Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
Hey Mike,
I like your term “Wireless Experimenter”. ?I think that works for those of us who “tinker” and “play” radio with little antennas and low power. ?Thanks! ?And your thoughts about setting off the neighbors alarm system, etc., with 1000 watts. Yes, it’s possible. And the extra cost for a 1000 watt rig including the bigger coax, tower, beam antenna. ?I have always had my fun with 100 watts or less even in 1960 when I got on the air, mostly 5 watts or less. ?So I am a “Wireless Experimenter”….. and love it. ?Thanks again for the idea and the term.
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On May 25, 2025, at 9:33?AM, Mike EI9FEB <ei9feb@...> wrote:
? On Sat, May 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM, David Wilcox K8WPE wrote:
If you want guaranteed contacts every ?time get on the air with 100 or even
1000 watts, a high wire or even a beam antenna and have fun.
No, that won't g'tee a contact. Anyway, unless you are at the stamp collecting end of the hobby (and valid fun for many), it's not just about contacts, especially not about 1kW on beams.
Besides, many places if you did 1kW all the house and car alarms would go off!
I think it was sad when the Irish Regulator, Comreg, decided we are Radio Amateurs rather than "Wireless Experimenters". I was delighted to "trade in" GI8JTR and become a Wireless Experimenter.
Of course "Amateur" used to only mean unpaid (vs Professionals who got paid). Now in common usage many use the adjective amateur to mean incompetent. But Professional vs Amateur shouldn't be about competence and plenty of so-called "professionals" in business and technology (especially software and doubly so web sites and User Interfaces) are incompetent.
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Has anyone figured a way to activate the callsign CW ident function in any other mode rather than ARTS? In microwave land this is a great function to use for dish alignment. FT817.
VK2TRF
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3. Gooches Paradox
Dave --
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Thanks, great to hear from you!? Many years ago I was experimenting with my FT-817 sitting on the coffee table inside the house with a portable antenna I had made: a small, center loaded whip patterned after the Hustler mobile antenna with the 22 inch short mast.? I made an SSB contact or two and then suddenly had a small pileup.? One of my first contacts jumped back in to say that he had reported me on a spotting network!??This is from my "legacy pages," written sometime in the 1990s, I think:
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I will have to try the CQWW again this afternoon.? I tuned? around yesterday from the home shack (100w + vertical) looking for a new country (no luck there) so I went to 12 and 17 and made a few CW contacts.? I'm always a bit uneasy jumping in where everyone is up in the thousands and I'm giving out single digits!
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David doesn't have much info on his QRZ page, but some time ago I ran across this page where he has some W9BRD history: .
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72/73 de KR8L
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
On Sat, May 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM, David Wilcox K8WPE wrote:
If you want guaranteed contacts every ?time get on the air with 100 or even
1000 watts, a high wire or even a beam antenna and have fun.
No, that won't g'tee a contact. Anyway, unless you are at the stamp collecting end of the hobby (and valid fun for many), it's not just about contacts, especially not about 1kW on beams.
Besides, many places if you did 1kW all the house and car alarms would go off!
I think it was sad when the Irish Regulator, Comreg, decided we are Radio Amateurs rather than "Wireless Experimenters". I was delighted to "trade in" GI8JTR and become a Wireless Experimenter.
Of course "Amateur" used to only mean unpaid (vs Professionals who got paid). Now in common usage many use the adjective amateur to mean incompetent. But Professional vs Amateur shouldn't be about competence and plenty of so-called "professionals" in business and technology (especially software and doubly so web sites and User Interfaces) are incompetent.
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3. Gooches Paradox
William,
One of my patients in my medical practice was Rod Newkirk’s sister or niece I think. She told some believable tales about him and his radio hobby. ?Can’t remember the details because that lady has been gone for so many years. ?But that family had some great fun back in the day. Dave K8WPE
PS “I believe” ………?
The best time for unbelievable contacts is the Sunday afternoon of the CQ WW SSB contest. Those looking for ?just one more contact will respond to any call. ?Years ago I sat in (inside the house) my living room testing out a new AlexLoop with a battery operated FT 817 and had a Bulgarian station (I believe… it was years ago) come back to me. ?Blew me away. ?Too bad I was by myself so had no witnesses. ?The FT 817 with internal battery only puts out 2.5 watts. ?I still keep that radio for sentimental reasons and it still works well.
