[VHFcontesting] Subject: FT-817

[kb8u vhf]

I use an FT817 as a 432 MHz IF on my 10 GHz portable rig with a DEM transverter.  I had the opposite problem, there was too much sensitivity on 432.  The noise floor was S9+20dB and it would overload on strong signals unless I cranked the RF gain almost all the way down.  I removed a post-mixer MMIC in the receive path in the transverter to solve that problem, it works great now.  There is definitely a learning curve with mastering the menus.  Bring along the manual when you're portable!


Be extra careful to never transmit into an improper load, the finals are not very forgiving.  I had to have mine replaced once.


I'm of the opinion that internal batteries are not worth fooling with, they don't last long and they're hard to install.


Russ  KB8U



________________________________
From: VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Zack Widup <w9sz.zack at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 1:15 PM
To: VHF Contesting Reflector
Subject: [VHFcontesting] FT-817

I got an FT-817 not too long ago. I haven't done much with it yet and still
have to do some experimenting. My main interest with it is as an IF rig for
microwave transverters with a 144 or 432 MHz IF. But I will probably use it
as a rig on HF and VHF, too.

I haven't used it yet on 50 or 144 MHz CW/SSB, but I did use it last year
in the Fall VHF 432 Sprint. It seemed to be lacking sensitivity compared
with my homebrewed 432 MHz transverter. I'm curious if others have used
this rig on the VHF bands and if they found it needed a preamp on receive.

I know there is a menu to set the receive sensitivity on each band. The
sensitivity was already set to the highest level on all VHF bands by the
previous owner.

I guess I'll have to see how it does as a microwave IF and how the
sensitivity is in that use. Now that Spring is here I'll be able to get out
to more hilltop locations. Any particular hints or tips about using this
rig as a VHF/UHF rig, or as a microwave IF?

73, Zack W9SZ
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End of VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 172, Issue 6
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