Just purchased one today. Thing had more accessories than Inspector Gadget. 4 batteries, side mount AT tuner, sound card ect… Thanks for the Vid. It was helpful in understanding the value of what I was purchasing.
I have my FT-897D, which I got when it first came out, on the table now. I just got my LDG Z-11 Pro yesterday. This was before I saw your video. I have been trying some functions today and really like this combo. The more I understand this combo. the better I like this. Thank you for this video with a similar setup that I have.
You're welcome Matt . Thank you for watching the video . I've been running the FT-897d , with the LDG Z-11 Pro on a Carolina Windom antenna for over 10 years now , and it still impresses me to this day.
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch Thank you for the reply and information on the Carolina Windom antenna. Is there a setting on the 897D that I must set to operate the Z-11? I can't find anything on it. It doesn't seem to make a difference in the amp setting. I just left it to "Off". There isn't a "LAMP" setting like on other Yaesu models.
@@Matt-qq8dh you just run your antenna to your Z-11 , an then a patch cord from the Z-11into the HF coax hook-up on the back of your 897 . If your Z-11 has the battery pack in it , make sure it has batteries in it . If it doesn't have a battery pack in it , then you'll have to run it off of a power supply . I'm using an MFJ 25 amp switching power supply called the "Mighty Lite" . It has a negative and positive power posts on the front for running your radio ... and a 5 amp jack on the back which is nice because I just plug my Z-11 pro into the back . So when I turn on my power supply I'm powering my radio and my antenna tuner at the same time .
The Yaesu FT-897d is a pretty nice radio to be receiving as a gift , I'm glad you like the video . I've been a Ham for 20 years , and there is so much to do in the hobby that even after 20 years , I'm still learning something new on a regular basis . Thanks for watching the video , and enjoy that 897d . I use mine daily .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch good radios, pity the battery packs dont seem to be available anymore. Unless anyone here knows different? You would have thought some company somewhere would have seen the potential in making compatible packs. But who cares - we are hams so can make our own I suppose 🙂
I've never done HF from anywhere but home. I have an Icom IC-781 I've had for several years. Still works fine, and is about I need. I like the 100 watts. I considered the Yaesu FT-991A, so I could have HF, VHF, and UHF all in one radio, but it seemed to get a lot of negative reviews. I have a Yaesu FT-2980R for 2 meters, and rarely ever use UHF. Right now my only UHF radio is a Yaesu FT-60R handheld
I've never done HF anywhere but from my home as well . My 897 has never been mobile , or outside my house ... and although I've used it for HF ... I generally use one of my older HF radios for all my HF work . I use my 897 for VHF/UHF all mode work , I like to do 2 meter SSB . I also have a Yaesu FT-60R , it's my favorite HT . They're built well , and perform well .
Great radio. I bought mine about the same time with all the options, except internal batteries that I bought later. I did the LDG AT-897 Plus tune. After I killed my FT-817nd the 897 became QRP radio. Its a great radio. As a condo dweller shack in the box is the only way to go. I bought two FT-857Ds, one for the car and one for manpack portable. I did sell my IC-706MKiig that was widebanded to a new ham that was visually impaired. Another great radio.
How 😮 Thank You Very Much For Sharing, I didnt know this Radio did so many things. I bought it brand new from giga parts in 2012 and Never Used it, I guess I am going to have to use it and get to Learn all the features it has.
This is only some of the things the FT-897 is capable of doing. It does so much more than I showed in the video. Have fun getting to know your radio, the 897 is definitely a fun radio to use. Thanks for watching the video Patrick.
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch0:19 You're Very Welcome. I Am definitely going to start Learning Everything This Radio is Capable of..Thank You Very Much For Posting I'll also Subscribe to Your Channel, 73's
I bought one back in April/May. I had no idea that it did all that! Guess I might need to bring it out, move the Kenwood aside and give it a try! Thanx for the video!
