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And, you know, redesign around both the currently unobtainable and the soon to be unobtainable parts... Ken, N2VIP
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On Dec 30, 2022, at 12:41, Andy Foad via groups.io <andyfoad@...> wrote:
?<snip> Come on Yaesu, two small tweaks, CW filters and a bit ore space for homebrew battery packs
and you can be king of the castle ;-)
73 de Andy
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I have one too. Took a while to find one, and recently I have send two boards to two fellows here which have located the new collins filters from AOR. It's all set to keep it going strong for a while. On Friday, December 30 2022, 13:39:00, Dave Tucker Nu4N wrote: 1. ( ) text/plain (*) text/html
I will never part ways with my 817. I have a cw filter I got way back when there was a guy
selling them in Alabama.
On 12/30/2022 1:22 PM, Luis Miguel Casta?eda wrote:
Now that inrad seems to be out of stock of pcbs things are slightly more
complicated, but there seems to be at least one OM who still can provide of
those.
On the other hand, AOR still has stock of 500hz CW mechanical filters, it's the
same collings, just that it doesn't have the yaesu sticker on top. Call your
local AOR distributor and ask for them, you might have a pleasant surprise if
you're looking for one.
On Friday, December 30 2022, 10:41:41, Andy Foad via groups.io wrote:
I'll never part with my FT817's.
But I agree it's time to move on a bit for Yaesu. [...]
Come on Yaesu, two small tweaks, CW filters and a bit ore space for homebrew
battery packs
and you can be king of the castle ;-)
--
Armaments, universal debt and planned obsolescence - those are the three pillars of
Western prosperity.
--- Aldous Huxley -- The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. --- Bertrand Russell
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I have 2 ft817's from around 20yrs ago. One is NIB and the other one does 100% duty as a band hopping WSPR station running a half a watt currently. The NIB one was used to get past it's infant mortality and put back in the box. The WSPR rig has been all around the world and never had a lick of trouble with it.... It has been on way more than it has been off in the past 20yrs!? Original finals to boot but never ran it on internal batteries... I went to buy an 818 when I heard the news but R&L was out of stock when they had stock 2 days ago...? :-(
73
-Mike
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I was also thinking of selling my original Ft817 to buy a Ft818. Even HRO is out of stock. I guess I will continue to be happy with my FT-817.?
Steve KA4NRF
On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 6:52 PM Mike - N5AQM < n5aqmdb@...> wrote: I have 2 ft817's from around 20yrs ago. One is NIB and the other one does 100% duty as a band hopping WSPR station running a half a watt currently. The NIB one was used to get past it's infant mortality and put back in the box. The WSPR rig has been all around the world and never had a lick of trouble with it.... It has been on way more than it has been off in the past 20yrs!? Original finals to boot but never ran it on internal batteries... I went to buy an 818 when I heard the news but R&L was out of stock when they had stock 2 days ago...? :-(
73
-Mike
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NIB ?
Sorry don't know what this means.
Martyn M0TEB
Martyn Bell
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3 Jan 2023 00:12:26 Stephen Tremblay <Ka4nrf@...>:
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I was also thinking of selling my original Ft817 to buy a Ft818. Even HRO is out of stock. I guess I will continue to be happy with my FT-817.?
Steve KA4NRF
On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 6:52 PM Mike - N5AQM < n5aqmdb@...> wrote:
I have 2 ft817's from around 20yrs ago. One is NIB and the other one does 100% duty as a band hopping WSPR station running a half a watt currently. The NIB one was used to get past it's infant mortality and put back in the box. The WSPR rig has been all around the world and never had a lick of trouble with it.... It has been on way more than it has been off in the past 20yrs!? Original finals to boot but never ran it on internal batteries... I went to buy an 818 when I heard the news but R&L was out of stock when they had stock 2 days ago...? :-(
73
-Mike
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"New In Box" Martyn.
--
Steve, G4VRR.
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I think the writing has been on the wall for some time now - the 817 was groundbreaking twenty years ago, but is getting well past its sell-by date now. Mine is still on the shelf in the shack - next to my Xiegu X6100 which cost $30 less and is a significantly better radio in many respects. If Yaesu want a replacement for the 817, they could do worse than buy up the design of the X6100 and let their development team polish the rough edges off it.?
I'm about to pack to spend a couple of days on our boat - the 817 will be staying on the shelf and the X6100 will be in my bag...
