The Yaesu rep said that because of the change in components in the FT-818, the FCC required Yaesu to change the model number from 817 (so Yaesu did). Also the Yaesu rep said that the FT-817/818 is very popular with satellite users too. The size, the coverage and the price point can't be matched by anyone. And as great as the IC-705 is, it's also twice the price of the FT-818. So now there is big hole in the market now, nothing can replace it.
I've got the 818, and whilst it's unfair to compare it to the IC-705, the reality is I only ever take 705 for portable work. I agree with you entirely, Jonathan, I could live without the waterfall display on the 705, but if the 818 was released with battery tech more modern than the Baghdad battery and a USB sound interface, I'd probably favour it over the 705 for chucking in a backpack. It's a shame they didn't do that.
Had an 817ND for years. I did put a filter in it to make it useable for CW and widebanded it to allow use on 60m. I would suggest the following basic spec. for and 818 replacement: - Similar size as 817/818. - Simar cost as 817/818. - Waterproof. - SDR technology (no optional filters required). - Similar 817/818 rugged construction. - USB CAT/ audio - Ability to fit x3 3Ah 18650 internal batteries. - more robust power connector. - speech processor. - HF + 60 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 70cm - optional plug on ATU - optional plug on 100W HF linear - 10W CW and maybe 20W SSB - optional plug in "big" front panel with waterfall. - Ethernet port for remote control. - optional software for control from PC or remote control via network. - wireless headphone/mic option would be nice. - detachable front panel for mobile install. - built in "peg legs" 😆 A tall order. However, this is based on not just how I use my 817 but on a lot of typical 817/818 mods and accessories. It may be impossible to get all of the above at 818 cost but even with some of these additional features, I think a lot of hams would buy it. The idea that you can by one transciever for all modes and popular bands that can be used portable, field day, mobile or as a base station, QRP or 100W and with or without a computer might be something that many amateurs want? If Yaesu could sell the basic core QRP module at reasonable cost, it may a very attractive to many new amateurs who can buy the extra add on bits as required or as budget permits?
I agree with everything you’ve said, but Yaesu would never be able to produce that for the same price as they sold the FT-817/818 for. I think for that feature set you are looking at IC-705 money if not more. Thanks for watching 73!
I can't justify the money for an Icom 705, so a budget version would be perfect. I totally agree about the USB. Let's see what happens, Yaesu could have a winner if they follow youradvice.
I bought an FT-818 just as yaesu announced its discontinuation. It's a radio that just works, you turn it on and it does what it's supposed to do, no faffing about, No firmware updates to contend with, no bugs in the software or waiting for the next update to fix so glitch, it just works. Which other radio is this small and works flawlessly on 1W It's the consummate, go to portable QRP radio. And it's built like a tank unlike other offerings.
Hi Johnathan, I have an 817nd bought many years ago and am still very happy with it, have owned many portable QRP radios now, going forward with a possible replacement for the 818 yes I agree with you on the same format as the 817/818 it's a good rugged design with its front and rear antenna outputs I'd keep the LCD display good for days with bright sunlight being able to see the screen with out it being washed out by the sun handy, I'd like an improvement on the power efficiency some of the newer transceivers can draw less than 120Mw on Rx, having a speech compressor would be a bonus and design a empty battery compartment with BMS and balancing board that you could populate with your own 18650 cells in a 2s2p configuration.
You impart some very interesting ideas and thoughts here, Jonathan. Definitely an area Yaesu excelled in for many years. I'll be interested to see what they come up with.n I bought an 818 last Summer and am pleased to have it as a classic carry radio. It seems a good partner to the equally ubiquitous FT290 which new hams bought when I got my ticket in 1983. I still have my FT290 and it's still going strong. I hope my 818 does the same.
I have owned an 817ND for about 10 years and love the radio, they should have redesigned it by now but maybe the SDR architecture was not ready then, well it is now. Features I would like to see in a replacement radio over and above what we have now are:- 5 & 70MHz YSF Bluetooth connectivity lighter
A great vlog with really good content. I also have the 817ND and adore it. QRP suits me just fine as an M6 and my 857 will give me the full grunt of 10w if I really need it 😂. I'm not into all these fang-dangled modes and voice SSB is my only means of communications. Price is also a very good point, why on earth would I pay £1'200 for a similar radio when I can pay £600 or thereabouts and still get oodles of enjoyment from the hobby. Incidently, my only VK contact was with my 817 so I cant knock it. All my lightweight antennas are home brew and built to resonance so no tuner required and with the battery tray mode with rechargeable AA's, I can natter away for a good few hours no problem. All band, all mode in one tiny little easy to carry box, yep I'll be keeping mine forever.....
