the correct voltage on both ends of the power cable, so I'm a little puzzled.?
I don't think this should be a problem, since the radio should work just fine even with 12V, still I'd like to understand what's happening
?
Has someone experienced the same issue? I made a quick search on the topics and the FAQ, but didn't find any?
?
Thanks!


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

I like that it has a more modern chassis. The trend for faceplate on a slab form factors is well established by icom with the 705, elecraft with kx2 and kx3, and the tx-599.

So far as features, I would rather they leave something out than cram it in poorly implemented.

I am most pleased that it looks like a miniature of my ft-710, hopefully I won't feel like I am starting from scratch learning buttons and menus.

I'll probably keep my 817nd for a good while, it will be perfect if the 8 year old shows interest in a few years. Or like K4SWL it may live in a pouch in my car.

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 11:23?AM Jeff WN1MB via <jwbauer=charter.net@groups.io> wrote:
Thank you for saying what needed to be said, Ken!

The negativity, shortsightedness, and lack of gratitude around here lately has been increasingly unpleasant.

I wish Yaesu all the best with their new offering and am glad they're still in the game.

73, Jeff WN1MB

On 9/6/24 01:38, Ken N2VIP wrote:
What FT-817 owners wanted was something different, yet the same - size, 
weight, features, etc. Yaesu instead added a few more years to the life 
of the FT-817 ecosystem with the very slightly redesigned FT-818 that 
was *almost*
 exactly the same as the FT-817, except the TCXO was now included, an 
additional watt of RF output, and higher-capacity batteries... and what 
did the user base do? They complained - the new finals use perceptibly 
more power, the battery life is shorter at full-power, and my 15 
year-old FT-817 already has a TCXO! Why would I buy one to replace my 
trusty 15 year-old radio?

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out 
(essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to 
buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they 
wanted something different - and now the community is saying "we don't 
like this new field radio, it's not an FT-817 replacement, it has the 
wrong shape, it doesn't have this, they left that out, was-waa-waa!"

Yaesu has produced a very interesting new radio - a dual-receiver, 
'shack in a box' rig with a lot of the latest features, and people 
complain about the shape?

Wow.

If NOTHING ELSE, the new field radio should appeal to all those 
so-called FT-1634 owners who strapped two FT-817s together to have a 
great satellite radio. (but of course, they complain they can't hang tge
 new radio around their neck!)

/soapbox

Ken, N2VIP


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Thank you for saying what needed to be said, Ken!

The negativity, shortsightedness, and lack of gratitude around here lately has been increasingly unpleasant.

I wish Yaesu all the best with their new offering and am glad they're still in the game.

73, Jeff WN1MB

On 9/6/24 01:38, Ken N2VIP wrote:

What FT-817 owners wanted was something different, yet the same - size, 
weight, features, etc. Yaesu instead added a few more years to the life 
of the FT-817 ecosystem with the very slightly redesigned FT-818 that 
was *almost*
 exactly the same as the FT-817, except the TCXO was now included, an 
additional watt of RF output, and higher-capacity batteries... and what 
did the user base do? They complained - the new finals use perceptibly 
more power, the battery life is shorter at full-power, and my 15 
year-old FT-817 already has a TCXO! Why would I buy one to replace my 
trusty 15 year-old radio?

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out 
(essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to 
buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they 
wanted something different - and now the community is saying "we don't 
like this new field radio, it's not an FT-817 replacement, it has the 
wrong shape, it doesn't have this, they left that out, was-waa-waa!"

Yaesu has produced a very interesting new radio - a dual-receiver, 
'shack in a box' rig with a lot of the latest features, and people 
complain about the shape?

Wow.

If NOTHING ELSE, the new field radio should appeal to all those 
so-called FT-1634 owners who strapped two FT-817s together to have a 
great satellite radio. (but of course, they complain they can't hang tge
 new radio around their neck!)

/soapbox

Ken, N2VIP


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Application Specific Integrated Circuit, if we're being particular.

