HF Beginner Guide for the FT-857D

This is a continuing series on the Beginner's Guild. In this case specifically for HF. When I first received this radio a year ago, I just wasn't experienced enough to understand how to use a superheterodyne radio, in particular a radio that is known to have more noise than others. Though-out the year, I have gathered more knowledge about this radio. That said, this radio is a gem. It has UHF/VHF as well as HF capabilities. It's portable and mobile. It's well built - the radio you will see in the video is 12 years old. It's way smaller than a IC7100 or 991A. Some will say that the FT-891 is a better radio, sure it is, but it cost more and it doesn't have UHF/VHF.
Quick reference menus: www.ke4rx.org/cheatsheet/Yaes...
I have a video on operating the fT-857D in the field: • Yaesu FT-857D Field Op...
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Power up
01:07 Reset to factory settings
01:45 Change to Extended Menu & Change Display Color #41
03:12 Main Display & Volts
03:40 AF knob - the volume
03:52 Speaker
03:57 Phone jack
04:16 RF knob - Antenna gain - AKA antenna volume!
05:05 Band selector
05:21 Mode selector
05:47 VFO/Memory button
06:08 Stacked frequency
06:17 MulitFunction Menu
07:50 Frequency Change
08:42 Frequency Steps Change for FM/AM/SSB
11:00 Faster way to change Frequency
12:25 RF power Change
13:15 Mic Gain for FM/SSB
14:23 Lock radio
16:34 Menu Options (MultiFunction Menu)
17:17 MFl - Automatic Gain control (AGC)
19:25 Noise Blanketer (NB)
19:50 MFn - IPO
21:25 MFp - DNR/DNF Noise reduction and Notch Filter
23:31 MFn - Collins filter and Ceramic Filter
24:33 MFi - Meter - Power/SWR/ALC
25:45 Display
26:11 Color Display and Color Status - MRT status
29:05 Display Contrast
29:24 Display Intensity

[@glennstevenson6242]

Fantastic review! I learnt more in this video than hours reading the manual. Thank you...

[@frankwc0o]

Thanks!

[@fabioverza-pu2scv771]

The same situation for me!

[@CaseyStanton]

Really helpful. More fun than reading the manual!

[@dannaylor8794]

Got mine around 2006? Saw light occasional use until 2015, then put away in storage .now I have opportunity to get back into the hobby, blew any dust out real good and she fired back up and is performing like a champ. Stunned at the nice resell value of my 857-d. Sometimes asking more than I paid new!

[@joeyperez8581]

Thanks, you are a very good teacher, just bought a used 857d ,2006, model works great.

[@frankwc0o]

Thx u. Best of luck.

[@fjrempel]

Had no idea that I was only using half of my radios settings. Thanks Frank. KK7BN

[@frankwc0o]

No problem. I hope you find more settings and share them with us. -73

[@hicksdp]

Nice clear explanation. I’ve owned one for years and still learned several new tricks today. Thanks N4DPH

[@Marty48034]

Well done. Thank you. Having trouble deciding between the 857 and 891 for my first HF radio. (I have a dual band already.) The 857 looks bombproof, so I'm leaning that direction. Since it's no longer in production, finding it on the secondary market is "interesting". It's findable, but "buyer beware" and all that. Thanks for this walk through. I was concerned that navigating it would be hard, but it's not that bad. Appreciated.

[@howardbielich2089]

Great tutorial! I haven't used my 857D for a few years since getting the IC-7300 but had to send it out for repair. So getting up and running again on the 857D and your video is terrific for reviewing the radio. Very well executed! Thanks.

[@frankwc0o]

Thank you. I love my 857D, it's probably the best portable all around radio there was.

[@americancitizen2536]

Thanks, I have one but seldom use it -- bought it brand new and maybe used it twice. Your information will certainly be helpful. I really like the 857d for the power and the all-band modes -- nice to have when you need it. ...it it's relatively light for portable use.

[@vironpayne3405]

I'll give your 857 a home.

[@tonybean2370]

Very good, frank. Hope to see more

[@buckeye5704]

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing this. Just getting ready to put one in my truck with an ATAS. 73

[@frankwc0o]

Super. Good luck. -73

[@hobbiehobbs]

Historically a fantastic radio.

[@frankwc0o]

Yup. Best ham shack radio there is.

[@ferny107fg]

I just picked one!! Pricey used radio , worth the $$$ .

[@frankwc0o]

Yes, for a used radio they are expensive. Although, the radios are well built. I'm loving my 12 year old version.

[@uslines]

Had my 857D for years. Will never let it go. DSP is more than adequate. It isn't DSP which is exactly what I don't want so it is definitely a keeper.

[@frankwc0o]

It’s sure is a keeper. Mine is 13 years old. Sure we I had a new one. Hopefully it will last me another 10 years. I know eventually the screen die. I was thinking of replacing the face plate or buying a new one.

[@uslines]

I meant SDR not wanted...and I do mean it.

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

GREAT RADIO!

[@HMD2020]

Thank you.

