Ham radio HF Go-Kit QRP contacts FT-817 portable communications
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Here is a video about my go-kit with my FT-817 and making some contacts QRP. Videos on almost all items can be seen on my channel. In this kit i have everything from 80m - 70cm with battery and solar charging, 110v inverter, APRS, packet/Winlink, PSK31. Below are some links for some of the items and some discounted promo codes to use when purchasing.
(10 watt handheld) www.amazon.com...
(Tape measure antenna) www.gigaparts.... (discount code HRCtape)
(MFJ antenna used on beach) www.gigaparts....
(Stealth dipole, use promo code HRCdipole for savings) www.ebay.com/us...
(solar charge controller and power distribution) ki0bk.no-ip.com...
Support my channel and efforts at www.patreon.com/hamradioconcepts
Hi Eric, although you'll probably never see this, I thought I would just let you know that this video was a big inspiration on me. I watched this just as I got my Tech back in August of 2019 at the age of 16. I made it one of my dream goals in my ham radio adventures to stand on the beach in the sand with an FT-818 in my hand and a MFJ-1899T and make a contact just like you did. Well, 2 years later, at the age of 18, I was standing on the beach at Point Reyes, CA, feet in the water, Yaesu FT-818 slung across my neck, MFJ-1899T shooting out of the face, talking to a guy about 700 miles north of me in Mount Vernon, WA. Thank you very much for your inspiration and amazing content! Keep it up!
Very cool the FT-817/818 makes me very excited i must get it!
This was so cool! I recently passed my Tech exam, just waiting on the call sign to come in to start lighting up the airwaves!
Now THATS what ham radio is all about. Who says it’s a dying hobby? I say it’s evolving.
Now we just need to get more of it taught in schools to keep it that way. 👍
@LonerWolf Patriot speaking as someone in my 20's and a part of a ham club with 30 others in their 20's I would respectively disagree
This video was technical research for me while I am putting together and testing some of my components for my go kit. I've already tested some while camping and had some good and bad tests. I am very inspired and impressed with the size of your kit and will be utilizing some of the techniques (especially the tape counterpoise) idea. I would love to see a video just on how you use that tape measure and make the connections etc. This is the spirit of ham radio in action! Also congratulations to Salia on recreating the experiment. That's what the research and experimentation is all about! Keep making this amateur service better! Great videos on the channel here. N7MWH (washington)
I never thought of tape measure fo conerpois before ! Good idea!
Florida to SD, THAT'S impressive!
Hi Eric, great video. Has inspired me to push my 817 back into service for some manpack QRP portable 🙂
I live my little 817nd. There's so much radio in such a tiny package
you got me inspired. I bought an 817nd and an Alex loop about a year ago. Made a couple contacts from my living room but never went out portable with it. Need to put a bag together now!
Thanks for the idea! I bought an MFJ-1899T and made a contact with a pilot flying to Jamaica within minutes of trying. I was standing in my backyard with an FT-817. Fun stuff!!!
Great contact. Standing on the beach--does not get much better than that.
Eric, I admire your enthusiasm for your sport. Good onya mate.
I had a 817 years ago when they came out and regret ever selling it. Great audio on those little rigs. Nice video!
Ham Radio with K0PIR I have sold so much gear I regret selling now
There are not many things that irritate be about amateur radio. One of them, though, is how inconsiderate operators tune at full power on-frequency. Most antennas are so high-Q that they need to be tuned on-frequency. I tune away 5khz, reduce power, and then run the matching transformer system. Then I can tune back, knowing that I didn't interrupt the conversation and knowing that my antenna and radio are matched.
I've been tempted to buy the FT-818ND as a go-kit radio (and to just keep in my 4Runner). I love to see other's go-kits and yours is really interesting. I'll be back to inventory what you did and add that to the development of my own kit.
73 de AG7TX
This go kit is old. Check out my video on what I have now in the waterproof gobag
God I hope this guy here it gets a table at Orlando I would really enjoy shaking his hand
Hi Eric, I just got the MFJ-1899t and was a bit dubious as to whether it would work or be a flop. I’m pleased to say it has exceeded my expectations. On its first outing last week I managed 1345 miles Into southern Italy (from NE England) and today 1000 miles into northern Italy. Both on 20 metres using the tape measure trick as a counterpoise .....brilliant 👍🏻👍🏻........Paul
That tape measure trick is pure genius 👍🏻👍🏻 .....Paul
Love this whole combined kit solution. Will need to consider all this as a go kit solution myself. Bet it's all less that $1000 combined.
You literally have it “made in the shade” VERY nicely done
After watching your videos, I think the FT817 is going on my wish list.
