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Old 04-18-2008, 10:24 PM   #1
TXiceman
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Default New radio

finally decided to bite the bullet and get a mobile HF rig. Seems fro ther $$$ it was best to go to a Yaesu FT897d with the ATAS Active tuning antenna system. Looked at the 706MkIIg and some other that were too pricey for something that will not get full time use. Got plenty of room in the truck fro the radio and plan to fix it where I can pull it from the truck and put it in the trailer along with two mounts for the antenna.

Get to play with the radio even on the road now.

Ken
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2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:35 AM   #2
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When you get it all installed can you post some pics?

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Old 04-19-2008, 11:50 AM   #3
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Sure will....

ken
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2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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Old 04-20-2008, 08:14 AM   #4
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I have had a number of Yaesu radios and I also went with the FT-897 for the motor home.
I looked at the ATAS but after doing some reading I decided to revert to the way I used to have an IC-706 and went with the AH-4 tuner and a standard 102" whip. That way I could ad wire to the antenna if I decided I wanted more bands. I knew that the AH-4 was a very fast and versatile turner from previous experience and with it I had more options.
The overall costs, even with an ICOM to Yaesu interface for the AH-4 was about the same. And having had a couple of screwdrivers in my time I learned that they are not a maintenance free item and AH-4 is quicker to tune if you band hop.
Enjoy the radio, they are nice little rigs.
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Old 04-20-2008, 08:56 AM   #5
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Not exactly on topic, but a freind yesterday was explaining how he set up his mobile in his new Tundra. To avoid potential interference problems he rigged a separate battery for the radio only. He has a solar panel hooked to a trickle charger and says he has plenty of juice and no iginition noise.
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Old 04-20-2008, 10:03 AM   #6
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I hope he does not run that radio much. A single solar cell does not put much of a charge into a battery.
I typical 100 watt HF rig peaks at 14 amps or so on SSB.
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Old 04-20-2008, 10:55 AM   #7
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Well, this is Texas ya know.

He only trnasmits while commuting- about 120 miles a day. But if need be, the extra batteries can be tied to a hefty altrenator or an additional alternator. However, my only point was that isolating the power from the ignition may be appropriate in some cases. I do have a ton on noise in RX, but signal reports say there is none in TX.
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Old 04-20-2008, 02:23 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w7wv View Post
I hope he does not run that radio much. A single solar cell does not put much of a charge into a battery.
I typical 100 watt HF rig peaks at 14 amps or so on SSB.
While all this is true remember the charge vs discharge cycle is about 100 to 1. The little panel charges all the time the sun is available, but the radio is only on for a short while each day and transmitting even less. The peaks are even less then that.

Sounds like a way to keep the HF rig powered in the boonies, assuming you keep the generous duty cycle above. Hey, you gotta eat...get off the radio and grill some steaks!
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Old 04-20-2008, 07:23 PM   #9
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Yes I forget that not everyone runs 5 HF rigs on batteries and solar power like my old club used to to on Field Day.
But then some people talk all the time. You know who you are!
I have known some that an auxiliary battery and a solar cell could never keep up with.
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Old 04-21-2008, 07:01 AM   #10
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Probably would do fine for me. I haven't been on the rig in days. Who knows why, just have not seemed to have time.
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Old 04-26-2008, 08:55 PM   #11
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It is installed and operational....now to learn how to use all of the menu items and the radio. It is not as simple as my old TS830S.

ken
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2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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Old 04-27-2008, 08:40 AM   #12
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When I got back into this hobby after a number of years absence after my Novice Ticket in the 1970s I started with ICOM equipment.
I have since switched to the Yaesu line and I really like them.
The FT-897 is a nice little rig. Not too small like the 706.
I find it easier to operate too.
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Old 04-28-2008, 11:07 AM   #13
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The 706 and the Yaesu FT857 were too small for my taste. The 897 fits fine in the F350.

Ken
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2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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Old 04-28-2008, 03:11 PM   #14
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I remember years ago I had the same truck with the 7.3 only a 1997.
I had a 746 installed in it at one time.
I had noise levels with that motor running that were terrible regardless of what I tried.
I finally traced the problem down to the high voltage injectors they used, and I was told only in that year.
It was a problem the whole time I had the truck. Nothing you could do to silence the problem.
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Old 04-28-2008, 06:40 PM   #15
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Ken, be sure you have everything working for this weekend. I've been looking for a way to see what my radio sounds like on both 2 meters and HF, now I have a plan. See ya Friday.
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Old 04-28-2008, 08:43 PM   #16
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My 897 is up and running in the MH.
I don't do much VHF work though, mainly HF.
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Old 04-29-2008, 07:21 AM   #17
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I do get a slight ticking on HF with the radio, but not bad...I need to set the noise blanker on the radio as soon I find it in the book.

Tom, I won't have power or anything rigged for the trailer this weekend, but the truck is 100% go. Now I just need the copilot to drive so that I can do some serious talking....

ken
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2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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Old 04-29-2008, 10:17 AM   #18
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And for that exact reason I don't do any HF work while on the road driving.
I found that I spent too much time band hopping and it was just too dangerous to drive at the same time.
I restrict my HF work to parked unless I am staying on one freq.
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Old 04-29-2008, 11:15 AM   #19
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That is what I intend to do....park and talk or get it set on a freq and leave it.

Ken
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2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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Old 04-29-2008, 02:09 PM   #20
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Good idea otherwise you may find yourself wandering off the road like I nearly did.
I still don't don't understand how anyone can send CW while driving but I know those who do.
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