I almost made your mistakes a few years ago. I've own my used FT 817 for about 11 years. 3 yeas ago the finals failed and pondered whether to have it repaired or sell it for parts as is. However, I decided to have it repaired. It sat unused until April 2021. Ironically, January 2021 I purchased a FT 891 to use for POTA operations. What happened in April. In hurry to do a POTA activation I grab the the bag I thought my FT 891 was in, but instead there was the FT 817. Deciding not to return to change radios I went with the FT 817 thinking it was going to be a difficult activation. Low and behold the darn think outperformed to my wildest expectations. Time and time again with properly tuned antennas, Buddipole Deluxe, EFHW, 80 - 10M Alpha Mag Loop, and 40,30,20 meter Linked Dipole, that Little Engine that Could has worked the world. I'll never part with my FT 817. In words similar to Charlton Heston, they'll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

Glad to hear you were able to add your old 817 back to your collection. I've neglected my FT-818ND for the past 6 months in favor of the FT-857D and considered selling it recently. However, I took out my 818 out with Charlie, Red Summit RF, this past weekend and had a blast with this little rig. Like you, I will never sell it. Great video, my friend.

My FT-817ND is my favorite and I always return to it for portable operations.

Since I’m an over the road truck driver gone 3 months home 10 days all my ham radio is outdoors. My FT-857D is my constant companion. Over the last several years we’ve been on many adventures together. Because it’s a shack in the box capable of 2 meters and 70CM it has kept its value. I was offered enough for that radio I could upgrade to the Yaesu FT-891. I was tempted to sell, but, I’ve attached a lot of sentimental value to that old radio. I decided to keep my old friend and take it on more adventures. 73 de WBØAL

817nd... my favorite rig... OOTA... my favorite YT channel. Your video almost felt like an early Christmas for me...73 73 73... Roger, NQ8RP

I agree with you! Among my 705, G90, X5105 and G1M, the 817 is always my choice for QRP port/ops. Cheers!

There's a lot of life in those old rigs if they are well taken care of. Glad you got your rig back!

Hey Tracey. My emontional attachment goes to my IC-7200 BECAUSE...long before I became a licenced HAM Operator I experienced CB Radio working mobile while driving or used mountain region with turnout spots running a 30ft. aluminum mast with a base station groundplane antenna talking to the whole world. I used to use lodge cabins in the mountains if available to be sheltered from snow, rain and strong winds and making sure my radios were safe. Many years later I became a licenced HAM Operator and thru youtube I found WG0AT Steve's Channel...a bit after that I found K7AGE's and your channel. I already pretty much had all of the Equipment together to go portable dx except of a real solid built 100W Radio did had found one yet. DANNNG then Randy K7AGE came up with a product info video about the IC-7200. And that's where it all began, Uncle Guenter's Portable DX Craziness. All the Contacts into far away continents, all the nice conversations (long QSO's) I had with this Radio are precious and very speciual to me. (Emontional Milestones). PLUS, you mentioned it already in your video...the cold wx, rain, hail storms and boiling summer heat with high humidity that my IC-7200 had to go thru and did handle this perfectly. The Radio still looks like almost new cuz I really take care of. Signs of use here and there you cannot avoid. It's not sitting on a shelf inside of warm shack waiting for shit to happen - I use it a lot and having so much fun with it. The IC-7200 became a heatsink upgrade from me. Replaced the original fans with Noctua High Efficient Super Silent Fans. I am never going to sell this Radio as long as I live. Thx for your great job Tracy. 73's de your biggest fan from europeanside, Uncle Guenter

So glad you got it back! When you posted the video about selling it for the IC-703 I told you I wish you wouldn’t have sold the FT-817nd. I bought and sold 3 of them and regretted it each time. I am now on my 4th and will NOT ever let it go! I also own an IC-703+ I am quite fond of. I am lucky to have both. 73!

The Kenwood R559D receiver….. I learnt to receive Morse on it and it was my first rig. It lived in our laundry and I hooked it to the clothes line wire on our veranda to create an antenna. Twas a thing of beauty!😀

Glad that you were reunited with your old friend Tracy. My FT-817ND would certainly be a contender to be my favourite rig. I think of it as a Swiss Army Knife - the one little rig you always want to have in your pocket.

