Icom offers IC-703 at $750.00 and the Yaesu FT-857D at $710.
YAESU FT-857D is a HF/50/144/440MHz Compact All-Mode Mobile/Base Transceiver, 100W, RX: 0.1~56, 76~108, 118~164, 420~470 MHz, 200 Memory, DSP-2 **$20 Instant Coupon Included in Price & Free YSK-857 Separation Kit until 8/31/09**
ICOM IV703 Plus HF/50 MHz. All Mode Base Portable Transceiver, 10 Watts, RX: 0.030 - 60.000 MHz, Antenna Tuner, 105 Memory ** $20 Icom Mail-in Rebate Till 09/30/09 **
The poll is closed now. The Yaesu FT-857 run ahead of the Yaesu FT-817 through most of the poll. In the last day of the polling the FT-817 managed to tie up with the FT-857. What is most surprising is the fact that Buddipole which is a manual adjustment antenna was voted on twice as much as the ATAS-120 automatic tuned antenna. Thank you to taking part in my poll.
With four (4) days left in this poll it looks like the Yaesu FT-857 is in the lead. Question is can it keep the lead. With Yaesu denying any rumors of the FT817ND being replaced, and no follow up radio planned to take it’s place. This should make a lot of folks quite happy about the choice they made and the and those sitting on the fence more eager to purchase the FT817. Voice your opinion.
Kelly K7SU said I just emailed Yaesu to ask them about the rumor. Got a reply from Jerry Darby, N6UME at Yaesu....he said he has not heard anything of the sort from the upstairs people and also he hasn't heard of any replacement radio for the FT-817ND. So, you can take that for what it's worth.....According to Darby, that rumor is unfounded.
73
Kelly K7SU
Thanks Kelly!
Don has some great ideas for me on portable ham radios.
Andy,
You might also consider a QRP radio like the Yaesu 817 (5W SSB @ 9.6 V) or the Icom 703+ (10W SSB @ 12V) which are lighter and draw less current than the 100W radios, even when power is reduced on the big boys. Then you could mount a small amp like the 50W packer amp and the bigger battery permanently on your trike (at least you can make it harder to steal by bolting it to the frame) and take the more expensive rig with you in a backpack when you hoof it.
Advantages to the 817:
Smaller, lighter, includes 2 meters and 440 MHz.
Includes small internal battery.
Advantages of the 703+:
Detachable/remotable control face.
Internal antenna tuner
Hotter receiver
Low amp draw on 9.6V (5W out) equiv. to 817, 10W boost @ 12V.
Also, ICOM has available a custom-designed nylon backpack, LC-156, for the 703 (fits 706 also) that could be just what you need. Will hold the 703, a small gel cell or ni-cad/mh pack, accessories, and mount an antenna. Plus side pockets for accessories, a separate faceplate case, and bungee cords four your jacket or a coil of coax. Yaesu 817 comes with a shoulder strap leather case. Here is a link to the e-ham reviews on the LC-156:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4273
73,
Don
W0DER
The ruggedly built Yaesu FT-1802M brings you Yaesu's legendary mechanical toughness in a low-cost, high-performance, 2-meter FM transceiver. The FT-1802M is somewhat smaller than the FT-7800R dual bander and features outstanding audio on both transmit and receive. It has strong receiver performance, covering 136 to 174 MHz. It has illuminated front panel keys and boasts 221 memories. There is also a 10 channel NOAA weather bank. You get CTCSS and DCS Encoder and Decoder circuits. The FT-1802M even has a unique a CW trainer to practice Morse Code. Keyboard entry of frequencies directly from microphone is supported. It also supports one-touch access to Yaesu's renowned WiRES-II Internet Linking System. There is a security password to help prevent unauthorized use. The FT-1802M has a rugged die-cast chassis and the rear panel has an external speaker jack. 5.6 x 1.6 x 5.8 inches. The supplied MH-48A6J DTMF hand mic includes four programmable keys. Also comes with the MMB-36 mounting bracket, DC cord and spare fuses. (The FT-1802M does not include base feet).
50 WATTS OF POWER OUTPUT
Four selectable power output levels are provided: 50/25/10/5 Watts. The power selection may be stored into memory, allowing you to conserve power while using strong local repeaters.
EXTENDED RECEIVE: 136 – 174 MHz
Providing coverage of the 2-meter Amateur band, plus a number of business, marine, government, and military frequencies, the FT-1802M/E’s wide receiver coverage keeps you in touch with the communications action in your area!
KEYBOARD FREQUENCY ENTRY FROM MICROPHONE
Direct entry of operating frequencies from the supplied MH-48A6J Microphone provides the ultimate in operating ease. The microphone may also be used for direct memory channel access, and for generation of DTMF tones for autopatch or Internet link access. And the [A]/[B]/[C]/[D] keys may be used to replicate the functions of the front panel keys, as well.
FOUR USER-PROGRAMMABLE "SOFT" KEYS ON MICROPHONE
The [P1]/[P2]/[P3]/[P4] keys on the microphone may be programmed by the user for easy remote access to often-used commands or Menu items.
ILLUMINATED FRONT PANEL KEYS FOR NIGHTTIME USE
The translucent command keys, and large, high-resolution LCD display, yield a front panel that is easy to use day and night. What’s more, the microphone’s keys also are illuminated, eliminating guesswork during nighttime operation.
