I have to admit, that video has me excited about trying QRP, too, although I’d do voice. I might even try that very radio, at least the new version, the Yaesu FT-818. A friend of mine in Vancouver has one he might want to sell. I’ll prod him.
1 Like
I think you might be surprised.
Surprised good or bad?
Oh surprised in a very good way. A lot of satisfaction and you will have success in making contacts. I like that radio.
1 Like
It would actually be cheaper to buy that radio than a separate radio for each band.
Yes, but I won’t be surprised. I have been eyeing that radio for years. I really want a shack radio next though. 5 watts won’t cut it for what I want it for. There are a few nets I want to participate in and I just can’t hit the repeaters with 5 watts. I need at least 20, preferably 50, and I want 100. One is an HF net (no repeater) on 80m that I’d love to hit but I’ll have antenna issues there. QRP will come after that.
Perfect radio for a go bag.
1 Like
Yes! That’s exactly how most people use them.
I understand. I worked azbijan (or however you spell it) on 100 watts cw. I want my base station back. I’m thinking attic antenna. an 80 meter antenna is gonna be rough in an apartment.
Twist that guys arm. If you don’t like it, I’ll buy it from you.
1 Like
He’s a good friend. He sold me the FTM-100DR I have in the car. He bought an Elecraft so his FT-818 is redundant. He talked about selling last year but never set a price. Even if he won’t sell it in the end, the new price is not bad at all.
Yeah, the new price is doable and would slake my thirst for more bands. (for a while). lol
time for cards. ttyl
I am a bit torn when I get home about whether I should stick with one brand or just buy best of breed. In cameras, I believe there are huge advantages to sticking with one brand. In radios, I’m less sure. I really like this new Icom handheld, but I don’t like their HF rigs.
Welcome to the club. I am ready to cancel my mfj qrp rig order and get a yaesu ft891. Pretty sure I will. Icom is a well respected brand. What is the model number?
The Icom is a IC-V86. Not sure if you’ve handled them but I just love the look and the bulletproof feel of Icom handhelds.
I really love that Yaesu 891. Great, great radio, and going for cheap (relatively). No tuner if I recall correctly and no power supply, though. It’s more cash but way, way, way more radio.
Yes, there will be more add ons. However 100 watts in a small package. Plus 6 meters. lol I’m talking myself into this.
1 Like
It’ll be over a thousand by the time you’re done with a power supply, a tuner and an antenna (even if it’s just a long wire). If money’s not tight, it’s easily worth it.
All true. Still cheaper than a Miata.
1 Like
Love the look of the FT-891 with its matching tuner.
Just a random thought: the Yaesu FT-450D is about the same price (once you factor in the tuner cost since it has a built in tuner) and is a helluva radio, too. It’s also got that full-size-rig look that impresses people. I’m not sure the built-in tuner will tune a long wire, though. You might be dealing with SWRs over 5 to 1. You may need an external tuner.
