Winlink with Vara HF and FT-818 via Digirig
I've been experimenting with Winlink on my radios and had success with my little trU(SDX) but cannot Tx/Rx winlink with the FT-818.
I have CAT control set up OK as the radio tries to connect with various local RMS gateways, but Winlink always reports that a Failure to connect."
Ive tested a few different Baud rates without success, and have checked the Digirig settings under SoundCard and it seems to me that there needs to be an adjustment to the transmit audio to the radio from the PC where the ALC is adjusted (that was the key to success with the trU(SDX).
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Anyone with the above combo who have been successful and can chime in? Or anyone with a depth of knowledge about this radio and soundcard combo.
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Thanks!
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Rod
VA3MZD
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
I just checked the display and yes there is a squarish icon which may actually be a clock that shows just to the left of the L. I guess with my eyesight, I thought it was an square, in place of the L, but on highest power the L disappears. Thanks Mike Davis WA1MAD
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On Feb 2, 2025, at 8:26?AM, Mike Davis via groups.io <maddmd818@...> wrote:
? Does the L become a square if on auto shutoff? A buddy said it does. I’ll check that soon.? Mike Davis WA1MAD On Jan 31, 2025, at 9:34?PM, VK1MA Matt via groups.io <doormatt@...> wrote:
? Despite many postings to this list and its yahoo predecessor correcting people, people continue to make incorrect postings about power output and how the 817 displays it. Below is a re-posting on this issue courtesy of Mike KD5KC. Key takeaway is that the display behaviour varies with the voltage. ? ? Matt VK1MA ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY POWER !!!!! ? Here is how to read the FT-817 power display. ? To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for <1 second, [Pg 12, item 8], then rotate the SELECT knob [Pg 12, item 13] to display menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ] on Pg 15.? (xxx will equal pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).? Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display [Pg 12, item 9].? Press the PWR button (button A) 4 times or more to step through the display. ? With an input voltage or battery voltage GREATER THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts. ? ? With an input voltage or battery voltage LESS THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts. *note1. ? This information is in the FT-817ND manual, on page 28.? It just isn't written very well. ? *note1:? The blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power, and with the stock YAESU battery, your time on the air will be limited.? Using a larger external battery, or one of the larger capacity internal batteries will increase your air-time considerably. ? The reality is that it has nothing to do with battery or power supply.? It is simply sensing the voltage applied to the radio.? Any voltage below about 11.5v will show a blinking display.? Any voltage above about 11.5v will show a steady display.? It has nothing to do with what the power source really is. ? ? ? Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars". ? I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting?? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why. ? Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.? I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
Does the L become a square if on auto shutoff? A buddy said it does. I’ll check that soon.? Mike Davis WA1MAD
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On Jan 31, 2025, at 9:34?PM, VK1MA Matt via groups.io <doormatt@...> wrote:
? Despite many postings to this list and its yahoo predecessor correcting people, people continue to make incorrect postings about power output and how the 817 displays it. Below is a re-posting on this issue courtesy of Mike KD5KC. Key takeaway is that the display behaviour varies with the voltage. ? ? Matt VK1MA ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY POWER !!!!! ? Here is how to read the FT-817 power display. ? To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for <1 second, [Pg 12, item 8], then rotate the SELECT knob [Pg 12, item 13] to display menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ] on Pg 15.? (xxx will equal pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).? Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display [Pg 12, item 9].? Press the PWR button (button A) 4 times or more to step through the display. ? With an input voltage or battery voltage GREATER THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts. ? ? With an input voltage or battery voltage LESS THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts. *note1. ? This information is in the FT-817ND manual, on page 28.? It just isn't written very well. ? *note1:? The blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power, and with the stock YAESU battery, your time on the air will be limited.? Using a larger external battery, or one of the larger capacity internal batteries will increase your air-time considerably. ? The reality is that it has nothing to do with battery or power supply.? It is simply sensing the voltage applied to the radio.? Any voltage below about 11.5v will show a blinking display.? Any voltage above about 11.5v will show a steady display.? It has nothing to do with what the power source really is. ? ? ? Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars". ? I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting?? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why. ? Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.? I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
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Hello,
Does the FT-817 support CW via CAT cable? I'm trying to configure FLRIG, but without success.
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73 de PY2ZA
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
Despite many postings to this list and its yahoo predecessor correcting people, people continue to make incorrect postings about power output and how the 817 displays it. Below is a re-posting on this issue courtesy of Mike KD5KC. Key takeaway is that the display behaviour varies with the voltage. ? ? Matt VK1MA ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY POWER !!!!! ? Here is how to read the FT-817 power display. ? To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for <1 second, [Pg 12, item 8], then rotate the SELECT knob [Pg 12, item 13] to display menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ] on Pg 15.? (xxx will equal pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).? Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display [Pg 12, item 9].? Press the PWR button (button A) 4 times or more to step through the display. ? With an input voltage or battery voltage GREATER THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts. ? ? With an input voltage or battery voltage LESS THAN ~ 11.5 volts, the display will look like this. ? (L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts. (L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts. (L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts. (L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts. *note1. ? This information is in the FT-817ND manual, on page 28.? It just isn't written very well. ? *note1:? The blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power, and with the stock YAESU battery, your time on the air will be limited.? Using a larger external battery, or one of the larger capacity internal batteries will increase your air-time considerably. ? The reality is that it has nothing to do with battery or power supply.? It is simply sensing the voltage applied to the radio.? Any voltage below about 11.5v will show a blinking display.? Any voltage above about 11.5v will show a steady display.? It has nothing to do with what the power source really is. ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Davis via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, 1 February 2025 1:52 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?? Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars". ? I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting?? ? On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1=[email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why. ? Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.? I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
Thanks. I finally got out my QRP dummy load wattmeter, which I should have done earlier. What confused me was when the lines are full it's 2.5 watts, then steps down, 1 watt then .5 watt to no lines at 5 watts, but at 5 watts there is a square left on the display vs an L looking thing.?