221 MEMORY CHANNELS WITH ALPHA-NUMERIC LABELING
The FT-1802M provides a total of 221 memory channels, including 200 "regular" memories, ten pairs of band-limit memories, and an instant recall "Home" channel that you may dedicate to a frequently-used repeater or simplex frequency. Memories can store repeater shift information, CTCSS/DCS data, power output level, scanning status ("Skip"), and 6-character Alpha-Numeric Labels.
EIGHT MEMORY BANKS FOR ORGANIZING MEMORY CHANNELS
The FT-1802M’s memories may be separated into as many as eight memory banks, for efficient organizing and scanning of your radio’s memory channels. Each memory bank may be labeled, and a particular channel may be stored in multiple banks, if desired.
WX CHANNELS WITH "SEVERE WEATHER" ALERT (USA only)
A special 10-channel Weather Band memory bank is provided in the U.S. version, allowing quick access to NOAA weather broadcasts. When the 1050-Hz "Severe Weather" alert tone is transmitted, the FT-1802M may be configured to emit an alarm tone to get your attention quickly. And with the "Weather Alert" feature enabled, the FT-1802M
will scan the ten Weather memories periodically, stopping only if the 1050-Hz tone is received.
ADJUSTABLE MIC GAIN, AND WIDE/NARROW DEVIATION & RX BANDWIDTH
For operation in crowded channel environments (12.5/15 kHz channel spacing), the "Narrow" deviation setting will reduce the transmitter deviation, thus reducing interference potential to other users. And the microphone gain is adjustable allowing you to interface after-market microphones or Packet TNCs with ease.
BUILT-IN CTCSS AND DCS ENCODER/ DECODER CIRCUITS
For easy repeater access, or silent monitoring of busy channels, both CTCSS and DCS (Digital Code Squelch) Encoder/Decoder circuits are built in. CTCSS and DCS data may be independently stored on each memory channel. And a "Split" tone mode allows operation on systems where CTCSS and DCS are used separately on the repeater uplink/downlink.
ENHANCED PAGING AND CODE SQUELCH SYSTEM (EPCS)
The FT-1802M includes an Enhanced CTCSS tone encoder/decoder and a dedicated microprocessor providing paging and selective calling features. This allows you to place a call to a specific station (Paging), and to receive calls of your choice directed only to you (Code Squelch). A Bell Alarm may also be engaged during EPCS operating, if desired.
CW TRAINER: PRACTICE MORSE CODE BETWEEN QSOs!
The FT-1802M provides a CW Training feature, which sends random Morse Code via the side tone (heard in the speaker), so you can improve your CW proficiency. You may select letters, numbers, or mixed five-character code groups, with variable speed and instant feedback of correct copy on the FT-1802M/E’s display!
SECURITY PASSWORD HELPS PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USE
The FT-1802M provides a password feature which can minimize the chance that your transceiver could be used by an unauthorized party. When the password feature is activated, the radio will ask for the four-digit password to be entered
when the radio is first turned on. If the wrong password is entered, the microprocessor will shut down the radio automatically.
ONE-TOUCH ACCESS TO WiRES-II“ VoIP INTERNET LINKING!
The FT-1802M includes a conveniently-located "Internet" key, for quick access to Internet-linked repeater systems such as the renowned WiRES-II™ system developed by Vertex Standard! For more information on WiRES-II, please visit our Web site (www.vxstd.com).
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE. . .
•Big Three Watts of Audio Output •Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS) •Automatic Power-Off (APO) •Busy Channel Lock Out (BCLO) •Dual Watch •Multi-level Display Dimmer •RF-level Squelch •Advanced Track Tuning (ATT) for
excellent intermod rejection •Time-Out Timer (TOT) •ARTS™ (Auto-Range Transponder System) •DTMF Auto-dialer •Smart Search™ Automatic Memory Loading •Versatile VFO and Memory Scanning
Priced at $129.00 thru 8/31/2009 at Universal Radio Inc. Don’t forget this book. Now to find the money!
Please take a moment a cast your vote. When it comes to these two radio’s there are strong feeling for both.
OR 
Show your support. Feel free to comment and explain your vote.
In July we will have another hot topic to poll on.
I found this data from YO3HJV site:
TIP for mobile users:
Two male RJ11 and 3m of 6 wire telephone cable for front panel, one male and one female RJ45 and 3m of 8 wire FTP cable for microphone.
The main issue is how to find a proper receptacle for the front panel... Well, this receptacle is right on the radio, and is fixed on 4 screws. It's part number on the service manual is RA0450600 as shown on the picture below:
You can unscrew that receptacle and used it with some PDA support to attach it on the windshield with a suction cup. I use the same solution with my FT 8900...
It is the best solution for who is interested in a permanent mobile solution. Why spend a lot of $$$ on a "mobile separation kit"???
73! de yo3hjv
Adrian
Compact, full featured, modern look
Crammed into the little enclosure is an 100kHz-500MHz transceiver (receiving. Transmitting is subject to ham band limitations) with most of the modern bells and whistles that anyone could want, and which can supply 100 watts on 160-6 meters, 50 watts on 2 meters, and 20 watts on the 440 MHz band.
Is operating in the CW, AM, SSB, FM, and digital modes.
The main purpose of this radio is to be installed as a mobile rig, with removable front plate which can be mounted away from the main unit.