I had it about 20 years ago when it first came out, and did enjoy 😉 😎 it for portable use as with the internal batteries 🔋 it did give you 20 watts on HF. I also had the power supply that could be used for internal use and the side mounted power supply, I think it was the FC-30 model. 73 de W2CH Ray New Hampshire, 60 years, 1962-2022
On another note the receive on that radio is loud and clear. Can't beat the older radios. I have 2 Kenwood tk840 radios for 440 and gmrs and the audio quality is so much better.
I have a few of the older HF radios around here ... a couple of tube radios , and a solid state ... and they all do well . I think the tube radios receive better than any of my other radios , because you can't beat tube quality . But the 897 definitely holds it's own . Plus it covers more bands ... in all the modes . It isn't just an HF radio like the others . It's a great addition to any shack .
I love my 897 ... it's definitely my primary radio . I haven't experienced any issues with the receive in it . It receives almost as well as my Heathkit HW-101 , and as well as my FT-757GX II .
Mine has the Mars mod as well , although it never leaves the HF bands ... usually 40 meters . I've had mine for 10 years now , and I still love this radio .
It is also my first and favorite rig. I like it and I've found only one strange behavior. Mic socket set to second CAT. I have to enable it every time after radio is turned on. Does someone has the same?
I haven't had that issue with my FT-897 , but mine did just start doing something I can't figure out . The Mode & Band select buttons won't work ... they're acting the radios Lock button is on ... and it isn't . It's always been a base radio , and it doesn't get moved around , so it hasn't been bumped , banged or dropped . I have no idea what made it start to act up like this , or how to fix it ... it just started doing it one day for no reason .
Hello raccoon and sprite how are you doing did you get snow too and looking forward to next video 73s by the way what channel do you talk on or moniter on the cb radio thank you
Hi there my friend . We've been doing fine here . I hope everything has been going well for you too . When I'm talking , or monitoring on the CB , I'm always on channel 12 .
I’ve had mine in use finally the last few days , trying to get familiar. I bought it almost 2 years ago . It has a lot of functions , I still can’t find that scope , or the SWR display 🤦🏼♂️
The Scope is in the sub-menu in MFh ... instead of holding your "F" button , just give it a quick tap and start rotating your "Mem/VFO" dial until you get to MFh , it will be be on Button A ... and the SWR is also in your sub-menu in MFi on Button B. With that button you can set it to watch your Modulation, ALC, Power, and your SWR ... and remember that the sub-menu only stays open for a second , so if you wait too long , you'll have to tap it again to re-activate it .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch Thank you !!!! I figured it out with your help !! 10 meter has been active , I really like this radio . I’m ashamed I’ve let it sit here so long just using it as a receiver . I finally put it to use Sunday . Thanks a lot I can’t tell you how frustrated I was !!
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch One more question ,, any idea how to adjust the FM squelch ? I turn it up all the way to the right , and I still can’t hear weak stations ,, I want to hear static all the time , if you know what I mean . Any help , I’d appreciate it
Yes , they do both say "FT-897" on the face of them. The original FT-897 didn't have the 60 meter band in it because it wasn't available yet during the designing stages of it. The FT-897D added the 60 meter band to it, as well as a temperature-controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO-9) which was only optional on the original FT-897. So to be honest , you really can't tell them apart by just looking at them, you'd have to operate one to find their differences ... or know about when they were manufactured. I bought mine 3 months before they were discontinued so mine is definitely the 897D.
Honestly , I really like the Yaesu FT-897d , and yes I would recommend it to anyone . They did discontinue the 897 shortly after I bought mine . So if you want one you'll have to buy a used one some place like QRZ.com , QTH.com , or on eBay. If you would like to buy one new, they are still making the mobile version of this radio , which is the Yaesu FT-857 , also a really good radio.
