FT-817ND

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iansradios
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FT-817ND

Post by iansradios »

Has anyone used an ft817 nd,i have got my hands on one,but i would only use it for pmr use? any good tips etc?
mm3oqr
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by mm3oqr »

Well I have one. What kind of tip are you looking for? I suppose the single most useful tip is that you can alter the antenna setting between Front/Rear for each of the bands, and it "remembers". So if you're using it for UHF/VHF, don't feel you are forced to use the front antenna connector.

That's my tip! Do I get a prize? :lol:
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5thElement
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by 5thElement »

Great little radios but i cant help but think it would be wasted for just pmr use - i find it great for HF and taking on holiday etc - it's amazing what it can do for the size of it.
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by YB135 »

might not even be opened up for pmr
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iansradios
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by iansradios »

The guy has had it for 4 months and modded it so he said it wont be too bad for pmr just short on power really at 5 watts,just wanted to know peoples views as my gm380s will be taken off the shelf in place of it.ive been sent one bit software for it already.
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by YB135 »

if its seriously just for pmr use, keep the motorola gear mate, the 817 is gonna dissapoint you on just uhf/vhf
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by 5thElement »

I'd say the same - 817 is a great radio if your after a small portable radio that covers everything in a tiny package - but if you're only after a PMR set i'd buy a dedicated pmr set with a bit more power output..
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iansradios
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by iansradios »

I have pmr sets here,but this thing seems to look quite nice with the blue display.,well i may shift it on then.
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by JOHN,YORK »

Blue,amber and violet display.
Suggest putting higher capacity batteries in.RX is hungry for current,450 ma un squelched.
Outputs,500mW,(1-2.5-5)Watt
On default with batteries,max output is 2.5 watts,but this can be altered by menu.
Has 6.25 khz spacing.
When mod has been done,TX/RX on (1.8-54) mhz,(140-154) mhz, (420-470) mhz.
Have seen articles regarding 10 watt output,but I think they are living in dreamland,as Yaesu would have used that as a selling point.
Various parameters can be altered by going in sub menus.
Not made for someone with big fingers.
446 SSB sounds nice.

I do not know what price you will be asking,but new they are £(450-480).One of our members(SNAKEMAN) sold his for £300 on 02/02/10.

Regards,John.
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iansradios
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by iansradios »

Cheers john,i will put it up for a swap after a few days of playing with it.
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by JOHN,YORK »

Iansradios.
It might be a mistake to have a play with it,as you might decide to keep it.
If you do not have the manual for it,you are in for a rough time,as there are 57 menus,of course you will not want them all.
Here are a few more snippets of info for you.

Double conversion... 68mhz/455khz
Clarifier.
IF shift.
2 VFO's
Spectrum scope monitor.
Smart search,automatically stores 50 active fx's on scan.
Dual watch.
Noise blanker.
VHF airband.


If you respect it's limitations,eg 5 watts,you should like it.But even then,what is the difference of 100 watts into a highly inefficient aerial,or 5 watts into a highly efficient aerial,if you know what I mean.
Even as a RX,it would be ok for a prospective licence holder.The TX side would be there waiting.
Even if the bands are quite,you could always listen to the Archers,as it has band 2,mono only.
If you would like any further reading,suggest you read ..KA7OEI/FT817 PAGE..I know it is for the 817,but the basics are the same as for the 817ND.

Regards,John.
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iansradios
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by iansradios »

Cheers john the radio is boxed as new,with manual cps and lead so im not to bad there,plus ive also had a load of ft817 pdfs sent my way. ;)
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Re: FT-817ND

Post by JOHN,YORK »

Ok.Hope you enjoy having a play with it.I presume that you will be leaving a post with remarks regarding the set,pros and cons etc.It would come in useful for future reference for members.
Have fun.

Regards,John.
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