My 70Mhz mod for Yaesu FT-897

Making use of the large space in the radio. PA unit and converter kit fitted inside the battery/PSU compartment.
Heatsink lies in front of the fans for cooling.
1w drive on 28Mhz gives 30w output on 70Mhz.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• 4m
• Band
• Yaesu
• FT-897
• 70Mhz
• transverter
• 28Mhz
• Mods
• ham
• radio
• Mid
• band
• Low
• Amateur

[ka3yan]

Was this a one-off deal, or is this something they offer? I checked their website and didn't find anything on the FT-897. I'd be game for a transverter that transmitted on 1.25M or 23cm. This looks very well thought out and professionally executed.

[zs6djm]

@ka3yan Thanks, Yes transverters are mostly something that you will add onto any radio if your radio does not have a particular frequency band.

You can get them for any frequency really and they come pre-built or in kit form like this one.

The good thing about the 897 is that it has the transverter function that lets you view the proper frequency, its not something you need but its handy!

I was also interested in the 23cm but the kits were a bit pricey.

[hilltop7]

What do you need 70 Mhz for?

[zs6djm]

@hilltop7 Well its a new experimental band for us Hams to play with. It has very similar properties to the 6m band.

Its also known as the tactical band because the Military use it and you can achieve good distances on it with not much TX power.

[andyruss]

Nicely done - is there a website showing more details of the Installation and metalwork. I guess this is the OZ transporter?

[zs6djm]

@andyruss Thanks, I can always put some photos up on Youtube if you want to see in more detail how I put it all togeather.

The kit comes from a company called Spectrum Communications.

[G0IFI]

Very nifty. I bought a kit from Spectrum back in the 80s, for converting an 11 metre rig to 10 metres in such a way that the channel indicator read 01 for 28.010, 02 for 28.020 etc etc etc. I had no idea they were still going.

Nice tidy mod.

[d3474mas73r]

Do you know if there is also something like this available for the ft-450?

[honeybees1]

what did you do?