Unfortunately I have too much emotional attachment for things. Btw bought recently a used FT818. I wanted one for long time and now he’s finally here. Already enjoyed it from the beach the past summer. But I was missing a narrow cw filter and with a quick research I found out that those filters have become pretty rare to find. So when an Ft 817 with narrow 300Hz filter was advertised I bought it too and now I have an 817 and an 818 😄 I pulled out the filter and installed it in the 818 as it will be the one who will stay with me. Then I enjoyed a check and recalibration of the 817. He is ready for someone else now. Congrats Tracy 73s Diego

Well, an ft817nd is my favorite rig ever! I was operating one then I was on Cuba (I’m exCO6EGM), and I bought one for my QRP arsenal last Christmas. It’s a solid rig that never say nope if you know what you’re doing, and the receiver is just fantastic.

Hi Tracey, when I past my first exam foundation (UK exam) I bought a FT450-D I just can't sell it. This is the radio that hooked me into the Yaesu product range. I have saved from the scrap bin a FT101E, now that is a radio to operate. In my collection I now have a Ft818nd which I will be going portable in the new year 73's to you and your followers seasons greatings to all. 2E0VKH.

Uff Cuss! The FT817ND!! I started with the non ND and sold that to a friend and bot the ND. I even used that for my home station till the sunspots went south, and Yes I worked the world with it on my home antennas! Even Aussie land wayyy down under! On canoe trips it is my life line. Not much cell coverage down on the water (then, anyways) but on 40 NVIS... 75 was just too much wire to carry, but I had a segmented dipole that would work the higher bands too. A small lead acid and 8 Lithium AA's inside for E coms. I later did away with that lead acid and just carried a couple spare 8 paks. At 5 W, I got 4 - 5 hours run time, fully self contained. I have the original LDG auto tuner for it (the small one with the toggle switches), and can use a Chameleon whip too, if going where no trees are available. As a member of HFPack, I did a lot of portable, back in the day, too. I have a favorite woods not to far away, and did some from there, and FD from near by parks, too. My 706, and particularly my 7000 dont like voltages much below 12... so.. FT817ND for ever!! I do have the HL-45B linear too if I need 'more', but gitt'n a bunch for portable, but for ECOMS, it all works FB from a dying lead acid, with a LOT LESS Bias current on TX. Merry Christmas! Jerry wa2omu.

I purchased an FT-818 last year. Although I haven't had a chance to field operate it yet, I have been using it in my shack with great success and appreciation. I wanted this radio for a long time and I convinced that this will be a principle part of my outdoor and travel operation. I, like you, operate almost entirely on SSB. The audio quality on this radio make it a great rig for this purpose. Your video channel is inspiring and I hope you keep your great content coming. 73 WB7SOZ.

Wow Tracy, you just described my love affair with my 817ND. I have many modern QRP rigs, G90, X5105, G1M, RS-918, but the one I end up taking out portable is my 817ND. I cant explain why, I’m just more comfortable with it. Thanks for helping me feel like Im not the only one ho appreciates the 817/818.

We all make decisions we have regretted, but do not always have the opportunity to reverse them. Well done. Put the 817 under your pillow tonight and sleep well.

Hi Tracy. I would NEVER part with my FT-817nd and only a couple of weeks ago I worked Mac VE9ZY with the 817 into a Hamstick on my car here in Eastbourne UK and got a 5 & 5 report using ssb. Yes I have several 100 watt transceivers but the achievement of qrp is fantastic. 73 from the UK. G7HFS/PA3IKH

Thanks for this video, just the kick up the bum I needed. I've had my FT 897 sat doing nothing as I lost my power-lead during some building work and my FT 817ND portable kit with lithium battery, a 20m SOTA antenna and tuner with other field op bits all in a rucksack ready to go, again doing nothing. Just ordered a new lead and am planning on getting out and on the air again. I have apologised to both radios for my neglect.