Great job E.
Hope you've watched my video when I operated from Puerto Rico with my Icom AH-703 antenna much like your MFJ also on the beach. On 10m I created a pile up that made bringing everything with me all worth the work. Enjoy your vids and keep them coming.
73!
Oh, I also have a Vid you can watch on my QRZ page holding my FT-817 in hand with antenna on front BNC in a wilderness preserve. Worked great. 73
I keep going back to this video
Great kit and use of space! Nice contact on the beach!
-KD2JPV
So much fun watching this. Love seeing those mfj antennas in action as I've been considering them also. Nice go kit too! I'm jealous of that tnc.
Cool as hell. Standing on the beach making a contact. Bad ass. I have a house in Jensen beach. W3GTR.
I found your channel through OH8STN. Great work on the beach! I switched over to a LifePO4 battery to save weight in my gokit. The SLAB was double the weight and half the capacity. Hope you can do a video on APRSDroid some day.
73
m3urz i wish this country had the weather for all that fun. sitting indoors pissing with rain.
Great video, my Dad lives in Vero, I will make contact on next visit... fine work there, Round Island is a great park
Great video on all your go-box kit and your beach QSO. I am just starting out with my new 817ND and am thinking about getting the wonder wand. I love your little MFJ QRP tuner which is available over here in the UK and less than £50. Many thanks and keep up the good work. 73 M6KVK
Hi, Eric. Nice beach operation! I really hate when alpha-hotels insist on tuning up on top of a station. I hear a lot of this, along with intentional QRM, when I'm trying to work POTA activators. 73 and best DX. Mike K3CXG in Maryland.
Eric, been having fun the the FT-817ND and the MFJ-1899T as well. I've been using the clothesline reel idea, works great but have to mark the wire to the different freqs. Awesome and informative video. Man you have that case packed. Awesome idea!
73's
Michael
KM4CBZ
do you use your 1899T indoors? I bought one and i'm not having any luck!
Thanks.
I havent used it indoors, but are you having a problem with it indoors, or a problem tuning it up.??
no problem tuning but i'm not hearing anyone...anywhere, with the exception of some cw on 40 meters at night (i don't do cw).
I would say you need to use it outdoors, it was designed for portable operation in the field, so might be reacting with all the stuff in the home.
Your probably right, when i consider the fact that there are in excess of 60 neighbors within 2 buildings here so with all the LED tv's, the lighting, and all of the electronics, i'm surprised that i was even able to hear cw! LOL Thanks for posting all of the great videos, i really enjoy them and i have learned quite a bit. Question, i see videos of people connecting their counterpoise to the rig, shouldn't it be connected to the antenna?
Thank you
That tape measure hack us brilliant!
Might need to drive up to the Vero Area. Some very interesting stuff here
Congratulations on your handheld HF beach contact! 73, K7SAK
VK3YE and his channel does it too. great vids
The magic of 20 meters
I really enjoy your videos Eric. Good work! I'm 99% CW and most of that QRP. I own two FT-817s and just love them. 72 de VA3YG Brent
great video and contact you had
Nice set up! Enjoyed this video.
Congrats with the super fine business results from the beach; I'm also very content with my FT-817 and it travels with me; the only bad thing is the internal Nickel-Cadmium battery pack; it's empty within three minutes when you're a little longwinded (like I am ;-) so an external battery is recommended indeed. I hope to work you on 20/40 meter! 73 de PA2QXT
hey nice video very good contact with the ft817 i like the go kit i would swap the gel cell for a lith po4 battery much lighter and last longer i use them all the time keep up the good work with the nice videos Happy New Year chris G0WFH 73's
Watch me pull another antenna out of my hat! :) Great video! Thanks
Good morning Eric. Just got the 817ND a few months back. Also got the MFJ 1899T antenna. Built my Go-Kit with the LDG Z817 autotuner. Been trying to decide how to use a counterpoise wire...saw your video with the tape measure and had an "AH HA" moment. Love the idea. Going out today to get the alligator clip and tape measure. Question: On the beach what were you using as a counterpoise? de KJ6FXA
This is all really cool stuff..
Great work Eric
Awesome kit!
He was thinking, "fitness nerd." The fitness nerd was thinking, "radio nerd."