Personally , I use the LDG Z-11 Pro , and it works really well with my FT-897D . LDG also made the AT-897 Autotuner which mounts on the side of your FT-897 just like the original equipment does . So those are a couple of antenna tuners that you can look for .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch hello thanks for your video...i have had a ft 897d and a LDG z 11 tuning box like your installation for a month but how do you connect your tuning box to the Tx? just with a simple coaxial and a 12v power cable or do you have a LDG cable. specific for my Ft897d? if so do you have a reference or model to give me? to move forward thanks for your answer...73 by Jim F4ECL
@@jean-marcmartin531 , I have an MFJ 25 amp "Mighty Lite" switching power supply that I use to power BOTH my FT-897d , and my LDG Z-11 Pro . How ? ... because this power supply has a 25 amp hookup on the face of it , that is perfect for the 897 , and a 5 amp hookup on the backside of it that is perfect for the Z-11 Pro antenna tuner . I only have to turn on one power supply to run both the radio and the antenna tuner .
It seems yaesu has lost something. I know the 991 has better filtering but it isn't an 897 or an 857, If they would put out an upgraded 897 or 857 I think they could have a winner
I've never tried the FT-991 out before, so I can't say anything about it one way the other . But I love my 897d , it has been my main radio for close to 10 years now .
this guy is a hypocrite, he tells you at 14:16 about the MARS MOD (opening up to use 11mtrs or 27mhz) he says he wouldn't do it, but if you followed his Video when he was showing all the frequencies it will work on, it shows on the Yaesu FT897D screen channel @ 27.105.00 (3:12)................ just be honest pal, your Radio has or had the MARS MOD at the time of making this Video. ----> "YES" loved watching the Video all the same & "YES" i own an FT897D (shhh, with a Mars Mod - but that's me) my advice to Raccoon, speak the truth & no-one will ever pick Bloopers in your Videos................................ please make honest videos from now on so no-one can catch you out!
All FT-897's have the capability to go to 11 meters . So it's not hypocritical to use your 897 to listen in on the other bands . I'm sure that many of us do it . Just because it can go to 11 meters , doesn't mean that it's being keyed up there . I'm also sure that you'll find out that most of the 897's you're buying used these days have probably been MARS modded since the 60 meter band was added after they were manufactured , and ham operators were modding them so that they could key up there . With that said , I have to tell people that they shouldn't be modding their radios to be used outside of their legal operating areas . If I don't , I'll get 100 people telling me in the comment section that I should be saying that in my videos ... versus the one guy who "Picks Bloopers In My Videos" . I'll take that one guys comment over 100 of them repeating the same comment over & over . Thanks for watching the video , I'm glad you liked it ... other than the "Blooper" .
You must be an exception , because I'm looking at my display right now and it's looking fine to me , and my 897d is 10 years old . You're the first person I've heard of to have a complaint about the display on an FT-897 .
Just purchased one today. Thing had more accessories than Inspector Gadget. 4 batteries, side mount AT tuner, sound card ect… Thanks for the Vid. It was helpful in understanding the value of what I was purchasing.
You're welcome , they're a great radio . Thanks for watching the video ... I'm glad it was helpful for you .
I have my FT-897D, which I got when it first came out, on the table now. I just got my LDG Z-11 Pro yesterday. This was before I saw your video. I have been trying some functions today and really like this combo. The more I understand this combo. the better I like this. Thank you for this video with a similar setup that I have.
You're welcome Matt . Thank you for watching the video . I've been running the FT-897d , with the LDG Z-11 Pro on a Carolina Windom antenna for over 10 years now , and it still impresses me to this day.
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch Thank you for the reply and information on the Carolina Windom antenna. Is there a setting on the 897D that I must set to operate the Z-11? I can't find anything on it. It doesn't seem to make a difference in the amp setting. I just left it to "Off". There isn't a "LAMP" setting like on other Yaesu models.
