Specifications

It depends upon what mode you are using. If you are operating AM or FM, then you can
just key the microphone and tune given that you don't modulate the carrier. If you are
operating CW with a straight key, then you just have to hold down the key. For other
modes it becomes more complicated. If you are using the built-in keyer, then you have to
turn off the keyer, press the "dit" paddle while tuning, and then turn on the keyer again. If in
USB, you will need to change modes to AM or the like, key the microphone while tuning,
and change the mode back to USB. The only mode that can safely be used to produce a
legal carrier throughout the amateur bands is PKT. The number of "actions" needed to be
taken during tuning typically ranges from 5 to 11. Recently, W4RT Electronics introduced
One-Touch Tune as a FT-817 accessory. It mounts on the rear of the FT-817 and is
operationally transparent to the FT-817. By pressing a single button, the unit determines
the status of the FT-817, commands it to produce a carrier, and returns the FT-817 to its
prior settings upon release of the button. If used with an updated LDG Electronics Z-11
QRP Autotuner, the tuning process becomes highly automated. Simply pressing the Tune
Button on the Z-11 results in the completed tuning process being accomplished. See
www.w4rt.com or major amateur radio dealers in the US or Waters & Stanton
(www.wsplc.com) in the UK.
03/06/01
ANTENNA TUNER
Does the FT-817 include an internal antenna tuner?
NO. You either use an antenna that matches the 50-ohm unbalanced input of the FT-817
or use an external antenna tuner such as the LDG Z-11 (http://www.ldgelectronics.com/z-
11.html) or the EMTCH ZM-2 ATU http://www.emtech.steadynet.com/zmdesc.htm. The Z-
11 is a fully automatic tuner that requires power; however, it has latching relays so that
power is conserved. A pair of 9-V NiCad batteries in series will provide hundreds of
tunings. The ZM-2 is a manually tuned unit. They cover 10-80 m with the Z-11 also
covering 160 m. Both are good units. Price of the Z-11 is several times that of the ZM-2.
25/03/01-R
ANTENNA TUNER
Will the Z-11 antenna tuner work with the FT-817 on 6 m?
The Z-11 specifications state that it covers 160 m through 10 m; however, the Z-11 may or
may not work on 6 m depending upon what the SWR of the antenna is with respect to that
caused by the insertion of the tuner itself. The Z-11 actually increases the system SWR (on
6 m) if you insert it in-line with a 6-m antenna having low SWR at the selected operating
frequency. Since the antenna's SWR is lower than that associated with the tuner, the tuner
cannot do anything to improve the situation. In the case of a non-resonant antenna with its
SWR being higher than that of the Z-11, the Z-11 will tune and reduce the system SWR.
However, if the SWR is so bad that the output power of the transmitter is reduced below
the amount needed for the Z-11 to tune, then no improvement will be realized.
01/04/01
AUTOMATIC BAND SELECT
Is there an interface for the FT-817 that provides a band output for interfacing with
power amplifiers, coax switches, etc.?
YES. K6XX has designed an interface box for the Yaesu FT-817 that includes a band
output port, a computer serial interface, and a remote interface for the FL-7000 (and
Quadra?) solid state power amplifiers. The band output port drives things like relay-