The single limitation of this kind of installation is the microphone and the speaker, which are connected directly to the main unit thus a second cable will be necessary.
I purchase this radio in the spring of 2006 from WIMO, a reseller located in Germany. I was, somehow, budget-orientated. My HSU (Ham Speding Units) was around 650 EUR and this radio fits very well (620EUR+shipping 36EUR) so I ordered right away!
I was very happy to have a "all band-all mode HF+VHF+UHF transceiver in one box. Furthermore, I needed a radio which could be the basis for a very portable station for field use. The FT-857 fills both requirements nicely.
The first approach to this radio was to download a pdf user manual (operations manual) to see the features and to imagine what I can do with it. This is a habit to me in order to be already familiar with a new radio because I am a real ham and real hams do not read the manual when a radio is sitting in front!
The first thing I did when the radio arrived was to look inside...
I liked the solid aluminum frame in the central section and how the circuit boards are fitted! A solid frame is the key for a good thermal behavior and also a good backbone for a mobile or portable radio.
The FT-857 is build to last and to survive a lot of mechanical abuse. 
The top circuit board contains all of the low level electronics. Although there is no space left over, nothing seems crammed into the space at all.
I saw a lot of radios from inside. Also I was a constructor of radios and other electronic things... It's like a classic painting what the Yaesu engineers manage to do in this box! Nevertheless, their work has made a design which is logical, clean, easy to repair and should be very reliable.
The bottom circuit board contains the separate HF and VHF/UHF power amplifiers, and all of the band switching components. Once again, the board looks full but very logical, with a very clean layout. The heat from the power transistors is coupled directly to the main casting, and the twin fans provide the air movement necessary to extract the heat from the unit. The fans run only when necessary, with variable speed, so the unit is quiet most of the time.
I purchase an optional original Yaesu SSB filter but on receiving it isn't what I expected! But in Tx-ing reports are better than the built-in ceramic filter, so i will keep it. The picture shows the two optional filters.
I like
This radio is tiny and modular. The removable faceplate is a good thing for mobile installation and even for a crowded ham shack. If space is principal consideration, then the FT-857D is the best all=mode all-band full-power space-saver currently available.
The price also is good! Do not expect to have performances like a Kenwood TS2000! It is a very good radio in it's price range!
Reasonable front panel – With small size comes along the necessity to cram the front panel functionality into a minimum of controls. Reading the manual is absolutely required in order to get the maximum functionality out of the FT-857. However, the controls are well-thought-out, and benefit from a couple of generations of small equipment with few controls. The function selection and the menus allow everything to be controlled, and they have obviously thought through the usability of these. After a few weeks of trying every feature, I can go directly to what I need without referring to the manuals any more. For anything this complex, that is high praise.
Receive audio is quite good – The primary limitation on receive audio is the tiny speaker in the case. For any real use, it cries out for an external speaker. I have plugged in high-quality external speakers, and the audio is as good. There is also plenty of audio power available. Driving an inefficient old acoustic suspension speaker is no problem at all. Furthermore, there is a headphone jack on the front left side of the FT-857, which makes headphone use an easy thing. They provide a switch to change the power level on the headphone jack so that if you should want to power a larger speaker from that jack, the FT-857 will drive it. This is very well thought-out.
External programming software – After I bought the radio, I also bought the ADMS-4B programming software. The programming cable I made it myself with just two bipolar transistors and some passive components. Also I like how interacts with the Ham Radio Deluxe CAT, but the credits goes to the authors of the software!
DSP - Is OK for a audio only DSP and performs well on a crowd band. Also useful with the QRM and best on static noises.
All band coverage, including the CB which is very useful on the road! Unfortunately, I was not able to make a good installation on my new car...
Adjustable drag on Dial Knob. No more to say about! Not to many hams are aware about this feature!
I don't like
No direct frequency entry - Unless you buy the fancy external microphone, it is not possible to do direct frequency entry. I can solve this with one easy purchase, but I already know how difficult can be as I have a ICOM IC2100 with a remote mic. Not so bad, but sometime I miss this feature.
No built-in tuner – I solved this with an external LDG AT-11MP and later a Z100 also from LDG (in portable operations) which matches the size of the radio, and will load up nearly anything. I read a lot of reviews for Yaesu tuners and I don't want to buy one! I also miss a OTT (One Touch Tuning) switch on the front panel! Could be useful a single switch to put a CW, 5W for external ATU.
Unlabeled back panel – There is a sticker on the bottom of the radio showing which of the many back panel connectors do what, but I miss having the labels where I can see them. I used a permanent ink pen to make my own "labels".
A connector or a hole or whatever to ground the radio direct to the chassis. I really miss this because I like to have a well grounded shack! I drive a hole through the rear aluminum solid block to connect a wire for grounding... Grrrr...
The SELECTOR knob is very poor! Is some optical switch with a high failure rate! Mine is fail to switch in the needed direction. Forward-back-forward when switching only forward or backward...
So that is it. I consider the FT-857 to be a really good deal in a ham radio transceiver, and one which is well-suited to anyone needing one which will fit into a very small space or need a second radio for field day, portable or DX-expeditions. I really like my Kenwood TS-2000X "Big Rig" with all of the controls up-front, but the FT-857 does very well within the small space it requires.