I just wanted to tell you how much your videos have helped me with the hobby of ham radio i am just starting out and just purchased my first ham radio because of your wonderful video's, I chose to buy the Yaesu FT-817ND and the mfj-1899T antenna, I need to know if you can give me a little help" this may sound like a stupid question, but i lost the wonder lead to my mfj-1899T and need to know if the length of the factory wonder lead is an important factor. Do you know the length of your wonder lead? It would very much appreciated if you could tell me the length of the wonder lead so i can make one. I called MFJ to see if i could order one and was told that they do not have the part, and didn't know when they would be making a new batch of 1899T antennas. Mfj customer service is not the best that i have come across, while placing orders from all different online amature radio supply company's. PS: keep up the good work, have fun, and 73's my friend. Amature radio needs more people like you that are willing to share their experience in the hobby, and the wealth of information that they have gained from a lot of hard work and dedication to the Hobby.
It doesn't matter the length, it's just there to connect to the right tap on the loading coil.
nice, great info. enjoy
nr3rful
Nice kit!
I may be in Vero Beach in 2-3 weeks I would like to see the telescopic antenna
The paint on the tape measure is an insulator. Just scrape the paint off at the key lengths that you will use the tape for a counterpoise and clip on at the bare metal location. I'm giving you 59 but repeat your serial number, 3 times because I can't hear you. Signal reports during a contest are useless. The guy in SD gives a true RS. Did you have your counterpoise tail connected to a longer piece while standing on the beach Eric? Nice video.
Nice 20 meter rig.
Very fine !! at 15:43, where did you buy the dipole connector please and the two long wires ? 😀
love it !
Wow great video 73s
I think QRP is the ultimate challenge, plus you can travel light! What's not to like?
Pity about the goose dropping carrier at the end.
Covering even a small part of the solar panel with those straps is likely going to drastically decrease the output.
New ham here. Still debating which will be my first HF rig and every 817 video makes me want to get one. I do like that MFJ antenna too. It's pretty quiet on the 2m repeaters in my neck of Ontario, Canada so going on HF is a goal. And I do want to do some QRP from various locations by the Great Lakes. The 817 seems ideal for all of that. In the last segment of the video when you hit North Dakota, were you using the internal battery transmitting at 2.5watts or the external one for 5watts?
You actually managed to make contact and transmit with the mfj 1899t? Impressive. I've never been able to do anything but listen with that antenna.
ZYC 95%of the people that say that don't understand you have to tune the end of the antenna as well as the counterpoise length. 1 inch is the difference in working and not working
Oh, believe me, I totally realize that. I've just not had any luck with it on the FT-817nd.
i thought it was just mine, i guess not....
I used it on May 20th and make a handful of contacts on QRP with it. And, if you stay tuned, i will be making a video on a neat device i picked up, to work PSK at 5 watts with this same antenna... This thing really is an awesome antenna..
nice kit
That's a Mobilinkd you mention. Why wouldn't they need more publicity?
www.mobilinkd.com/
Excellent
Awesome video. I just got my FT-818 and I have a moonraker telescopic antenna. I was trying to find a right angle adapter that doesn't swivel so I could use it on the table. Could you provide some pics of the back of the rig from that day? Thanks! KC2JYD
nicely done. very informative!
excellent vid Eric, from Bruce N4BRM, Cape Coral FL just recvd my 817ND yesterday, looking fwd to QRP!! Will look u up on FB to exchange email info. Patreon coming ur way also. Great vids! Tnx!! 73.
HI Eric- great video, looks like the 1899 and the OCF dipole worked the best for you. Are you using a counterpoise with the MFJ1899? Thank you and 73, Steve WA5SAT
i would have bought a loop but the 80m band can require some floor space that i don't have, at least i would be able to hear someone...
What were you using for a counter poise when standing at the waters edge and can the counterpoise lay on the sand or must it be off the ground a bit?
Sky1 it can just lay on the sand.
In your beach scene, how did you mount your antenna? Did you just use 2 90° to get it to come back ?
what was a crocodile clip connected to? its connected to the tape measure and then connected to? is it the radio ground? or the antenna?
When you were on the beach at the end of the video, did you have a counterpoise wire connected to the FT-817ND?
Yes, it was laying in the sand
iDigidude s
What are the dimensions of your box? I want to make I don't get one that is too small. Thanks for the great video.
Awesome kit! Fantastic demo!! Question: After watching a previous video, I picked up the MFJ 1899T with adapter. Is it necessary to guy a fully extended 1899t (rear mount) for stabilization? Or is that over doing it?
When the other operator is asking for your number, what number are they asking for? I figured it was the first set of numbers in your maidenhead grid square, but there would be no 01 in Florida. Just trying to understand what they wanted in case I run into that in the wild.
Some contests are serialized. 01 would be the first contact made, 02 the 2nd, etc
@@Locksnut Gotcha, that makes sense. Thanks for the response!
Wonder why you chose the FT-817. For a little more money you could buy an FT-857D that can be powered down to qrp or up to 100w on HF.