IC705 does not have 9600/flat audio. ft818/ft857d/ft897d/ft450d all have a data connector for tnc/soundcard and is capable of wideband. IC7100 also can take wide band audio (flat). ic9700, ic7300 and ic705 cannot. Doesn't matter much for HF, but is a very limiting factor on VHF and UHF.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and some very interesting content too although I haven’t caught a live stream as yet 🤞… I’m a bit hooked on QRP radios but that’s probably because I’m a 10 watter M7 so I find their feature sets all have their uses. The Elad FDM Duo for its SDR qualities, the 705 for it’s excellent receiver, touch screen and DStar, the Xiegu X6100 for its ease of use with the built in analyser, decent battery and built in PTT… However I really like the robustness of the FT-818 and really like the design with the dual antenna options and it’s simplicity even the small screen is good for me as I need my glasses anyway…. I agree with your comments about the connectivity and I think battery and charging needs a rethink and also think a radio with similar spec at the £600-£700 mark with the necessary improvements could be a real plus for Yaesu especially considering how QRP and portable operation is very popular with HF improving and you can never have too many toys can you 73 👍
Hi Jonathan! Great video as always! I do own a 817nd, and it's a fixture in my life! :-) As quirky and sometimes counter-intuitive it is, it's just one of those "analog" devices that you keep with you for the sake of it. It is still enormously capable, as Peter Parker VK3YE keeps on showing us from down under. It will stay remarkable even now that Yaesu has discontinued it, these little wonders will be treasured by all who have one. Should Yaesu have discontinued it? I think so, yes. Redesigning the 818nd will take almost as much energy as designing a new radio from scratch. In fact, I'm willing to bet that part of the reason for them having to discontinue the 818nd is that they are actually in a design cycle right now, and cannot be distracted by having to faff about diverting resources away from that activity. I just hope that they actually listen to ideas from their users this time... I think that Yaesu actually have a chance to break away from the old 817/818 form-factor, because arguably the IC-705/X6100/X5105/KX2/KX3 form-factor is a lot better from a design and control perspective. You can simply fit in a lot more controls that way, and still have room to spare for a reasonably-sized screen like the KX2. Buttons, not menus! :-) Cheers, Jan (M7HNK)
I'm not convinced on the form factor argument. Of course, it's personal preference, but the 817 has a more rugged slim-line build. For proper portable, like SOTA, I think the 817 is more robust. I have to wrap my 705 up in a towel to protect the screen if I put it in a backpack, and the brick shape is a bit awkward to stow. I still take the 705 over the 818, but... that little 817/818 box would be more convenient. I wish upon a star that they release a new model, SDR, all band, IP rated, same form factor as the 817, lithium battery, soundcard, pretty much the same as the 817 but with optional bluetooth cat control to a phone app if you want to have an easier time of the menus.... I can dream. :)
@@nathanw851 I agree that the 817 is indeed more rugged than the "flat-face" form-factor on the 705. And in fact the reason that you have to wrap your 705 in a towel is the one that made me decide to not get it, to pay north of £1k for a QRP radio that isn't rugged did not make sense to me at the time. While I don't have a strong preference between the "edge-face" and "flat-face" designs, the "flat-face" one is definitely more ergonomic simply due to the fact that there is more space to put stuff. Arguably the most robust QRP radio of all (lab 599's TX-500) is a flat-facer, and as a result have great ergonomics and a fabulous screen. But yes I hear you, I'll wish upon that same star of yours to get something approximating what you said - form-factor be damned! :-) I'll take the 817-style body if it comes with all the nice features and all-bands capability (including 2m and 70cm). And let's throw 4m into the pot as well! :-)
Good job Johnathan. I have an 818 (wife calls it “the cute radio”.) It’s very capable but definitely needed to be upgraded for the 21st century. I’m really hoping still for a modern IC7000 from the big boys. 100W, mobile/portable with HF/UHF/VHF. That’s the big hole in the market right now.
I like my FT817 had it several years. Screen size is not a problem for me as I need glasses to see everything these days. Don't like touch screen radios with sticky finger marks all over them. Run mine with an SCU 17 no issues with out door digital modes with a good laptop and resonant antennas and 3 watts out.
I love my 818. I own the 705 and the 6100 from Xeigu. These are great radios in their price points but for out and about, the 818 is built like a tank. I'm also happy with retro-esque form factor. Try using touch screen when its freezing outside and you have thick thermal gloves on. If they made the exact same radio with 10w, better battery technology, a more modern screen similar to the FT5D, a usb interface and sound card, and maybe even fusion, all for a sub 1K price, it would fly off the shelves.