@@Matt-qq8dh you just run your antenna to your Z-11 , an then a patch cord from the Z-11into the HF coax hook-up on the back of your 897 . If your Z-11 has the battery pack in it , make sure it has batteries in it . If it doesn't have a battery pack in it , then you'll have to run it off of a power supply . I'm using an MFJ 25 amp switching power supply called the "Mighty Lite" . It has a negative and positive power posts on the front for running your radio ... and a 5 amp jack on the back which is nice because I just plug my Z-11 pro into the back . So when I turn on my power supply I'm powering my radio and my antenna tuner at the same time .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch Thank you very much. I will do that. Thank you again for the information.
the 897d was my first radio and I still own it. I still love it as its so portable and its an all in one shack in the box and all band.
I love my 897 , I bought it new from Giga Parts about 7 or 8 years ago ... and it has been my main "Go To" radio that whole time .
I was just given one of these radios! As a brand new ham, your video makes me appreciate it just that much more! I have a lot to learn.
The Yaesu FT-897d is a pretty nice radio to be receiving as a gift , I'm glad you like the video . I've been a Ham for 20 years , and there is so much to do in the hobby that even after 20 years , I'm still learning something new on a regular basis . Thanks for watching the video , and enjoy that 897d . I use mine daily .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch good radios, pity the battery packs dont seem to be available anymore. Unless anyone here knows different? You would have thought some company somewhere would have seen the potential in making compatible packs. But who cares - we are hams so can make our own I suppose 🙂
@@MrSuperheterodyne I found the battery packs for the Yaesu FT-897 online . Check the link below.
amzn.to/4agaMsZ
I bought one used last year. I love it! I had to replace the microphone connector and Yaesu still had the part available.
That's good . I love my 897 , I have been using it daily for about 8 or 9 years now .
I've never done HF from anywhere but home. I have an Icom IC-781 I've had for several years. Still works fine, and is about I need. I like the 100 watts. I considered the Yaesu FT-991A, so I could have HF, VHF, and UHF all in one radio, but it seemed to get a lot of negative reviews. I have a Yaesu FT-2980R for 2 meters, and rarely ever use UHF. Right now my only UHF radio is a Yaesu FT-60R handheld
I've never done HF anywhere but from my home as well . My 897 has never been mobile , or outside my house ... and although I've used it for HF ... I generally use one of my older HF radios for all my HF work . I use my 897 for VHF/UHF all mode work , I like to do 2 meter SSB . I also have a Yaesu FT-60R , it's my favorite HT . They're built well , and perform well .
Great radio. I bought mine about the same time with all the options, except internal batteries that I bought later. I did the LDG AT-897 Plus tune. After I killed my FT-817nd the 897 became QRP radio. Its a great radio.
As a condo dweller shack in the box is the only way to go.
I bought two FT-857Ds, one for the car and one for manpack portable.
I did sell my IC-706MKiig that was widebanded to a new ham that was visually impaired. Another great radio.
I've owned quite a few HF radios over the years , and the 897 is definitely one of my favorites .
How 😮 Thank You Very Much For Sharing, I didnt know this Radio did so many things. I bought it brand new from giga parts in 2012 and Never Used it, I guess I am going to have to use it and get to Learn all the features it has.
This is only some of the things the FT-897 is capable of doing. It does so much more than I showed in the video. Have fun getting to know your radio, the 897 is definitely a fun radio to use. Thanks for watching the video Patrick.
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch0:19 You're Very Welcome. I Am definitely going to start Learning Everything This Radio is Capable of..Thank You Very Much For Posting I'll also Subscribe to Your Channel, 73's
I’ve owned the 817/817ND/ 818, 857D, 891, and 897D well as the IC-706 mkiig. The 817ND/818 and 897D are my favorites.
Definitely , they're all great radios
I bought one back in April/May. I had no idea that it did all that! Guess I might need to bring it out, move the Kenwood aside and give it a try! Thanx for the video!
You're welcome Mike . I'm glad you liked it , and that it helped you learn something about the FT-897d . Thanks for watching the video .
I was thinking about getting this radio in the newest version but like everything the older models are better. I will try and get one of these on eBay
I LOVE MY 897D FROM 2005 !!! ❤❤❤
Great video thanks for making and posting 🙂👍
I had it about 20 years ago when it first
came out, and did enjoy 😉 😎 it for
portable use as with the internal batteries 🔋
it did give you 20 watts on HF. I also had
the power supply that could be used for
internal use and the side mounted power
supply, I think it was the FC-30 model.