In the spring of 2007 I sold the radio to purchase a Kenwood TS2000X. After the radio "travelled" from ham to ham, I bought it back in order to go in Elba Island, portable. So, Is here to stay... or to go portable again!
73! de YO3HJV
I found similar information from W4TI.
Review: Yaesu FT-857 
The Tiny Powerhouse
The Yaesu FT-857 is a little marvel. Crammed into the enclosure is an MF, HF, VHF and UHF transceiver with most of the modern bells and whistles that anyone could want, and which can supply 100 watts on 160-6 meters, 50 watts on 2 meters, and 20 watts on the 440 MHz band. It is capable of operating in the CW, AM, SSB, FM, and digital modes. The engineers have built what seems to be intended as a mobile transceiver, suitable for installation in a vehicle, with a removable face plate which can be mounted separately from the electronics package.
I purchased the FT-857 with a dual purpose in mind. First I need a compact transceiver which can fit into a little folding desk in our den, so that there is a radio I can use when I am not able to get out to the the big station in the second building in our facility. (I have stage IV pancreatic cancer, and frequently am very sick. My cancer blog is here.) So in the near term, the FT-857 would provide a radio I could use conveniently, which would fit into a small space. Furthermore, I needed a radio which could be the basis for a very portable station for field use. The FT-857 fills both requirements nicely, and is quite affordable, so it arrived during July from Gigaparts (great ham radio store in Huntsville, Alabama) and I have been learning all of the features of this compact wonder since it arrived.
How did they fit everything in such a small box?
One of the first things I did after it arrived was to remove the covers to see what Yaesu had done to cram all of this functionality into such a small enclosure, and the pictures below show how it is built. The basic frame is an aluminum casting, which makes a very solid mechanical backbone for the radio. The covers are made from steel, and everything fits well. From what I can see, the FT-857 is built to survive and work through long-term heavy-duty use.
The top circuit board contains all of the low level electronics. Although there is no space left over, nothing seems crammed into the space at all. As an electronic engineer who designs boxes and circuit boards for a living, I can appreciate the wonderful engineering which went into this design. It all looks so straightforward as to be obvious, although I can tell that there is nothing obvious about it. This was the result of very diligent hard work. Nevertheless, their work has made a design which is logical, clean, and should be very reliable. 
Top of FT-857, showing low-level electronics
Notice that in the top left hand corner there are two Collins mechanical filters. These are optional, additional cost items. I have had radios before which used the Collins filters, and they have always proven to be excellent performers, so I ordered both filters at the same time I ordered the radio. These particular filters came from W4RT Electronics http://w4rt.com rather than from Yaesu. They cost roughly 2/3 of what the Yaesu filters cost, and use the same Collins filters as the Yaesu filters have. I used to work for W4RT Electronics, and know how excellent their products are, so I did not hesitate to buy the W4RT filters. They work excellently, and provide the improved receive and transmit audio on SSB, and the narrow bandwidth without ringing on CW, just as I have come to expect from the Collins filters.
The bottom circuit board contains the separate HF and VHF/UHF power amplifiers, and all of the band switching components. Once again, the board looks full but very logical, with a very clean layout. The heat from the power transistors is coupled directly to the main casting, and the twin fans provide the air movement necessary to extract the heat from the unit. The fans run only when necessary, so the unit is quiet most of the time. 
Bottom of FT-857, showing the RF power amplifiers and band switching
Features I Like
This radio is tiny – If space is a consideration, then the FT-857 is the best full-power space-saver currently available. It is also a good value, as far as the performance-to-cost ratio is concerned.
Good performance – While the FT-857 is not the radio that my Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V Field is, Yaesu has succeeded in designing and building an excellent combination of features into it. The performance is better than all but two of the HF radios I have ever owned, and those two were expensive, high-end systems.
Reasonable front panel – With small size comes along the necessity to cram the front panel functionality into a minimum of controls. Reading the manual is absolutely required in order to get the maximum functionality out of the FT-857. However, the controls are well-thought-out, and benefit from a couple of generations of small equipment with few controls. The function selection and the menus allow everything to be controlled, and they have obviously thought through the usability of these. After a few weeks of trying every feature, I can go directly to what I need without referring to the manuals any more. For anything this complex, that is high praise.
Receive audio is quite good – The primary limitation on receive audio is the tiny speaker in the case. For any real use, it cries out for an external speaker. I have plugged in high-quality external speakers, and the audio is as good as or better than any other ham radio I have used. There is also plenty of audio power available. Driving an inefficient old acoustic suspension speaker is no problem at all. Furthermore, there is a headphone jack on the front left side of the FT-857, which makes headphone use an easy thing. They provide a switch to change the power level on the headphone jack so that if you should want to power a larger speaker from that jack, the FT-857 will drive it. This is very well thought-out.
External programming software – When I bought the radio, I also bought the computer control cable and the ADMS-4B programming software. This is the first time I have ever used programming software on a multi-mode radio, and it is a real blessing. It makes it possible to logically think through how I want to logically organize the memories, so that the 200 memory locations can be used to their best advantage. So for instance I have set up all of the VHF and UHF local repeaters and simplex frequencies with their respective tone/DCS squelch settings, all of the weather service frequencies, all of my usual starting frequencies and modes for HF use, and all of the net frequencies I frequent. I am used to doing this for a channelized VHF or UHF radio, but this is the first time to try this on HF, and I really like it. It makes use so logical.