Yes, I own 2, 817 and 817nd, both are great. I have done a lot of QRP in the field and made a lot of DX contacts with a inverted-V and the 3-element portable yagi in a bage. I was ar Pacificacon in San Jose California when the 817 was introduced and they could not sell them fast enough.
I hope that Yaesu takes a good look at the market and creates a successor to the 818. I own the 705 and though it's a great radio, I always wanted a QRP radio to be... More weather resistant. Eventually I decided to purchase a Lab599. It's thin, lightweight, water resistant, and has 10w of power. Most handheld radios are now being produced to withstand rain. Why should a QRP radio be any different?
Great video .. I wanna know where is the Kenwood replacement radio for IC703 . ? The 818 should been a 10 watt radio and should been out till 2026 atleast. Maybe they think they need a higher prices radio
I completely misread the title. I thought you had killed your personal FT-818. That being said, good overview of the history of that radio. What will, or should, come next is well beyond on my pay grade as a new ham.
Hi great thoughts Jonathan. I have had my 817 for 6 months. Would really like the Kx3 but want to see what yaesu pull out of the hat. Yes I use to get hung up with the internal tuner but like you said use a resonant antenna, all of mine are. Need all the help I can with only 5w. Love my 817nd. Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏻
Most businesses have the capability to give us what we want at a decent price, but don’t. Sweating the most out of products gives them a better return. I owned a 817 and didn’t get on with it and have a KX3 which I love at a much higher price point. I makes sense for Yaesu to replace the 818 for all the points made on this vid. We wait and see. 73 Mike
I think, that yaesu should compare their new radio with the Xiegu 6110. The new one should be rugged and compact for portable outdoor use, should have 10 Watt, inbuilt battery, waterfall, and of course an inbuilt good Tuner.
Have you heard any updates on this yet Jonathan? And if you guys are able to talk to the Yaesu reps, can you ask them to create an IC9700 competitor please? It's ridiculous that they haven't made one yet. And no, the 991A is not the same thing. Thanks!
Hi John. I’m as much on the outside looking in at Yaesu as much as you are. My “insider” knowledge ended in November 2021 🤣. I doubt Yaesu will go down the 9700 route, small market and dominated by Icom, Yaesu will be making the business decision to focus on HF-70cms
@@M0JSX I feel quite foolish - I didn't realise you had left. Sorry. I wish you the best with whatever you are doing in life now. I met you in the shop a few times - you were always kind. Best, John 2E0SVB
I for years have thought they should have an FT-827, that would have 20-25 watts out, better power connector, maybe OLED screen, and DSP. 20 watts has generally been considered the starting point for reliable communications. Why no major manufacturer has seen this …..I do not know.
My first radio was a used 706 mk2g. I knew several hams with 857’s . I never understood why those radios were discontinued or upgraded to newer tech, then the 705 was released at a price point which was clearly out of reach for a regular person on a budget so maybe that explains it all. If Yaesu did release an everything we all wants radio how many thousands would it need to be?
Killing this particular one makes all the sense though. I mean the optional filter hasn't been manufactured for years. Time to embrace DSP/SDR. Own a FT-817ND by the way. Will keep it and down the road maybe get another for parts :)
but if you added all that it would have to be larger. need a larger battery. and not be as "easy" to transport. aka: lug around 10 pounds or 30 pounds. i would rather do 5 pounds of weight. and then just size of the carry box, bag, etc. the 817/818 was built to fit a nitch. anything else might not fit. and QRP is meant to be low power.. right?
i think the new radio should build around a battery that is common and stored internal; make an internal solar charge controller and include a solar panel connection. why? EMCOM.
I'd rather they made something in the spirit of the KX2 which is what I'm looking at right now. The 818 is fantastic but the design is outdated I think.
I bought my 817ND in 2015 and unfortunately life got in the way shortly afterwards. It's still sat in the box as new as the day I bought it with barely any usage. lol
The 818 always looked a dead end but I suspect the market for the 817 was still strong so it was put out as a stop gap. (It seems that ICOM held the cards close to their chest and Yaesu made a strategic error.) Hopefully, there is something better in the pipeline but the Xeigu offerings, and similar rigs like the mcHF, are firmly entrenched and provide a low cost entry into the hobby. Xeigu must surely be looking at consolidation and as its reputation improves will probably be moving into the gap left by Yaesu. Unless Yaesu has something very close to release, its days may be numbered in the QRP market.
