HFPacker or FT857?

[KC2UGV]

So, I'd like a little more power out when operating at home. QRP is great, but I don't think operating QRP all the time will be enjoyable for much longer.

Now, I already have a full-sized transceiver (FT840) which I'm planning to sell to get the 857D. But then I stumbled onto the HFPacker Amp. It's doesn't work on VHF/UHF/6M though.

So, thoughts? Smaller amp to get a little more power out, or just get the 857?

[W2NAP]

since you said "at home" im thinking you want something to keep at the house? are you wanting to have VHF/UHF all mode capabilities? if not interested in 2m ssb/cw or 440 ssb/cw honestly for a home station id sell the 840 for a ft-950. if you want the 2/440 ssb/cw capability go for a FT-847 or a TS-2000.

[K7SGJ]

So, I'd like a little more power out when operating at home. QRP is great, but I don't think operating QRP all the time will be enjoyable for much longer.

Now, I already have a full-sized transceiver (FT840) which I'm planning to sell to get the 857D. But then I stumbled onto the HFPacker Amp. It's doesn't work on VHF/UHF/6M though.

So, thoughts? Smaller amp to get a little more power out, or just get the 857?

Why not do both?

I have the 857D in the truck, and think it is a great little rig. When I want to use the FT 817 or IC 703 at the house but want a bit more power, I picked up a used FL110 amp for $75. 10-15 watts in = ~100 watts out 160-10. Although not designed for the WARC bands, it will do them with reduced output. It will do AM/SSB/CW/FSK. They don't come along too often, but if you keep an eye out, they do show up. I looked at the HF packer, as well as a few others, but didn't want to put that much into it.

[KC2UGV]

since you said "at home" im thinking you want something to keep at the house? are you wanting to have VHF/UHF all mode capabilities? if not interested in 2m ssb/cw or 440 ssb/cw honestly for a home station id sell the 840 for a ft-950. if you want the 2/440 ssb/cw capability go for a FT-847 or a TS-2000.

I'm looking for a new rig, so the 847 gets ruled out. But, I am not spending $1500-2000 on a radio lol It's a hobby, not a vocation :)


Why not do both?

I have the 857D in the truck, and think it is a great little rig. When I want to use the FT 817 or IC 703 at the house but want a bit more power, I picked up a used FL110 amp for $75. 10-15 watts in = ~100 watts out 160-10. Although not designed for the WARC bands, it will do them with reduced output. It will do AM/SSB/CW/FSK. They don't come along too often, but if you keep an eye out, they do show up. I looked at the HF packer, as well as a few others, but didn't want to put that much into it.

Well, I'm just looking really to have a little more umph at home. On the road, weight is critical (My pedals are taking me places with this gear), and I don't so much need the extra RF out in those scenarios.

[W2NAP]

847 might be "older" but its a damn good rig. real sensitive rx on VHF/UHF decent on HF and it has KNOBS!!!!!!! local guy here got a 857d not long ago IMO it was so/so and a drifty bastid on VHF ssb.

[K7SGJ]

I'm looking for a new rig, so the 847 gets ruled out. But, I am not spending $1500-2000 on a radio lol It's a hobby, not a vocation :)



Well, I'm just looking really to have a little more umph at home. On the road, weight is critical (My pedals are taking me places with this gear), and I don't so much need the extra RF out in those scenarios.

I understand. When I'm camping, traveling, and such, I just carry the 817 in a small bag with the essentials. I only use the FL110 amp at the house when I want to use the QRP rig with a bit of power. I

[PA5COR]

My FT 847 was bought with Collins filters when the transceiver hit the market and was one of the first batches.
Running the FT 2000-D now, still have the FT 847, won't be sold was worked hard in the 15 years I had it, just needed to replace the on/off switch, and added the modification so it won't fail again, but have a spare one.

Not ever selling it, as I'm not going to sell the FT 100 I also have with my buildt in AM Xfilter.
That one is on all day used as FM radio/AM radio and for 2/70 repeaters working here.
I did the mods on that one too never had a problem since.

It has a better receiver as the Ft 857/897, tested side by side with several Jota/Joti's.
Does it have to be a new radio?
THe only new one here is the FT 847, the others are good 3nd hand ones, even the FT 2000-D...

[K0RGR]

I think it would be much easier to 'mobile' with an FT817 on a bike than an FT857. I've used my 817 mobile in the past, and it does surprisingly well, even with Hamstick antennas.

There are other amplifiers out there than the HF Packer, too. There are at least two out of China for the same price as the HF Packer that put out 50 watts and will do bandswitching with the 817 - http://www.sainsmart.com/hf-ham-radio-mx-p817-50-watts-pa-linear-amplifier-for-ft-817-ft-817nd-80m-10m.html I see a similar one on EBay that's 100 watts for $239.

