Tuner Battery Box for the Yaesu FT-818

The TB-BOX from CQ-HAM provides extended DC power and antenna tuning in one very cool little box. Six 18650 Li-ion cells provide an additional 6800mAh. The wide range antenna tuner will match non resonant whips or other field expedient antennas. It includes a beautiful leather case. Designed by amateur radio operator bh5hde and available on eBay by searching for "TB-Box for Ft-818". The fit, finish, and materials used are top notch! Mine even arrived with Panasonic NCR18650B batteries which are considered among the best.

[@mohawk14616]

Frigging awesome product and great review. Thanks for taking the time to show and explain this.

[@johncooper6894]

You are welcome. It really is a great product. I was really looking forward to using it along with a Sotabeams Bandspringer Midi antenna for winter field day. It was so darn cold in Ohio I ended up setting up inside. Hopefully we will get a break in the weather soon. 73, John

[@wushock92]

What a neat piece of kit! Thanks, John!

[@johncooper6894]

You are welcome. It is a nice enhancement. I used it for winter field day this past weekend, it was an easy to setup and use rig. Thanks for watching.

[@ac6ea]

Great job John

[@johncooper6894]

Thanks Steve. Will have to get some good footage from our upcoming Winter Field Day.

[@barrykery1175]

That is really a neat little package. I like the idea of the power and tuner all in the same small package. But, the down side of the tuner is that it does NOT cover 80 meters. No big deal that it does not cover 160 meters since not many people working QRP on 160 meters anyway. Also great that he's using quality batteries and not those over rated 5500 mah batteries that show up on ebay. Which are not 5500 mah so don't be mislead. Thanks for posting. Good informative video. Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@johncooper6894]

Hi Barry, good point. I decided to test it on 80M. I connected it to my ftd90. On paper, the antenna covers 160 to 10M without a tuner. In reality, the vector analyzer shows the swr climbs sharply at about 3.6Mhz. So the CW portion of 80M needs a tuner, as does 160M. I was able to get a flat match at 3.530 with the inductor on the highest setting. SWR is around 2.5 at that point so tuner is usable on a reasonable SWR on 80M. It did not have enough inductance to tune on 160M. Thanks again for watching. 73' John

[@markhuisinga1698]

I just bought the same product and the listing says it covers 3.5-52mhz. I can't wait to try it out. Thanks for the video.

[@mistermac4118]

Looks gud, tanks.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

terrific chrager

[@bill-2018]

What a good idea! G4GHB.

[@johncooper6894]

I agree. Thanks for watching and commenting. 73’ KC8ZKI

[@dovetomarc]

John, quick follow up. Is the barrel connector for the tuner power socket the same barrel connector that’s on the Yaesu power cable that comes with the radio? If so then yiu can use the Yaesu Cable “in reverse”. That is, plug it into tuner and put a Powerpole on the other end. Then plug it into Windcamp adapter. Makes it easier to use Radio if you want to separate it from the tuner and p,ug into a Bioenno for example. Your thoughts?

[@johncooper6894]

The barrel connector on the tuner is larger than the radio connector. It is a standard 2.1mmx5.5mm connector. There is room on the back of the tuner to add a power power connector in parallel. I removed the windcamp power pole off adapter from my FT-818 when I got the tuner. Actually before I got the tuner as I noted it drained the battery while the unit was off. Having a plug in the jack of the radio opens a path with a slight current draw.

[@dovetomarc]

Thanks John.

[@christopherwalsh7700]

It would have been nice if it was designed to attach to the bottom of the 818, instead of the top where it covers the speaker.

[@k0emt]

Looks like you can flip over the guts in the box.

[@johncooper6894]

@@k0emt You might be right Bryan. I will have to look at that the next time I have it out.

[@johncooper6894]

That is true. However, the gap between is wide enough to allow a decent volume to pass and the top mount allows any feet or bales to still function.

[@vironpayne3405]

That is totally cool! You'll have to a follow-up after you logged a few miles on it. Why only 10.8VDC? The radio shuts off about 10.5VDC.