My FT-817 had a major short in the 6V line which in turn damaged other circuits. I went looking for another QRP radio and spent a long time adding up all the pros and cons of doing so. After all the dust settled I came to the conclusion that I had all the goodies to add to a new FT818ND with VHF and UHF to boot that the others QRP Transceivers do not include. I know that people will scold me in not buying the IC-705 but the cost of $1700 compared to $939 Ca sealed the deal. Get out there and have fun with you QRP radio no matter which one you have, I use mine in the house even though I have a Flex-6400.

Hi Tracy, so funny: I experienced the very same. Sold mine as well just to buy one again (actually not the one I sold, but nevertheless one in mint condition). I use it on the camping site, on a sunday walk - even on my walking bike (no bike, no kickboard, but that’s another story). Next to this - for its size and simplicity and comprehensive features - I really like my IC-7100 because it comes as close as ever possible to my ideal of user interface. It is really marvelous to operate. best 73! still waiting to get a qso with you! 😉

I was wondering what was going on! Glad you got your 817 back... I feel the same way about mine. It has been with me for literally hundreds of hiked miles and has never let me down. The Sotabeams speech compressor is awesome and helps the audio and the BHI also makes the receive even better. I'm not impressed with the new QRP rigs and havn't heard any of them that have a better receive than my 817-ND. I've taken first place in our state QSO party 3-times-in-a-row with it (SSB low power) because I've used it for so long and am so familiar with it that it's second nature. I love hiking and mountain topping here in the PNW, and I have no reason to switch - it truly is like a friend! Can't wait for more of your adventures with this venerable little rig as I've learned a lot watching you. 73 K7GYB

I like this small and very reliable radio

Jay W5OLF. Just as fantastic I recently purchased back my original FT-817ND that I had from 20yrs back over eBay. Same stories, lots of memories and good do-all rig.

Ve7men in Victoria. I do enjoy my used 817 it goes with me many places. A friend in Here talked to New Zealand and also Antarctica on his FT817.

Not a portable, but I sold my first HF transceiver, a Kenwood TS690S, which I had pulled together all the missing additonal filters and stabilizing crystal, plus an excellent Kenwood external speaker. I was buying a new radio for the shack (IC9700) as I was happy with the 7300 for HF, so like yourself, all the old kit went. I do miss just how clear that old superhet radio sounded, its filtering and simplicity of use really got me into the hobby quickly and fun on HF. No waterfalls, just learning how to use AF and RF controls and filters to pull out weak signals. I learned more about radios with that old Kenwood than the 7300 ever will. I think you are right to hang on and keep your beloved radio, not just for the memorys, but it just makes you happy, I think its too easy to forget that the hobby is more than just the latest and newest tech, when the older stuff used well, is more fun, educational and a pleasure to own. (Im glad I know my TS690S went to a very good home)

I still have my 817nd and it will be buried with me. Happy to hear you got the radio back.

Oddly enough I find my icom 703 more fulfilling to use than the newer and fancier 7300.. Love the videos, keep em coming

Funny how you were able to buy back the same rig! I purchased a mint ft-817nd a couple of years ago for 300$ cdn, a steal of a deal. It is my favourite rig. I set it up in the backyard with a home brew mag loop to do digital stuff. Made a contact to England on 5 watts, the other operator was amazed! I intend to use it on my next hunting trip to send emails via winlink. I bought a hyendfed antenna, looking forward to use it. Thanks for sharing! 73 de VE2VHE

I totally identify with this video Tracy! I too have a strong attachment to my 817 and will never let it go. I'm happy you got it back in your possession. Have fun with it 73 Charlie

Dr. Tracy, Also my favorite radio is the FT817, Old solid and trusty technology, that makes very well what a Radio should do... Emotional QSO

yes luv the video, i passed my license may this year and wanted to go out portible as im only a 10 watt station im trying to decide on a qrp radio, its out of the g90 or 817d but you have made my mind up its going to be the 817d thanks for your video it really helped me decide from m7byf in slelmersdale west lancs 19 miles north of liverpool eng 73.

jejejeje Tracy Another fantastic video good decision Yaesu ft 818nd is a terrific radio and icom ic 705 is good to congratulations my friend 73 from kb2uew

Thanks Tracy, for the video. It sounds like a love story, but I fully agree. I am using a Ft-818 beside an ICOM ic-705, both have their pros and cons, but I won't sell them at all.

