I have an Icom 706MkII and a Watson Multiranger which I am thinking of upgrading to an FT-857 and ATAS. I am told they perform better than what I have. Nice setup, nice and compact but capable all the same. 73 de EI2KC
Thanks for this review Jack, I just became a Ham General this past Saturday and just skipped the Technician part. It was bewildering looking for my first mobile HF setup and this video helped me out a lot. I will be ordering a Yaesu FT-857D as well as the ATAS-120A and probably will be copying your antenna installation. Thank you again!
Hello, I am just about to get started into Ham Radio. I can get a great deal on a 857D with a ATAS120. But my problem would be the 2nd antenna. What kind of frequency range do you get with your two antennas? Obviously it can cover them all on the 857's range? Any problems with set up? And with the radio and 2 antennas, is there anything else I will need to complete the set-up? Sorry for all the questions! But I thank you in advanced for any info.
Good mounting ideas, Jack. Having a Ranger and FT857 myself, I wonder how your routed the coax from your door edge antenna mount inside the cabin without flexing the coax every time the door opens. It also appears that you've used the remote panel kit. Where did you install the actual rig? Perhaps I missed that in your rundown of the system.
The FT-857D is a great radio. I have owned one for 3 years. I use it on 6m and for local 2m FM work. It does a lot of things well. As one poster mentioned, the DSP is quite good. I made over 900 QSO's in CQWW cw contest with only the DSP, works very well. I love this radio. My main rig is an Icom 756 Pro II. and it does some things better than the Yaesu, but I will never part with the 857D, it's is THE rig to get if you are just starting out in ham radio. 160m thru 70cm, all modes, hard to beat!
What separation kit did you use between your Yaesu and your after market CD player? I have a Ranger myself, and I am looking on doing an in-dash install on my 1802. Great video! Thanks for sharing!
good video and great setup! I run a CB radio and have been toying with the idea of ham. I live in east Texas so it is good to hear there is action in this area. Ham radio is so complex though, I have kept putting it off. Anyway, great rig...thanks for the video.
I'm just getting into amateur radio (taking my Technician Exam tomorrow morning!) and I found this video to be very tasteful and informative. Thanks!
Nice install and video. I own a FT-857D(second one) and really enjoy it. I have owned many rigs, and for the money, the 857D is hard to beat. It does everything very well. Out of the box it is great. For SSB, add the Inrad 2.5 filter and it is excellent with better selectivity and much better audio characteristics on TX and RX. The CW filter helps, but the rig is actually very good on CW out of the box with just the DSP filtering. Awesome do-it-all rig. Much better than the 706 (IMO). 73
Great install Jack, Think i will upgrade my Mobile ( Icom IC-730) to a FT-857 the price is right for them at the moment, I don't have any yeasu gear all Icom and Kenwood so its time to try it out. Thinks for the video!
My bet is you'll be happy with the 857. Obviously, I am. I've used a LOT of Yaesu gear and have not been unhappy yet. Also some Icom radios that I feel very good about, as well. All the gadgets make the hobby that more more enjoyable! 73 and hope to hear you on the air.
Thanks Randy! BTW-I've learned much from your videos. Keep at it. I'm checking out your satellite videos aagin and going to make a run at that this weekend. 73 es CUL.
I have an Icom 706MkII and a Watson Multiranger which I am thinking of upgrading to an FT-857 and ATAS. I am told they perform better than what I have. Nice setup, nice and compact but capable all the same. 73 de EI2KC
mythicalireland 3 weeks ago
Hi Jack, why not use kite to lift antenna ?
VK3EGN1 8 months ago
Hi Jack,
Quick question. What type of Diamond mount model that you have used to mount the ATAS?
I think its a jam/wedge type and different from a lip mount bracket.
Thanks,
Peter, KC2ZXL
peterkim1999 10 months ago
Thanks for this review Jack, I just became a Ham General this past Saturday and just skipped the Technician part. It was bewildering looking for my first mobile HF setup and this video helped me out a lot. I will be ordering a Yaesu FT-857D as well as the ATAS-120A and probably will be copying your antenna installation. Thank you again!
