I changed the SO239 on my original FT-817 for an N socket. The 2-hole mounting Ns are a bit rare but available on Ebay in the UK.? I haven't noticed any difference but I feel good about it.
73,
John G4EDX
The relay draws 30 mA/hr and on full "QRO Operation" at 5 watts output the radio draws 2 A/hr when TX, markedly less on RX (250-450 mA/hr) per published Mfg specs. See:?
It's on the order of a couple percent of increase in power consumption, which my back of envelope calculations put at about one minute of lost operating time for every hour of battery life. If a battery pack gives you 4 hours of operating time off the front panel BNC antenna connection then by choosing to use the rear SO-239 your operating time dropped to 3 hours 55 minutes, is that really 'significant'?
I guess, maybe, to some, but the average user, since we started using the latest battery technologies and not relied on a tray of AA NIMH cells in the internal battery tray to power the radio can easily carry an external battery that can provide more than enough battery life to satisfy their use requirements/desires and afford them the luxury of using the antenna connection that best suits their feedline connector without worrying about the power consumed by the antenna relay.
(I imagine the early FT-817 owners, 'back in the day' worked very hard to squeeze maximum use out of the rechargeable batteries that the radio used, much like the scene in the HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon" where NASA engineers were trying to find a way to stretch the useful life of the battery on a struggling Apollo 13 mission - see:??- but we live in a different world full of windcamp and external LiFePO4 batteries today...)
It is a difference, I'm glad it's documented, and while I personally don't find it 'significant', I will acknowledge that some hold a different opinion.
My $0.02,
Ken, N2VIP On Apr 19, 2025, at 22:50, Eric van de Weyer <groups.io@...> wrote:
? Hi Paul, ? Yes, the relay is activated for the rear (SO239) socket and deactivated for the front (BNC) socket. ? From memory the current drain of the relay is in the region of 30 mA so this can affect the runtime available on a charge when using the rear socket. ? If you’re running off external power, of course, the drain of the relay is insignificant but when running on the internal battery it can become a significant extra drain, shortening the battery life and hence operating time. ? ? ? Paul, There is a difference, but it is a tiny difference, not really worth mentioning - depending on the antenna port you select a relay inside the radio will either be energized or not. It consumes a trivial amount of energy (in my opinion), but it is a difference. I'll leave it for another list member to specify which antenna port increases power consumption - I'm too lazy to look it up, and I don't want to say the wrong thing... And as was noted already, be sure and specify to the radio which antenna connection you are using. ? ? Does it matter which antenna port you use for VHF/UHF versus HF. In other words (assuming the proper connector) can you use the rear HF Connector for VHF??
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Thanks to all. ?Much appreciated. You guys are really good! I thought I would offer up a little background as to why I asked the question in the first place. I have a few FT-818nd radios. It remains my favorite even though I have other more modern and more expensive radios like Elecraft and Icom. I decided to setup one of my radios in an ARMOLOQ Pack Frame. The radio in the ARMOLOQ Frame is placed inside a PRC-117 Bag with a Bioenno 3AH battery underneath. The Windcamp Battery has also been added and the power connector adapted to use the PowerPole Connector. I relocated all the connections (CW; SO-239; RJ-45) ?to the front. In this setup the radio is best use in a ?"vertical" operation. I asked the question about antenna ports because with the ARMOLOQ setup you cannot use a right angle adapter on the front BNC Connector because the "cage" is in the way. Therefore you can't lay the radio on its side to operate. As a result some folks relocate the Front BNC also so that it is off the radio and on the cage. In that way you can use a right angle adapter. It is a bit clunky because the relocation cable is in the way of the front of the radio. I tried a BNC to BNC Jumper and was getting drop outs and more static. I determined the cable was the problem. If you use the heavy duty cable from ARMOLOQ it cannot be routed to the rear and out of the what so I switched to a less robust jumper cable. That cable was the problem. After this experience it occurred to me that this was a wasted effort to try and relocate the front BNC because when I relocated the SO-239 to the front I terminated it in a BNC Connector so the it would be compatible with the RG-316 cable I use for portable ops. Problem solved. If I want to use the radio lying on its side then use the relocated SO-239 with a right angle adapter and call it good. The lingering question in my mind was whether or not there was a material difference between the two ports and thanks to you guys the answer is not really. ?Thanks again for all the help. Great group... great radio!
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Re: Operating CW without Microphone- how to add FST button?
Hi Mike:
I cannot answer your question regarding the fst button; but,
I too use my 817 mostly in cw mode; and,
I often use the up and down buttons on the mic to run cw.
I do this because I do not want to take my keyers out to the park or any where else I may be portable at.
