Well Im done. Wont need to buy anymore radios...........maybe

[kid_couteau]

Hi All

Well I finally ordered my Yaesu 817ND with the MFJ-1899T antenna

I will never have to buy another radio ever. I can do it all now.
Yup, no more tuners, antennas, power supplies or anything for me.
IM ALL SET.

Got HF, got 2 meter I am good

Yeah who am I kidding.

I wish someone would have told me that HAM is like a drug addiction.

Oh and add to it that I like to build my own stuff...especially if it saves me money.

Like my first 2 meter dipole. I think I only paid 200 for it after you figure all the wire, soldering iron, SWR meter and everything else I bought.

My wife just rolls her eyes at me when I buy a 300 foot roll of 14 gauge wire at Lowes and I tell her in the long run it will save money.

Anyways just trying to give you guys something to laugh at.
Kid

[Sailor]

Worse than black rifle disease.

[SCWolverine]

Now you'll want the grab-handles EXO-skeleton, the Bioenno Battery, Power-film solar panels and the 100w amp ....not to mention the 3D printed Anderson Power Pole connector and extra filters....

this is me smiling 

[kid_couteau]

I think I need an intervention 

[Carl]

  Ham Radio is not a drug,it just means you can't afford money for drugs.

[Alan Georges]

Hey congrats KC!

I think I need an intervention 

Definitely.  We'll get together and berate you to get into digital modes next. 

Keep us posted on that MFJ-1899T.  Those are interesting beasts, especially in their ultra-portability.

[Carl]

  Improve the 1899T with a trailing wire as a counterpoise and you can have some fun. Also ,you might want to read THE PEDESTRIAN PORTABLE HANDBOOK I have on my GOOGLE drive, anyone can download it from this link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5ZIZLZV4AwIR21qeDRUWDZDMlk

[kid_couteau]

On the 817 you hook the counterpoise to the radio ground right? Not to the antenna.

[Alan Georges]

On the 817 you hook the counterpoise to the radio ground right? Not to the antenna.

Yes, that's easiest.  It has a Phillips screw lug just below the power input port.

[Carl]

On the 817 you hook the counterpoise to the radio ground right? Not to the antenna.

Yes,the radio ground or negative side of battery to add a balance to the system. I find 17 feet of wire is adequate for such a system and 34 feet even better when stationary and using 40/60/80 meters.

[kid_couteau]

Yes,the radio ground or negative side of battery to add a balance to the system. I find 17 feet of wire is adequate for such a system and 34 feet even better when stationary and using 40/60/80 meters.

Would it be ok to make a 34 foot long counterpoise and just roll it up to 17 feet when I am on shorter bands?

[SCWolverine]

https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/speech-compressor-for-ft-817-ft-857-ft-897-ft-900r/

No need to shout!

Portable radio specialist SOTABEAMS has started stocking speech processors for the FT-817. The compressor plugs inline between the radio and microphone and helps to keep the transmitted audio level high - which is of great help when SSB signals are weak.

The compressor is available as a kit or fully built and tested (something unique to SOTABEAMS).

Details at: https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/speech-compressor-for-ft-817-ft-857-ft-897-ft-900r/

SOTABEAMS ships worldwide from their factory in Macclesfield, England.

_________________________________
Note to editor

Photos available on the web site.

Happy Christmas and thank you for your support

from Richard, Aaron, Lisa, Martin and Joe at SOTABEAMS

[armymars]

  You can talk about radios or guns, but reloading is in a class of it's own. P.S. I still have radios and other goodies from 48 years ago. Ever hear of a Ten-Tec PM 1.

[Soladaddy]

Worse than black rifle disease.

LOL! The Orlando HamCation is next month. Just returned a holster Christmas gift for more radio money.