Martin (G8FXC)
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Those aren't comparable radios, unless you want only HF, and then there are a couple of contenders in that arena. One of the strenghts of 817 it was being an U/VHF all mode transceivers, and there aren't many to choose nowadays, if any. Yeah, a niche use case, but... On Friday, January 06 2023, 01:10:49, martinbradford2001 wrote: next to my Xiegu X6100 which cost $30 less and is a significantly better radio in many respects. -- In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. --- Martin Luther King Jr
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The one advantage of the FT-817 is that it is TOUGH as nails if you
put the dog ears/stands to protect the knobs. Have you seen VK3YE's
youtube channel? It is all beat up and rusty -- full of sand -- it
runs FB.
I notice my T/R relay gets a little crappy if I don't show that rig
some love. I have had mine for 22 years. I just upgraded mine with a
knock off TCXO. This one does not seem to have the birdie issue. I
am very happy with my little radio.
Chris KQ6UP
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On Fri, Jan 6, 2023 at 1:52 AM Luis Miguel Casta?eda <octabod@...> wrote:
Those aren't comparable radios, unless you want only HF, and then
there are a couple of contenders in that arena.
One of the strenghts of 817 it was being an U/VHF all mode
transceivers, and there aren't many to choose nowadays, if
any. Yeah, a niche use case, but...
On Friday, January 06 2023, 01:10:49, martinbradford2001 wrote:
next to my Xiegu X6100 which cost $30 less and is a
significantly better radio in many respects.
--
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the
silence of our friends.
--- Martin Luther King Jr
--
Thanks,
Chris Maness
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Chris I have had my 817 since they first
came out and still using it on the HF bands and on trips with 2
and 440. I did blow the finals one time but Yaesu replaced them
with a new one which was better.
That's my 2 cent's worth.
73's Dave NU4N
On 1/6/2023 7:21 AM, Christopher Maness
wrote:
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Show quoted text
The one advantage of the FT-817 is that it is TOUGH as nails if you
put the dog ears/stands to protect the knobs. Have you seen VK3YE's
youtube channel? It is all beat up and rusty -- full of sand -- it
runs FB.
I notice my T/R relay gets a little crappy if I don't show that rig
some love. I have had mine for 22 years. I just upgraded mine with a
knock off TCXO. This one does not seem to have the birdie issue. I
am very happy with my little radio.
Chris KQ6UP
On Fri, Jan 6, 2023 at 1:52 AM Luis Miguel Casta?eda <octabod@...> wrote:
Those aren't comparable radios, unless you want only HF, and then
there are a couple of contenders in that arena.
One of the strenghts of 817 it was being an U/VHF all mode
transceivers, and there aren't many to choose nowadays, if
any. Yeah, a niche use case, but...
On Friday, January 06 2023, 01:10:49, martinbradford2001 wrote:
next to my Xiegu X6100 which cost $30 less and is a
significantly better radio in many respects.
--
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the
silence of our friends.
--- Martin Luther King Jr
--
73's de NU4N Dave
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Thanks for all the quick responses on this one.?
73 Dan?
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I took my class A exam in March 2022 and weeks before the test I thought sleepless nights about the question: "what will be my first Rig?" It turns out that I live in an appartment so sky-scraping antennas and PAs where not my equipment of choice anyhow. So portable was the option to go. I went for the FT-818 ND an do not regret it at all. It is the ideal rig for ?a starter and I do not see much alternatives around. Yes, the design is outdated and it may not have the most sophisticated DSP for noise reduction. Not to forget: some people hate the ?menu navigation. But the combination of HF plus 6m plus 2m plus 70 cm, Battery operation, two Antenna plugs and literally all modes in a quality case is not easy to find. So I recommend that Yaesu considers to have something similar in the future. Maybe SDR. ?
If we have a look on chinese products (I haven't tried to the Xiegu Products though) I see parallels with Japanese electronics. When they entered the market of Cameras and Hifi Audio they were bullied for their funny design and low quality. But look how they learned and improved. Same may be true for the Chinese. We don't know. From what I see the Chinese makers and not so good in product support and documentation. I think Yaesu really makes a different when it comes to quality, product support and lifecycle and the way they document their products.?
I am really looking forward to their next product launch. In the meantime I have a closer look on the FT-710 product for my desk.
my 5ct
73 de DD1ta Thomas
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I concur, however don't see it as a niche market. <g>
My long held perception is it was brought out to replace the FT-690, FT-290, and FT-790, with one package.
One might even hazard a guess that with the 6 m coverage designed in it was then a very short trip to expand that to cover MF/HF as a accessible bonus.
Keeping mine, _even_ if I pick up a X6100 or KX2 (/3.)
73, John VA7OTC
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On January 6, 2023 1:47:49 AM PST, "Luis Miguel Casta?eda" <octabod@...> wrote:
Those aren't comparable radios, unless you want only HF, and then there are a couple of contenders in that arena.
