Is an FT-818 worth it in 2022?

[@Albert-zf8ct]

I got my hand on an 817 in january - it is just a fantastic litle radio - would not miss it for the world. It is my goto radio on 2m.

[@jozefbezan2501]

Danke für das tolle Video.73,von Wien.Österreich.😊😊😊

[@Martin_Lynch]

Danke fürs Zuschauen und danke für deine Unterstützung. 73 de G2ML

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I have the '817ND...great rig! The extra watt you get with the '818 will be negligible on the receive end so I probably won't be updating. For CW ops, the 500 Hz and 300 Hz Collins mechanical filters are almost impossible to find these days. I was fortunate to get both years ago and have the 500 Hz filter installed in my unit with the 300 Hz filter as a spare. In my opinion, the '817/818 series are amongst the best qrp rigs ever made as they offer high performance, small size and light weight and are built like a tank.

[@gonebamboo4116]

I will definitely be picking one up after I get my third TS-480. In other words, about two months from now.

[@t.m2933]

Awesome video. It seems to be the Barbie of Radios because it almost has unlimited accessories. Great radio.

[@adam-g7crq]

The best add on accessory I bought for my 817 was a SOTA Beams inline speech compressor made a great improvement on SSB.

[@johnorrells3797]

What ssb mic gain setting do you use

[@adam-g7crq]

@@johnorrells3797 crikey now your asking, haven't used this radio in a while SSB mic gain for me might be different for you around 33%

[@ai5dd]

I wish they would produce the optional filters again, I had a hell of a time finding a 500hz CW filter.

[@DominicMazoch]

To me, BNC is the better coax connector. Especially for portable OP's.

[@LouiseBrooksBob]

Nothing else like it for portable operating. The ability to sling it round the neck and access the controls and the front antenna socket are a big plus. Also the multimode VHF and UHF. The Achilles heel in my opinion is the difficulty obtaining optional filters now, which is likely to be a headache for CW operators.

[@leegroce2943]

Thank you for this video.

[@DominicMazoch]

BNC cap good idea. Make them for the 239 also

[@Mottersmotters]

Great video and great topic Tony. This was a question I called the shop to ask a couple of months ago. Regarding which rig to get and if the 818 was still a good buy. Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏻

[@johnharrison5703]

Pity the CW Filter is no longer available from Yaesu. I was going to upgrade from Ft817ND till I found out no CW Filter.

[@frankwc0o]

Now that the solar cycle is better, this radio is more relevant. It's the poor man's version of the IC705.

[@amejia57]

Great radio and value for money. My 818 is not going anywhere.

[@TheRiddleNL]

I have a 817ND who is looking for a new owner, nice litle radio with some extras. Prefer shipping to NL/DL

[@MisterBigDave]

I really like mine. A few home made dipoles and extra batts, GTG.

[@mabo4848]

Yes it is worth and I still love it ! But use a mic compressor .. much better

[@Adam-zq5id]

I love using my Yaesu MD-100 desktop microphone 🎤 with this radio. Much better than a hand mic, a big feature for me. I hear the ICOM 705 isn't compatible with a desk mic?

[@johnharrison5703]

I was thinking of a 891 and 818. 891 has DSP but for/p uses 2amp on receive. 818 is only 450mA but CW filters hard to get / added cost.

[@kd5you1]

I have the 891 and actually it draws only 1 amp on receive. I'm not sure why the specs listed receive amps as 2, but its been a really great radio.

[@Porco_Utah]

I wish if collins did not discontinued their CW filter, without CW filter QRP radio is useless for me. I guess nobody else make replacement CW filter.

[@techguy9023]

I worked 37 states before I moved with a Heathkit HW 8 which is direct conversion. No filters except an audio filter. They would be nice to have but not really necessary. A lot of cw was copied on BC 342’s.

[@phils2180]

I can't figure why Yaesu are still making this radio in it's present form. I can only assume it's still selling well which is surprising as it's an old radio at new prices. If Yaesu kept the same or similar form factor, updated the tech, gave it better on board filtration instead of relying on filters they don't even make anymore and maybe a tad bigger screen it'd bring it up to date and I'd have one. Maybe Yaesu have something in the pipeline?

[@Martin_Lynch]

The demand for this radio is very strong from customers worldwide, this is why Yaesu keep production going.

[@doccpu7]

My first rig was a yaesu ft757. Always likes yeasu. Love my ft-818 but even at 15.5v in i can only get .5w 1w and 2w out. How do you get 5 or 6w???

[@Martin_Lynch]

Please contact our workshop to see if they may be of assistance; [e-mail]

[@ruperthamblin3605]

Quick question, what does the DigiRig do…?

[@Martin_Lynch]

Its and audio interface, allows for digimodes etc .. and its blooming tiny!

[@frankwc0o]

Well, this is now discontinued. :/

[@stevewheatstone1856]

Still a nice radio. Shame about the weak battery and lack of CW filter.

[@indianna5649]

Just bought the ft818nd. The only downside to the radio is ssb audio. Even at 100% ssb gain it's not enough for hf use. Why they never added mic Compression is beyond me.

[@ciptalabs8185]

I have yaesu ft180a

[@DominicMazoch]

It ain't broke. Do not fix it

[@billisnice]

Biggest down side for me is NO keypad on mike.

[@bayntuns]

There is an optional DTFM mic - MH-36 - but try before you buy - I borrowed one and didn't get on with it at all.

[@Martin_Lynch]

Available as an option, MH-36E8J www.hamradio.co.uk/yaesu-mh-36e8j-pd-1982

[@GDWALK]

The layered menu of this machine is too complicated, I don't like it very much

[@Martin_Lynch]

It doesn't fit with everyone, but for most hams it doesn't take long to get used to it.. Gaz

[@nr3rful]

Not wise to use an auto tuner on the 817 and 818. Takes too long to tune finals don't like it.