Specifications

BATTERIES - OPERATING TIME ESTIMATE
How do I estimate the operating time for the batteries?
For an approximate estimate of the operating time for a battery pack, the following may be
used. This assumes that the battery pack is full. *** Itx = 1800 mA (transmit at 5 W), Irx =
380 mA, CP = 1600 mAh (battery capacity), Ttx = 0.5 hr (transmitting time), Trx = ?
(receiving time), and * ==> multiplication. The relationship between these parameters is
CP = Ttx * Itx + Trx * Irx. This equation is then solved for Trx. For the example values, Trx
= 1 hr 50 min. Also see TOPIC - CURRENT DRAIN.
07/04/01
BATTERY OPERATION - CUT OFF
What is the minimum operating voltage for the FT-817 using the internal batteries?
The FT-817 is set to terminate operation (to turn itself off) went the indicated voltage is 7.2
V. This is the full discharge voltage of both NiCd and NiMH batteries (8 cells times 0.9 V
per cell = 7.2 V). If you wait a few minutes, the battery pack will recover slightly (showing 8
V or so) and will run the radio for another minutes or so.
12/06/01
CALIBRATION MENU
Does the FT-817 contain a "Hidden Menu?" If so, what is its purpose.
YES. *** B E W A R E *** W A R N I N G *** This is the factory calibration area. The data
stored in here is NOT recovered when you do any reset, it is unit specific. DO NOT
CHANGE ANYTHING unless you know exactly what you are doing. There are 76 menu
items. You should WRITE DOWN everything displayed for all 76 menu items when you
first enter this area. Put this information in a safe place. Access is obtained by first turning
the power off. Next turn the power back on while holding down the A, B, and C buttons at
the same time. You should hear a "diddle-diddle-diddle" sound. You are now in the Hidden
Menu area. The SEL knob allows you to move between menu items. The Main Dial adjusts
the parameter in the menu item. To exit, press and hold the "F" button. *** HEED THE
WARNING PLEASE ***
07/04/01
CARRYING CASE
Where can I find a carrying case for the FT-817, the tuner, power supply, and other
items?
The "right" carrying case for you likely depends upon how you are planning to use your rig
and what additional items need to be carried. FT-817 users have reported finding
interesting cases at Office Depot, Best Buy, All Electronics, Mountain-Ops
Communications, and other such companies. The "ideal" or "universal" case has not been
identified yet. *** 10 APR 2001: CSE-10 is sold out and no longer available *** W4WB
recently received the All Electronics Model CSE-10 padded, shoulder-carrying case with
inside dimensions of 16 x 6 x 2.5 inches for $5. See http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-
bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=CSE-10&type=store. The FT-817, Z-11,
microphone, CUP36-12-1 power supply, 4:1 balun, batteries for the Z-11, and
interconnecting coax cables fit fine in this case.
10/04/01-R