Whilst the IC705 is impressive in terms of size and spec, it's also a user interface nightmare, I don't enjoy it in the same way as the ft817, it feels like I'm having a bad day at the office instead of simply enjoying my radio, I don't get much time to spend on ham radio and the IC705 eats all the available time simply trying to get it set up, I don't think I've made a single transmission with it after owning it for several months.
My experience with the IC-705 couldn't be further from yours. I plug it in and am off. Is there something in particular which is causing you the issue?
@@M0JSX I don't do amateur radio frequently and when I get a spare hour I really struggle with the menus and spend more time reading the manual than using the radio. . I bought the ic705 to replace my worn out ft817 which I've owned since 2005 but I just don't have enough time to learn how to how to use it and get familiar with the UI.
Moved away from yaesu, the dx101 was the pits, and never took to that radio, I couldn't wait to sell it... So I've gone full SDR and what a big difference... Looking forward to ICOM IC905, at least ICOM are thinking outside the box, yaesu just keep making more HF radios, which there's loads in the market already. They missed a trick by not replacing the FT847, but hey their loss. Probably won't ever go back to a button radio taking up loads of space on the desk....
If you like doing a Firmware Upgrade every week or two I guess they are OK but they have had so many issues with pretty much every model.I almost purchased one last February and I’m so happy I found my ICOM 703 PLUS at Orlando Hamcation for just $360.It was a STEAL of a DEAL & I will buy them all day for that price.If hears as well as my ICOM 7000 I believe.👍👏🎙
I used to be a Yaesu guy but just not impressed with any "new" innovations from Yaesu. The word new in quotations because I don't think anything they have out (less than $2000 price point) is new. I debated getting the 991a but reviews and other hams convinced me to go with the IC-7300. I'm sold on Icom now. I have a G90 also, have had it about a year, the screen is just a bit small for my failing eyes. Never updated firmware and it works great.
Apart from not having 2mts and 70 cms,in my opinion the Xiegu G90 blows the 817,818 out of the water. I owned the 817 nd,the screen was difficult for me to see,the internel battery life was poor,and to be honest its receiver left a lot to be deired.I sold the 817nd and bought the Xiegu G90,(not from mr lynch may i add),and the rst is history L)
@@M0JSX Agreee Yaesu don't look at the erognomics of operating a radio, providing 3D scope gimmicks etc instead.. Give full SDR a try, you won't regret it.
I have had my817 ND for several years, (when I started properlyabout ten yrs ago) but less used now as no USB. I have to take big set in car. New design of technology needed but same form factor with internal battery and all band / mode. Improve the human interface, proper menu like 7300 not try to remember code and scroll . Always thought rx was good, should have bought Amp instead of my FT450D. Rely on FT991A now except for cheap used Icom 2m for simplex. Price was my original deciding factor as an M6 otherwise I would have needed two radios. Many of our newer club members only have Baofeng or Xiegu so are missing out on HF.
@@alanjones3873 I only use my ICOM 703 PLUS for portable operating usually because I also have an ICOM 7600 and ICOM 9100 so I am not in the market for any radio at this point.👍🎙
The Yaesu rep said that because of the change in components in the FT-818, the FCC required Yaesu to change the model number from 817 (so Yaesu did). Also the Yaesu rep said that the FT-817/818 is very popular with satellite users too. The size, the coverage and the price point can't be matched by anyone. And as great as the IC-705 is, it's also twice the price of the FT-818. So now there is big hole in the market now, nothing can replace it.
I've got the 818, and whilst it's unfair to compare it to the IC-705, the reality is I only ever take 705 for portable work. I agree with you entirely, Jonathan, I could live without the waterfall display on the 705, but if the 818 was released with battery tech more modern than the Baghdad battery and a USB sound interface, I'd probably favour it over the 705 for chucking in a backpack. It's a shame they didn't do that.
Had an 817ND for years. I did put a filter in it to make it useable for CW and widebanded it to allow use on 60m. I would suggest the following basic spec. for and 818 replacement:
- Similar size as 817/818.
- Simar cost as 817/818.
- Waterproof.
- SDR technology (no optional filters required).
- Similar 817/818 rugged construction.
- USB CAT/ audio
- Ability to fit x3 3Ah 18650 internal batteries.
- more robust power connector.
- speech processor.
- HF + 60 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 70cm
- optional plug on ATU
- optional plug on 100W HF linear
- 10W CW and maybe 20W SSB
- optional plug in "big" front panel with waterfall.
- Ethernet port for remote control.
- optional software for control from PC or remote control via network.
- wireless headphone/mic option would be nice.
- detachable front panel for mobile install.