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On May 25, 2025, at 8:08?AM, William, KR8L via groups.io <wpe9fon@...> wrote:
? Dave (K8WPE) and Mike (EI9FEB), I admire your "Ham spirit" and agree with you!? As a QRPer who frequently operates portable and pedestrian mobile I often rely on Gooch's Paradox.
?
There are many variations of the Paradox, but two important ones are "RF gotta go somewhere" (first stated by David Newkirk, W9BRD*) and the more common formulation: "Some things must be believed to be seen."
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Remember, Dorothy could always go home. ?She just had to believe.?
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*David now has his father's callsign.? Rod Newkirk, W9BRD, wrote the How's DX column in QST for 31 years.
?
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
Dave (K8WPE) and Mike (EI9FEB), I admire your "Ham spirit" and agree with you!? As a QRPer who frequently operates portable and pedestrian mobile I often rely on Gooch's Paradox.
?
There are many variations of the Paradox, but two important ones are "RF gotta go somewhere" (first stated by David Newkirk, W9BRD*) and the more common formulation: "Some things must be believed to be seen."
?
Remember, Dorothy could always go home. ?She just had to believe.?
?
*David now has his father's callsign.? Rod Newkirk, W9BRD, wrote the How's DX column in QST for 31 years.
?
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
Military rigs have used 8′ whips for at least 70 or maybe 80 years down to 1.6 MHz. They simply added series inductance and the best was a drum where it wound onto a spindle (Racal in 1970s?).
I've used the Elecraft T1 to "tune" both the telescopic 5/8th approx CB "silver stick" (with base matching coil removed) and also a springy base CB whip on a mag-mount. You need big radials if it's up a pole, but an earth spike or long wire lying over damp ground becomes more important at lower frequencies. Lowest is 40m on a CB whip with a tuner, and 80m on big base CB aerial. Make sure any big telescopic vertical isn't electrically a 1/2 wave at 10m or a whole wave at 6m or it won't "tune up".
Of course a loaded whip is massively poorer than a long wire at 40m and terrible at 80m. Won't make as much difference on 20m to 6m. But it's portable. I did work Limerick Ireland to Shetlands on a 20W Racal with 8′ whip on 160m once. The "counterpoise" was about 16′ of trailing wire.
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CAR-DDS fail, no 455 kHz LO
The USB, LSB, CWL & CWH modes were only detecting AM.
I found that there was no LO signal on the 455 kHz SSB Mixers. The CAR-DDS should put 453.5 kHz to 456.5 kHz depending on mode.
All other functions on the FT-817ND (bought early 2006) are working. CPU was reset. I replaced the AD9835 DDS IC. Nothing at o/p which is available direct at capacitor that feed the 455 kHz transformer feeding the two mixers. On my set the 3x Texas parts on schematic are not used, but there are PCB adaptors for 2x JRC made parts for SSB TX and SSB TX and the 68 MHz to 455 kHz mixer is an SA602, All SMD parts on DIL adaptors.
The CAR-DDS uses the same 5V as the PLL-DDS (7.2 to 8 MHz) and the same 22.x MHz master reference. I statically checked with ohm / Diode test DVM every DDS lead to places on PCB, the VS-analogue feed resistor and VS-digital feed inductor. The clock seemed to be shared with the Octo DAC/Volume control IC and serial data with the PLL. You can tune signal gen at 14 MHz across band and see S level go up and silence for about 3 kHz, or keep SG constant and tune main dial in 10 Hz steps for about 3 KHz. If a second SG feeds 200mV Pk to Pk to SSB RX Mixer LO in pin (453.5 or 456.5 depending on USB or LSB), then you can get a changing tone as you tune 14 MHz (radio or SG) in filter pass band.
Definitely no LO on SSB at 455 KHz from DDS (AD9835) and it's been replaced with new part direct from ADI. Everything works on all bands and modes except the LO. but I've not tried SSB TX.
Double checked ribbon cable.
What I have I not thought of?
Plan B, if I can't get CAR-DDS working is Clapp Oscillator using a 455 kHz resonator. I have that working on a breadboard with two trimmers (with parallel caps all in series with resonator and a switch at roughly 453.5 KHz and 456.5. I'd sacrifice CW mode so LSB & USB are USB and CWL & CWH are LSB, replacing the mechanical test switch with a VFET driven by the shift register that generates SSB & CW mode signals from CPU serial data (one of two 4093). Actually, 453.5 and 456.5 kHz crystals used to be a stock part, but the resonator based Clapp osc will at least get SSB working.