73 de W2CH Ray New Hampshire, 60 years, 1962-2022
On another note the receive on that radio is loud and clear. Can't beat the older radios. I have 2 Kenwood tk840 radios for 440 and gmrs and the audio quality is so much better.
I have a few of the older HF radios around here ... a couple of tube radios , and a solid state ... and they all do well . I think the tube radios receive better than any of my other radios , because you can't beat tube quality . But the 897 definitely holds it's own . Plus it covers more bands ... in all the modes . It isn't just an HF radio like the others . It's a great addition to any shack .
I still use mine as my primary: receive is not as good as some of the newer rigs, but still holds it's own
I love my 897 ... it's definitely my primary radio . I haven't experienced any issues with the receive in it . It receives almost as well as my Heathkit HW-101 , and as well as my FT-757GX II .
Hi have the same radio love my yaesu ft897d I have mine has the Mars cap
Mine has the Mars mod as well , although it never leaves the HF bands ... usually 40 meters . I've had mine for 10 years now , and I still love this radio .
Hi I have the yaesu ft897d mine is open so I can transmite on cb and pmr on uhf
I love my 897d , I have a few others Yaesu's as well . But my 897d has been my main radio for close to 10 years now .
It is also my first and favorite rig. I like it and I've found only one strange behavior. Mic socket set to second CAT. I have to enable it every time after radio is turned on. Does someone has the same?
I haven't had that issue with my FT-897 , but mine did just start doing something I can't figure out . The Mode & Band select buttons won't work ... they're acting the radios Lock button is on ... and it isn't . It's always been a base radio , and it doesn't get moved around , so it hasn't been bumped , banged or dropped . I have no idea what made it start to act up like this , or how to fix it ... it just started doing it one day for no reason .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch yeah... malice of inanimate objects 😉
@@MaciejBaur Definitely
Hello raccoon and sprite how are you doing did you get snow too and looking forward to next video 73s by the way what channel do you talk on or moniter on the cb radio thank you
Hi there my friend . We've been doing fine here . I hope everything has been going well for you too . When I'm talking , or monitoring on the CB , I'm always on channel 12 .
I’ve had mine in use finally the last few days , trying to get familiar. I bought it almost 2 years ago . It has a lot of functions , I still can’t find that scope , or the SWR display 🤦🏼♂️
The Scope is in the sub-menu in MFh ... instead of holding your "F" button , just give it a quick tap and start rotating your "Mem/VFO" dial until you get to MFh , it will be be on Button A ... and the SWR is also in your sub-menu in MFi on Button B. With that button you can set it to watch your Modulation, ALC, Power, and your SWR ... and remember that the sub-menu only stays open for a second , so if you wait too long , you'll have to tap it again to re-activate it .
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch
Thank you !!!! I figured it out with your help !! 10 meter has been active , I really like this radio . I’m ashamed I’ve let it sit here so long just using it as a receiver . I finally put it to use Sunday . Thanks a lot I can’t tell you how frustrated I was !!
@@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee No problem , the 897d definitely has a ton of menu options
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch
One more question ,, any idea how to adjust the FM squelch ? I turn it up all the way to the right , and I still can’t hear weak stations ,, I want to hear static all the time , if you know what I mean . Any help , I’d appreciate it
@@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee On the 897 , the squelch knob is the same knob you use for all the bands , and all the modes ... there's no difference
Does the 897 and 897b both say 897 on the front panel? If so how would I know the difference?
Yes , they do both say "FT-897" on the face of them. The original FT-897 didn't have the 60 meter band in it because it wasn't available yet during the designing stages of it. The FT-897D added the 60 meter band to it, as well as a temperature-controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO-9) which was only optional on the original FT-897. So to be honest , you really can't tell them apart by just looking at them, you'd have to operate one to find their differences ... or know about when they were manufactured. I bought mine 3 months before they were discontinued so mine is definitely the 897D.