- built in "peg legs" 😆
A tall order. However, this is based on not just how I use my 817 but on a lot of typical 817/818 mods and accessories. It may be impossible to get all of the above at 818 cost but even with some of these additional features, I think a lot of hams would buy it.
The idea that you can by one transciever for all modes and popular bands that can be used portable, field day, mobile or as a base station, QRP or 100W and with or without a computer might be something that many amateurs want?
If Yaesu could sell the basic core QRP module at reasonable cost, it may a very attractive to many new amateurs who can buy the extra add on bits as required or as budget permits?
I agree with everything you’ve said, but Yaesu would never be able to produce that for the same price as they sold the FT-817/818 for. I think for that feature set you are looking at IC-705 money if not more. Thanks for watching 73!
I can't justify the money for an Icom 705, so a budget version would be perfect. I totally agree about the USB. Let's see what happens, Yaesu could have a winner if they follow youradvice.
I bought an FT-818 just as yaesu announced its discontinuation.
It's a radio that just works, you turn it on and it does what it's supposed to do, no faffing about, No firmware updates to contend with, no bugs in the software or waiting for the next update to fix so glitch, it just works.
Which other radio is this small and works flawlessly on 1W
It's the consummate, go to portable QRP radio.
And it's built like a tank unlike other offerings.
Hi Johnathan, I have an 817nd bought many years ago and am still very happy with it, have owned many portable QRP radios now, going forward with a possible replacement for the 818 yes I agree with you on the same format as the 817/818 it's a good rugged design with its front and rear antenna outputs I'd keep the LCD display good for days with bright sunlight being able to see the screen with out it being washed out by the sun handy, I'd like an improvement on the power efficiency some of the newer transceivers can draw less than 120Mw on Rx, having a speech compressor would be a bonus and design a empty battery compartment with BMS and balancing board that you could populate with your own 18650 cells in a 2s2p configuration.
I have just purchased a ft818. From MLS Going to run it with the slide winder antenna. hopefully get some good results....
You impart some very interesting ideas and thoughts here, Jonathan. Definitely an area Yaesu excelled in for many years. I'll be interested to see what they come up with.n I bought an 818 last Summer and am pleased to have it as a classic carry radio. It seems a good partner to the equally ubiquitous FT290 which new hams bought when I got my ticket in 1983. I still have my FT290 and it's still going strong. I hope my 818 does the same.
Thanks for the comment. I can’t see ac reason why the 818 wouldn’t have a longevity similar to your FT-290. 73!
I have owned an 817ND for about 10 years and love the radio, they should have redesigned it by now but maybe the SDR architecture was not ready then, well it is now. Features I would like to see in a replacement radio over and above what we have now are:-
5 & 70MHz
YSF
Bluetooth connectivity
lighter
A great vlog with really good content. I also have the 817ND and adore it. QRP suits me just fine as an M6 and my 857 will give me the full grunt of 10w if I really need it 😂. I'm not into all these fang-dangled modes and voice SSB is my only means of communications. Price is also a very good point, why on earth would I pay £1'200 for a similar radio when I can pay £600 or thereabouts and still get oodles of enjoyment from the hobby. Incidently, my only VK contact was with my 817 so I cant knock it. All my lightweight antennas are home brew and built to resonance so no tuner required and with the battery tray mode with rechargeable AA's, I can natter away for a good few hours no problem. All band, all mode in one tiny little easy to carry box, yep I'll be keeping mine forever.....
IC705 does not have 9600/flat audio. ft818/ft857d/ft897d/ft450d all have a data connector for tnc/soundcard and is capable of wideband. IC7100 also can take wide band audio (flat). ic9700, ic7300 and ic705 cannot. Doesn't matter much for HF, but is a very limiting factor on VHF and UHF.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and some very interesting content too although I haven’t caught a live stream as yet 🤞… I’m a bit hooked on QRP radios but that’s probably because I’m a 10 watter M7 so I find their feature sets all have their uses. The Elad FDM Duo for its SDR qualities, the 705 for it’s excellent receiver, touch screen and DStar, the Xiegu X6100 for its ease of use with the built in analyser, decent battery and built in PTT… However I really like the robustness of the FT-818 and really like the design with the dual antenna options and it’s simplicity even the small screen is good for me as I need my glasses anyway…. I agree with your comments about the connectivity and I think battery and charging needs a rethink and also think a radio with similar spec at the £600-£700 mark with the necessary improvements could be a real plus for Yaesu especially considering how QRP and portable operation is very popular with HF improving and you can never have too many toys can you 73 👍
Hi Jonathan! Great video as always! I do own a 817nd, and it's a fixture in my life! :-) As quirky and sometimes counter-intuitive it is, it's just one of those "analog" devices that you keep with you for the sake of it. It is still enormously capable, as Peter Parker VK3YE keeps on showing us from down under. It will stay remarkable even now that Yaesu has discontinued it, these little wonders will be treasured by all who have one.