Yes I have an FT-817ND that I never plan to sell. It’s not perfect but its very good for what it does. It got me into QRP operation. My rig I cannot live with out is the KX2 because its the most perfect radio I have and it’s wonderful for CW to boot. It’s very easy to use and carry everywhere I go, I know other rig that can fit and go like it can.

Watching your videos Tracy, back in the summer I did take the plunge and bought a FT818. I’m tickled pink with that radio and it’s seeing more use then I had anticipated giving it. I’m getting more enjoyable use out of it then my ICOM 703 which my son now uses. Thanks for the video.

I sold my 817 to raise cash for the Elecraft KX3, I’ve had it for about 8 years now and I always say it will need to be surgically removed. A fellow ham who comes on QRP trips with me and has a 705, fantastic rig with all the bells and whistles and I enjoyed using it but I could not be enticed to part with my KX3. So I know what you mean 👍🏻 73 and merry Christmas 🌲

100% agree. My FT817ND, which I have had for over 14 years is my favourite radio. If I lost it, today, I would buy another, tomorrow 👍

You are definitely not alone in this matter; I gained my licence in early 2007 my first HF radio other than CB was the FT817nd, I loved this radio & we had many trips together, into the woods & canoeing down rivers, my trusty FT817nd was there with me. I eventually part exchanged it for a new FT897D, I soon found this to be too bulky for my sort of trips & I part exchanged again, this time for the FT857D, smaller than the FT897D but with the same features, it didn't take me long before I sold that & spent more time with my astrophotography & wildlife sound recording, my trips always seemed to have something missing, yes... the radio. I soon bought a Yaesu FT891 but realized that this was very similar in size & weight to the FT857D & started to realize just how much I missed my FT817nd. A couple of days ago I ordered the new FT818nd, it felt like a huge hole had been filled in my outdoor life, memories of when I first got my licence & the happy times around the campfire on my little QRP radio came flooding back. I hope you get the same great feeling that I did, with many good years of QRP to come. I still have the FT891D & a Xiegu X6100, but the FT818nd is definitely the star of the show.

I've only been a ham operator for about 6 or 7 years now and the FT817nd was the one and only radio I bought and use to the current day. I also own a Qmac too since last year. Ever since I first saw a picture of the FT817 (before the "nd") I knew I wanted one so to me it is like my dream radio and I have always been more interested in QRP than QRO. And that was long before I became licenced. The Qmac is also a radio I've liked since I first saw a pic of one too. I am still a foundation licence holder in VK. I struggle with electronics and have autism (mild but some things I struggle with). 73 vk3fimd, Ian.

Hi, I too am having a long term love affair with my 817ND, I take it everywhere. I use a Buddipole and an end fed for 20m when the BP isn't practical. Always enjoy it. Someone once said to me "it looks like something James Bond would have." I was shocked when you sold yours but always had a sense you would get one again. Glad you did because I can see the joy in your face in those pictures. Have a good time with your old friend, Tracy. Mary KM4SIB

Tracy, I did buy an IC-705 and love it, but I kept my FT-817. It’s one of my favorites and I still like to use it. The form factor is better than the 705. Extremely portable and it’ll always have a home here. Glad you got your back. 73, KI4ASK

I've owned two 817ND's and an IC-703, all of them were fantastic little rigs and I made many contacts with them. Two years ago I bit the bullet and bought a fully loaded KX3. The other rigs just don't compare to the KX3, and I will never get rid of it. From 01 Jan 2021 to today, 10 Dec 2021, I have made 3033 QSO's doing POTA with the KX3.....what a rig!!

I bought mine a few years back after watching one of your videos using it. Still have it! Glad you got yours back!