@RaccoonsRadioRanch ok thanks
Hello.... I am new to Amateur Radio and I would like to ask if you would recommend this model radio as my first shack Radio ? Thank You
Honestly , I really like the Yaesu FT-897d , and yes I would recommend it to anyone . They did discontinue the 897 shortly after I bought mine . So if you want one you'll have to buy a used one some place like QRZ.com , QTH.com , or on eBay. If you would like to buy one new, they are still making the mobile version of this radio , which is the Yaesu FT-857 , also a really good radio.
Hi it will do the parcel band 446 mhz with mars mode
what is a good antenna tuner fot the ft-897d
Personally , I use the LDG Z-11 Pro , and it works really well with my FT-897D . LDG also made the AT-897 Autotuner which mounts on the side of your FT-897 just like the original equipment does . So those are a couple of antenna tuners that you can look for .
ty i am buying a ft-897 re ft 897d so i hope the ldgz-11 pro works on both@@RaccoonsRadioRanch
@@RaccoonsRadioRanch hello thanks for your video...i have had a ft 897d and a LDG z 11 tuning box like your installation for a month but how do you connect your tuning box to the Tx? just with a simple coaxial and a 12v power cable or do you have a LDG cable. specific for my Ft897d? if so do you have a reference or model to give me? to move forward thanks for your answer...73 by Jim F4ECL
@@jean-marcmartin531 , I have an MFJ 25 amp "Mighty Lite" switching power supply that I use to power BOTH my FT-897d , and my LDG Z-11 Pro . How ? ... because this power supply has a 25 amp hookup on the face of it , that is perfect for the 897 , and a 5 amp hookup on the backside of it that is perfect for the Z-11 Pro antenna tuner . I only have to turn on one power supply to run both the radio and the antenna tuner .
It seems yaesu has lost something. I know the 991 has better filtering but it isn't an 897 or an 857, If they would put out an upgraded 897 or 857 I think they could have a winner
I've never tried the FT-991 out before, so I can't say anything about it one way the other . But I love my 897d , it has been my main radio for close to 10 years now .
I thought 40 meter was non voice.
40 meters is only "non-voice" down in the CW & Data portion of the band. The majority of the band is voice .
this guy is a hypocrite, he tells you at 14:16 about the MARS MOD (opening up to use 11mtrs or 27mhz) he says he wouldn't do it, but if you followed his Video when he was showing all the frequencies it will work on, it shows on the Yaesu FT897D screen channel @ 27.105.00 (3:12)................ just be honest pal, your Radio has or had the MARS MOD at the time of making this Video. ----> "YES" loved watching the Video all the same & "YES" i own an FT897D (shhh, with a Mars Mod - but that's me) my advice to Raccoon, speak the truth & no-one will ever pick Bloopers in your Videos................................ please make honest videos from now on so no-one can catch you out!
All FT-897's have the capability to go to 11 meters . So it's not hypocritical to use your 897 to listen in on the other bands . I'm sure that many of us do it . Just because it can go to 11 meters , doesn't mean that it's being keyed up there . I'm also sure that you'll find out that most of the 897's you're buying used these days have probably been MARS modded since the 60 meter band was added after they were manufactured , and ham operators were modding them so that they could key up there .
With that said , I have to tell people that they shouldn't be modding their radios to be used outside of their legal operating areas . If I don't , I'll get 100 people telling me in the comment section that I should be saying that in my videos ... versus the one guy who "Picks Bloopers In My Videos" . I'll take that one guys comment over 100 of them repeating the same comment over & over . Thanks for watching the video , I'm glad you liked it ... other than the "Blooper" .
Pmr band
The display is pathetic just like the worst display ever made on the FT-857D.
You must be an exception , because I'm looking at my display right now and it's looking fine to me , and my 897d is 10 years old . You're the first person I've heard of to have a complaint about the display on an FT-897 .