CW Receive Filtering - The combination of the Collins 500 Hz mechanical filter and the DSP filtering is very good for separating signals in a busy CW band. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the DSP does at both narrowing the bandwidth and reducing the general noise level on receive.
What I miss
No direct frequency entry - Unless you buy the fancy external microphone, it is not possible to do direct frequency entry. I can solve this with one easy purchase, but I had not thought of how much I would miss this feature.
No built-in tuner – I solved this with an external LDG Z-11 Pro which matches the size of the radio, and will load up nearly anything. Having used the Yaesu tuners in the past, I avoided them this time because they do not try hard enough to load into unusual loads, and take a long time to tune.
Unlabeled back panel – There is a sticker on the bottom of the radio showing which of the many back panel connectors do what, but I miss having the labels where I can see them. Having the sticker on the top of the radio might not be as pretty, but it would make actual use of the radio somewhat easier.
So that is it. I consider the FT-857 to be a really good deal in a ham radio transceiver, and one which is well-suited to anyone needing one which will fit into a very small space. I really like my Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V Field "Big Rig" with all of the controls up-front, but the FT-857 does very well within the small space it requires.
To read the operating manual for the FT-857, click here.
To read the technical supplement for the FT-857, click here.
73
Diehl Martin
W4TI
August 2006
After about 6 weeks of using this radio I think I know it well enough to write a small review, so here goes.
I chose this radio mainly because of its specification i.e. all band and all mode. It is capable of working the MF/HF/VHF/UHF bands covering 160m to 10m, plus 6m, 2m and 70cm.
As standard it has AM/FM/USB/LSB/CW plus a range of digital modes I have not even explored yet.
I wanted a radio that would last for a while as I fully intended to go beyond the 10W foundation limitation, and work towards the intermediate and full license.
This radio is capable of 100W from 160m to 6m, 50W on the 2m band and 20W on 70cm.
The radio is housed in a very compact case measuring approx. 6" wide, 2" high and 9" deep (you can do your own metric conversions) and weighs just over 4.5 lb.
The main controls are all front facing or on the side of the front panel with some button having more than one purpose depending if it is given a short press or a long press.
The 3 multi function buttons beneath the LCD are menu select buttons and refer to the options that appear above the buttons. These options will change depending which menu segment is active. I suppose this feature could be compared to most modern mobile phones where the choices on screen change depending upon the menu that is active at the time, with the buttons referring to the menu choices on screen.
I expect the big questions for everyone are: 
Not easy questions to answer, with a lot depending on your ability to remember sequences of button presses to achieve the desired result.
The tuning function is by rotary knobs similar to most radios, but these are configurable for mode, step etc. from the menu system.
The band change function is achieved using two buttons (up and down) on the top of the front panel above the main dial. The mode change is achieved using two similar buttons (up and down) above the top left of the display.
For each button press the selection changes and cycles around from the last choice to the first choice, and vice versa. They are very easy to use as the display updates with every button press.
The entry point into the menus is the "Func" button. If this button is pressed momentarily then the radio enters "Multi Function Mode". The lower part of the LCD will show 3 options that can be selected by the 3 multi-function buttons. If the Select knob is rotated then these sets of options will change, with sets of options from MFa to MFq.
These quick menus hold the most common and frequently used features such as writing to memory, scanning memories, bandscope, repeater shifts and CTCSS tones. Some options are simple toggle on or off and some options have multiple choices that need repeated button presses.
The deeper use of the "Func" button is entered if you press and hold the button for one second. This enters the main (configuration) menu system. Rotating the Select knob will now cycle through 91 different menu choices covering all aspects of the radio such as output power, DSP parameters, tuning steps, mic gain, LCD colour etc.
As an example I will summarize the steps needed to initiate a scan through the stored memories:
The big question is about the manual. Is it up to the job? I find the manual a little unusual. It appears to have been written by an expert who knows the radio inside out but with an expectation that the reader also has a certain level of pre-existing knowledge. At times I find myself seeking further knowledge elsewhere because the manual explains exactly how to configure a particular function but fails to explain when I would need to use that function or why? This is my first amateur radio and I have no base for comparison. Perhaps all radio manuals are like this! However I certainly think it could have been done a little better than this.
As to performance, so far so good. I have managed a number of HF contacts across Europe and have worked through numerous local VHF repeaters and links with ease. I have had nothing but good reports from these contacts.
In summary, I think this is a excellent radio, well worth the time and effort getting to know its many features and options.
Check out the manufacturers website at Yaesu UK.
Read hundreds of other reviews of this radio at EHam.net.
Review by Robin 2W0LAZ.
March 2007.
I will be posting more articles as I find them on this and other radios That I find interesting.
Yaesu FT817ND info from Yaesu.
FT-817 The Ultimate Backpacker!
Multi-mode Portable Transceiver
The world’s first self-contained, battery-powered, Multi-mode Portable Transceiver covering the HF, VHF, and UHF bands!
For more than four decades, Yaesu has been a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance multi-mode base station and mobile transceivers, as well as FM handhelds.Yaesu broke new ground with the introduction of the FT-817: the world’s first HF/VHF/UHF self-contained battery-powered Multi-mode Portable Transceiver. Providing up to five watts of power output, the FT-817 is designed for operation on the 160-10 meter HF bands, plus the 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm bands. Whether your preferred operating mode is SSB, CW, AM, FM, Packet, or SSB-based Digital modes like PSK31, the FT-817 is ready to join you on your next hiking, camping, or search-and-rescue adventure!
