Old horse, strong will – Tips for using the Yaesu FT-847
Introduction
1. This article consists of 2799 words and took approximately 75 minutes to write.
2. This article only expresses my personal opinions and does not involve any insults or defamation of others. If your views differ from those expressed in this article, please understand!
3. My technical skills are not very advanced. If you find any errors, please let me know so I can learn from them!
4. This article has also been published on the HAMCQ forum and the HELLOCQ forum. Any form of republication, modification, forwarding, or other infringing behavior without my permission is strictly prohibited.
5. This document is for learning and reference purposes only. I have obtained a "Wireless Radio Station License" from the People's Republic of China. Please do not violate any laws in your country, and I will not be held responsible if you do.
Special thanks to
BG8KVC、BH2RSJ、BG7XWF、BG6LQV、BH3XZTI look forward to receiving guidance and advice from experienced HAMs when I start using my mobile radio!
Background of the writing
Recently, the propagation in the 2-meter band has been good, and some HAMs are interested in doing DX on 144 FT8. They want to buy a full-mode 144 MHz radio. After searching through various markets, they couldn't find the specific radio they were looking for. Some people were interested in the FT847, so they asked me about this radio. However, this radio has some complex issues, and it's difficult to explain them clearly online. Therefore, I wrote this article with the purpose of comprehensively evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of the FT847.
Machine introduction
FT847 was developed by Yaesu Corporation in the early 21st century (I'm not sure exactly, but it seems to be around the early 2000s.) In countries such as JapanIt has not been officially released in China.) includes HF, below-HF, 50MHz, 144MHz, and 435MHz.It also includes receiving in the aviation frequency band and transmitting/receiving on Alaskan emergency frequencies. Since it is not related to amateur radio, I will not elaborate further.) is a full-mode transceiver system.
What is "full mode"? Simply put, a standard UV handheld or vehicle-mounted radio can only be used for FM transmission and reception. However, a UV full-mode radio can also transmit and receive in SSB, CW, AM, and other modes within the UV band. This greatly increases the versatility of the radio, allowing you to use modes like FT8 DX, EME (Earth Exploration Mobile), linear satellite communication, and GreenCube data satellite communication, which all require UV SSB.
Machine Advantages
The biggest advantage of this product is – it's very affordable! You can now buy a complete set at the seafood market for over 4,000 yuan. This price and configuration are fantastic!
Then, FT847 also has satellite mode.SAT Mode), enabling satellite mode allows for full duplex communication across different segments, meaning that if (This is just an example; please do not use 430 MHz in areas such as Zhejiang where it is not permitted.) One satellite transmits at 145.990 MHz, and receives at 437.800 MHz. When you transmit at 145.990 MHz, if the signal is relayed by the satellite, you can hear your own transmitted voice during transmission! This allows you to clearly determine whether your signal has been relayed and what its quality is. This is also very helpful on linear satellites.
The second-layer wave wheel of FT847 also has its own unique features. It adds another layer to the traditional wave wheel (The following is referred to as Layer 2.), the second-layer wave wheel can rotate left and right, returning to the center when you release it. The more you turn it, the higher its frequency will be. I give this design a full score!
I think it's a good idea to be able to adjust the frequency during transmission, as FT847 allows. Also, transmitting and using Doppler shifting simultaneously can help stabilize the signal.
Secondly, the FT847 has a SUB-TUNE knob, which allows you to operate two frequencies simultaneously in satellite mode without having to switch VFOs. This significantly improves the efficiency of manual Doppler operation.
Of course, the minimalist and stylish black-and-white design is another key selling point of the FT847. This design looks very cool and sophisticated, and when you first see it, you might even think it's made of wood.Kenwood is a nickname for HAM radio operator Kenwood.) was a machine that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be an eight-headed pig.Yaesu, formerly known as "Ba Chong Zhou," has been nicknamed "Eight-Headed Pig" by amateur radio enthusiasts due to the overly unfriendly design of its menu and other features.) This product, which features the design of Jianwu, was created by Yaesu?DOGE）。
The back of the FT847 has four ANT connectors: "HF", "50MHz", "144MHz", and "430MHz". Different antennas can be connected to different ports. The 50MHz connector can also be used with the "HF" port, which saves the cost of a separate antenna tuner and eliminates the need to constantly disconnect and reconnect the feedline between 50MHz and HF. This is a great feature.
Early versions of the FT847 included an X-RPT feature, which allowed a signal from one segment to be forwarded across segments and modes. For example:For example, please operate with caution and in accordance with ethical guidelines and legal regulations!) I can forward the 28074 kHz SSB signal to 144.114 MHz and convert it to FM mode. However, I don't think it will be very useful.
