I agree, especially for the $200 dollars difference it cost over what I paid for my last FT817ND. My first FT817 went up in smoke literally from the finals doing their thing on a low battery. It not only took out the finals, but the final board, and burnt the RF board under it as well. So it wasn't repairable and the replacement(s) were over #300 dollars. Half the price of a new one then. The old unit was 16 years old before it died, so I can't complain (well I can, but it didn't help).
So, the finals and its board were removed and it is being used as a receiver only unit with the other fully functional unit. I paid a little over $600 so I just don't feel the new FT818 is worth the $200+ difference.
Reid, W4UPD
On 2/24/2018 11:44 PM, Frank wrote:
From my point of view there is no improvement that is of interest to a satellite operator. I will keep my FT-817 and FT-817ND.
Frank K6FW
On 2/24/18 8:23 PM, Mike Hoblinski wrote:
I ran across the FT-817ND replacement. At first I thought the FT-818 was fake news. After seeing it offered on the HRO and Gigaparts web site for pre sale I guess its real. Some improvements in battery size and the TCXO is now built in. The TX power was increased to 6W and I think aircraft and FM broadcast band added. I was wondering if anybody has seen the offical Yaesu broschure. The specs are on the HRO and Gigaparts site. I was kinda expecting a bit more of an upgrade after all these years. Maybe like Fusion capabilities or USB program and control. Is anybody going to run out and buy it when its supposed to go on sale in March.
Mike Hoblinski N6IMF _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb