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Greetings.

I know it probably has been discussed an unknown number of times previously, but I want to start using my 847 in the digital modes, both on HF as well as 6M + VHF/UHF. I want the members here to create the Ultimate FT-847 Digital Guide.

Let me take a moment to describe my setup - I have separate antennas and amplifiers for each output on the 847. Each amp is hard-keyed by the 847, via a special breakout cable I obtained on ebay. It works great. I don't want to use the mic input on the front of the radio for data, I have a mic connected there and I don't want to be switching cables for different bands.

I have a laptop running JTDX and FLDigi, I would like to use CAT control to manage frequencies, but it is not cast in stone. I know how to push buttons and spin the dial... I use Log4OM v.2 for logging, and I use JTAlert for needed entities alerts. I have all three (minus FLDigi) apps integrated with each other to work seamlessly. The big unknown is the FT-847.?

I would like suggestions on how to integrate the computer with the radio so that I can feed it from the ports on the back and manage the drive and the ALC from the front. The laptop has an internal sound card that I feed some speakers with to hear the alerts, and an inexpensive USB sound card to feed the radio. If at all possible I would like to use CAT control to switch frequencies and modes, but so far that has been problematic for me, so suggestions there wouldn't hurt.

In the end I would like to compile all the suggestions and guides into one document and upload it to the Files section so that others don't need to reinvent the wheel each time they dig into digital with the FT-847.

Thanks in advance.
Micky K1XH?

Hi,

I made a simple Eurocard prototype pcb to be able to use an FT817/857/897 CW filter in the FT847.
The file is added to the files/mod directory.

Hi,

I added a mod to the Files MOD folder to add the AGC_OFF functionality without destroying your transceiver.

The following files have been uploaded to the Files area of the [email protected] group.

• /FT-847 Mods/TCXO_9 mod FT847 ON6AB.pdf

By: on6ab <bruno.beckers@...>

Description:
Easy and clean upgrade with minimal impact on the FT-847 circuitry.

Hi Bruno
Please retry your mod upload, tag it and send it again to the files section.
Micky K1XH

Good morning Everyone.??
As the primary owner of this groupe, I have one moderator and a part time owner who is in concurance with me.? We need someone to become a full partner with us, this is in case one or both of us go to the Great Ham Shack in the Sky somoe can actually do something on the board.? Either with moderator privledges or as owner.? Bill hasd said he doesn't mind being here, however, he and I are getting to that age.? And as the primary owner, I am not in good enough health to tell you I'll be here tomorrow.??
I'm not sending this as a sob story, but I want to see this group of the Yaesu FT-847 keep open where people can ask questions on the great 847.? You can either replie here or send me an email at n4mav1@....? Either way I'll get it.? Please be aware that I probably not answer right then.? I don't hang out on the cvomputer much after noon unless it is importent.? I have a life to life on the outside sometimes. :)??
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Holiday and a wonderful New Year coming up!

73 and thank for any help on here.??
Russ Abbey, N4MAV
Floyd County, Virginia

Hi,

I did the TCXO-9 mod on my FT847 but a little differently (and easier) as to what's already on the internet.
It is performing fine and I did not find any unwanted side effects.
If you're interested, drop me a mail and I will send it to you.
bruno.beckers@...
I wanted to upload it to the files menu but that seems to be impossible.

73,

Bruno

Hi Andy,
Interesting...
I tested my FT847 (with TCXO-9 mod) on FM today but I can't find any tones as you describe.
I did the TCXO-9 mod a bit different as to what is available on the internet and I made a detailed pdf file of it.
I wanted to add it to the files menu but that seems to be impossible.
If you're interested, drop me a mail bruno.beckers@...

I tried the TCXO 9 mod, and even though it improved stability, on 2 metres FM it generated an awful tone for some reason. Output was clean, and no amount of decoupling would cure it. So I used a bit of foam with a slot cut in it, and wedged by the case.?

Hello Yvan,
Indeed, putting foam over the quartz is a far better solution. Looking at the foam that is over the crystals in my 2004 unit, I suspect it was done at the factory.
Meanwhile I improved the stability a lot by mounting a TCXO-9 reference oscillator in the FT847.
I wanted to add my TCXO mod to the files on this group but apparently I'm not aloud to do so.

Hello,
--
Yvan

I tried the QH40A crystal heater mod as presented all over the internet. However, it did not work out for me ( my FT847 is a 2004 model).
I can't quite figure out how it is possible that for some people this mod actually DOES work.
The FT847 is using a reference crystal especially cut to be stable at or around room temperature (25C).?
What you actualy do with the QH40A crystal heater is bringing your crystal to a very stable 40 degrees, a temperature on which the FT847 crystal itself is ...unstable.
What you gain (at best) is...nothing.
On the contrary, with the QH40A installed, the frequency on my FT847 is continuously increasing at a 1Hz per minute rate (on 144Mhz)? for hours on end.
Without the mod, at least it more or less stabilize after a while.
Crystals to be used in an oven are cut very differently.

In message <a12210a3-bdb4-4c00-5da4-23e9fe78920e@...>, Alan G3WXI aka G8AGQ <strongmra@...> writes

Good Evening Brian

Brian Howie GM4DIJ wrote:

I got mine 2nd hand in the late 90s. I've just fired it up on 4m for a sked. I only really use it for 4m and 6m these days and as a 432 MHz IF for 13cm and 9cm. I do use it for general coverage receive on SW and VHF/UHF. Some day I'll get? it back onto TopBand, which is the only SW band I'm interested in.