[@johncooper6894]

Hi Viron, thanks. I have used it quite a few times with much success. I have used it to tune short whips and end fed antenna's and the battery lasts a long time. The voltage range is about the same as the internal battery, which runs into the low 9's before quitting on mine.

[@dovetomarc]

John, Is there any reason you can’t modify the power cable that comes with the tuner to use a Powerpole connector. Specifically I mean putting the Windcamp or Sotabeams Powerpole Mod on the 818 and then cut the power cable that comes with the tuner and put a Powerpole on the end.

[@markhuisinga1698]

Just get another cord with the end that matches the power supply and put the Anderson connectors on that. The length of the original cord may be too short for the windcamp but you can make another cord work great. A good place to try is goodwill in the electronics section. I usually find power supplies rated at 2 amps DC with a heavy cord and an end that match. just cut it off and make your own.

[@dovetomarc]

John, last question. Since any barrel plug drains the battery do you unplug the battery that comes with this case to keep it from draining?

[@johncooper6894]

No, only if the radio will not be used in a long time.

[@dovetomarc]

@@johncooper6894 Thanks! 73

[@gaptastic]

very cool

[@dovetomarc]

Great find. Great review John. Question: Is there a place to store the mic?

[@johncooper6894]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed the review. There is no place to store the mic. The yeasu srtap does have a slot that holds it up by your shoulder but it falls off quite easily.

[@dovetomarc]

Thanks. 73

[@itrstt66]

what is the auonomy with that battery? and how can you know it is fuly charged?

[@johncooper6894]

My apologies, I am not sure what you mean by auonomy? The battery came with a lifepo charger that has an led that turns green when the battery is fully charged. It is a 3 cell 18650 unit that reaches 3 x 4.2v for a total of 12.6 at full charge.

[@itrstt66]

@@johncooper6894 i meant autonomy, as per a full charge how long does it last?

[@johncooper6894]

@@itrstt66 the total capacity is 5ah so 10 hours or more just receiving. Less depending on how much transmitting you are doing and at what power level.

[@smilesmart4051]

So cool 👍 i am also ft-818 user 😀 de HL5FSZ south korea 🇰🇷

[@johncooper6894]

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the video. 73 John

[@MurmanskTourist]

hello, tell me please, what is the weight of the radio station and tuner with batteries?

[@johncooper6894]

2.17kg/4.78lb Thanks for asking. 73'

[@MurmanskTourist]

@@johncooper6894 thanks man 73

[@MurmanskTourist]

@@johncooper6894 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmSQXmyKpq2EhsU

[@Screamingtut]

John, too bad they can't use 21700 LIFEPO4 batteries all you can get out of them is 12.6 VDC output, from them, I was making a 4-cell 21700 battery with a Buck converter to keep the voltage dow to 14VDC

[@dovetomarc]

John, do you think the magnets have a negative effect on anything? Thanks for another great review.

[@johncooper6894]

So far I have not seen any effects from the magnets. They have not scratched the case or had any detrimental effect on the circuitry. 73’

[@dovetomarc]

Thanks again! 73

[@cwqrpportable]

Thanks for sharing John. Any update now after a couple months ownership? Also, do you remember how long it took to ship to you? I'm assuming you went with the free economy shipping from China? Thanks

[@johncooper6894]

Hi CW, sorry for the delayed response. It took 12 days I think. That was back in December. I am sure customs is being a little more thorough given the current events. It has been working very well and has made the ft-818 a joy to operate.

[@dovetomarc]

John, I think you said you put legs on the radio to tilt for viewing. Which ones did you put on the radio and will the radio fit in the bag with the legs on?

[@johncooper6894]

I put chelegance legs on. I purchased them at DX Engineering. The radio still fits into both this bag and the stock Yaesu bag with the legs. They tuck in nicely. Here is the link to the legs at DX. www.dxengineering.com/parts/nce-ch0020001

[@Screamingtut]

John put some Chokes on the power cord of the washer.