Greg? KO6TH


tomsdad97 via groups.io wrote:

Application Specific Integrated Controller.
ASIC
Steve VK2ARS


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Application Specific Integrated Controller.
ASIC
Steve VK2ARS

-------- Original message --------
From: Eric van de Weyer <groups.io@...>
Date: 6/9/24 20:15 (GMT+10:00)
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

Hi Mike,

?

PLEASE, if you’re going to use acronyms, spell them out the first time you use them unless they are obvious such as SSB, FM or DSP etc.

?

For instance, what is ASIC? To me, it’s the Australian Securities and Investments Commission!

?

Acronyms can be fine so long as everyone understands what they mean immediately. If not,, they should be defined the first time they are used in your writing.

?

73….Eric VK2VE.

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike EI9FEB
Sent: Friday, 6 September 2024 19:05
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

?

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 06:38 AM, Ken N2VIP wrote:

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out (essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they wanted something different

Surely it was mainly for new hams, new owners?

My query is. Is it an ASIC based DSP set (low power receive, but design fixed in silicon and high NRE? Or an FPGA based DSP which is much higher power consumpution on receive, but can be updated to fix bugs or change functionality?

It does look more suited to a dashboard than a belt punch. The FT81x series probably isn't much used like a 1950s WS88 (fitted in an amunition pouch with 1.5V + 90V combo battery in a second pouch.

The FT818ND always looked to me like simply a cost reduction and update because some parts were now obsolete or even unavailable. Likely with care any FT817ND can do 6W (a factory setteing), but 5W to 6W is insignificant and I swapped the 1800 mAH pack for a 2700 mAH and then a 2500 mAH (lower self-discharge). Most people don't need the TXCO, which is why it was an option, but those were cheap buy the time the FT818ND came out.

I looked at getting an FT818ND, but decided it was for people without a working FT817ND. Instead I bought an FTdx10 to replace my FT101ZD MkIII, though i'd wanted an FT897 when I had no spare cash. But it was gone and nothing else seemed as attractive. So I got a 20W UHF linear for the FT817 (shack or car) to add to the 20W VHF linear.

The FTX-1F isn't really an FT81x replacement, except in sense that the FTdx10 replaces the FT101 series. I used my FT101ZD mkII (I have the mkIII now with no battery adaptor) on a mountain top (road access) with a generator and also once on 12V. The FTdx10 is more portable & I have an old video projector carry case (like a fat laptop bag) that takes the FTdx10, its accessories and AC-DC PSU or big 12V gel cell. I may get an LiFePO4 pack if I can get mains and car chargers.

I'll wait and read real reviews of the FTX-1F. I'm not interested in video reviews of anything except TV/Movie productions. Videos of old gear working (1920s and later radios, manufacturing, etc) can be interesting, but written reviews and how-tos with photos ar better than video unless it's documentary or entertainment.


Virus-free.


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Well said, Ken.

The FT-817 is a 25 years old design, based on a much older architecture. The FT-818 was a bit of industrial CPR to keep a very useful radio going as long as possible, because lots of bits—components—are just not made any more. It's not just Collins no longer making mechanical filters. And why would they? Far better performance is available from digital filters, properly designed. The FT-817 was introduced in 2000. inflation from 2000 to 2024 of USD or GBP is around 1.84. The cost of an FT-817ND from 2006 with SSB filter and DSP fitted, inflation adjusted to 2024, is just over ?1050.

The FTX-1F has a different form factor. It's just as well, even with good eyesight the 817/818 display was tiny. The so-called spectrum scope is, well, the best that could be done dirt cheap. As for adding the necessary bits for data of one form or another, with CAT control, that's two mini-DIN plugs required. Modern kit should have Ethernet connections, whether through RJ-45, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB for simplicity of interfacing. Fewer cables equals more fun! There's a lot more that could be said, but in essence with a new design us Radio Amateurs, and the manufacturers, take full advantage of Moore's law over the past 25 years or so. In short, the design, good though it once was, is now archaic.

One is far too polite to ask if anyone still uses a spark transmitter, or keeps their favourite grandparent's 4H pencil in their top pocket to draw grid-leak resistors on the breadboard! [Not to say that heritage kit shouldn't be kept alive, or enjoyed occasionally.] As for manufacturing an FT-818, with the market cost of the BOM (bill of materials) plus the necessary overhead and mark-up costs to encourage dealers to stock such radios, to say nothing of the market competition reducing demand—one might need some heritage beverage, alcoholic or otherwise, to contemplate it.