The only faults I've had are the notorious on/off switch, the CW key socket coming loose off the board? and a 21MHz fault due to a blown band switch diode.? I did the high power capacitor? mod for 4m while I was fixing that one. I also replaced the? hard wired battery with a holder too.

Brian? GM4DIJ

I too am a long time 847 owner, having bought mine used around the change of the century from an old timer in ill health (as I am now) and I am writing to you regarding your reference to 4M conversions.? I sent my 817 to ML&S to have the Power switch replaced about 8 years ago and asked ML&S Service manager about the pros and cons of the 4M conversion, but he was not enthusiastic!

But as the years pass, I am seeing more and more instances of conversion!

I was using 4M way back on 4M PMR and a range of Microwave Modules products. Meanwhile my 4M equipment consists of a converted PMR Mobile and an Eastern European transverter but it would be nice to have 4M on my FT847!

Your comments would be appreciated!

73s - Alan S, G8AGQ/G3WXI

Hello Alan,

The mod I did was the removal of one capacitor C5051, PA1O's modification and the snipping of the ALC line. There are other ones,that require changing more components and one that involves putting a small ferrite core into one of the coils. I tried the latter but I wasn't happy with it in terms of improvement.

I didn't add the RX preamp since the external PA I use has one. I can now get 65W out barefoot on 4m and the efficiency is much improved. 6m output is much the same. It means I can drive the external PA properly.

I started out on 4m in about 1975 using a converted Murphy lowband PMR valve rig as a transverter, then a Meon plus a Pye A200, which I also used when I got the 847. The 10W was just about enough to drive it, and I needed an external rx preamp. I recently modified a 50MHz TE Systems linear to 70MHz , but found it needed about 12 to 15W to drive it. Hence the mod to the 847.

I've not found a down-side to the mod. There's no sign of unwanted spurii.

Someone else might want to comment.

73 Brian GM4DIJ

--
Brian Howie

Good Evening Brian

Brian Howie GM4DIJ wrote:

I got mine 2nd hand in the late 90s. I've just fired it up on 4m for a sked. I only really use it for 4m and 6m these days and as a 432 MHz IF for 13cm and 9cm. I do use it for general coverage receive on SW and VHF/UHF. Some day I'll get? it back onto TopBand, which is the only SW band I'm interested in.

The only faults I've had are the notorious on/off switch, the CW key socket coming loose off the board? and a 21MHz fault due to a blown band switch diode.? I did the high power capacitor? mod for 4m while I was fixing that one. I also replaced the? hard wired battery with a holder too.

Brian? GM4DIJ

I too am a long time 847 owner, having bought mine used around the change of the century from an old timer in ill health (as I am now) and I am writing to you regarding your reference to 4M conversions.? I sent my 817 to ML&S to have the Power switch replaced about 8 years ago and asked ML&S Service manager about the pros and cons of the 4M conversion, but he was not enthusiastic!

But as the years pass, I am seeing more and more instances of conversion!

I was using 4M way back on 4M PMR and a range of Microwave Modules products. Meanwhile my 4M equipment consists of a converted PMR Mobile and an Eastern European transverter but it would be nice to have 4M on my FT847!

Your comments would be appreciated!

73s - Alan S, G8AGQ/G3WXI

Hi Folks,

On August 5, 2021 message #214 I had written the following message:

"I am having a problem originating a message.
Before I waste anyone's I would like to ask the following question of the group before proceeding.

Is there anyone who has successfully installed and can run WinLink psp? and Gateway messages without using CAT using a Yaesu FT-847?"

I received a reply from A Greg D. that I had a difficult time understanding as I am still new to Amateur Radio.
The mistake I made was not letting him know.
Worse yet after reviewing the message I noted I missed the last line he wrote:

"Or just buy a Signalink interface..."

With hat in had and apologizes I need to state that I have a SignaLink for awhile now.

I originally purchased it in order to run fldigi which works flawlessly.

The problem I am having is I originating a message using P2P and using channel selection. If someone else originates a message I can do a P2P sometimes.
It makes no difference whether I use VARA HF or ARDOP same problem. Telnet works fine.

I have since learned that a fellow Ham with the same radio and SignaLink has the same problem with fldigi working correctly.

I would like to get WinLink working so I can get involved with them. It's another tool for my Ham Radio tool box when things go belly up.

Thank You,
Steven/kc3dow

Ok folks, I have no idea what happened but after a reset I'm back in the group.
No need for action boss.
Leighton. GW3FSP.

We receive a lot of various brand radios damaged by data mode thermal runaway.
The 847 is no exception. Page 16 of the dreaded owners manual tells us that cool down time needed is longer than the transmit time applied, and suggests setting 25W max on the VHF band for extended TX times on FM and data modes.
Ft8, etc was intended to be a QRP mode with a lot of educational value
for weak signal enthusiasts, but the "all knobs full right" mentality has turned a once good M2M I heard you, you heard me bye mode. Now the primary source of IMD QRM products in and adjacent to FT8 windows is increasingly caused by stressed transmitters over configuration settings.
If you need RF power to be heard, you are better off investing in an engineered antenna system or supplemental RF power amplifier specified for the duty cycle.
Jim WA9Z
Exline Signal LLC

Hi

I would stick to maximum of 25watts from 847 on 2m FT8.

I actually use 70amps from a small valve amp but i wouldn't run the 847 at full power. so stick with 25-30 watts max on 2m. The extra 2 or 3 dB is useful of course but not gonna make a load of difference .

Enjoy

73 de Rob G4UJS