Using the Yaesu FT-857D Portable

The FT-857D is a great rig. It's great as a mobile, fix, or portable radio. Here, I'm using the 857D as a QRP portable radio on my patio. Attached to the radio is a12 volt, 7 amp hour battery. The antenna is a Workman 40 meter "hamstick" attafched to a painter's pole.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Yaesu 857D
• Workman Antenna
• Painter's pole antenna

[AI4QT]

Good point! Thanks for your comment and observation. Best of 73. AI4QT

[helraiser666painkil]

can I just ask the guy in the video my name is stephen callsign is M3SNV what it is I am getting the very same radio today a yaesu ft 857d what I need to know is I have the very same battery as yourself a yuassa 7.5amp lead acid sealed battery does it use many amps during transmission? I am only allowed to use 10watts maximum that is what you are allowed to do with my licence and also I have a 3-5amp power supply could I use that too? I'm stuck to get a higher amp supply as cash is limited.

[AI4QT]

Greetings. Not sure about the amps on transmit, but I do very well for QSOs for about an hour using the 7.5 amp battery. However, I do keep the radio output wattage at about 5-8 watts. I do wish the 857D didn't activate the internal fan each time you transmit using low wattage, but mine does. If the fan didn't come on, the battery no doubt would last longer. 73 from ALABAMA.

[robertwalling]

@AI4QT at QRP power levels you probably don't need the fan. If you go into the internal menu, (Power off the rig, hold down A,B,C buttons, while powering back on), find the NO-074 FTEMP-THRESHOLD and I believe if you drop it down to 0, that will keep the fan off. Or it might be raising it up to the maximum does it. But if you keep the power low, that will keep your fan from kicking on every time you transmit. If you go back to high power put the value of FTEMP back to the default value.

[AI4QT]

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I will try this. No doubt with the fan coming on each time I transmit currently, the battery drains faster. 73 from Alabama. AI4QT

[FICO71]

Wil I got the same setup is very good !

73 Simon

IZ0PXT

[AI4QT]

Thanks Simon. I think you prove that great minds think alike! Hi Hi. 73 from ALABAMA.

[sisomvap]

tee hee...erected

[WA2JSG]

Nice video, thanks.

[rs4425]

Nice setup. Where does the tuner power come from? The battery or the radio? Thanks!

[a120068020]

Great radio! I use it at 100w using 2x 7Ah batteries in parallel and they run for ages.

[MelSnyder]

I'm not sure what a 14' "counterpoise" really does on 40 meters. A quarter wave is ~33 feet, which might make 14' about an eighth wave. If you can get an antenna up just 8 feet, I'll bet a light dipole will - despite the high angle of radiation - do better for you than the Hamstick. Try it - even if you have to "Z" it to fit your space. Not exceptional for DX, but I'd bet you make more 100-1000 mile contacts on 40 with it.

[Karl036]

Well done..

73..Karl

VK7HDX

[G0IFI]

The 14 ft counterpoise is a little better than nothing, but you can guarantee the coaxial braid/tuner/radio/battery leads/you are the preferred path to ground. About 33 ft would be much better, even if you have to zigzg, fold or dog-ear it.

73 De Perry G0IFI