Well done Yaesu,

Robin, G8DQX

P.S. IIRC, the biggest demand for the 817/818 came from Japan, for a specific limited licence class who needed a constrained radio. The export market was a bonus. But once one manufacturer broke ranks—the Icom IC-705—then Yaesu had little option but to follow and try to do it better!


On 06/09/2024 06:38, Ken N2VIP wrote:

Yaesu has produced a very interesting new radio - a dual-receiver, 'shack in a box' rig with a lot of the latest features, and people complain about the shape?


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

I once went on a training course. The last 21 pages of the pre-read document were definitions of all the acronyms used on the course. By day 4 of the course, the letters of the new acronyms we learned stood for other acronyms we'd learned earlier.

I'm so glad I'm retired now.

73,

John G4EDX

On Fri, 6 Sept 2024 at 11:15, Eric van de Weyer via <=van-de-weyer.org@groups.io> wrote:

Hi Mike,

?

PLEASE, if you’re going to use acronyms, spell them out the first time you use them unless they are obvious such as SSB, FM or DSP etc.

?

For instance, what is ASIC? To me, it’s the Australian Securities and Investments Commission!

?

Acronyms can be fine so long as everyone understands what they mean immediately. If not,, they should be defined the first time they are used in your writing.

?

73….Eric VK2VE.

?

From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike EI9FEB
Sent: Friday, 6 September 2024 19:05
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

?

On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 06:38 AM, Ken N2VIP wrote:

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out (essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they wanted something different

Surely it was mainly for new hams, new owners?

My query is. Is it an ASIC based DSP set (low power receive, but design fixed in silicon and high NRE? Or an FPGA based DSP which is much higher power consumpution on receive, but can be updated to fix bugs or change functionality?

It does look more suited to a dashboard than a belt punch. The FT81x series probably isn't much used like a 1950s WS88 (fitted in an amunition pouch with 1.5V + 90V combo battery in a second pouch.

The FT818ND always looked to me like simply a cost reduction and update because some parts were now obsolete or even unavailable. Likely with care any FT817ND can do 6W (a factory setteing), but 5W to 6W is insignificant and I swapped the 1800 mAH pack for a 2700 mAH and then a 2500 mAH (lower self-discharge). Most people don't need the TXCO, which is why it was an option, but those were cheap buy the time the FT818ND came out.

I looked at getting an FT818ND, but decided it was for people without a working FT817ND. Instead I bought an FTdx10 to replace my FT101ZD MkIII, though i'd wanted an FT897 when I had no spare cash. But it was gone and nothing else seemed as attractive. So I got a 20W UHF linear for the FT817 (shack or car) to add to the 20W VHF linear.

The FTX-1F isn't really an FT81x replacement, except in sense that the FTdx10 replaces the FT101 series. I used my FT101ZD mkII (I have the mkIII now with no battery adaptor) on a mountain top (road access) with a generator and also once on 12V. The FTdx10 is more portable & I have an old video projector carry case (like a fat laptop bag) that takes the FTdx10, its accessories and AC-DC PSU or big 12V gel cell. I may get an LiFePO4 pack if I can get mains and car chargers.

I'll wait and read real reviews of the FTX-1F. I'm not interested in video reviews of anything except TV/Movie productions. Videos of old gear working (1920s and later radios, manufacturing, etc) can be interesting, but written reviews and how-tos with photos ar better than video unless it's documentary or entertainment.


Virus-free.



--
John Fletcher


Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

“If NOTHING ELSE, the new field radio should appeal to all those so-called FT-1634 owners who strapped two FT-817s together to have a great satellite radio. (but of course, they complain they can't hang tge new radio around their neck!)”

It’s not full-duplex, so you’ll still need a FTX-3E for satellite operation. Big missed opportunity for Yaesu after years and years of commentary that a full-duplex small battery powered radio was desired by the amateur satellite community.?

