Newby - Considering the Yaesu FT-857D

[adza]

Hi,

I'm new to HAM radio. One thing I've learned in the past with many things is - if you can afford it at the start - buy something that will take you from where you are right through to where you may be in a number of years time - as it's the most cost effective option long term - as opposed to buying and selling gear two or three times over.

As such - I'm considering purchasing the Yaesu FT-857D unit. I'm after a versatile unit. Something I can throw in the car on the seat should I choose, but also use as a Base station. Something that will cover all bands I could possibly want to use - and give me greater power output as I progress from my foundation through to Standard ticket.

The only problem I have is of course the initial outlay. She's going to take more than a few weeks saving to purchase.

Considering that I'm new - I'm aware that I know next to nothing about HAM radio - and I may have the wrong idea to start with or be too enthusiastic. So I'm after any advise - or criticism right off that anyone may wish to direct my way.

Would anyone have any suggestions as to whether this radio is the best suited for what I'm chasing - or if there are other things I should be considering?

Cheers

Adza

[M6PAP]

I decided that I would get a radio that done everything I needed as I wouldn't be able to keep renewing.
So I started with the FT817 as it done everything home base and mobile all in one easy unit and within the power limit allowed.
Nice radio but a mistake unless you can get room for an antenna that will get the most from your 5w which is the max for that radio.
I was lucky I got a good price for mine when I traded up to the FT857 which still does everything but can give more power when out and about such as at an event station with the club or club member that can use more power.
And of course you can detach the front panel and lose the box part under the seat or in the boot.
Must admit my antenna system wasn't much to start with but by being a club member I have been in the right place at the right time when things have been given or at the right price, such as Adonis desk mic free a dual band collinear £12.50 and the last thing being a Hustler 4-BTV for FREE - Result!!

[2E0JTP]

The FT-857D is a great *mobile/portable/man pack* shack in a box. It does HF to UHF in a package that is hard to beat for 'on the move' use.

However... Long term homebased use can prove fiddly and annoying. There are a lot of tiny little controls clustered all over a very small control head - with menus and sub-menus to dig through for certain functions (ones that are not used that often).

Fortunately... You can connect it up to a PC and control it with software on a nice big computer screen!

If you plan to operate away from home (mobile/portable/field day event/etc...), then this, along with the venerable (discontinued) Icom IC-706 Mk2G, are hard to beat. If you plan to operate from home a lot, choose a radio with a bigger display and wider spaced buttons.

[AJ4GY]

If you plan on doing both, like me. The 857 is a great rig at a good price. It will def get you started til you decide where your passion really is(HF/VHF/UHF/digital etc) and once you know that, you can always go for a rig geared more towards that. I wish i would have gotten an 857 when i was starting out. I think the 857 would be a good one to start out with.

[K7KBN]

I always advise against getting a "DC-to daylight" radio. If (when) something goes wrong with it, you're off the air completely. Get a decent HF rig AND a separate VHF/UHF rig. Jmho - ymmv.

And Adza - "ham" isn't an acronym; it doesn't need to be all-capitalized. We are hams. Ham radio is our hobby...like that.

[Bastonjock]

Coming from a fellow newbies perspective i agree that the FT-857 is a great choice.I decided to get into ham radio about 4 weeks ago,i looked at the sets on ebay and at a few on various shops that sell stuff second hand.i came to the conclusion that as i have the budget id go for a new FT-857 as the idea of having a warranty appealed.I am using the set just to listen as i dont have my ham license yet,hopefully ill pass the test next sunday.

If you want a set thats a great all rounder,base station and mobile then you cant go far wrong with the yaesu.

[M1BWT]

Hi Adza,

The FT-857D certainly packs a vast number of features into a tiny box, and is still competitively priced against the opposition. You'll find lots of good reviews worth reading, http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3046 for example. The beauty of this radio is that it can cover mobile, portable & base station setups – all with multi-mode.

I've had this radio for just under a year after it was recommended to me from a fellow operator who'd had the same unit for a few years. The fact that it's actually gone up in price (in the UK at least) over the last few years is a good indication as to its popularity!

However, it's always worth ensuring you've set aside enough cash to spent on your antenna system. If you max out your budget on a fancy radio but end up with a poor antenna it's easy to get frustrated when you're starting off. That said, I definitely don't regret investing in the FT-857D, and it should meet all your initial needs.

Simon

[AJ4GY]

Yes. Def make sure you have enough money for an antenna. It does 90% of the work. Their is a fellow ham that lives near me and says if he had $500, he would spend 50 on the radio and 450 on the antenna.....Just some more food for thought. Also, depending on what bands of HF you plan on working, may need an antenna tuner depending on antenna you get.