Now the 817 legacy is even better with the introduction of the FT-817ND, which includes coverage of the U.S. 60-meter (5 MHz) band, and it also includes a 1400 mAh NiMH Battery pack (FNB-85) and NC-72B Charger!
Ultra Compact HF/VHF/UHF Multimode Rig
Despite its incredibly small size (5.3" x 1.5" x 6.5"), the FT-817 delivers big performance! Its next-generation PA puts out five watts on all HF bands, plus the 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 430 MHz bands, on all popular operating modes: USB/LSB/CW/AM/FM/Packet/PSK-31/RTTY.Wide Receiver Frequency Coverage
Enjoy shortwave and FM broadcasts, , public safety communications, and air band calls thanks to the extended frequency coverage of the FT-817, which includes reception on 100 kHz - 56 MHz, 76 - 108 MHz (W-FM only), 108 - 154 MHz, and 420 - 470 MHz.Two Antenna Connectors for Ease of Installation
The front panel includes a convenient BNC connector for attachment of a whip or VHF/UHF rubber flex antenna (supplied). The rear panel includes a type “M” (“SO-239”) connector. As shipped from the factory, the BNC jack is active on 50/144/430 MHz, while the “M” connector is active on HF. But using the Menu, you can assign, for example, 50 and 144 MHz to the rear panel, if your coaxial cables have matching plugs.Receiver Enhancement Features
• IF Shift – For reduction of adjacent-frequency interference. • IF Noise Blanker – For reduction of ignition and other impulse-type noise. • IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) – Bypasses RX Preamp on HF/50 MHz for improved performance during strong-signal conditions. • ATT (Front End Attenuator) – For more pleasant reception of very strong signals.Outstanding CW Features
• CW “Semi Break-in,” with T/R recovery delay programmable from 10 ms ~ 2500 ms. At 10 ms setting, performance emulates QSK operation. • CW Reverse: provides BFO injection from LSB-side, instead of default USB-side. • CW Pitch Control: adjusts TX offset and (identical) side tone between 300 Hz and 1000 Hz in 50 Hz steps; this allows precise spotting on DX stations. Side tone level is adjustable. • Built-in Electronic Keyer, with speed adjustable between 4 WPM and 60 WPM, and Weight (Dot:Dash Ratio) adjustable between 1:2.5 and 1:4.5. • For emergency use, the Menu allows you to set up the Microphone’s [UP] and [DWN] keys for generation of “Dots” and “Dashes” on CW!Versatile, Easy-To-See Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
A wealth of information is available on the front panel LCD: • When you have to be away from the radio for a few minutes, but would like a visual indication of activity while you’re away, activate the Spectrum Scope Monitor. The Spectrum Scope Monitor allows you to watch activity ±5 channels from the current operating frequency. • The LCD illumination color may be set to either Blue or Amber color, using the Menu. • Watch for low battery trouble using the Battery Voltage Meter display selection. • For ease of viewing while outdoors, you can double the size of the frequency displayHigh Performance Collins® Mechanical Filter Options
An optional filter slot is provided in the FT-817, allowing the owner to install one of two available Collins® Mechanical Filters. For CW operation, choose the 7-pole YF-122C (500 Hz bandwidth), or for very natural-sounding SSB select the 10-pole YF-122S (2.3 kHz bandwidth).Internal Battery Power
The FT-817 is the only rig in its class with internal battery operation capability. Shipped from the factory with a battery tray for 8 "AA" batteries, the FT-817 may also be operated from the optional FNB-72 Ni-Cd battery pack. full power output is available under battery power. Other manufacturers make you carry around a heavy external power source. . .but the FT-817 is entirely self-contained, making it ideal for backpacking or search-and-rescue work.
Universal Radio, Inc. info on the FT-817ND.
he Yaesu FT-817ND is a new deluxe version of the hugely popular FT-817. The FT-817ND includes 60 meter coverage plus the new high capacity FNB-85 battery. The radio is a fully self-contained, battery-powered, low power amateur MF/HF/VHF/UHF transceiver for portable/camping/mountain top use. Providing coverage of of the 160-10 meter amateur bands including 60 meters, plus the 6 M, 2M and 70 cm bands, the FT-817D includes operation on the SSB, CW, AM, FM and digital modes. This radio is designed for use either from an external DC source or internal batteries and provides up to 5 watts of power output when on external DC power. When using the battery pack or 8 AA cells (not supplied), the radio automatically switches to 2.5 watts. The multi-function LCD screen includes selectable blue or amber backlighting which may be disabled for battery conservation. This radio comes with: MH-31A8J Hand mic, FNB-85 Ni-MH 1400 mAh battery, FBA-28 Battery case (for 8 x AA cells not supplied), NC-72B charger, YHA-63 Whip antenna for 50/144/430 MHz, E-DC-6 DC cable and shoulder strap.
Features
* TX Frequency Coverage: 160 - 10 Meters, 50 MHz, 144 MHz, 430-450 MHz, plus Alaska Emergency Channel (5167.5 kHz).