Yes. FT817ND. Even had the Tokyo Hippest 50 watt amp I hauled home from a trip to Japan. Amp is gone but the radio is still here and alive next to my other never sell radio the FT857D

Best thing about the ft817, no firm wear to update. What you see is what you get.

I share your excitement about this radio and I don't even own one...yet. I purchased a used, near new 817ND yesterday and I'm so keen to get it, I can't keep my eyes of the parcel tracking app. Can't wait to get on the air with it and take it out on some out door adventures. Ben VK3VAX

The one radio I will never part with is my FT-847 which I've owned since new and bought in 2004. I don't use it much now, but was the radio I bought when I was first licensed. It has stood me in good stead - it covers HF/VHF/UHF, a nice sensible user interface and a useable size for both shack and /p and has all of the audio connectivity I've needed. It plays nicely with satellites (I don't think there is another radio out there that is as easy to set up and use for duplex satellite ops) I've used it for meteorscatter, digital modes, SSTV - everything I wanted to mess about with during my early days. And the construction is bombproof. Oh, and I'll never get rid of my 817 :)

Took my FT-818 into the bushes just yesterday for a little QRP CW on 20 meters.

Little brother! I am THRILLED for you! My Ft897 and FT-817ND are my absolute favorite rig, so much so that my son has acquired his own FT-857 (which I still hope to acquire), and an FT-118ND and we both are thrilled with our choices. There is just something about these radios that convinces me that we can maintain comms no matter what and that we can keep our 817/818s on the air long after newer more fashionable rigs, have fallen into the pit.

A true love story. Best 73s from an 818 owner ;)

What a great story 👍🏻✌🏻🇨🇦

Hi Tracy, how lucky are in getting the old rig back with extras. All the best for Xmas and HNY to you and your family. 73 de Geoff vk3sq

The Yaesu FT 817 is one of the most successful ham radio rigs ever made and deserves to be called a "Classic". If anyone compiled a list of the all time ham radio rigs, the FT817 would be on it.

For me it's my 703 with dual Collins mechanical filters installed. It was my first HF rig and even though I later bought a KX2 that beats it in almost every metric, I still really love the 703 and could never part with it. It's just a fantastic radio. Glad to see you're back doing QRP!

I'm glad I have an 817ND now. I bought a great one-owner rig with accessories and didn't intend to use it as a VHF "base" but that' what it is doing right now. I have more travel plans for it--and I like getting really familiar with a rig before I put it into mobile/portable operation. Great on getting a rig back. I've sold too many myself.

Just bought a FT-818 a couple months ago. I hope to like it as you do your 817. Thanks for the latest update.

I had a few of Yaesu's FT817 radios, every time I sold it I'd end up buying a new one . It all started with the standard version . I'd miss it and I got the ND etc. This past spring I bought an FT818ND - I won't sell this one. The little rig is a gem , it doesn't need all of the spectacular visuals. It gets the job done, and being around as long as it has is testament to the Yaesu engineers. My home radios are all Icom My field radios are Yaesu. They are just good solid designs.

That picture at the end says it all. My comment getting 20 seconds of screen time is quite an honor Tracy!

I'm 99% sure my first HF rig of any kind will be a new FT-818.....and I couldn't be more excited!! I've had my General since 2015 and it wasn't until I stumbled upon the Parks on the Air program that I actually got interested in doing anything with Amateur Radio again, and I've even joined a club. Somebody stop me.........I think I've caught the ham radio bug again!!

Another great story, I still love my 2 897Ds, with the 991a coming up fast,.. thx for video Tracy, and Happy Holidays 🎅

I'm with you, I really appreciate older technology. Great presentation, thank you for taking the time to share this content. Yours is becoming my favorite amateur radio channel on KZfaq. KD9MKO

I agree this radio is a great little radio. I just picked up it's "newer" brother the 818. I have to say I love its weight compared to my 857D. I will be taking it on summits on the air soon and making some DX contacts once I get up to speed on my CW skills. Thanks for the video Tracy, I always enjoy them. Stay warm this winter up North.