[@kari-ob5nq]

Thanks!

[@OmarLemusTactic]

Hey. I am only going to buy one HF radio. Nothing complicated. These are used but not dropping a lot in price, so my guess is that the demand shows how well these are appreciated. I’m inclined to get one.

[@dougbas3980]

Thanks

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Bravo! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@platinumstudiosentertainment]

Great explanation of the radio bud.. just my personal opinion that the display needs to be clearer and the camera angle down a little bit so the screen can be seen properly. Right now the angle is wrong and it's darn near impossible to see the screen from an android phone. Otherwise great video 😀

[@happyhome41]

How to ground this radio for base station operation ? The manual states to connect the ground lug on the radio, but there is no mention of such a thing anywhere else in the manual.

[@frankwc0o]

Yup. I usually don't ground the radio for I take the radio home when I finish.

[@hamspud35]

Thank you Frank for this useful information. I’m trying to hook up a SignaLink and running into trouble with menu items. Have you tried to hook up a signal link?

[@frankwc0o]

I did try, but It didn't work out for me. I used a separate sound card for that. I do have a video with the FT-857 settings for FT8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIe4h4ytpJV4npI. Good luck.

[@hamspud35]

It’s the Menu 20 where I should be able to choose one of the three selections….CAT/LIN/TUN I am only allowed to select TUN, in fact, nothing happens when I turn the big knob….any thoughts? Much appreciated g KJ7GEZ

[@hamspud35]

@@frankwc0o Thank you

[@frankwc0o]

@@hamspud35 Hi Gerry. Go to menu 85 and turn that off. Try that and see if Menu 20 works for you. I know it has to be some menu you have to turn off so you can see those Menu 20 options. Good luck, tell me if you find a solo. -73

[@hamspud35]

Thanks Frank, I got it to work so menu 20 is fully functional. Using RT Systems programing software, I copied from radio, then I sent the “old” copied data to the radio…..works like a charm now😀 Thanks again, your videos are very well put together and understandable at least to me 73 g KJ7GEZ

[@magnusdevo]

Thanks! Do you know how to tune with a manual tuner?

[@frankwc0o]

No I don’t. But there are some great videos that do. Good luck. -73

[@anonymous_friend]

Is it ok to power the radio without a dummy load connected to the antenna port?

[@frankwc0o]

Just to power up the radio? No. If you are transmitting, then you should have one.

[@eduardootero2953]

Yes, as long as you don't transmit.

[@ombakfhising7738]

How to save the frequency that we have set on the Yaesu ft857d, please tell me, boss

[@bagginshates]

He covered that. It's mfb menu, MW

[@bagginshates]

In fact I don't think he covered it. It is menu mfb MW. You first enter a number for memory location and then 3 letters to remind you of what that memory is for (using the big dial). You'll get it wrong 15 times.

[@larryfields2652]

you mentioned a battery is there a internal battery or were you using a battery to power the radio

[@frankwc0o]

No internal battery. The battery is external. You may use a 12 volt battery like your car.

[@larryfields2652]

ok thanks I had been hearing different comments about a internal so I gather you was using a car battery or power supply been trying to fix mine here where I can maintain the memory and someone suggested a eeprom battery once @@frankwc0o

[@parthd714]

I can't believe it was discontinued. Any way I can buy a NEW 857?

[@wc0oshorts454]

It’s very rare to see a new one that is sold. I got mine from the ham radio outlet. Used back in range in price. You should look at eBay.

[@regularuser492]

Only if you have a Time machine ! =)))

[@richranchernot]

I own two and so glad I got second when I did.

[@frankwc0o]

@@richranchernot Mine is 12 years old. Sure would like a new one.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

Make this same thing but for VHF/UHF please 🙏

[@frankwc0o]

That is not a bad idea. I want to learn more on how to use the radio for V/U, don't use it as much. Need to practice more.

[@EdwardVanNatta]

I am looking for about your product place lace me a message. When I post this , I am looking on this. Can find rado at and much they run looking 3 of they I want to put one in my truck use another one for a go box and another one's for a poke out or for emergency or dug out dag .

[@barleyafloat]

I was stuck above this

[@James_Bowie]

Great, but the term is one Hertz (named for Heinrich Hertz) not one Hert.

[@frankwc0o]

Yup, it is Hertz not Hert. I guess my fifth grade teacher Mrs. Kachka is rolling in her grave not showing me the proper way of pronouncing.

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

As long as we're talking constructive criticism, it's 'Noise Blanker', not 'Blanketer'... That aside, very useful tutorial...

[@M7BRI]

MOD is Modulation meter so peaks when you speak.

[@frankwc0o]

Super. Thx

[@KeiranR]

just make a fucking normal setting menu like how have tyt got that down pat but i have to stuff around with this crap for a good radio ... thankyou for trying to help

[@Rev-D1963]

Excellent video brother. I've had one for many years, but have been QRT for awhile, more or less. Looking to getting this rig back active again. Thanks for your videos. 73 es gud DX OM, de N0ZYG sksksk