Because i am not interested in using anything more than 5 watts while QRP portable. That's the idea here.
I can think of a few reasons to opt for the 817 over the 857, especially for the given purpose.
1. the 857 is about 15% MORE $$ (new, the range of used prices makes it impossible to compare used prices). And if you don't think 15% is a lot, try asking your boss for a 15% pay increase. In this case, it amounts to about $130, depending where you buy.
2. the 857 weighs about 50% more (about a pound more)
3. the 857 is physically bigger, so less room in the case (approx. 1in. wider, 0.5in. thicker and nearly 3in. deeper)
4. the 857 has NO internal power capability
5. though the 857 can be 'depowered' to QRP, very few people ever hold themselves to that 'use' when they know they can easily just turn up the power because it's there to be used (and this, of course, uses up the external battery quicker)
6. The 817 can do everything the 857 can do, it's just at a lower output (which was the purpose in the first place)
7. though 100w is wonderful, the gain over 5w really is not that much (output wise, given that to increase a single S unit, you have to quadruple the power output, ie. 5x4=20, 20x4=80 so a 100w is only just over 2 S units. So if you 'needed' to "get out there", you'd be better off just using 20w instead of the 100w and save your battery (but then, you're not QRP anymore).
8. Given the construction of QRP antennas/accessories, not rated for 100w, hooking them up to a 100w radio and forgetting to keep the power down, could end up costing you more then you thought (a dedicated QRP radio makes this risk impossible).
9. size/weight is quite often more valuable then a couple of S units for something that's intented to be light, mobile, packable and 'effecient'. There's an old adage in backpacking, "an ounze in the morning becomes a pound in the evening", so just imagine how much a pound in the morning is gonna feel like after lugging it all day long. Not to mention, that's a pound of other equipment you can't bring with you, cuz you're 'qrp' radio weighs that much more simply because you brought the capability of 100w, that you weren't intending to use. (why carry what they don't intend to use?).
The FT-857/D is a very capable radio, it's always been on my 'radar'; for in the car or in a transportable 'GoBox'. But it's not my first choice of 'grab and go' carriable 'GoBox', as I believe is the intention of this video's author.
There's a reason the FT-817/ND has been the 'best selling and most popular all mode, all band' portable radio Actually, far as I know, it's the ONLY 'all mode, all band' radio; HF/VHF/UHF-USB/LSD/CW/FM/AM/DIGI/PKT) despite its QRP output. Not my 'first' choice of radios but it is, like the 857, SOOOOOOO on my radar. But my 'first' choice isn't to RUN around with a radio either.
also even if running at 5 watts the 857d uses 2x as much power then then 817ND at 5 watts, which is not good for battery life, and if you use the higher wattage (20, or 100) forget just standing at the beach with just your radio, you will defiantly be carrying a big battery around with you.
the 1899T has a power limit of 25 watts, the 857 is heavier, requires a fair size battery and draws more on receive. The 817 is perfect for this application.
Hi Eric, Really digging your setup. Have you tried the MFJ 1899T on 80m? I,ve cut through 100 ft of speaker wire trying to get the SWR down for the 80m band to no avail so far. I understand the formula is 180÷F= counterpoise length but the SWR readings seem bogus. I'm not going to give up tuning it for 80m. I see you have a lot of experience and figured I would ask around. I think I'm going to pick up one of those antenna tapes and do the jumper just like you did next. Reply back when you can TIA. 73s.
The 1899T on 80m is a joke. You just can't do 80m with a short whip. Even on 40m I doubt it's possible, and if it is you'll have severe signal loss. I've only been able to make contacts with the 1899T on 20m. And yes, I did everything correctly. You'll have to dig into more antenna theory if you want to understand why, that's what I did when I couldn't figure out why it didn't work for me. I think it's deceptive that they advertise it as being fit for 40/80 at all.
At 20:15. That's why God invented Notch Filters!
Is there a big reason to buy a 817 over the 817ND?
How do I turn the knob to 146.52 on fm on my ft-817
16:00 operating out of the general band segment…
Eric out of all the handy Talk use you brag about you never mentioned it vx-6r that's one of Yaesu finest radio that little radio is fantastic submergible three feet of water so you can carry it out in the rain and not worry about it why haven't you ever talked about such a find radio please do a video on it I beg of you
I had one of these years ago.. I have had a Vx3r, 5r, 6r, 7r, 8r, 8gr and 8dr they were all great radios. Outdated now, plenty more waterproof radios out there
Did you have to make the connections from the charge controller? DId you buy them? Where did you get them if you bought them.
