My early Christmas present, a Yaesu FT-817 Serial # 0M050285, arrived December 5th [2000?]. As advertised, it is an all-band, all-mode rig you can comfortably (?) carry around. However, with an output of 5 watts or less, HF operation is rather challenging, even with a full-sized antenna attached. I'm glad I have my Alinco DX-70 (more-or-less equivalent to FT-100 et al) for portable power in the 100W range. My biggest beef with the radio is that you can copy VFO B to VFO A, but not the other way. I've used the rig by now to work a contest (SSB on 10 meters) and QRP CW on 80, 40, and 20 meters. Plus, of course, VHF and UHF FM.
| Here's how it arrived... |
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| Compare size with a $20 bill... |
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| Here it is assembled... |
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| This is how it was packaged... | 
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Go to the Yaesu FT-817 QRP Page
Stop back later as I expand this page to take over the world.
73's - Gregg