Should Yaesu have discontinued it? I think so, yes. Redesigning the 818nd will take almost as much energy as designing a new radio from scratch. In fact, I'm willing to bet that part of the reason for them having to discontinue the 818nd is that they are actually in a design cycle right now, and cannot be distracted by having to faff about diverting resources away from that activity. I just hope that they actually listen to ideas from their users this time...
I think that Yaesu actually have a chance to break away from the old 817/818 form-factor, because arguably the IC-705/X6100/X5105/KX2/KX3 form-factor is a lot better from a design and control perspective. You can simply fit in a lot more controls that way, and still have room to spare for a reasonably-sized screen like the KX2. Buttons, not menus! :-)
Cheers,
Jan (M7HNK)
Thanks Jan. Very interesting. We can hope that Yaesu is working on something behind the scenes. 73
I'm not convinced on the form factor argument. Of course, it's personal preference, but the 817 has a more rugged slim-line build. For proper portable, like SOTA, I think the 817 is more robust. I have to wrap my 705 up in a towel to protect the screen if I put it in a backpack, and the brick shape is a bit awkward to stow. I still take the 705 over the 818, but... that little 817/818 box would be more convenient. I wish upon a star that they release a new model, SDR, all band, IP rated, same form factor as the 817, lithium battery, soundcard, pretty much the same as the 817 but with optional bluetooth cat control to a phone app if you want to have an easier time of the menus.... I can dream. :)
@@nathanw851 I agree that the 817 is indeed more rugged than the "flat-face" form-factor on the 705. And in fact the reason that you have to wrap your 705 in a towel is the one that made me decide to not get it, to pay north of £1k for a QRP radio that isn't rugged did not make sense to me at the time. While I don't have a strong preference between the "edge-face" and "flat-face" designs, the "flat-face" one is definitely more ergonomic simply due to the fact that there is more space to put stuff. Arguably the most robust QRP radio of all (lab 599's TX-500) is a flat-facer, and as a result have great ergonomics and a fabulous screen. But yes I hear you, I'll wish upon that same star of yours to get something approximating what you said - form-factor be damned! :-) I'll take the 817-style body if it comes with all the nice features and all-bands capability (including 2m and 70cm). And let's throw 4m into the pot as well! :-)
Good job Johnathan. I have an 818 (wife calls it “the cute radio”.) It’s very capable but definitely needed to be upgraded for the 21st century. I’m really hoping still for a modern IC7000 from the big boys. 100W, mobile/portable with HF/UHF/VHF. That’s the big hole in the market right now.
Thanks Tom. I’d like Yaesu to produce a modern 857. HF-UHF with fusion and ATAS support. That would be sweet
I like my FT817 had it several years. Screen size is not a problem for me as I need glasses to see everything these days. Don't like touch screen radios with sticky finger marks all over them. Run mine with an SCU 17 no issues with out door digital modes with a good laptop and resonant antennas and 3 watts out.
I love my 818. I own the 705 and the 6100 from Xeigu. These are great radios in their price points but for out and about, the 818 is built like a tank. I'm also happy with retro-esque form factor. Try using touch screen when its freezing outside and you have thick thermal gloves on. If they made the exact same radio with 10w, better battery technology, a more modern screen similar to the FT5D, a usb interface and sound card, and maybe even fusion, all for a sub 1K price, it would fly off the shelves.
Yes, I own 2, 817 and 817nd, both are great. I have done a lot of QRP in the field and made a lot of DX contacts with a inverted-V and the 3-element portable yagi in a bage.
I was ar Pacificacon in San Jose California when the 817 was introduced and they could not sell them fast enough.
I hope that Yaesu takes a good look at the market and creates a successor to the 818. I own the 705 and though it's a great radio, I always wanted a QRP radio to be... More weather resistant.
Eventually I decided to purchase a Lab599. It's thin, lightweight, water resistant, and has 10w of power. Most handheld radios are now being produced to withstand rain. Why should a QRP radio be any different?
Great video ..
I wanna know where is the Kenwood replacement radio
for IC703 . ?
The 818 should been a 10 watt radio and should been out till 2026 atleast. Maybe they think they need a higher prices radio
I think we are all waiting with baited breath for a new Kenwood radio!