Please advise as you like.
Mike M.
Mike mcglashon
AD9CA
Email: Michael.mcglashon@...
Ph: 618 783 9331
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Dinolfo via groups.io Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 1:15 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [ft817] Operating CW without Microphone- how to add FST button? I use my FT-817 almost exclusively in CW mode, but I get irritated at having to have the microphone available in in order to change the "FST" status (10 hz vs 100 hz tuning resolution). So I want to modify the FT-817 chassis/case to have a permanently installed momentary contact "FST" button. If anyone has done this, please share how you did it. Part number(s)/source for a suitable pushbutton switch? And any installation photo(s) would be great! I have examined the FT-817 service manual and I know where to make the connections at the microphone jack for a "FST" pushbutton. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Mike N4MWP
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Operating CW without Microphone- how to add FST button?
I use my FT-817 almost exclusively in CW mode, but I get irritated at having to have the microphone available in in order to change the "FST" status (10 hz vs 100 hz tuning resolution). So I want to modify the FT-817 chassis/case to have a permanently installed momentary contact "FST" button.
If anyone has done this, please share how you did it. Part number(s)/source for a suitable pushbutton switch? And any installation photo(s) would be great!
I have examined the FT-817 service manual and I know where to make the connections at the microphone jack for a "FST" pushbutton.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Mike N4MWP
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The relay draws 30 mA/hr and on full "QRO Operation" at 5 watts output the radio draws 2 A/hr when TX, markedly less on RX (250-450 mA/hr) per published Mfg specs. See:?
It's on the order of a couple percent of increase in power consumption, which my back of envelope calculations put at about one minute of lost operating time for every hour of battery life. If a battery pack gives you 4 hours of operating time off the front panel BNC antenna connection then by choosing to use the rear SO-239 your operating time dropped to 3 hours 55 minutes, is that really 'significant'?
I guess, maybe, to some, but the average user, since we started using the latest battery technologies and not relied on a tray of AA NIMH cells in the internal battery tray to power the radio can easily carry an external battery that can provide more than enough battery life to satisfy their use requirements/desires and afford them the luxury of using the antenna connection that best suits their feedline connector without worrying about the power consumed by the antenna relay.
(I imagine the early FT-817 owners, 'back in the day' worked very hard to squeeze maximum use out of the rechargeable batteries that the radio used, much like the scene in the HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon" where NASA engineers were trying to find a way to stretch the useful life of the battery on a struggling Apollo 13 mission - see:??- but we live in a different world full of windcamp and external LiFePO4 batteries today...)
It is a difference, I'm glad it's documented, and while I personally don't find it 'significant', I will acknowledge that some hold a different opinion.
My $0.02,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Apr 19, 2025, at 22:50, Eric van de Weyer <groups.io@...> wrote:
? Hi Paul, ? Yes, the relay is activated for the rear (SO239) socket and deactivated for the front (BNC) socket. ? From memory the current drain of the relay is in the region of 30 mA so this can affect the runtime available on a charge when using the rear socket. ? If you’re running off external power, of course, the drain of the relay is insignificant but when running on the internal battery it can become a significant extra drain, shortening the battery life and hence operating time. ? ? ? Paul, There is a difference, but it is a tiny difference, not really worth mentioning - depending on the antenna port you select a relay inside the radio will either be energized or not. It consumes a trivial amount of energy (in my opinion), but it is a difference. I'll leave it for another list member to specify which antenna port increases power consumption - I'm too lazy to look it up, and I don't want to say the wrong thing... And as was noted already, be sure and specify to the radio which antenna connection you are using. ?
On Apr 19, 2025, at 12:37, C. Paul Patsis via groups.io <cpaulpatsis@...> wrote:
? Does it matter which antenna port you use for VHF/UHF versus HF. In other words (assuming the proper connector) can you use the rear HF Connector for VHF??
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Hi Paul, ? Yes, the relay is activated for the rear (SO239) socket and deactivated for the front (BNC) socket. ? From memory the current drain of the relay is in the region of 30 mA so this can affect the runtime available on a charge when using the rear socket. ? If you’re running off external power, of course, the drain of the relay is insignificant but when running on the internal battery it can become a significant extra drain, shortening the battery life and hence operating time. ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Ken N2VIP
Sent: Sunday, 20 April 2025 04:20
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] Antenna port? Paul, There is a difference, but it is a tiny difference, not really worth mentioning - depending on the antenna port you select a relay inside the radio will either be energized or not. It consumes a trivial amount of energy (in my opinion), but it is a difference. I'll leave it for another list member to specify which antenna port increases power consumption - I'm too lazy to look it up, and I don't want to say the wrong thing... And as was noted already, be sure and specify to the radio which antenna connection you are using. ?
