Intro to the Commander for the Yaesu 857, made in the USA by Hardened Power Systems

The Commander is a turnkey go box for the 857D. Designed, manufactured, and sold in the USA by Hardened Power Systems.
• 20 AH lifepo4 battery bank, composed of two Dakota 10 AH batteries.
• Real-time power usage meter, shows & records voltage and min/max amps & watts of power draw.
• Two 3 watt full-range speakers, with defeat switch.
Front mounted headphone jack. Run silent or run both speakers and headphones.
• Internal 3 stage AC charge controller, worldwide voltage.
• Internal 3 stage solar controller, accepts up to 60 watts of solar power.
• Two panel mounted antenna extensions, mil spec, shielded RG400, made in the USA.
• Two 3 amp USB drivers, switched, for charging or powering other devices.
Front mounted stainless steel grounding lug, connected via a tinned & braided cable to copper lug.
• Two power poles on front, switched, for accessories. 20A distributed.
• Head unit swivels into the machine for stowage, swivels out to operate.
Head unit is secured or removed with silicone straps, no tools needed.
• Fits in a fat 50 can. Waterproof when closed.
• Integrated power connection for radio with factory disconnect and two inline fuses.
• Tool-free installation and removal of radio.
• Ability to run the radio with the machine ‘dark’.
• Total weight of machine, with 857 installed is just 18 pounds.

[@MAWazaLLC]

Very nicely done. I started to piece together a go box kit to build with my son this summer but will be ordering one of these too. I have a Hammo-Can XL from Quicksilver Radio but this, this is genius.

[@USNERDOC]

Excellent Bill! I know this is a much needed niche to fill for the 857-D. The 857 does love to gobble up power 😎 Another well designed and rugged pice of gear from Hardened Power Systems.

[@hardenedpower]

Thanks Doc! Great to hear from you!

[@randomthoughts1001]

I must have been online ordering this beautiful setup the day it came out 😎. One headed to New Market Virginia. This rig will be mounted on a 2018 Mahindrah Roxer. 400 watt marine wind turbine. Dedicated 60 watt solar and so much more. I plan to be back for a setup for Midlands new rig too. ☺ I have been watching the mailbox since I hit the place order button.

[@cullinhall5481]

D Fisher how has it worked out? Are you still happy with it?

[@NorthWestSurvival]

WoW love it great design hope to buy one in the near future..

[@JeffHochberg]

Would you please create a video on the Commander 7100? I just happened upon your website earlier while looking at your Raspberry Pi case and selected the link to see what the Commander 7100 was all about. I FLIPPED OUT!!! It’s exactly what I’m looking for. I would love to see a breakdown of the Commander 7100 just as you’ve done for this Yaesu case. Thank you! INCREDIBLE work!!! Well done!

[@scoopyall2996]

Now if it had the raspberry pi and Draws Hat built in, it be a great unit!

[@__bam]

Awesome job!

[@Dbigpinoy]

Would be nice if you sold it as a kit. A Elecraft K3s, or KX3 with KXPA100 would pretty nice in that setup

[@JohnStys]

I’ll second that for the KX3.

[@nr3rful]

Dbigpinoy Go to his web site. He has 2 or 3 others that will fit your radio

[@Dbigpinoy]

The Commander 857 has dual batteries like the JuiceBox G2, unlike the Scout G1. Wish i had the resources to make my own...But I dont...

[@randomthoughts1001]

Received my Commander today. Very nice rig. Now I have to decide on the antenna. Very pleased with the quality of this unit.

[@ethanmooberry5445]

This looks fantastic! Definitely put one on my shopping list. Nice design work!

[@jimthvac100]

I like it you did a nice job on the design. I just wish there was a cleaner way to mount that head unit without those straps. I like that you moved on to using LiFePo4 batteries. would prefer another brand of batteries other than Dakota's I have read lots of bad reviews on them. Mainly because the BMS on them fails. Bioenno Power is a good brand and with the online coupon as cheap in price as Dakota. If I considered buying one of these it would be to use it with my FT-891. Also the description on the charge controllers states they use three stages of charge? LiFePo4 battery chargers only use two stages. There is no Float or (trickle charge) Are you using a Lead acid charge controller? Not knocking your set up, just giving my thoughts.

[@maxprepper9126]

Where would the data/AC cables exit the front panel?

[@oladapoaloba]

Excellent piece of kit mate. I'll love one for my yeasu FT 857D. How much does a kit like that cost? Very well designed 👍73s

[@DrDante221]

Boy , would I love one of these for my Yaesu 891 ! ( hint...hint ) WA2GVA

[@maxprepper9126]

Bill, Two items right off, access to the other rear panel connectors (data, etc) and heat dissipation? Thanks Mike

[@hardenedpower]

There is access to the remaining connectors... There is about 1.5" of clearance for the protrusions. Regarding heat, The 857 has two fans on the end opposite the connectors, and we have about two inches of clearance there... when the head unit is swiveled into the operating position, the large gap above it allows the fans to exchange air.

[@maxprepper9126]

The signal link cable needs about 2 inches length from the rear panel without forcing a hard 90 degree bend, do you have a 6 pin DIN to try?

[@JohnStys]

What would be the best way to snake out a CAT and a Data cable?

[@hardenedpower]

Through the head unit opening. Lots of space available when the head unit is swiveled into the operating position.

[@Leprechaun1984]

Just received my Commander; it looks fantastic but the power connection is Anderson not the matching factory Molex. Guess I need to cut the factory supplied cable and put Andersons on the end. Bummer.

[@Leprechaun1984]

Unbeknownst to me Hardened Power had sent a molex to powerpole cable in the mail shortly after shipping my commander. Thanks! Have been using the product with my own cable and it has performed well. Well done Hardened Power!

[@olivetoride]

Hey Bill... Will the Yeasu ft-891 fit into this rig?