One of the strenghts of 817 it was being an U/VHF all mode transceivers, and there aren't many to choose nowadays, if any. Yeah, a niche use case, but...
On Friday, January 06 2023, 01:10:49, martinbradford2001 wrote:
next to my Xiegu X6100 which cost $30 less and is a significantly better radio in many respects.
--
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
--- Martin Luther King Jr
--
VA7OTC
J.D. Erskine
Victoria, BC
CN88hk
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I got my FT-817 in 2004 as my first tranceiver. It never had any problems. Since 2013 it sits in my shack as a back-up with a small HF and VHF linear besides its big brothers 'Icom IC718 and FT991a'. Had a IC-7300 for a few years, but did not liked it very much due to its low resolution waterfall. I sold the FT-991a last year, and I am looking for a new portable SDR radio with batteries included to replace FT-817. I also have an Elad FDMduo and the FT-718 is not far behind in sensitivity, but nowhere in selectivity, of course. Hopefully, Yaesu will come up with such a radio in 2023. The IC-705 does not fit in my target budget, so a "small FT710" could be a possible option. An I/Q output will be awesome, so it can produce a waterfall with some software releases. Who knows, maybe it's some wishfull thinking of my part.
73' Ron
on2ron
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On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 08:31 PM, Ken N2VIP wrote:
And, you know, redesign around both the currently unobtainable and the soon to be unobtainable parts...
I was thinking more of the form factor. By all means design out the problematic parts, but - retain the form factor - better support for user build battery packs so that we don't rely upon 3rd party solutions - keep xtal filters - a mic connector that's not an RJ45. I'd rather have a chicken band'ers 4 pin mic tbh. - tilt / bail stand as STANDARD. Not interested in - - spectrum scopes - digital voice - ATU's Useful but not essential - - 4m band - GPS calibration input. 73 de Andy
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Yes Andy, completely agree.
Not bothered about the mic connection being RJ or circular but yes to everything else.
4m especially.
Martyn M0TEB
Martyn Bell
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8 Jan 2023 14:03:00 Andy Foad via groups.io <andyfoad@...>:
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On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 08:31 PM, Ken N2VIP wrote:
And, you know, redesign around both the currently unobtainable and the soon to be unobtainable parts...
I was thinking more of the form factor.
By all means design out the problematic parts, but
- retain the form factor
- better support for user build battery packs so that we don't rely upon 3rd party solutions
- keep xtal filters
- a mic connector that's not an RJ45. I'd rather have a chicken band'ers 4 pin mic tbh.
- tilt / bail stand as STANDARD.
Not interested in -
- spectrum scopes
- digital voice
- ATU's
Useful but not essential -
- 4m band
- GPS calibration input.
73 de Andy
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"Keep xtal filters"?
Sourced from whom, exactly? And they tend to be physically large, forcing certain compromises regarding radio packaging - modern, QRP/Portable radios are built like HTs for good reason.
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On Jan 8, 2023, at 08:02, Andy Foad via groups.io <andyfoad@...> wrote:
?On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 08:31 PM, Ken N2VIP wrote:
And, you know, redesign around both the currently unobtainable and the soon to be unobtainable parts...
I was thinking more of the form factor. By all means design out the problematic parts, but - retain the form factor - better support for user build battery packs so that we don't rely upon 3rd party solutions - keep xtal filters - a mic connector that's not an RJ45. I'd rather have a chicken band'ers 4 pin mic tbh. - tilt / bail stand as STANDARD. Not interested in - - spectrum scopes - digital voice - ATU's Useful but not essential - - 4m band - GPS calibration input. 73 de Andy
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What surprised me was the 818 short production run. Most radio models stick around for longer than that. ? ?I look forward to whatever will replace it. Yaesu has always had the right HF radio for me whenever I was in the market. FT890, 747, 817.?
On Sun, Jan 8, 2023 at 9:54 AM, Martyn Bell? M0TEB #admin <martyn@...> wrote:
Yes Andy, completely agree.
Not bothered about the mic connection being RJ or circular but yes to everything else.
4m especially.
Martyn M0TEB
Martyn Bell
-- ----- - . -...
8 Jan 2023 14:03:00 Andy Foad via groups.io <andyfoad@...>:
On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 08:31 PM, Ken N2VIP wrote:
And, you know, redesign around both the currently unobtainable and the soon to be unobtainable parts...
I was thinking more of the form factor.
By all means design out the problematic parts, but
- retain the form factor
- better support for user build battery packs so that we don't rely upon 3rd party solutions
- keep xtal filters
- a mic connector that's not an RJ45. I'd rather have a chicken band'ers 4 pin mic tbh.
- tilt / bail stand as STANDARD.