I've 30 years experience replacing/soldering SMD ICs and check connections after, so I'm confident about the AD9835 replacement. Actually I was sceptic that it was faulty, but I can't find anything else faulty.
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
This is what hams do! ?The AX-1, AX-2, AX-3, etc., are fun experimental antennas. ?They work as well as any short vertical antenna in certain situations. ?Are they as good as a long high wire? ?Heck NO! But they allow experimentally minded hams to tinker and see just what they can do with a compromised antenna. ?And on the higher bands and when the sunspots are with us one can make even DX contacts. ?Many hams have made legitimate SOTA and POTA contacts with these and similar antennas and at the end of the day those hams are happy campers. ?
If you want guaranteed contacts every ?time get on the air with 100 or even 1000 watts, a high wire or even a beam antenna and have fun. ?
If you like to experiment and see what this hobby is capable of get on the air with whatever short antenna you can make or purchase and join the crowd. Elecraft has made it easy to just purchase their manufactured product instead of building your own. ?Either way can be fun for those of us who like to experiment and tinker with putting rf into the air and see who comes back to us.?
To each his own. ?Or whatever lights your fire………?
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On May 21, 2025, at 2:39?PM, Ron Wright via groups.io <lt_wright_flg@...> wrote:
? I have one of the EleCraft AX1 small whip verticals.? I am not impressed, it shows over 20 db less on rcv than my 40m long wire.? I am sure you can make contacts, but I am sure you will miss many.? For the price one does not get much.??
But if you like this type of operation with very quick setup go for it.? One issue most follow is the counter poise wire, ground side, should not be left on the ground.? Many have separate pole or tripod for the wire.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
Spring Hill, Florida also n9ee55@...
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 07:40:44 AM EDT, Jeff WN1MB <jwbauer@...> wrote:
Comparing the tuning ranges of your LDG tuner and those in the
Elecraft radios should provide you with the answer to your question.
On 5/21/25 07:31, hermit wrote:
I recently saw some info on the new Eleccraft antenna
offering the AX-3.? The youtube videos I saw demonstrated it
being used with Elecraft radios.? I know the antenna needs a
tuner and I use an LDG Z817 with great success with my 817nd =
will this setup work with the AX-1?? Thanks for any and all
replies.
?
73
?
Rich KB3OMJ
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The batteries are nickel metal hydride. I have seen some on eBay for $18. I have ?some gel cells and one of the Tallentcell packs for other qrp rigs so if they don’t work it’s no big loss. I will check the files for the info. Thanks
73 John?
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
I have one of the EleCraft AX1 small whip verticals.? I am not impressed, it shows over 20 db less on rcv than my 40m long wire.? I am sure you can make contacts, but I am sure you will miss many.? For the price one does not get much.??
But if you like this type of operation with very quick setup go for it.? One issue most follow is the counter poise wire, ground side, should not be left on the ground.? Many have separate pole or tripod for the wire.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
Spring Hill, Florida also n9ee55@...
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 07:40:44 AM EDT, Jeff WN1MB <jwbauer@...> wrote:
Comparing the tuning ranges of your LDG tuner and those in the
Elecraft radios should provide you with the answer to your question.
On 5/21/25 07:31, hermit wrote:
I recently saw some info on the new Eleccraft antenna
offering the AX-3.? The youtube videos I saw demonstrated it
being used with Elecraft radios.? I know the antenna needs a
tuner and I use an LDG Z817 with great success with my 817nd =
will this setup work with the AX-1?? Thanks for any and all
replies.
?
73
?
Rich KB3OMJ
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When using some of these LiFePO4 batteries I would definitely insert a fuse in the positive lead.? For fT817 a 5 Amp fuse would work.? These batteries can supply a lot of current, even the smaller 9AHr.? Maybe not for long, but can deliver lots of current if have a short.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
Spring Hill, Florida also n9ee55@...
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 07:58:55 AM EDT, Mike Davis via groups.io <maddmd818@...> wrote:
Hi, I have an original, new to me, FT817. I’ve added the Windcamp battery mod, with on/off switch and external charger, so I don’t use the charger menu setting at all. I also use a Bioenno external battery, if needed. So, do I need to think about a fuse? I’m sure it’s no easy task either. Thanks Mike Davis WA1MAD
On May 20, 2025, at 5:44?PM, simon via groups.io <simon@...> wrote:
? The earliest '817's had no fuses, but got a 3.15A battery fuse (F1001) for the second revision.