73 Peter
KC2ZXL
peterkim1999 11 months ago
nice video unsare ATAS-120 without tuner? I write with words of google translator. hello IV3CDB
fulviotesta 1 year ago
Nice video. If you are not a broadcast radio voice, you should be.
NZ3M 1 year ago
@NZ3M
I was thinking the same exact thing, lol...
Rofocowboy84 3 months ago
Hello, I am just about to get started into Ham Radio. I can get a great deal on a 857D with a ATAS120. But my problem would be the 2nd antenna. What kind of frequency range do you get with your two antennas? Obviously it can cover them all on the 857's range? Any problems with set up? And with the radio and 2 antennas, is there anything else I will need to complete the set-up? Sorry for all the questions! But I thank you in advanced for any info.
73's (VE3WCT)
strumem90 1 year ago
Well done. Nice video.
calcrash 1 year ago
Good mounting ideas, Jack. Having a Ranger and FT857 myself, I wonder how your routed the coax from your door edge antenna mount inside the cabin without flexing the coax every time the door opens. It also appears that you've used the remote panel kit. Where did you install the actual rig? Perhaps I missed that in your rundown of the system.
Texaspiper2001 1 year ago
NICE install 73 KJ4TEE
KJ4TEE 1 year ago
Comment removed
KJ4TEE 1 year ago
The FT-857D is a great radio. I have owned one for 3 years. I use it on 6m and for local 2m FM work. It does a lot of things well. As one poster mentioned, the DSP is quite good. I made over 900 QSO's in CQWW cw contest with only the DSP, works very well. I love this radio. My main rig is an Icom 756 Pro II. and it does some things better than the Yaesu, but I will never part with the 857D, it's is THE rig to get if you are just starting out in ham radio. 160m thru 70cm, all modes, hard to beat!
k4fx 1 year ago
Nice Install. Good Video. Ian. G0YAP
G0YAP 2 years ago
What separation kit did you use between your Yaesu and your after market CD player? I have a Ranger myself, and I am looking on doing an in-dash install on my 1802. Great video! Thanks for sharing!
welch119 2 years ago
good video and great setup! I run a CB radio and have been toying with the idea of ham. I live in east Texas so it is good to hear there is action in this area. Ham radio is so complex though, I have kept putting it off. Anyway, great rig...thanks for the video.
bgrayatbs 2 years ago
I'm just getting into amateur radio (taking my Technician Exam tomorrow morning!) and I found this video to be very tasteful and informative. Thanks!
crypticfox 2 years ago
what a cool guy
phardcare 2 years ago
yes you can
phardcare 2 years ago
you should have your own radio show, very nice learned alot will check back soon, nice work
MOVIMKR7 2 years ago
cool set up, nice truck. I have a 2003 ranger that I put a 2M mag-mount on with a YAESU VX-170.
ncrailfan 3 years ago
Jack, great commentary, very easy to listen to, Richard vk2iax / zl2kp
benprior2002 3 years ago
Nice install and video. I own a FT-857D(second one) and really enjoy it. I have owned many rigs, and for the money, the 857D is hard to beat. It does everything very well. Out of the box it is great. For SSB, add the Inrad 2.5 filter and it is excellent with better selectivity and much better audio characteristics on TX and RX. The CW filter helps, but the rig is actually very good on CW out of the box with just the DSP filtering. Awesome do-it-all rig. Much better than the 706 (IMO). 73
addicted2rf 3 years ago
Great install Jack, Think i will upgrade my Mobile ( Icom IC-730) to a FT-857 the price is right for them at the moment, I don't have any yeasu gear all Icom and Kenwood so its time to try it out. Thinks for the video!
73 , Matt VO1GXG
VO1GXG 3 years ago
My bet is you'll be happy with the 857. Obviously, I am. I've used a LOT of Yaesu gear and have not been unhappy yet. Also some Icom radios that I feel very good about, as well. All the gadgets make the hobby that more more enjoyable! 73 and hope to hear you on the air.
Jack-W8AQ
w8aq 3 years ago
Nice install. Randy
K7AGE 3 years ago
Thanks Randy! BTW-I've learned much from your videos. Keep at it. I'm checking out your satellite videos aagin and going to make a run at that this weekend. 73 es CUL.
Jack-W8AQ
w8aq 3 years ago