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:58?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars".
I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting??
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
What is the cable’s pinout to use for the M0BMN widebander software ?
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Thx,
73 Ben?
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
Yes, same as with external power. If the power indicator is off, it is full power. It might flash on and off during transmit, but it's still full power out. Half power has two "bars".
I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting??
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
I am confused on power out with the Windcamp battery setup. Is there a 5 watt setting??
Mike WA1MAD
On Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 2:49?PM Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF via <feltusfecit1= [email protected]> wrote: Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
Roger that. I love the Windcamp battery, but find charging it hit or miss, and I have no idea why.
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
|
Re: Ft817 shuts off at 10 volts?
Sounds to me like the Windcamp BMS doing its job to protect the battery. I am on my second one of these. First one, the BMS isolated the battery on low voltage as I expected however it didn't come up to full voltage - I think one of the cells was failing. Second one did charge up to full expected voltage however, when I did a discharge test on it recently it just kept on going down to 8.0V until I lost my nerve and put it back on charge ! Did then recharge fully so hopefully no damage.?
?
I think this battery is a big improvement on OEM but I am slightly suspicious about the extent of the BMS functionality. I would like to see firm evidence that there is cell charge balancing.
?
?
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Re: No transmit function on 2M
Hi KA6BPV,?
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I posted a video a few months ago in response to a Youtube viewer who had no TX on 70cms. The 2m VHF and 70cms UHF TX paths are very closely related, so this 70cms video will help you understand the potential areas to look at for no TX on 2m. Here is my channel video: ?
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In this video, I review the schematic from the TX predrivers, PA finals and into the RF filtering to the antenna. Alas, most of the components will sit on the underside of the RF filter board, so you would need to pull the board out. And when out of the rig, there is no easy way to test the radio, so you will have to revert to basic diode testing of the diodes or transistors that could be affected, but this is straightforward with a multimeter diode test function: test the diode/transistor junctions wiht leads one way, then reverse the leads and retest. You can expect 0.7V(ish) in the conducting direction and 'OL' in the other. Anything else and it makes one suspect the diode/transistor is faulty.
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Schematics are found on the internet - I use ? ?For an early FT817 (early LOT numbers), go to page 71 for the relevant schematic page, and p. 73/74 for the physical board layout drawings. There were some very modest changes in components in later versions (changes from resistors to inductors in the RX path for example), nothing significant in 2m troubleshooting. Look here to identify your LOT number as the schematics (different pages in the pdf above) to change:
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Before pulling the board out: confirm the rig RX on 2m with no issues - this helps narrow the issue to TX related control voltages, and RF TX path switching via relays. If there also no RX on 2m, the issue could also then be in the LPF and HPF circuits with an open or short/low impedance path to ground.
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Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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73 de Matt, M0NJX
Westerham, Kent, England.
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
After some considerable searching I couldn't find any reference, but Geert's comments on
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are helpful. Resetting the radio post mod. seems to be a general requirement. Personally I ignore ARS due to the different in band offsets and directions that are required over here on UHF.
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Back to the thread then- apologies.
--
Steve, G4VRR.
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Re: No transmit function on 2M
I have a gen 1 FT-817.? Recently replaced the finals board (had very low power on TX all bands).? Incidentally the board is still available from Yaesu for $24.? P/N CB1333004.
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I thought I had the problems solved, however now I have discovered no TX power on 2M band.? Other bands are fine.? ?I plan to dig in the diode issue next.? Has anyone found a video or guide to assist with this repair?? I've looked around the web and not much out there for this specific issue.? ?Looking for any high res photos of the PCB and the diodes.? I understand need to get under the main PCB.? ? Thanks for any advice.
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HI
I'm using my FT-817 with cat in the QLOG log (Linux version).
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Does anyone use it? Did you manage to configure the CW?
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73 de PY2ZA jr?
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
"I did mine via the “jumpers” sadly a side effect is losing the ARS functionality.
73 de G0FVT"
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I recall reading somewhere that loss of the automatic repeater shift is dependent upon whether or not that facility is enabled prior to carrying out the mod. I'm sorry that I can't remember which state it needs to be in before going ahead nor any citation. It could well be in Clint's excellent website? A web search then ...
--
Steve, G4VRR.
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
“Does anybody know if the Japan version of the FT-817ND can be configured to match the US band plan?
Serguei VE3KDE”
No. Nice try, though.
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
This mod should get you aligned with the US band plan?
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Good luck,
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tom
kj5dyu
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
Hi have a look in the service manual,? you can change the links on the back of the display for band plans Dave 2E0DMB?
Thanks Nick for the trick. I downloaded his software. But that widely opens the 817, not only the second part of the 40m Band (or the 60m Band).?
Is there another kind to open just our ham’s bands ?
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Ben.?
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Re: TX ERR on 40m from .101 to .200
Does anybody know if the Japan version of the FT-817ND can be configured to match the US band plan? Serguei VE3KDE On Tue, Jan 28, 2025 at 1:55?AM Benjamin ON5BGO via groups.io <on5bgo@...> wrote:
Thanks Nick for the trick. I downloaded his software. But that widely opens the 817, not only the second part of the 40m Band (or the 60m Band).
Is there another kind to open just our ham’s bands ?
Ben.
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Rod VA3MZD
Tobias KK7BCO/2M0TFF
Steve
Tom Walker