Awesome! Tried and True FT81x series. I have a QRP fetish with just about all but the TX500. My FT818 is still my favorite. With its portable zero rails it looks cool too! Today I am activating a SOTA with it! It’s a tank built for the field. Elegant, rugged rig!

I kick my ass every time I go portable that I sold mine. I've bought other QRP radios, and some dam good ones. But non of them were my 817! Plan is to save up enough for a good 817, or if I get enough I'll get the 917. Same radio with 1 watt extra. I generally ran 2.5 watts 85% of the time anyway!

What a great video Tracy and it’s fantastic that you were able to get your radio back. I know it is a radio but it is part of your family. WD5ENH Steve

For me it is the 857D. I was looking to go HF mobile and liked that is compact. But it is deeper. The money that I used to buy it was money my grandma found after my grandpa passed. So that year for Christmas each of us grandkids got $1000 and so the 857D is what I bought with it and it is never for sale. 73 KA9WLU

i dont do portable but i am very attached to muy yaesu ft897d with ldg auto tuner i have been offered silly prices for it over £1000 uk money but its going no where, love it to bits had it 11 years with no issues at all so it staying right here. great video i did selll my yaesu 817 but dont miss that radio

Love this. Will never sell my KX2.

Like you I love my Yaesu FT-817 nd and thought of selling it many times and I am glad I have never sold my old friend the ft-817nd I have updated the battery added a tuner a power amp and love it and will never sell it.

Does your wife know the depth of attachment you have for that old love? If you start going out with the 817 too often she may "accidently" drop a hammer on it. Be sure to take the wife out at least as often as you do the 817. Remember, "Happy Wife, Happy Life."

Hello, i love it my 818 is so cute. I have 2 transceivers and i won't sell them at any price, my sommerkamp TS 788dx and my Yaesu ft 818. Keep your tx in good condition and have fun with it, that's what i wish to you. Greetings from France!!

I remember the video when you sold the ft 817nd and me wanting it because its so packed with features and so small, i own now a ft 817 no nd fitted some ikea ladda cells and i love it . Nice to see you are so attached to it like me. 73 PD5RV

Hey Tracy, FT 891 ! She been with me since i start ham radio. Great little rig . 73

For versatility, possibly the best all band radio, ever. My 2c, YMMV.

Great video. I'm glad that you have a rig that you love! Before I comment on my favorite radio, let me tell you how much I despise my FT-817. I bought it new just after they first came out and it has very few hours on it. It only transmits at a very low power level. I read about blown PAs and replaced it with a factory fresh PA last year, and still no luck. I didn't want to spend money with Yaesu to fix it because it just seems too fragile and I have had more than one bad experience with Yaesu. I don't need to be in the field and have it break. 😞 My favorite rig is the Lab599 TX-500. I've had it since April and it is bulletproof. The current draw on RX is 110ma, and it's a little over 2 amps on TX. Unlike the FT-817, it's super easy to operate. It's small and lightweight, yet feels solid when handling it in your hand. I can't say enough good things about this radio! It may be new technology but it has an old-school design philosophy where less is more. I think if you had one that you'd sell your FT-817ND in a heartbeat, or at least put it in the bottom drawer.

Yes! For QRP, especially SOTA its hard to think of a better rig. Most of the newer rigs with their waterfall displays eat up more power in receive which is where most time is spent. Go digital with you FT-817 and your software has a waterfall. Whether its an Elecraft or ICOM IC-705 you will need a tablet or laptop for just about every digital mode. Love your baby. For prepping though, I'll stay with FT-857D or FT-897D just because there are two more S-Units available with 80W.

I liked my 817. I sold it to a new ham and bought a KX2. Finally, the display is large enough for me to see.

