Yaesu FT-897 Review
First off…. I’d like to say that operating the FT-817, FT-857, and FT-897 is almost identical across all three platforms. All three Radios are 160M –> 10M, 6M, 2M, and 70CM all Mode transceivers.
The FT-817 is QRP (5w max output) and contains internal batteries offering portable use in a package about the size of a soft cover book. Pretty cool stuff.
The FT-857 is a 100w Mobile rig. It competes directly with the Icom IC-706 Mk.II G. Because of it’s price new (around $650) this makes a fantastic first radio. It’s much more advanced technologically than the Icom IC-718 and a little bit less expensive. I stand by the thought that this radio is something every new ham should own. As you determine what you like/dislike in terms of operating you can move into a more specialized piece of equipment with some first hand knowledge about the hobby. Also you didn’t waste that $650 as you can now put your FT-857 in your car and go HF Mobile.
The FT-897 is the model I’m most familiar with as I own one. This radio operates IDENTICALLY to the FT-857 with the exception of a single rocker switch on the top. This switch is used to choose which of two optional internal battery packs is being used. If no internal batteries are installed the switch obviously does nothing. Like the FT-857 the FT-897 is a 100w all band/mode Hf transceiver. The exception to this would be while running on battery power. While powered on the internal batteries the FT-897 has a max power output of 20w making it 4 times more powerful than the much smaller FT-817, but still not as powerful as it would be on external power (a car battery, powersupply, etc.) The format of the FT-897 is much larger than either of the other two. It isn’t as large as a full desktop set radio like the FT-950 or Icom IC-746pro But it’s not nowhere near as small as the mobile radios like the FT-857, IC-706, or IC-7000. The place the FT-897 excels is camping, and possibly backpacking. Field day with my FT-897 in 2007 was a blast! It’s nice to be able to easily carry the radio to a location, toss your antenna into a tree or hook up a buddipole and you’re ready to call CQ.
I’d have a hard time suggesting the FT-817 to anyone who’s new to the hobby. 5w is awfully crippling, and the cost of the radio isn’t much better than the FT-857.
I’m sure I’ll add more to this in follow up posts. PLEASE feel free to post questions about any of the above models. I have access to an FT-817 and an FT-857 at a moments notice.
Hello from Grand Rapids, Michigan!
I am an Amateyr operator (call is KC8TBY) and I just purchased a Yaesu FT 897D as my first HF rig.
I came across your “review” when I was trolling the net for links and resources about this rig.
How do you like this rig as an overall “base station” radio?
I understand that you certainly like the portability afforded by this rig, but do you use it as a base rig as well?
How bad is the “learning curve” when it comes to decyphering all of the menu setngs/options? I have read that this could pose a real challenge at first, but, well what do you think?
Also…what type of antenna do you use with this rig?
I will be using a small portable antenna dor the net few months until I can erect a decent outdoor dipole.
(Dont laugh BUT I will be using the infamous “miracle whip” antenna at LOW power and mostly for listening across the HF bands. This will allow me time to get more familiar with the rig and its operation during these long winter months.
Lastly, what type of antenna tuner do you have and what type do you think works best with this rig? I didn’t order the Yaesu tuner but I was considering the “LDG” brand tuner. Any thoughts you have along that line would be gretly appreiated!
Thanks for letting me chew your ear on this! I hope you don’t mind a fellow ham asking so many questions!!
Best to you and best wishes for a continued happy holiday season and a health filled new year!
And, of course,
73s!
Tom Lane KC8TBY
Tom
28 Dec 08 at 2:46 pm
LOL…sorry for all of the typos in my previous message!
My only excuse is an incredibly small laptop keyboard matched with my severly arthritic hands!!
Thanks again!
’73s!
Tom KC8TBY
Tom
28 Dec 08 at 2:48 pm
The FT-897 works alright as a base station. It’s much much better with a CAT control cable, and computer running Ham Radio Deluxe. It suffers from a lack of front panel controls which is one reason I upgraded to the Icom IC-746pro. That said you could do far worse than an FT-897 as a primary HF rig. That’s all I had for the first year I had my General Class License, and it did it’s job quite nicely.
W9ZEB
5 Jan 09 at 4:49 pm
im thinking on buying a ft-897 for my travels overseas, to Australia, i have a general , how do you think this will work in the outback, i like the ft857 for my mini copper but the 897 will, well it should work fine overseas. suggestions on travel, if you have any?
warren
5 Mar 09 at 8:44 pm
what is the price difference between the 857 and the 897? Thanks
steve
28 Mar 09 at 11:03 pm
Steve, at http://aesham.com the FT-897D is ($769.95) the FT-857D is ($669.95)
Adding batteries, chargers, etc to the FT-897D makes it closer to a $950-1000 radio when it’s all said and done.
W9ZEB
29 Mar 09 at 9:08 am
First off,let me tell you that I am studying for my”Technician Class”license,so as you can see,I do not yet have a call sign. But I want your honest opinion for a guy such as myself who is new to the ham radio hobby. Would you recommend the FT-897 radio
for someone who is just getting started in the hobby?
I looked at Kenwood’s TS-2000,and would really like to have that radio,but it’s front panel looks daunting to a new ham,and the price is quite high for my budget right now. Yaesu is my second choice behind the Kenwood,so I figured I had better tell you that.
I live in an apartment,so you can imagine space is at a premium. As far as antennas for apartment use,can you make a recommendation or suggestion? I can’t use a tower at all here at my complex.
Dewey
3 Jun 10 at 9:58 pm
Hi Dewey,
I’d actually recommend the Icom IC-746pro over the Kenwood TS2000. I own the former, but have operated the latter. As for the FT-897, it’s a fantastic radio. It had some things I wasn’t super thrilled with. Most all of the settings are contained inside menus. Unless you were looking at installing the battery packs, I’d actually recommend the FT-857 over the 897. It’s less expensive, and if you get to the point later where you’re going to invest in a TS2000, or other desktop set, You can move the FT-857 into your car.
As for apartment friendly antennas, I’ll have to recommend you take a look at the ARRL’s bookshelf, they had a book on Stealth Antennas that’s not completely awful with a LOT of good ideas!
73!
W9ZEB
6 Jun 10 at 3:44 am
I’ll give the FT-857 some very serious consideration,then,and if I can find one,maybe the ICOM 746 PRO in pre-owned radios. I checked ICOM’s website and no longer see that radio listed,…unless I missed something somewhere and didn’t notice it. The one desk top radio I would just LOVE to have is the FT-950 from Yaesu.
Dewey Jacks
19 Jul 10 at 2:36 pm