[@johncooper6894]

Good idea. I wonder how many? Thanks for the suggestion. 73 John

[@dovetomarc]

John, Just ordered the TB. Box. Do you recommend keeping the internal battery in the 818 or just use the external power?

[@johncooper6894]

That's great. I hope you enjoy it. I left the battery in mine. Extra operating time if you need it.

[@dovetomarc]

Thanks

[@noksinnomleni7863]

Sir the range of your radio how far or how many miles? Thank you for sharing

[@cwqrpportable]

I'll try another question, but perhaps you're busy or whatever..... Mine arrived a couple days ago. Did the battery tray slip out of the box easily the first time you attempted it? I'd like to pull mine out to have a look at the batteries, but it won't budge and I don't want to force it.

[@johncooper6894]

Hi CW, the board holding the battery tray slipped out very easily on mine. I just removed the rear panel and it slid right out. 73’ and good luck.

[@cwqrpportable]

@@johncooper6894 Thanks a lot John for the reply. I took the back cover off and gripped the board ever so gently with a pair of needle nose pliers so as not to scratch or crack/crush it. the battery tray slipped right out and I was also impressed with the panasonic batteries. I've been using this with my 43' vertical and am able to tune with from 80m and up. Battery life is excellent also. An actual win of a product from China!

[@johncooper6894]

@@cwqrpportable Glad to hear. My impression is that the designer of CQ-HAM products, BH5HDE, is an enthusiastic ham that strives to create high quality products for fellow hams in the true spirit of ham radio. 73' John

[@cwqrpportable]

@@johncooper6894 That's great. I've had it and the FT-817 out portable a couple times and boy does that tuner ever work nice with a 41' end fed random wire and counterpoise.... 80m-10m no problem. Battery life is good too. I'm impressed!

[@shortdrawwhitetail1222]

would this work with the ft 891 and if not do they have one that will?

[@johncooper6894]

FT891 is too big to fit and outputs more power than the tuner is designed for. I am not aware of a similar product for the Ft891.

[@la7yka]

Do you recommend this kit?

[@johncooper6894]

Yes, it is very well made and works well.

[@2E0HOQ]

Does this come with the Telescopic Antenna

[@johncooper6894]

Hi Neil. Yes, it cane with the telescopic antenna.

[@apunctg]

the FT8 on 40m is USB not LSB ... so need to tune higher to hear it

[@johncooper6894]

I noticed that too when I reviewed the video! Thanks for watching, 73

[@apunctg]

@@johncooper6894 good video btw ... enjoyed watching your rig demo! ... 73!

[@forgetyourlife]

18650's are 3.7v each and it uses 6 of them, Why does your volt meter say 10.8v when you turned it on?

[@johncooper6894]

A good question. They are arranged in parallel sets of 3 in series. So 3.7 x 3 = 11.1V charged. Thanks for watching.

[@tomoffroadequipment]

its 3s2p battery ( 3 cell in serie ) x 2 , then you have 3x3.7 as voltage , and twice a cell as mah ( here it looks like 3x3250 mah)

[@johncooper6894]

@@tomoffroadequipment That is exactly right. I noted the charger stopped at 11.8 on the last charge which indicates a charge of 3.93 per cell which is about 100% at 25 degrees Celsius.

[@Jonshome337]

Where we get this John ?

[@johncooper6894]

Ebay. Search for FT-818 TB Box. There are quite a few sellers so be sure you find the one that includes the leather case and batteries. Some are just selling the tuner box.

[@偏屈-e9s]

どこで買えるんですか？是非、購入したい

[@johncooper6894]

ebay 検索 CQHAM TB-BOX

[@EdwardVanNatta]

I am looking for about your product place lace me a messages . When I post this , I am looking for more information no this. I am looking for more information were to get this at how much do they run and what the price is and what kind of body it runs a theme most of the video so I hope I hear back from you soon as possible take care of yourself and be safe up to whatever you're doing

[@michaellanders1601]

Peter vk3ye

[@johncooper6894]

Yes! Peter is the real deal. I have watched quite a few of his videos, all great. I look forward to reading one of his books one day also.