Of course, the back data interface and the antenna interface have a large number of ports, which can also be considered an advantage.However, some interfaces are not very user-friendly, and I will explain them below.）。
Machine Issues & Solutions
①
The FT847 has two versions: an early version and a late version, which can be distinguished by the serial number on the back label and the black/white label on the back. The serial number "8G05xxxx" indicates the earlier version, with a black label. Conversely, the later version has a white label. The CAT (Computer-Aided Transmission) function in the early versions is defective; it's unidirectional, meaning that the computer can send commands to the radio station, but the radio station does not provide feedback to the computer about information such as its frequency. This indirectly caused problems with connecting the early FT847 version to software like HRD, which amateur radio operators often refer to as "connecting the 847 to a computer is difficult." Some of the later versions also lack features such as X-RPT (frequency difference conversion). It's known that there are differences in the firmware of the new and old versions. Because the machines are so rare, no one has been able to upgrade the older version to the newer version, or vice versa.
The solution is to find some alternative software. FT8 can also be used with a specific device (a public box).RTS) Control transmission and reception; automatic CW can also be used with N1MM (DTR) Successfully implemented the launch. However, I haven't found a good alternative to the automatic Doppler shift, and as an amateur satellite enthusiast, I naturally feel frustrated. So, in a fit of anger, I wrote one myself using my own clumsy Python code. The coding approach has already been posted on the HELLOCQ forum.https://www.hellocq.net/forum/read.php?tid=375922), the software is also available on GayHub (The nickname for GitHub) It's open source, with a link to the GitHub repository: https://github.com/GAQPanda/FT-847-Satellite-controler. This resolves the issues present in the older version.
The problem with the new version having fewer features cannot currently be resolved.
②
The FT847 is too bulky. Every time I move it, I have to carry a large piece and a bunch of connecting cables, which makes it very inconvenient. It also takes me over ten minutes to set up each time, which is really frustrating. Furthermore, the FT847 has no waterproofing; the speaker and ventilation holes are all open, so you can even see the circuit board through the ventilation holes. If it rains when I'm using it outdoors, it's useless.
There is currently no solution to this problem.
③
The noise level of the FT847 during operation is relatively high compared to other FT8x7 series radios. The sound of the cooling fan, similar to a 3090 graphics card fan running at 70%, creates a noticeable and somewhat annoying hum near the computer.
The solution is to use a hotel; after using it for a while, you get used to it. However, those sensitive to noise should be cautious when purchasing.
④
While the FT847 is advertised as an HF+UV radio, as some experts have pointed out, "the FT847's HF function is just a bonus," the HF functionality of the FT847 can only be considered basic. The built-in NR noise reduction is minimal, but the inclusion of a DSP module and manual tuning knobs makes it relatively user-friendly. The FT847 is designed as a UV full-mode ground station, with HF being used for "occasional" purposes. Therefore, its poor HF performance is understandable.
If you are considering purchasing the FT847 as your primary shortwave radio, then proceed with caution!
⑤
According to information gathered from various online forums, the CAT module in the FT847 uses TTL protocol originating from the CPU. This then converts to RS232 protocol via a MAX232 chip. However, the poor heat dissipation of the RS232 interface is a common cause of instability, leading to overheating and control issues. I have never encountered this problem myself.
Solution: Open the machine and directly extract the TTL protocol from the CPU's flight lines. Then, use a CH340G to convert it to USB for use. Please refer to specific tutorials for detailed instructions.
⑥
This machine is a traditional architecture machine and lacks spectrum, which means it essentially searches for signals blindly, like someone who is blind.
Solution: Use a low-frequency output to extract the signal, then connect it to an SDR. However, the low-frequency output board needs to be imported from overseas, and the total cost of acquiring all the necessary components is estimated to be around 100-200 RMB per unit, which is a bit expensive.
⑦
The FT847's satellite mode cannot be set to the same frequency band, which means that using Greencube requires enabling Split mode. However, the automatic Doppler software in non-satellite mode can only work with the Main VFO, while the Sub VFO cannot be controlled. The FT847's CAT can only control some basic parameters, such as frequency, mode, and transmit status, unlike modern radios like the IC-705, which can control all parameters that a radio can set. However, I feel that being able to control these basic parameters is sufficient.
Solution: When using GreenCube, the RX frequency is controlled by the computer, while the TX frequency is manually adjusted using software like Orbitron or Doppler calculation software to track and control satellites. Currently, this functionality is not implemented in my FT847 software. I plan to add a dedicated GreenCube mode once I have time.
⑧
The user base for FT847 is too small; there should be no more than 50 units in China.This data is based on my estimation and does not guarantee any accuracy.) ? This resulted in very little information available online about the FT847, and there was no translated Chinese version of the manual. Essentially, users had to figure out all the functions themselves. I wrote this article after doing some research myself, hoping to help other HAM radio enthusiasts.
Solution: You could create a group specifically for FT847 enthusiasts, where they can share information and help each other get started. This would be a helpful way to learn.
Summary
The FT847 can be used as a primary radio for both satellite and VHF DX, with HF as a secondary option. If you enjoy tinkering, this radio is still a good choice. However, if you simply want to buy a radio for retirement use, I recommend considering the IC-9700, which is a more modern model. The FT847 has its advantages and disadvantages, so it depends on your own preferences. Finally, I wish everyone who has read this article a 73! Thank you for your patience in reading my article.
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