I took the IC7000 out of my pickup because I think it's too nice to abuse that way, and I'm thinking about getting one of these amplifiers and putting my 817 in the truck.

[KC2UGV]

The 857 would be for at home, as would the amp if I go that route.

[WØTKX]

I have two FT-857s and an FT-847. I really like the FT-857 for mobile/portable use, but it would not be cool backpacking.

The menus on the FT-817, 857, and 897 are basically identical, so you'd be familiar. However, since this is for home, you might prefer the 897. Bigger knobs. :mrgreen:

[K7SGJ]

I have two FT-857s and an FT-847. I really like the FT-857 for mobile/portable use, but it would not be cool backpacking.

The menus on the FT-817, 857, and 897 are basically identical, so you'd be familiar. However, since this is for home, you might prefer the 897. Bigger knobs. :mrgreen:

Heh heh heh, he said knobs :bbh:

[KC2UGV]

I have two FT-857s and an FT-847. I really like the FT-857 for mobile/portable use, but it would not be cool backpacking.

The menus on the FT-817, 857, and 897 are basically identical, so you'd be familiar. However, since this is for home, you might prefer the 897. Bigger knobs. :mrgreen:

Yeah, I'm keeping the 817 regardless, its more or less do I use it as a base with an amp, or just get the 857. Controls arent too big a deal, as im using a pc for control.

[K0RGR]

If this is an 'indoors only' radio, you might want to look at an FT450D. It's $100 or so cheaper, and the 'D' model actually has pretty decent receiver specs. It's also got a somewhat bigger display, though you will need small hands for the knobs. It's also got an internal autotuner. No two meters or UHF, though, but 6 meters is a lot of fun.

[KC2UGV]

If this is an 'indoors only' radio, you might want to look at an FT450D. It's $100 or so cheaper, and the 'D' model actually has pretty decent receiver specs. It's also got a somewhat bigger display, though you will need small hands for the knobs. It's also got an internal autotuner. No two meters or UHF, though, but 6 meters is a lot of fun.

The 450 is about 200-300 more than the 857 where I've been looking... I'd like to have VHF/UHF, though, in a movement to downsize my shack. Piles of radios, meters, tuners, and power supplies is getting kinda old lol

[K9CCH]

This one is for sale over there.... I just found it.

http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?440816-FT-857D-and-accessories-(-900-including-shipping)

[K9CCH]

The 450 is about 200-300 more than the 857 where I've been looking... I'd like to have VHF/UHF, though, in a movement to downsize my shack. Piles of radios, meters, tuners, and power supplies is getting kinda old lol


Send me a 2m radio! And a meter!

[K0RGR]

The 450 is about 200-300 more than the 857 where I've been looking... I'd like to have VHF/UHF, though, in a movement to downsize my shack. Piles of radios, meters, tuners, and power supplies is getting kinda old lol
Gigaparts has the 450D for $769. Universal wants $849 for the FT857D. Gigaparts wants $739 for the 857, so I guess when you compare apples to apples, the 857 is very slightly cheaper - I just looked at the first two that popped up, assuming they were similar. I guess I know where to buy my next one. Wait a minute, I looked the 450D up on Universal and it's $20 cheaper than the 857 there.

[KB3LAZ]

The 450 is about 200-300 more than the 857 where I've been looking... I'd like to have VHF/UHF, though, in a movement to downsize my shack. Piles of radios, meters, tuners, and power supplies is getting kinda old lol

You said you were keeping the 817 so you do have VHF/UHF. By getting the 450 you would do away with one of those tuners you don't want sitting on your desk. Also, as long as it decent size, you only need one PS to run the 817 and 450.

That being said, I have never used a 450. I have used the 857D and it is an okay radio. As for the price that is being listed, it seems that yaesu is giving out mail in rebates. If you go that route be sure to check the expiration date. I have heard of people having issues with those.

If it were me, before I got the 450D I'd get the TS-480SAT but that runs more money. I had both the 857 and 480 and I preferred the 480 for a few reasons. The screen was much easier to see, it has a tuner, better audio, the face plate can sit on the desk as it has a stand, etc.

In the end it is up to you and if saving cash is a big factor then go with the 857. If you are happy with your 817 but just want more power then I don't think you will be disappointed with the 857.

[KC2UGV]

Well, I finally settled on it after some though. I pulled the trigger on an FT-857. Should have it in a couple of days. Another reason for getting it: I mainly got the 817 so I could do bike mobile. Well, winter coming, bicycle mobile gets kinda hard :)