I completely misread the title. I thought you had killed your personal FT-818. That being said, good overview of the history of that radio. What will, or should, come next is well beyond on my pay grade as a new ham.
Sorry! I can see why you might think that! Your opinion is always welcomed regardless of ‘time as a ham’. 73!
Hi great thoughts Jonathan. I have had my 817 for 6 months. Would really like the Kx3 but want to see what yaesu pull out of the hat. Yes I use to get hung up with the internal tuner but like you said use a resonant antenna, all of mine are. Need all the help I can with only 5w.
Love my 817nd.
Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏻
Most businesses have the capability to give us what we want at a decent price, but don’t. Sweating the most out of products gives them a better return. I owned a 817 and didn’t get on with it and have a KX3 which I love at a much higher price point. I makes sense for Yaesu to replace the 818 for all the points made on this vid. We wait and see. 73 Mike
I think, that yaesu should compare their new radio with the Xiegu 6110. The new one should be rugged and compact for portable outdoor use, should have 10 Watt, inbuilt battery, waterfall, and of course an inbuilt good Tuner.
Yaesu have some nice secrets of the new models it's exciting I have the 710 & 818
Have you heard any updates on this yet Jonathan? And if you guys are able to talk to the Yaesu reps, can you ask them to create an IC9700 competitor please? It's ridiculous that they haven't made one yet. And no, the 991A is not the same thing. Thanks!
Hi John. I’m as much on the outside looking in at Yaesu as much as you are. My “insider” knowledge ended in November 2021 🤣. I doubt Yaesu will go down the 9700 route, small market and dominated by Icom, Yaesu will be making the business decision to focus on HF-70cms
@@M0JSX I feel quite foolish - I didn't realise you had left. Sorry. I wish you the best with whatever you are doing in life now. I met you in the shop a few times - you were always kind. Best, John 2E0SVB
@@johnratcliffe6438 no need to apologise! 73!
The 817/ND/ 818 is a Classic.
I for years have thought they should have an FT-827, that would have 20-25 watts out, better power connector, maybe OLED screen, and DSP. 20 watts has generally been considered the starting point for reliable communications. Why no major manufacturer has seen this …..I do not know.
My first radio was a used 706 mk2g. I knew several hams with 857’s . I never understood why those radios were discontinued or upgraded to newer tech, then the 705 was released at a price point which was clearly out of reach for a regular person on a budget so maybe that explains it all. If Yaesu did release an everything we all wants radio how many thousands would it need to be?
Something new I hope Yaesu need to bring something out to compete with icom 705 and Xiego I agree with everything you said
Thank you for this video! i don't like the Yaesu radios because of the (IMO) very bad menu navigation :/ vy73, Dietmar, DL4HAO :)
I think a FT-819 with modern architecture but in basically the same package would sell like hotcakes.
Killing this particular one makes all the sense though. I mean the optional filter hasn't been manufactured for years. Time to embrace DSP/SDR. Own a FT-817ND by the way. Will keep it and down the road maybe get another for parts :)
but if you added all that it would have to be larger. need a larger battery. and not be as "easy" to transport. aka: lug around 10 pounds or 30 pounds. i would rather do 5 pounds of weight. and then just size of the carry box, bag, etc. the 817/818 was built to fit a nitch. anything else might not fit.
and QRP is meant to be low power.. right?
i think the new radio should build around a battery that is common and stored internal; make an internal solar charge controller and include a solar panel connection. why? EMCOM.
Someother new thing that Elmers buy. And a big wallet.
I'd rather they made something in the spirit of the KX2 which is what I'm looking at right now. The 818 is fantastic but the design is outdated I think.
Great video but i doubt Yaesu is listening.
Once had an 817 (non-ND). Should have kept it.
I bought my 817ND in 2015 and unfortunately life got in the way shortly afterwards.
It's still sat in the box as new as the day I bought it with barely any usage. lol
If you haven’t already done so, do grab a filter for it. I suspect they will be rare in a couple of years, and really help the receiver. 73!
@@M0JSX TCXO?
@@Paul-Howell-M3EYG High stability crystal oscillator.
What should come next? What you said. What's likely to come next? Bad UI and buggy firmware. Just saying.
The 818 always looked a dead end but I suspect the market for the 817 was still strong so it was put out as a stop gap. (It seems that ICOM held the cards close to their chest and Yaesu made a strategic error.) Hopefully, there is something better in the pipeline but the Xeigu offerings, and similar rigs like the mcHF, are firmly entrenched and provide a low cost entry into the hobby. Xeigu must surely be looking at consolidation and as its reputation improves will probably be moving into the gap left by Yaesu. Unless Yaesu has something very close to release, its days may be numbered in the QRP market.
