Rediscovering my FT-897D! I "rediscovered" my FT-897(D) just in the past few days. I had to have surgery recently, and before I went, I brought up my not often used FT-897 from the basement shack and put it in my spare room here. I was told I wouldn't be able to traverse stairs was the reason. Well, lo and behold, in my newly founded idle time I am discovering many facets of the radio that I was not aware of! Checking various articles on RU-vid or online is giving me new insight into the radio. My "main" go to radios are the ever popular IC-7300 and it's vhf/uhf counterpart the 9700. Going thru the menu and settings, I found things to adjust that I didn't know I could! I had plans to replace the radio with the 991A but now decided to put that money towards a hex beam and keep the 897D, truly a "shack in the box". I'm amazed at the build quality of the radio, a tank! I ran a quick extension coax from my End Fed Half Wave antenna up to the spare room and with the YT-100 LDG auto tuner I can get on all bands. I even plan to get into the ARRL SSB contest this weekend. So, the FT-897D will stay here in the spare room as my upstairs "100 watt and a wire" quick go to radio, but once recuperated, I'll return to the shack with the Icoms and Ameritron amplifier, satellite capability etc... Up to now, the main purpose of the FT-897D was to accompany me on my numerous camping trips where it never failed me. My only complaint, I replaced the internal rechargable batteries with new Chinese ones that already went south. Has anybody come up with a d-i-y battery bank?
I've had one of these rigs with the 897 tuner for years and I never knew that you could bypass and reengage the tuner by pressing the tune button once. I learned something new. Thanks Dan.
Very good overview 👍. You can customise the quick menu ABC buttons (Multi-Function screen "q'). For example, I have one one set to go into the RF Power option so that I can quickly adjust RF power. Although the Mult-Functions on the display time out like you said, the buttons still work. So, I can leave mine set to "q" and know that, if I press button A, I can adjust the power using the Multi-Function knob. Sounds a bit complicated but once you set it up, it is easy to operate.
Great upload, Daniel! I just purchased a used FT-897D tonight, and I am so looking forward to using it for POTA and ARES activities in the near future. 73 de K5WIX.
Excellent overview of the FT-897D! You must be a professional radio DJ or you are just a natural. Your voice suits this type of video very well. Plus you zip right through keeping it on point and interesting. I am impressed. Anyway, I have owned two of these radios the past 15 years that I sold. It has been about 3 years since I sold the last one but just bought another last week. I have a soft spot for this rig. It was the first solid state HF rig I owned. I just gave it a detail job (my specialty) and it now looks brand new again. I was about to put it on the air. I have owned so many radios since that I needed a quick refresher for the FT-897D. I found your video and it was perfect for my needs. This is the first time I have seen your channel. Too bad more viewers have not seen this. I also own an Icom IC-718 and I see you do an overview on it as well. I'll take a look. Although the Yaesu FT-897D and the Icom IC-718 are older basic rigs they are still VERY popular so these videos will be very useful. Now subbed!
Thank you for the kind comments. I sure wish Yaesu had stayed with this rig a while longer. I would love to have seen an FT-897D MK II with lithium ion phosphate batteries, and noise reduction in the IF stage. . . I still love the rig as is though :)
@@danielgoodson2644 Me too! They still hold a good resale value so that shows there is still a market for a radio like this. Yaesu was ahead of the times with the FT-897D and the FT-817nd. Portable operations are extremely more popular now with POTA etc. than they were when Yaesu came out with the FT-897D. The IC-705 is the big deal now but it is overpriced and comes in a flimsy plastic case. Of course the lightweight is crucial in SOTA etc. 73!
@@danielgoodson2644 Yes, I have wondered about this as well. Yaesu never did a proper replacement/updated FT-897D. A shame, as they are fantastic field/portable rigs and they were built like tanks.
Agreed. The 991 "replaced" the 897 but it wasn't a replacement IMO, it was aimed at a different market. Certainly not the rugged portable design much loved by users of the 897. Why the hell Yaesu couldn't have kept the form factor of the 897 and just updated the display and electronics I'll never know.
Hello. Can you inform me where I can purchase a replacement display for this radio? It seems that it has disappeared form the internet. Can't find it anywhere. If you have a suggestion, I would appreciate your help. Excellent overview by the way. Thank you.
@@danielgoodson2644 Oh ,, ok thanks I thought mine was missing something. I bought it a couple years ago , finally hooked an antenna to it today and worked some 10 meter 👍. I really like it
Yes, you can program to power level to one of the three short cut memories. You'll still have to scroll to the shortcut page but it's perhaps a little faster
Hi good day, afew friends of mine have that radio and are having problem with them, am in love with the radio, but can't make up my mind to get one because of the problem their having, Can you tell me if the company made any improvement,band can I get a used one to buy, always looking at your videos, thanks for your information
@@danielgoodson2644 Hi Don, one of them having problem with the display, lots of streaks on it, only transmitting on FM and two meter, and the other guy already sent his radio overseas to get it fix he had couple of issues to just can't remember off hand, will check him out
