Hi.?
I have an FT817ND that puts out a full 5 watts in all modes except CW, which is a bit puzzling. I'm measuring the power on an AV-600 with a dummy load attached. In CW mode, the radio only puts out between 2 and 3 watts while running on an external 13.8v power supply. It's entirely possible that this may be pilot error but I have reset the radio and the issue persists.

The radio does have a Sotabeams "laserbeam" filter fitted which kicks in when the narrow filter option is selected. I have removed and re-fitted the filter in case there were any wiring issues but, again, no change.

Has anyone had similar with their radio?? Any pointers or suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers,
Ronan MM0IVR?

Ronan,
Do you get normal power when the narrow filter option is disabled?

--
Al Skierkiewicz
WB9UVJ

Good question, Al... The power remains the same with the filter engaged or disengaged.?
I might remove the filter completely from the radio and see if that changes anything. That requires a bit of surgery though so it'll probably have to wait till nearer the weekend.

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How are you keying your CW, with a straight key or keyer?

Good question, Al... The power remains the same with the filter engaged or disengaged.?
I might remove the filter completely from the radio and see if that changes anything. That requires a bit of surgery though so it'll probably have to wait till nearer the weekend.

-- 
Regards, Joe, K8JP/V31JP, Ronnie, Martin & Sidney Pontek
175 Diamond Loch Rd., Apt. 5
Gilmer, TX 75644-9374
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I'm using a straight key (always do) so I'm measuring power over several seconds key-down. It sits at a steady 2 to 3 watts. Switching to SSB and whistling into the mic produces a solid 5 watts.

On Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 07:20 PM, Ron Wright wrote:

have a CW filter in my FT817, but is in the rcvr IF and does not affect transmit.

I believe this filter also sits in the receive path but will need to check the schematic to be sure. I'll have a look this evening.

Having had a quick look, the sotabeams "laserbeam" filter unit sits in the audio path, not the IF path.

When installing the filter, C1338 is removed and the filter sits across its pads. This is the AF line feeding the main volume control.

There are two caps fitted to the IF filter circuit in such a way that the IF signal is coupled from the stock 455kHz filter (CF1004) onto the pads for the optional CW filter (U1003) which is not fitted in this radio. The instructions say that these caps are not required if the optional mechanical CW filter is present in the radio.


.?

With this arrangement, if there is no optional mechanical filter fitted, the standard 455kHz IF filter is in circuit even when the narrow filter is selected in the menu. The "laserbeam" filter is simply an audio filter implemented on a small microcontroller board and should not affect the TX path at all.?

I wonder if there are any other ways in which the CW output power could be affected independently of the other modes.....

While I remember:

I have read the calibration data for the radio using FT-817 commander and note the following entry:

| CW Carrier Injection Level? ? ? ? ? ?| 004A? ? |? ? ? ? ?255 |? ? ? ? ? FF | This sets the level of the keyed CW carrier.

I am loathe to go messing with any of these values but wonder if anyone knows if that particular value is normally set at its maximum like that?

As ever, any input gratefully received.

Ronan
MM0IVR

1- Did it ever work properly?
2- Does it do 5 watts in FM?
3-Does it do 1.5 watts in AM?
4- Are there changes in the output as you step thru the 4 levels as described on pg 20 of the manual?
5-Good 12 V external supply, and does the radios voltage meter stay about the same when transmitting?
6-Does both the front and rear antenna connector show the same symptoms?
Mike N3PM

Hi Mike,
In answer to your questions:

1. I don't know. I bought the radio second hand although it was untouched and in its original box with all accessories still in their unopened state.?
2. Yes. A steady 5 watts in FM

GE Ronan - first, here's a link to the service manual.



I had an 817 a few years ago that someone made adjustments thru the hidden/service menu. There are also tweakable? transformer adjustments dedicated to CW. (page 18)
May be worth a try, don't forget to document anything you do. Easier to go back.

Mike N3PM

The hidden menu-

Mike N3PM

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Ronan,

the service menu (aka hidden menu) is not for the faint-hearted, or the impulsive. If you do go there, be aware that when entering the service menu there is an automatic calibration of the 817 voltage meter, which assumes that the supplied voltage is 13.8?V. If it's not, then the 817 will misread its supply voltage.

Good luck, take care, 73,

Robin, G8DQX