* RX Frequency Coverage: 100 kHz - 56 MHz; 76 - 154 MHz; 420 - 470 MHz. (Exact frequency range may be slightly different)
* Power Output: 5 Watts SSB/CW/FM with 13.8V External DC; 1.5 Watts AM Carrier. 2.5 Watts SSB/CW/FM with 9.6V Ni-Cd Pack or 8 "AA" batteries (AM: 0.7 Watt), Up to 5 Watts SSB/CW/FM power (max.) programmable via Menu on Ni-Cd/AA cells.
* Operating Modes: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM, W-FM, Digital (AFSK), Packet (1200/9600 FM).
* Digital Modes: RTTY, PSK31-U, PSK31-L, and User defined USB/LSB (SSTV, Pactor, etc.).
* Case Size: 5.31 x 1.5 x 6.5 inches (WHD)
* Weight: 2.6 lb (with Alkaline and Antenna, w/o Mic.).
* Two-Color LCD Multi-function Display (Blue/Amber).
* Bar-Graph Metering of Power Output, ALC, SWR, Modulation.
* Optional Narrow CW and SSB Filters.
* AGC Fast-Slow-Auto-Off Selection.
* RF Gain/Squelch Control.
* Built-in Noise Blanker.
* Transmit coverage of the new 60 meter band
* IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) and ATT (Receiver Front End Attenuator).
* Dual VFOs, Split Capability, IF Shift, and R.I.T. ("Clarifier").
* Wide/Narrow FM Selection.
* AM Aircraft Reception.
* Dedicated SSB-based Digital Mode for PSK31 on USB/LSB, AFSK RTTY, etc.
* Built-in CW Electronic Keyer and Semi-Break-In (down to 10 ms delay) Capability.
* Adjustable CW Pitch; CW Paddle Normal/Reverse Connection Selection.
* Built-in VOX.
* Automatic Repeater Shift.
* Built-in CTCSS and DCS.
* ARTS™ (Auto-Range Transponder System).
* Smart Search™ Automatic Memory Loading System.
* Spectrum Scope.
* Front and Rear Panel Antenna Connectors (BNC on Front; M [SO-239] on Back).
* 200 Regular Memories, plus Home Channels and Band-Limit (PMS) Memories.
* Alpha-Numeric Labeling of Memory Channels.
* Automatic Power-Off (APO) and Tx Time-Out Timer (TOT) Features.
* Rear Panel Data, Accessory and Key jacks.
* CAT System Computer Control Capability (4800/9600/38400 bps); Cloning Capability.
eHam.net has a spot that offers views from folks who have really been touched by this remarkable radio. Click on their link.
Of course Yahoo Groups as a link.
Observations from Scotland 3rd September 2006 GM1SXX
The Yaesu FT817ND.
SXX has been for some time thinking about portable operations. His venerable FT290 and FT790 while useful are now old and somewhat dated. I was looking for something with more functionality in a small package and the FT817ND seemed to fit the bill. I like operating in the hills while out walking with the dog and the FT817 offers DC-440Mhz multimode performance at the 5W level, an ideal replacement for my ageing transceivers.
As you'll see from the above photo, the 817ND is a TINY radio, much smaller and lighter than my FT290 yet it covers 1.8 - 440 Mhz all mode, BUT, there IS a catch, and it's NOT the small but excellent display but the photo above gives a hint of the problem. The display is actually a LOT better than it looks in the photo. The camera flashgun washes it out.
The basic specifications are as follows.
Frequency Coverage:
RX: 100 kHz - 30 MHz, 50 - 54 MHz
76 - 108 MHz (W-FM only)
108 - 154 MHz (USA)
144 - 148 (146) MHz (other markets)
430 (420) - 450 (440) MHz
TX: 160 - 6 Meters, 2 Meters
70 Centimeters (Amateur Bands only)
Ultra Compact: 5.3" x 1.5" x 6.5" WHD (135 x 38 x 165 mm)
Multimode Design: SSB, CW, AM, FM, FM-Wide (RX),1200/9600 bps Packet, Digital (including PSK-31U/PSK-31L)
Power Output: 5 Watts (selection of 0.5/1.0/2.5/5 W)
Wide choice of power sources: AA Battery Holder included; FNB-72 Ni-Cd Battery Pack (9.6 V, 1600 mAh); external DC cable included for 13.8 V operation
Two Antenna Ports: BNC on front panel, UHF (Type "M") on rear panel; may be assigned via Menu on HF, 50, 144, 430 MHz
Built-in CW Electronic Keyer, Normal/Reverse Paddle connections, adjustable CW Pitch, Normal/Reverse sideband
Built-in CTCSS and DCS Encoder/Decoder circuits
208 Memory Channels, including 200"regular" memories, assignable in up to ten memory groups; Alpha-Numeric label may be attached to each memory
Dual-Color Liquid Crystal Display: choice of Blue or Amber display
Spectrum Scope records five channels above and below current frequency while you're away
Optional Collins Mechanical Filters: 10-pole YF-122S (2.3 kHz) for SSB, 7-pole YF-122C (500 Hz) for CW
The main difference between the 817 and 817ND appears to be that the Ni-CD battery and charger are included and the PA stage FETs have been upgraded. But, there's a catch!
The small size and light weight of the FT817ND make it the perfect backpacking radio. Add to that the multimode coverage of the ham bands from DC-430Mhz plus airband and FM broadcast band receive and it's a VERY versatile little radio.