Tracy, The 817nd and my HW-8 are my favorite portable rigs. 73s KG5IF

I had an 817 and it was a great little radio. Sold it and purchased an IC703+. I just sold the 703 to a friend of mine only because he was looking for one and mine was just collecting dust. I also told him I'd buy it back if and when he got tired of it. I also had an FT 897D and the only reason I sold it was to get the FT 991A, an upgrade from the 897D. As for QRP, my go to radio is the Elecraft KX2. I love QRP portable but sometimes the bands are not all that good so I take the 991A portable instead. I don't think I'll revisit the 817 or consider the 818, but.....they are both great radios and are the best little, "One radio do all" on the market at an affordable price for any ham. Barry, KU3X/QRP PS Operating in the snow? No way. Hi Hi

Welcome home little black diamond 🥳

Nice video Tracy! I know Charlie. He’s a great guy. I’d love to use your video to talk about how we get a certain radio we really love and why. I recently asked a question on my channel of “the radio that got away.“ This is such a great video to play because of that question. My channel exists to help people get into amateur radio and encourage those in the hobby to get the highest license they can. I’ll be sure and credit your video and put a link to your channel in the description of my video. Thanks for making an Ernest and thought-provoking video. You did a great job here my friend. Larry de K7HN

Hi Tracy, I' m glad you did get your FT-817 back . I would never ever sell my IC-703 with that fabulous INRAD SSB Filter. Made a lot of SOTA contacts with it. 73 de Stefan DG4RBS

Welcome home

Tracy, I have my 703, 817, 818, 891 and 705 and still grab the 817 more often than not. The form factor works like a charm whereas the 705 display could easily get damaged if dropped. There is something about grabbing it with a whip or two and enjoying field ops. Maybe because I was an early owner years ago and its just a best friend I cannot turn my back on. I have a FT290r as well that does everything the 817 does but is just 2m only and is my go to 2m ssb radio. The 817 has seen more than 10,000 hours of usage.

Tracey, I too own an 817ND and I will never part with it. I also have the Yaesu FT 897 and it is another favorite. BTW, I think your videos are top notch. 73 from Chuck, WB6FQZ.

Hello Tracy well done. I just interfaced my FT817 via an SCU17 and have it running nicely at 3w QRP on FT8 and JS8call. Now we have summer I hope to try some early morning WSPR and JS8 on 2m SSB portable in my yard with a couple distant mates. 5 element 2m yagi 2m off ground. Regards Ian vk5cz ..

Easy...my Yaesu 817nd..Was the first ham radio i got when i got my first call sign..I do have an 818 and a 705 now as well but i have a thing for QRP rigs..and having just worked puerto rico on 10m from inside my house with an antenna about 5 feet above my head on my 705 is why i love qrp..Still use my 817 and always will..it really one of if not the best rig for backpacking or anything where size and weight matter..and is one that just works and rugged to stand up to more then most people will ever put one through

Hi Tracy, good decision. Just made my very first P2P with my ft817 - across the Atlantic! No need to go qro.... With the band conditions continuously improving, I am looking forward to catch you and your Old Friend on the air. Please keep the community updated with your activities, stay safe and vy 73 de Arne, DJ9AS

Hey Tracy! I know exactly what you mean. I love my 897D and 817ND. Almost all my radio time is outside and portable and they are built for it - some friends remind me their radios have more features and better DSP and maybe it’s true. The fact is, I just love the way they look and perform. I even bought a second 897D so I have a source of parts when the time comes. If my 817ND gives up the ghost I will buy an 818 and be happy. I saw your ad on KWARC and am glad you got what you wanted, right down to the same radio that you sold. BTW, the amp you got is pretty interesting. Maybe you’ll have a video about it some day. Be well these days!! VA7SGY

I had a similar journey with a favorite film camera many years ago. Sometimes you have to lose something to realize what it really means :)