73,

Paul, N8HM


On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 01:38 Ken N2VIP <ken@...> wrote:
What FT-817 owners wanted was something different, yet the same - size, weight, features, etc. Yaesu instead added a few more years to the life of the FT-817 ecosystem with the very slightly redesigned FT-818 that was *almost* exactly the same as the FT-817, except the TCXO was now included, an additional watt of RF output, and higher-capacity batteries... and what did the user base do? They complained - the new finals use perceptibly more power, the battery life is shorter at full-power, and my 15 year-old FT-817 already has a TCXO! Why would I buy one to replace my trusty 15 year-old radio?

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out (essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they wanted something different - and now the community is saying "we don't like this new field radio, it's not an FT-817 replacement, it has the wrong shape, it doesn't have this, they left that out, was-waa-waa!"

Yaesu has produced a very interesting new radio - a dual-receiver, 'shack in a box' rig with a lot of the latest features, and people complain about the shape?

Wow.

If NOTHING ELSE, the new field radio should appeal to all those so-called FT-1634 owners who strapped two FT-817s together to have a great satellite radio. (but of course, they complain they can't hang tge new radio around their neck!)

/soapbox

Ken, N2VIP

> On Sep 5, 2024, at 21:27, Rudi via <wa2nub=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
>
> This rumor of a new 817 updated replacement has been going around for a decade or more. Thats why the ft818 was such a disappointment, it didn't look like the 'dream' replacement at all.
> Wa2nub






Re: FT-817 Replacement

 

开云体育

Hi Mike,

?

PLEASE, if you’re going to use acronyms, spell them out the first time you use them unless they are obvious such as SSB, FM or DSP etc.

?

For instance, what is ASIC? To me, it’s the Australian Securities and Investments Commission!

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Acronyms can be fine so long as everyone understands what they mean immediately. If not,, they should be defined the first time they are used in your writing.

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73….Eric VK2VE.

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From: ft817@groups.io <ft817@groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike EI9FEB
Sent: Friday, 6 September 2024 19:05
To: ft817@groups.io
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Replacement

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On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 06:38 AM, Ken N2VIP wrote:

Lost on them was the reality of what Yaesu did - they put out (essentially) the same radio to give FT-817 owners one last chance to buy an FT-817 radio with a 3 year warranty, and the community said they wanted something different

Surely it was mainly for new hams, new owners?

My query is. Is it an ASIC based DSP set (low power receive, but design fixed in silicon and high NRE? Or an FPGA based DSP which is much higher power consumpution on receive, but can be updated to fix bugs or change functionality?

It does look more suited to a dashboard than a belt punch. The FT81x series probably isn't much used like a 1950s WS88 (fitted in an amunition pouch with 1.5V + 90V combo battery in a second pouch.

The FT818ND always looked to me like simply a cost reduction and update because some parts were now obsolete or even unavailable. Likely with care any FT817ND can do 6W (a factory setteing), but 5W to 6W is insignificant and I swapped the 1800 mAH pack for a 2700 mAH and then a 2500 mAH (lower self-discharge). Most people don't need the TXCO, which is why it was an option, but those were cheap buy the time the FT818ND came out.

I looked at getting an FT818ND, but decided it was for people without a working FT817ND. Instead I bought an FTdx10 to replace my FT101ZD MkIII, though i'd wanted an FT897 when I had no spare cash. But it was gone and nothing else seemed as attractive. So I got a 20W UHF linear for the FT817 (shack or car) to add to the 20W VHF linear.

The FTX-1F isn't really an FT81x replacement, except in sense that the FTdx10 replaces the FT101 series. I used my FT101ZD mkII (I have the mkIII now with no battery adaptor) on a mountain top (road access) with a generator and also once on 12V. The FTdx10 is more portable & I have an old video projector carry case (like a fat laptop bag) that takes the FTdx10, its accessories and AC-DC PSU or big 12V gel cell. I may get an LiFePO4 pack if I can get mains and car chargers.

I'll wait and read real reviews of the FTX-1F. I'm not interested in video reviews of anything except TV/Movie productions. Videos of old gear working (1920s and later radios, manufacturing, etc) can be interesting, but written reviews and how-tos with photos ar better than video unless it's documentary or entertainment.


Virus-free.