Yaesu FT-818 ND

[@la7yka]

After many years w/o my old FT-817, I recently bought the same setup as you have here. This little radio is so versatile for portable use, and well proven over more than 20 years. I use an external 12V 12Ah LiFePo4 -battery with mine. Very lightweight battery and very long operating time on one charge. For charging of the LiFePo4 i use a lab power supply with CV/CC -adjustments. 14.6V preset voltage, and 2A constant current. The internal BMS in the battery will disconnect automatically when full charge is done. I will never ever sell my FT-818. The front BNC is selected when the internal relay is off, so there is a power consumption advantage when using the BNC.

[@madebyhim1197]

Love my 818nd, it goes with me everytime I go camping...bought me a SLA 7ah battery with 40w 12v solar pad that keeps me topped off during the day so I can operate psk31 at 2.5w in the evening. Awesome radio...recommend Easy Digi PSK interface for FT 818 and Android or iPhone for $35.0] on eBay. Easy set up all cables included, up on the air quickly and stores away being such a small interface.

[@truestpain]

Following

[@languagetruthandlogic3556]

Great advice, thanks for posting. Look forward to the camping trip station video.

[@CWB-RF]

It's a good all around radio, I hope you enjoy it. I've been using the 818 as my main rig for about two years now and have no regrets. Take care.

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Nice video, from what I understand you can do parks on the air at any time. Studying for my general now, and really thinking about this radio as my first HF rig.

[@stewpot3971]

I recently purchased an amplifier for my 817ND; they call it the MX-P50M and at full output power (via external power supply) of 5w it will put out around 45w. On internal battery power of 2.5w out it puts out a good 20-25w out. Paid around £100 off eBay. Having said this I have made many long range QSO's into mainland Europe (and even into the US) on 5w out and a resonant antenna (DX Commander). Enjoy the rig and the hobby! 73 DE 2E0HIA

[@truestpain]

Following this

[@vironpayne3405]

Its a great little radio, especially for SOTA. For prepping I prefer its big brother the FT-857D. Being able to run 20w, 80w, & 100w can make the difference. There used to be a double stacked Collins filter for the FT-817 for 2.3KHz/500Hz or 2.3KHz/300Hz from ?W4RT?. I suggest the 500Hz as the 300Hz is a little ringy. W4RT also had a compressor "Big Punch" mic that some people like. BHI used to sell a internal daughter card for DSP noise reduction that I enjoyed. It was a little bit funky to use but worked well. The BHI is only for highly competent installers, especially when adding double stack filters.

[@jollyfinequality9865]

Great video. Lovely little radio. I'm on the fence on getting one, although have been for 10 years or more. I have an 897D & 2 857Ds. Love the little trio. The two issues for me with the 817/818 is the power output and battery life. I can get hours out of a lipo and my 897D at 50W. Anyway, enjoy. 73 2E0JFQ

[@PreppingOhio]

If you’re still on the fence, I would slightly push you to pulling the pin and buying one. While it is true that their rechargeable battery is pretty limited, mine came with a connector that I could hook up to any external battery. Also, they are qrp. That has to be the primary reason to acquire one of these radios. (The qrp factor is what I really desired)

[@stevemcnaughton-kb3jc96]

Nice video. I have a Ft818, great little radio. I'm looking forward to videos using it. 73 KB3JC

[@PreppingOhio]

Thanks for watching. I’m sure I’ll have more videos soon.

[@RookieLock]

Wow, looks like an awesome lil rig! Thanks for sharing !

[@alvarogaitan2529]

good job 73

[@PreppingOhio]

Thanks!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

fantastic review thanks 73 from kb2uew

[@glenhoff1443]

Hi, if using a Diamond RH205 vhf antenna add a length of wire with a crocodile clip 50cm long to improve rx/tx. It really improves your experience. 73

[@truestpain]

Can this be opened to gmrs/frs/ CB (on am) and ssb if the mars/cap modify is done?

[@PreppingOhio]

I’m not sure. I suppose if you had the proper crystals and oscillator, it could be possible.

[@timk7749]

@@PreppingOhio yes you can. You have to solder a few jumpers but not too difficult. Plenty of tutorials on the internet just looks for 817 mars mod

[@iz1gcn]

that antenna is good only in reception ... in tx it is a dummy load, I own one for the 40m money thrown away ....

[@PreppingOhio]

You're not wrong, but nothing can compare to a resonate dipole. I do enjoy the portability, even though it is compromised.

[@efrainrodriguez8722]

Buenas noches, tengo un FT-817ND, me gustaría poder subirle a 6 watios, puede por favor regalarme los parámetros ocultos de su FT-818, puede hacer un video y enseñarlos lentamente para copiarlos, muchas gracias. HK3TKI

[@forgetyourlife]

why not a 705?

[@PreppingOhio]

I did consider it, however due to the 705 being almost twice the price of the 818, I elected for the cheaper rout. Another factor is that the 705 is still very new so any unknown issues/bugs are yet to be worked out (if there is any). I’ll eventually add one to my collection. I’ve always been an ICOM guy.

[@forgetyourlife]

@@PreppingOhio yep, with all those icoms I figured you had to have thought about at least. I have one and no game breaking bugs yet. The 818 is a better shape. The 705 is a brick that’s not as easy to use and walk around with. It’s an ounce lighter but the 818 is actually smaller.

[@PreppingOhio]

I was slightly disappointed to hear the 705 does not have an internal atu. Had it had one, that would have been a decision changer, for me. Of course the 818 doesn’t have one either, but I guess it comes back to cost. The battery life in the 818 is not that great, so I have to carry an extra 12v battery. How’s the battery in the 705?

[@forgetyourlife]

@@PreppingOhio I’ve had the 818 before and yes the battery sucks. I used a power pole adapter on the back with a 3amh Bioenno battery on a cord. That went for a looooooog time. The 705 is better since it’s lithium but still drains in a few hours if you talking at all. Power draw is very low amazingly. .32 RX. I have the same Bioenno to plug in which also gets me to 10watts. The 705 filters are nice. Not putting a tuner in sucks but it’s got Wi-Fi and Bluetooth both of which I haven’t used yet,lol

[@forgetyourlife]

Thought i would update my posts a bit. I have sold the 705 and am going back to the 818 when a sale comes up. $649.99 right now is a premium. The 705 was nice however all of its fancy features were mostly wasted on me and the screen is pretty much useless in the sun.

[@EdwardVanNatta]

I am looking for about your product place lace me a message. When I post this . I am looking for more information no this . can find one and much they run . Hope back to me I want to use this emergency over for a faster

[@2e0gch]

Yeh i found it lol

[@alvarogaitan2529]

fantastic review thanks 73 from kb2uew