On Apr 19, 2025, at 12:37, C. Paul Patsis via groups.io <cpaulpatsis@...> wrote:
? Does it matter which antenna port you use for VHF/UHF versus HF. In other words (assuming the proper connector) can you use the rear HF Connector for VHF??
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For 2m I usually use my FT817ND on the front mounted folding stand. With a Comet or Nagoya antenna with a right angle adapter into the front BNC connector.? HF usually only on the rear connector with a magnetic loop antenna. Be sure to double check on the menu for which antenna on which connection though.? I also only use a Bioenno battery externally or a Windcamp internally. I've never had any problems with Windcamps.? Our weather finally getting good enough to get outside more.? 73s to All ,? Rich,? W1GBB Cape Cod, Mass.
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Michael Davis via groups.io" <maddmd818@...> Date: 4/19/25 20:34 (GMT-05:00) Subject: Re: [ft817] Antenna port
I was under the impression that the reason for the BNC front antenna port is because the radio was intended and designed for portable, over the shoulder, strap/case carrying. Thus the antenna, specifically the U/VHF for pedestrian mobile would need to be vertical. Makes some sense. Mike Davis WA1MAD > On Apr 19, 2025, at 2:22?PM, HIRO, JJ1FXF via groups.io <jj1fxf@...> wrote: > > ?Generally speaking, the BNC connectors are better impedance matched than the M-type (SO-239) connectors. And this may affect more on V/UHF frequencies. > > So the rear M-type connector is for the HF and the front BNC connector is for above 6m as the default settings of FT-817/818, I suppose. > > However, such a QRP RIG, I personally do not care for the impedance matching but I select connectors for my convenience. hi > > // HIRO, JJ1FXF > > > > > >
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You're right - from the factory the radio is delivered with an antenna "kit" to operate on 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 cm bands that attach to the BNC connector on the front panel.
You can insert a discussion about the properties of a BNC vs SO-239 connector for VHF/UHF signals, but the FT-817/817nd/818 can route RF to either antenna no matter the band, but you have to tell the radio which connection you are using (BNC or SO-239) in the menu system.
Ken, N2VIP
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On Apr 19, 2025, at 19:34, Michael Davis via groups.io <maddmd818@...> wrote:
?I was under the impression that the reason for the BNC front antenna port is because the radio was intended and designed for portable, over the shoulder, strap/case carrying. Thus the antenna, specifically the U/VHF for pedestrian mobile would need to be vertical. Makes some sense.
Mike Davis WA1MAD
On Apr 19, 2025, at 2:22?PM, HIRO, JJ1FXF via groups.io <jj1fxf@...> wrote:
?Generally speaking, the BNC connectors are better impedance matched than the M-type (SO-239) connectors. And this may affect more on V/UHF frequencies.
So the rear M-type connector is for the HF and the front BNC connector is for above 6m as the default settings of FT-817/818, I suppose.
However, such a QRP RIG, I personally do not care for the impedance matching but I select connectors for my convenience. hi
// HIRO, JJ1FXF
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I was under the impression that the reason for the BNC front antenna port is because the radio was intended and designed for portable, over the shoulder, strap/case carrying. Thus the antenna, specifically the U/VHF for pedestrian mobile would need to be vertical. Makes some sense.
Mike Davis WA1MAD
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Show quoted text
On Apr 19, 2025, at 2:22?PM, HIRO, JJ1FXF via groups.io <jj1fxf@...> wrote:
?Generally speaking, the BNC connectors are better impedance matched than the M-type (SO-239) connectors. And this may affect more on V/UHF frequencies.
So the rear M-type connector is for the HF and the front BNC connector is for above 6m as the default settings of FT-817/818, I suppose.
However, such a QRP RIG, I personally do not care for the impedance matching but I select connectors for my convenience. hi
// HIRO, JJ1FXF
|
Generally speaking, the BNC connectors are better impedance matched than the M-type (SO-239) connectors. And this may affect more on V/UHF frequencies.
So the rear M-type connector is for the HF and the front BNC connector is for above 6m as the default settings of FT-817/818, I suppose.
However, such a QRP RIG, I personally do not care for the impedance matching but I select connectors for my convenience. hi
// HIRO, JJ1FXF
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Paul,
There is a difference, but it is a tiny difference, not really worth mentioning - depending on the antenna port you select a relay inside the radio will either be energized or not. It consumes a trivial amount of energy (in my opinion), but it is a difference.
I'll leave it for another list member to specify which antenna port increases power consumption - I'm too lazy to look it up, and I don't want to say the wrong thing...