ND's got a second 2.3A "protector", F1002, for the 13V lines going down to the PA board.
This might also prevent destruction of the PA transistors when it goes unstable.
F1002 in my ND has gone in the past.
I would probably add it if I had an '817 I was fixing.
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Hi, I have an original, new to me, FT817. I’ve added the Windcamp battery mod, with on/off switch and external charger, so I don’t use the charger menu setting at all. I also use a Bioenno external battery, if needed. So, do I need to think about a fuse? I’m sure it’s no easy task either. Thanks Mike Davis WA1MAD
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On May 20, 2025, at 5:44?PM, simon via groups.io <simon@...> wrote:
? The earliest '817's had no fuses, but got a 3.15A battery fuse (F1001) for the second revision.
ND's got a second 2.3A "protector", F1002, for the 13V lines going down to the PA board.
This might also prevent destruction of the PA transistors when it goes unstable.
F1002 in my ND has gone in the past.
I would probably add it if I had an '817 I was fixing.
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Re: 817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
Comparing the tuning ranges of your LDG tuner and those in the
Elecraft radios should provide you with the answer to your question.
On 5/21/25 07:31, hermit wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I recently saw some info on the new Eleccraft antenna
offering the AX-3.? The youtube videos I saw demonstrated it
being used with Elecraft radios.? I know the antenna needs a
tuner and I use an LDG Z817 with great success with my 817nd =
will this setup work with the AX-1?? Thanks for any and all
replies.
?
73
?
Rich KB3OMJ
|
817 compatibility with Elecraft AX-3
I recently saw some info on the new Eleccraft antenna offering the AX-3.? The youtube videos I saw demonstrated it being used with Elecraft radios.? I know the antenna needs a tuner and I use an LDG Z817 with great success with my 817nd = will this setup work with the AX-1?? Thanks for any and all replies.
?
73
?
Rich KB3OMJ
|
The earliest '817's had no fuses, but got a 3.15A battery fuse (F1001) for the second revision.
ND's got a second 2.3A "protector", F1002, for the 13V lines going down to the PA board.
This might also prevent destruction of the PA transistors when it goes unstable.
F1002 in my ND has gone in the past.
I would probably add it if I had an '817 I was fixing.
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It was over 10 years ago when Yaesu went with the newer PA board, claimed changed due to transistors on old board were no long made.? Yaesu never admitted to the oscillation issue.
I am sure the PA board you have is the newer version.
One thing to prevent the oscillation was to reverse the coax input and output cables of the PA board.
There is in FILES instruction and info on the PA board replacement.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
Spring Hill, Florida also n9ee55@...
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 12:09:16 PM EDT, Tech Guy via groups.io <tech48055@...> wrote:
I should have said it was a 817 not nd. I meant was the fix on the replacement board. My gel cells are working ok. I will just stick to those.
73 John
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I should have said it was a 817 not nd. I meant was the fix on the replacement board. My gel cells are working ok. I will just stick to those.
73 John
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I believe the original FT817 is subject to this problem, but it was repaired in the FT817ND. The best way to tell if you have an 817ND is by the choice of backlight colors for the display. I think the original FT817 only had two color choices, and the ND has more. I have never had any problems with my FT817ND.
Zack W9SZ
I recently replaced the final board in a hamfest special. I have read about some versions with finals oscillating and destroying them with low internal battery voltage. Is there a version of board with a fix for this? How to identify it? The radio came with two battery packs. I may just keep using the external battery.
73 John N4HNO?
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Hi John and the group,
I have never used the internal battery for this exact reason, only external PS and my 817 is from the pre lot 45 so very very early production, this has original finals..I bought it new in 2001 from radio world in Toronto. Best regards and enjoy that 817, they are incredible little radios! Rick VE1RNM?
I recently replaced the final board in a hamfest special. I have read about some versions with finals oscillating and destroying them with low internal battery voltage. Is there a version of board with a fix for this? How to identify it? The radio came with two battery packs. I may just keep using the external battery.
73 John N4HNO?
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David Wilcox K8WPE
Jack
Mike EI9FEB
Jeff WN1MB