The receiver is excellent and can copy anything that my RACAL RA1772 can hear (and more) but the user has to learn to 'fly' it properly. By that I mean that the receiver preamp must be used in an appropriate manner. For some reason, Yaesu have elected to call the preamp switch 'the IP3 Intercept Optimiser or IPO Optimiser' ... read PREAMP! Stupid or what?
I was very impressed indeed by the receiver in what is essentially a budget radio. It covers 50Mhz TRX but NOT 70Mhz so if 70Mhz is your thing, look elsewhere. The receiver performance on all bands except 50Mhz is very good indeed. On 50Mhz, performance was less acceptable, probably due to the proximity to the 68.33Mhz first IF. The receiver is a dual conversion type with the second IF being 455Khz. On Wide FM, a 10.7Mhz IF is used.
Not being a great CW fan, I chose the YF-122S Collins mechanical SSB filter which results in better selectivity on SSB. The audio output power is 1Watt, more than adequate in the small speaker used and enough to make you deaf when using phones.
The quoted power drain on TX is 2 amps and on RX should be 400ma. I found that the RX took somewhat more that this, and with the battery tray holding only AA sized cells. On TX the rig takes two amps. You can now understand what the 'BUT' is...... put simply, the batteries are woefully inadequate.
I think Yaesu might have been better designing the radio to be even smaller and having an external clip-on battery pack with something like a 7Ah or 10Ah battery option. Alternatively, keeping the same size package, the space vacated by the battery could hold some optional extras, like more filters.
Battery life is the Achilles heel of this radio. For myself, the solution is simple. Ditch the internal battery pack and use an external 7Ah Gell battery from our local model shop. The combined weight of the radio, battery, my wire antennas and a cheap fishing pole is still very acceptable. Apart from the fishing pole, the lot fits easily into a day bag with plenty of space left for nosh, dog food for my radio companion and my spirit stove etc.
Rather than spend my hard earned dosh on a lousy inefficient walkabout antenna, I just have some pre-cut wires I can string up as required to make a variety of antennas. They are 'terminated' at one end in some thin Dacron line that serves as both insulator and attachment point. With this simple kit, I can manage inverted Vee's,' slopers and EFHWA's. One end of each wire has a Dacron line and the other a crocodile clip. I made a simple T shaped plastic dipole centre with a couple of brass screws to which the feed line is connected and the wires just clip on to the screws and are led through a couple of notches in the plastic to take the strain.
The radio works very well with my Z11-Pro auto tuner which is similar in size but very lightweight.
The transceiver is CAT equipped and the very excellent FT817 Commander or Ham Radio Deluxe software will drive it through a simple interface. Both software products are free of charge and VERY good indeed. As a bonus, Ham Radio Deluxe also sports a very acceptable satellite tracking program although sadly the FT817 is NOT a full duplex radio and therefore not the most suitable for satellite operation.
If you want a cat interface for this or any other Yaesu radio, don't waste your money and time ordering one from Yaesu. You can build one to the many designs available on the wobbly-wide-web or simply buy a ready made one for a fraction of the cost from ZLP
More on the FT817 etc.
First and foremost I am not intentionally doing anything wrong by this compilation. This information is freely available on the internet. I am just collecting the data and place it here on my blog, as a one stop source for info. I am sure this is not all the data available, but only what I have found.
I am going to look at this in a few stages… The least expensive route and the narrowest involvement in the hobby, to a high level of enjoyment.
First I will say that I have decided to steer away from HT’s (Handheld Transceivers). I own a couple they have their place but prefer radios with more weight.
After looking at most of the radio on the market today I came up with an Yaesu FT-2900R, it is a 2-meter rig capable of 75 watts output. Currently priced around $165.00. 
Next on my list that stands out in my mind is the Yaesu FTM-10R, this is a dual band rig capable of 50 watts output.
It is available for around $350.00.
The next 3 radios are neck to neck in pricing from $600 to $750 to $900. They are the Yaesu FT-817D, FT=857D and the FT-897D. They are HF rigs, (High Frequency Radios) also covering 6-meters, 2-meters and 440 centimeters.
FT-817ND FT-857D FT-897D
The most important choice to make in buying and setting up you rig is the Antenna ! I am basically looking at two of them. the Yaesu ATAS-25 which is a very good match for the FT-817D. Also The Mini-Buddipole looks nice at the same price of $230.
A more portable Antenna is the ATX Walkabout it is a mini all-band antenna from PowerPort,
As you can see it is quite portable fitting into a nice little pouch. With a pricing that is a bargain at $130.
Next thing you need is power! PowerPort again has quite a few answers here, I am looking at the PowerPort-312 as a source of power. For extended stays away from a AC/DC charging source I am looking at the Solar Cell SC-12F.
Since I am a Cyclist owning a recumbent tadpole trike from Catrike named Onyx. I would like to be able to put this rig in a nice pack. Again PowerPort comes to the rescue with their product called WorldPack II priced at $72, that is not bad at all. The pack also comes with a power pack add-on as well.
I found this site of accessories for the Yaesu FT-817ND. This is not the top of the line rig, but it is in my opinion a step up from a HT or hand held transmitter. I will be considering this rig as my next upgrade from my aging Icom W32A.
Looking to replace a aging Icom ht radio maybe the Yaesu FT-817ND would do a good job. Anybody got the pros and cons about this rig? 73’s KF4SWS