Hi Tracy, glad she came home to stay! I've watched all of your adventures with her that you've posted here on KZfaq. I enjoy all of your videos. It's been a great radio for you... Moral of the story............ don't sell anything! Lol I've got an FT-817 and a brand new in the box never used FT-817ND and I can't see ever selling them. They're not the best for me as a CW operator only, even with filters, but there's something about them I relish. An Icom 703 with the LC-156 backpack and the AH-703 vertical, a KX2, a KX3, a Hendricks PFR3B (I built), a K1, a K2 (I built), a Youkits HB1B, a Norcal 40A (I built), some QCX rigs, a TenTec 1340 (I built) and an Icom 7300 round out my herd. My most favourite rigs are my Elecrafts. Like you, I've had so many wonderful experiences with them. The KX2 has accompanied me to Italy two times and one time rode in a backpack on the back of my Ducatti Multistrada motorcycle I rented for the 3 weeks we were there. I operated portable CW from the ancient mountain top town of Volterra and then CW portable from our hillside apartment in Cinque Terre, overlooking the Mediterranean and from our rental house in Morrona, Tuscany. The KX3 has briefly operated marine portable CW from a ship enroute from Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco Africa and for 2 weeks in the hills north of Barcelona Spain. If I had to chose just one Elecraft, it would be tough, but it would be the KX2. Cheers es 73, Brent

I bought an 817ND in 2003. Believe it or not, I did QRP Mobile. I bought a one-off Diamond mobile antenna (I've _never_ found any reference to the antenna _anywhere_ on the internet). I attached it to a 4 magnet mag-mount and had my first go with QRP. I was fortunate enough to catch the tail end of a sunspot cycle so I had some luck working Europeans from south-central Pennsylvania, including busting a 20m SSB pileup for a special event station in Germany. (My car was stick shift so, I thought it best to operate SSB rather than CW. It was bad enough trying to hold the mic, the steering wheel and changing gears with two hands! HiHi!) I also bought a FT-891 and an ATAS-120A. I have ~20-30 minutes between stops for my customers so, why not try a little QRO with an antenna than can change bands easily. (That Diamond had sockets for up to two coils at the top. Naturally, the 40m coil looked huge compared to the usual 20m coil but, wow, did the two of them make it EASY to find my car in a crowded parking lot!!) I've always had a soft spot for the Kenwood "hybrid" rigs. I was fortunate to pick up a TS-530S for under $200. (The seller claimed there was only a "hiss" on receive but, it turned out he had the settings in LaLa Land.) I also had a soft spot for the Kenwood 599 "Twins" so when I found a good deal on a working set, complete with the S599 speaker, I couldn't help myself. Now, I have a strong interest in POTA/Parks On The Air and the new sunspot cycle is looking very promising. Though it's very unlikely I'll try QRP Mobile again (that magnet mount has an unusual mount for the coax that I can't find and the old coax has split open) I'm very, very sure the 817ND will go out in the parks with me, even though I've got decent battery power for the 891...plus a pure sine wave inverter, just so I could take either the 530S or the Twins outdoors. Why not? POTA is about having fun and there's nothing more fun than a nice analog rig. Every button and knob has a single function. Not the silly Menu->Menu->Menu of the 891 or the 817ND. Anyway...when the original 817ND's battery stopped holding a charge, I got a Windcamp 3000 battery. The only thing I'd REALLY like to add to the 817ND's portable setup is, either internal or external (i.e. Timewave DSP) noise reduction and/or narrow crystal filters. I don't think it's possible to get the crystal filters any longer so I'm leaning towards a Timewave type unit. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. I don't mind lugging an extra "box" around. I _rarely_ get opportunity to do POTA and I'd never go too far from my car to operate. Tnx de WB3CFN dit dit

Hi Tracy, the rig I loved is the IC706mk2g. Sadly I no longer have it. I have similar feelings that you have too. 😓 Geoff vk3sq

Fun story. The lesson will stay with me as I head towards expanding my Ham experience into HF.

I sold my 991A in a rush because I was offered a very good price for it. I regretted it the minute it was gone. I then bought an FT 710. It’s a fine radio but if a 991A comes along at the right price, I’ll get it.☘️👍

Great video! KC9QVE Marion,Indiana

You are right this radio is wonderful. I have the same

For me its my FT818. It was the first rig I bought right after getting my UK Foundation licence 2.5yrs ago. The licence restricts me to QRP operation and I've had great fun with the FT818 using SSB and digi modes on HF and FM on 2m/70cm. I recently bought the IC705 and while that is an amazing amazing radio, it doesn't have the character or soul of the FT818 (if a radio can have a soul lol). I'll never sell it.