I always use a handheld microphone with my walkie-talkies, it’s a way to position the equipment in the best possible location and away from my face. The FT-817 design also allows me to fit it more easily in my backpack. I use a Windcamp internal battery in mine, and although I alternate it with an FX4CR, it’s just my backup.
Do you see any 817s? No. And you have the bare faced audacity to suggest I’m being pedantic ![]()
don’t care about pictures and definitions. They don’t apply to me ![]()
No it isn’t by any practical definition.
The weight of an FT817 with internal batteries, MH31A8J microphone & RH770 whip antenna is ~1.3kg. When I first started the 2026 challenge, I tried using my FT817 on a shoulder strap and the RH770 performance becomes poor when close to one’s body. To complete a 2m SSB QSO I held the 817/RH770 first at arm’s length away from me, and when that got too tiring, above my head. Whilst holding the mic in my other hand, it was not possible to write in my log. The contrast with operating a real handheld (e.g. my 2m FM FT1D) is very obvious.
As I frequently operate at SOTA summits when there is nowhere to rest the logbook on unless sitting in my portable chair (which is fine for HF where I use a standalone HF antenna) I now resort to using a 2m j-pole on on a short pole when using my 817 for 2m SSB or CW.
Mounting the whip antenna high on your rucksack is a possible solution [ /PM mode ] but I prefer to be discreet and look like a normal hillwalker when not at the summit. Also, there’s the risk of whacking the whip on a tree or breaking it should you trip over. My 25yo 817, RH770, etc are stowed well cushioned inside the rucksack whilst on the move.