You don’t have all the links to everything you showed it your kit. I’m very surprised that the antenna tape measure doesn’t show metric also! :(
Divide feet by 3.28
Jason Huffine I’m aware of that it’s just that wavelength is measured in meters so why shouldn’t the tape be that way. Why have to pull out a calculator to covert when the tape should already have it.
cool
What is the name of that L shaped connector you have plugged in behind Yaesu FT 817 ?
I noticed the part where you mention to please tune into a dummy load, so can you explain more what this means, i though the whole point of a dummy load was to test your gear and not really transmit a single. was that sound coming from the person you were talking to or someone else?
the reason i ask is because if i tune through 20 meters i hear that kind of sound at different places, at first i thought it was the carrier of am and that i was just hearing it because i was running ssb but when i switch to am there is nothing there. and they move around they are not always the same please during the day, its as if someone is transmitting i, but its not data its just a solid tone (again i though it was perhaps am but there is nothing there) and its loud and strong.
so again my question what is it, it sounds like where you mention the dummy load out on the beach but no one is talking in ssb or am
The Johnny O Show I was meaning when tuning a tube amp usually you have to key to tune the plate and load for maximum output when changing from 10 meter to 40 meters on a tube amp. something like an ameritron 1306 is a no tune amp so just set the bandswitch and talk, but its annoying when someone is trying to load up an amp on air and it blanks out a contact like mine shown in this video
oh ok, i understand now i am new to ham so still learning all this stuff :-), so any idea what those tones i am hearing on 20 meter that sound like a carrier but nothing to go with it anywhere near by on am? ( mean i hear them only on ssb and its a solid tone so dont think its digital) but when i go to am its not there but there is nothing at all
Anyone who thinks QRP isn't fun is crazy!
This set is maxcimum talking range km from set to set and which model is maxcimum talking range antina?
What happened in the end with that squelch problem?
A great rig ! i am interested it qrp , dont know much about it .. 73s de K4ARD
Hand crank would be cool to, but you need someone to crank it
Sorry people, did i get wrong, or it was a 2.500 km QSO? Someone would clarify please? 73. --- PU2ORL ---
Hello, thanks for the video! I have a question - why do not you get an atas-25 antenna from yaesu? do you have any experience with it? because it is for all bands! please do not leave unanswered.
Uriel CherkeZZ I feel it is more fun with just a simple telescopic ham stick attached..
What antenna would you recommend for this radio?
Howdy, I liked the kit! I know which BT TNC that is, but it looks like the -1 version. I have the -2, and I was wondering if you really meant what you said about using Winlink with it, or did you misspeak? If Winlink is compatible, Id like to know if your doing it thru a PC, or somehow using an adroid version of Winlink? (Note: Im moderately informed on APRS, but little other packet, and its been awhile since Ive done anything with APRS). Thx for any help and thx for the vids!
Well, actually using the laptop in the go-kit, not really through android. But yes, it is the 1, and you can operate winlink with it, get a bluetooth dongle on ebay cheap, and you are all set. For more range, add a better or bigger VHF antenna, but i live near BBS and Winlink and Digi so this 5/8 wave HT antenna is perfect for me at 10 watts.
Ok, sounds good! Thx again. Youve opened my eyes to a whole new use for my BT TNC. Ive always wanted to fool around with Email OTA. I just thought I needed a full TNC.
Nope. But again, when this unit came out, and i contacted Rob about it and my videos, showing what it could do, he said he doesn't need my videos to show the product, he wasn't interested. So i'm not going to drive a bunch of traffic to someone who doesn't want it. I would love to show what i have done with this unit with packet and an HT. But not in my list to do for free.
+HamRadioConcepts I completely understand & I give u credit for respecting his wishes (or even asking, in the first place, as many wouldnt bother). Thats quite comendable! As a side note, he does seem to be swamped, at times, especially after "that" QST article. A great little unit though!
So, no worries about not making any videos for it.
So what you're saying is if someone isn't willing to give you a buck, you won't do a video for your subscribers?
@9:45 , the developer of this device said they don't need the publicity... did you ask for a sponsorship from them and they turned it down Or do they just don't care for a shout out? This leaves me concerned, are you not making a recommendation on a particular device that you use due to functionality because you didn't get paid? If so how can we trust your content?
PS. To all the naysayers, I just can't figure out why a business would deny free publicity.
thanks for the video
You also deigned to visit our video
Who were the 28 people who disliked this video? 😜
I'm new, but is RF at that closeness an issue?
Ahh yes it is. Read the EMF exposure documents.
AB Its never bothered me except for the third eyeball that formed in the middle of my forehead:-)
So basically buy everything off the shelf from MFJ, ok got it.....LOL