And as was noted already, be sure and specify to the radio which antenna connection you are using.
Good luck,
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On Apr 19, 2025, at 12:37, C. Paul Patsis via groups.io <cpaulpatsis@...> wrote:
? Does it matter which antenna port you use for VHF/UHF versus HF. In other words (assuming the proper connector) can you use the rear HF Connector for VHF??
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Just make sure you change the location in the menu so the radio will know where to look for the connection. Robin Kidd?W4IEN EM73vx w4ien@...
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On Apr 19, 2025, at 13:37, C. Paul Patsis via groups.io <cpaulpatsis@...> wrote:
? Does it matter which antenna port you use for VHF/UHF versus HF. In other words (assuming the proper connector) can you use the rear HF Connector for VHF??
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Does it matter which antenna port you use for VHF/UHF versus HF. In other words (assuming the proper connector) can you use the rear HF Connector for VHF??
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Re: Neptune 50w amp repair(s)
Hi Tony, ? I’m not in the US nor do I have one of those amps however, I would suspect one of the relays on the 6m filter section as all the others seem to work OK. ? It could also be the circuitry driving the relays so that they don’t activate at all. ? Check that the relays pull in when you set it to 6m. ? 73….Eric VK2VE. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of AG3 - KI6DOZ
Sent: Saturday, 19 April 2025 09:48
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ft817] Neptune 50w amp repair(s)? Is there anyone in the U.S. that knows and can work on the Neptune 50w external amp (manual band ) sold by 60dbm.com? I purchased one (used) almost a year ago and it does not put out any power on the 6m band. The other bands are fine.? Yes, I purchased it used and it arrived DOA for the 6m band. Buyer beware. My fault. Had a local tech look at it and he said there were some issues with the wiring and even with the schematic, was not able to fix the problem. I've since also replaced a whanky BNC connector and the power push on/off switch now needs to be replaced. Yes, I've contacted the supplier/builder in the Ukraine and he said send it and I'll look at it.But, with back and forth shipping costs and then the labor/parts costs I would be out more than I paid for the amp. I recently emailed them for specs on the power switch and still no response. I appreciate Ukraine is still at war with Russia but expected some response. So, while I currently have a 80m-10m external amp I would like to get it to work for 6m with my FT 817ND.
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Neptune 50w amp repair(s)
Is there anyone in the U.S. that knows and can work on the Neptune 50w external amp (manual band ) sold by 60dbm.com?
?
I purchased one (used) almost a year ago and it does not put out any power on the 6m band. The other bands are fine.?
?
Yes, I purchased it used and it arrived DOA for the 6m band. Buyer beware. My fault.
?
Had a local tech look at it and he said there were some issues with the wiring and even with the schematic, was not able to fix the problem. I've since also replaced a whanky BNC connector and the power push on/off switch now needs to be replaced.
?
Yes, I've contacted the supplier/builder in the Ukraine and he said send it and I'll look at it.But, with back and forth shipping costs and then the labor/parts costs I would be out more than I paid for the amp. I recently emailed them for specs on the power switch and still no response. I appreciate Ukraine is still at war with Russia but expected some response.
?
So, while I currently have a 80m-10m external amp I would like to get it to work for 6m with my FT 817ND.
?
Any suggestions?
?
thanks,
?
T, 73
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Re: Rig Control SW with FT817
I am interested in the Digirig interface. I want to interface with N3FJP logger and Winlink Express using Windows 10. How do I go about that with the Digirig Mobile device and FT817?
Emmett - WA5EWN
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Yes, sorry about doing that. Good Google suggestion. Mike Davis WA1MAD
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On Apr 16, 2025, at 4:36?AM, Mike EI9FEB via groups.io <ei9feb@...> wrote:
? However why put Google at all?
Just put this into your favourite search engine.
ft817 power when off blowing finals
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However why put Google at all?
Just put this into your favourite search engine.
ft817 power when off blowing finals
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Please don't use URL shortners. We don't know where they go and the supplier tracks. So double risk.
Also you can usually delete everything after the first "&" (or after the ASIN on Amazon). That's a nasty tracker too:
This works
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(ffs)
On 4/14/25 15:47, Michael Davis via
groups.io wrote:
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Nice going. I went with the Windcamp battery and charging kit
on my new to me, NIB FT817 non ND Somewhere I read that the
radio draws current even when off. The Windcamp has an on/off
switch. This also talks about
finals.?
Mike WA1MAD
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Mike Dinolfo
Michael Davis
HIRO, JJ1FXF
Mike EI9FEB
Jeff WN1MB