Not interested in -
- spectrum scopes
- digital voice
- ATU's
Useful but not essential -
- 4m band
- GPS calibration input.
73 de Andy
|
I’ve rarely seen such an outpouring of affection for an inanimate
object as I’m seeing on line about the end of the FT-817/818.
It reminded me of a conversation I had with a gentlemen named Peter
Schutz who was the CEO of Porsche in the 80’s. As a result I decided
to pen a note to Yaesu. I’m sure it will fall on deaf ears but here is what I wrote to Yaesu:
Dear Yaesu:
I was sorry to learn of the passing of a legend…the Yaesu FT-817/818.
I suspect the engineers had more to do with this decision than the
marketing folks. In my humble opinion there is still a lot of life
left in this radio.?In fact, hearing the news reminded me of a story that was told to me
by Peter Schutz who was the CEO of Porsche and credited with saving
the company in the 80’s. I happened to be?at a conference where I had an opportunity to meet Peter. ?At the
meeting Peter told me when he took over as CEO of Porsche the company
was planning to end the life of the Porsche 911 based upon the
engineers assessment that the car had reached the end of its life
cycle. He spent some time with the marketing and sales teams as well
as various racing partners and customers and concluded that the
Porsche 911 should not be put to death but rather it should be
“evolved”. It should keep its fundamental DNA and form factor but
evolve to a more modern and improved state. He challenged the
engineers to make it happen. And they did! The end result is that he
saved the 911 and the Company in the process.
While the situation isn’t exactly the same…Yaesu is not in a life and
death struggle…this product has become an Icon for the Yaesu Brand.
The FT-817/818 represents innovative rugged versatility that to this
day is unmatched in what has become a legendary form factor. In my
opinion it represents a unique opportunity for Yaesu. There was
nothing like it when first introduced and it has not had a significant
competitor since!
I hope Yaesu will find a way to evolve the model in the same way
Porsche has evolved the 911. Whether you see a 1969 Porsche 911 on the
street or a 2022 Porsche 911 you know it’s a 911. They’re vastly
different animals…yet they are the same. It’s a legendary brand and a
testament to engineering brilliance. I see the same opportunity for
Yaesu with the FT-817/818. I hope Yaesu follows suit.
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Well said Paul, a most eloquent letter and an interesting and informative story about the Porsche 911, I have an original 2002 manufacture 817, original finals that I would never part with.
I hope the brass at yaesu pay attention to what you have said.
Vy73,
Rick VE1RNM?
I’ve rarely seen such an outpouring of affection for an inanimate
object as I’m seeing on line about the end of the FT-817/818.
It reminded me of a conversation I had with a gentlemen named Peter
Schutz who was the CEO of Porsche in the 80’s. As a result I decided
to pen a note to Yaesu. I’m sure it will fall on deaf ears but here is what I wrote to Yaesu:
Dear Yaesu:
I was sorry to learn of the passing of a legend…the Yaesu FT-817/818.
I suspect the engineers had more to do with this decision than the
marketing folks. In my humble opinion there is still a lot of life
left in this radio.?In fact, hearing the news reminded me of a story that was told to me
by Peter Schutz who was the CEO of Porsche and credited with saving
the company in the 80’s. I happened to be?at a conference where I had an opportunity to meet Peter.? At the
meeting Peter told me when he took over as CEO of Porsche the company
was planning to end the life of the Porsche 911 based upon the
engineers assessment that the car had reached the end of its life
cycle. He spent some time with the marketing and sales teams as well
as various racing partners and customers and concluded that the
Porsche 911 should not be put to death but rather it should be
“evolved”. It should keep its fundamental DNA and form factor but
evolve to a more modern and improved state. He challenged the
engineers to make it happen. And they did! The end result is that he
saved the 911 and the Company in the process.
While the situation isn’t exactly the same…Yaesu is not in a life and
death struggle…this product has become an Icon for the Yaesu Brand.
The FT-817/818 represents innovative rugged versatility that to this
day is unmatched in what has become a legendary form factor. In my
opinion it represents a unique opportunity for Yaesu. There was
nothing like it when first introduced and it has not had a significant
competitor since!
I hope Yaesu will find a way to evolve the model in the same way
Porsche has evolved the 911. Whether you see a 1969 Porsche 911 on the
street or a 2022 Porsche 911 you know it’s a 911. They’re vastly
different animals…yet they are the same. It’s a legendary brand and a
testament to engineering brilliance. I see the same opportunity for
Yaesu with the FT-817/818. I hope Yaesu follows suit.
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Martyn Bell M0TEB #admin
Steve
Daniel Levine
John D Erskine VE7MHI VA7OTC