Whilst the IC705 is impressive in terms of size and spec, it's also a user interface nightmare, I don't enjoy it in the same way as the ft817, it feels like I'm having a bad day at the office instead of simply enjoying my radio, I don't get much time to spend on ham radio and the IC705 eats all the available time simply trying to get it set up, I don't think I've made a single transmission with it after owning it for several months.
My experience with the IC-705 couldn't be further from yours. I plug it in and am off. Is there something in particular which is causing you the issue?
@@M0JSX I don't do amateur radio frequently and when I get a spare hour I really struggle with the menus and spend more time reading the manual than using the radio. . I bought the ic705 to replace my worn out ft817 which I've owned since 2005 but I just don't have enough time to learn how to how to use it and get familiar with the UI.
If the IC-705 included 2m and 70cm I would buy one tomorrow.
It does! 10W out on HF/6/2/70. 73!
@@M0JSX I must have missed that in the description of it and reviews. People only talked about HF and 6m. I am going to revisit HRO
Include a cw filter
I bought one used...
Moved away from yaesu, the dx101 was the pits, and never took to that radio, I couldn't wait to sell it... So I've gone full SDR and what a big difference...
Looking forward to ICOM IC905, at least ICOM are thinking outside the box, yaesu just keep making more HF radios, which there's loads in the market already.
They missed a trick by not replacing the FT847, but hey their loss.
Probably won't ever go back to a button radio taking up loads of space on the desk....
I think there is room for both. If I were to go down the flex route, id probably go for the 6400M. Buttons are nice to twiddle! 🤣
Gas Station USB Cable FTW!
Well, mine was from Amazon, but it’s about the same quality!
@@M0JSX It doesn't have to be good... to be good.
Xiegu I think will dominate this market....Yaesu step away
I think Xiegu will dominate the ‘cheaper’ end but that leaves heaps of room for another manufacturer to occupy the middle market. 73!
If you like doing a Firmware Upgrade every week or two I guess they are OK but they have had so many issues with pretty much every model.I almost purchased one last February and I’m so happy I found my ICOM 703 PLUS at Orlando Hamcation for just $360.It was a STEAL of a DEAL & I will buy them all day for that price.If hears as well as my ICOM 7000 I believe.👍👏🎙
I used to be a Yaesu guy but just not impressed with any "new" innovations from Yaesu. The word new in quotations because I don't think anything they have out (less than $2000 price point) is new. I debated getting the 991a but reviews and other hams convinced me to go with the IC-7300. I'm sold on Icom now.
I have a G90 also, have had it about a year, the screen is just a bit small for my failing eyes. Never updated firmware and it works great.
@@mrbyamile6973 Yaesu have the FTdx10 launched a couple of years ago, and the FT-710 launched last year. They are still making ‘new’ equipment
Apart from not having 2mts and 70 cms,in my opinion the Xiegu G90 blows the 817,818 out of the water. I owned the 817 nd,the screen was difficult for me to see,the internel battery life was poor,and to be honest its receiver left a lot to be deired.I sold the 817nd and bought the Xiegu G90,(not from mr lynch may i add),and the rst is history L)
You are free to purchase from whichever dealer you would like too 🙂. Thanks for your comment. 73!
😂😂😂😂
First!
What you should do next is buy an ICOM and leave that Yaesu junk alone.Did you know YAESU = Yet Another Excuse Simply Useless?
I own equipment from many manufacturers including Icom and Yaesu. It’s healthy competition between them they continues development and innovation. 73!
@@M0JSX Agreee Yaesu don't look at the erognomics of operating a radio, providing 3D scope gimmicks etc instead.. Give full SDR a try, you won't regret it.
@@M0JSX I’ll take my ICOM 703 PLUS over any QRP Radio ever built by anyone.👍🎙
I have had my817 ND for several years, (when I started properlyabout ten yrs ago) but less used now as no USB. I have to take big set in car. New design of technology needed but same form factor with internal battery and all band / mode. Improve the human interface, proper menu like 7300 not try to remember code and scroll . Always thought rx was good, should have bought Amp instead of my FT450D. Rely on FT991A now except for cheap used Icom 2m for simplex. Price was my original deciding factor as an M6 otherwise I would have needed two radios. Many of our newer club members only have Baofeng or Xiegu so are missing out on HF.
@@alanjones3873 I only use my ICOM 703 PLUS for portable operating usually because I also have an ICOM 7600 and ICOM 9100 so I am not in the market for any radio at this point.👍🎙
nice video Sir ! Mark, 2E0MSR
Thanks! 😃