Specifications

MODIFICATIONS
When a solder ball modification was made, it appears that the repeater shift is lost
when I QSY. Any fix?
DL6OBU suggests that the FT-817 will remember the duplex setting if ARS (Menu #1 and
#2) is set to OFF.
25/04/01
MODIFICATIONS
Is it possible to extend the receive and transmit coverage of the FT-817?
YES. The coverage is controlled in general by the selection of the solder ball jumpers. See
the message board and use the search function to learn what others believe they have
discovered. It seems that different lots of the FT-817 behave somewhat differently. Once
the information for modications can been sorted out, one or more modification files will be
placed in the Files Sections.
MODIFICATIONS
My FT-817 is the Japanese market version. It doesn't have the coverage I need for
my area. Is there a simple modification to change the coverage?
NO. Some changes can be made by selection of solder balls, but it really requires
changing the CPU. GL!
POWER CORD
Is the length of the power cord of importance?
Perhaps. The resistance of each leg of the Yaesu supplied power cord is about 0.033
Ohm/foot. The total resistance of the power cord is 2 * 6 ft * 0.033 Ohm/foot = 0.4 Ohm.
The voltage drop due to the power cord when transmitting at 5 W (about 2 A) is therefore
0.8 V and the power dissipation is 1.6 W. Consequently, you should attempt to keep your
power cord short when running off of an external battery. If you are using an AC power
supply, the importance is less.
13/04/01
POWER OUTPUT
Can the RF power output be adjusted to any value under 500 mW?
NO. You must select from 5/2.5/1/0.5 watts. To attain intermediate RF outputs, including
less than 0.5 W, you might consider using an QRP-type attenuator. Unless the attenuator
is rigged with a bypass on receive, the received signal will also be attenuated.
11/04/01-R
POWER OUTPUT
Is the RF output really 5/2.5/1/0.5 W?
YES, it appears to be that, based upon a limited sample, the RF output is very close to the
stated value with the exception of 2 m. On 2 m, all of the outputs were notably higher. If
you are planning to work QRP distance tests (miles/watt) or other such activity where
knowing the real RF power output is important, then you should consider obtaining a QRP
wattmeter.