I know this is off topic, but can I ask a question of the many users of FT-817nd. Does anyone have any problems with the ALC indication? When used on 2M SSB at 2.5W, the ALC behaves as expected, peaking at about the right place. When I switch to 5W O/P, the ALC indication shows no I/P level. At first I thought I had a bad mic connection, but no, if I switch the display to power I can see that I am putting out a signal - and other people hear me, its just that I don’t get any ALC indication. Is my radio faulty, or is this a known problem.
I’m going to have to look at mine now! - I’ve never used it; it’s left on the power meter. Not that I expect that to be wonderful - there was an article recently (that I can’t find - RadCom? Practical Wireless?) that compared the S meters of several rigs including the FT-817 which suggested the FT-817 shows very little unless there’s lots of signal. Someone else will remember where that was. Don’t think there was anything on the ALC though.
I have had my Yaesu FT-817ND for over two years now I have my settings as follows and I always get decent audio reports:-
Menu 05 - AM Mic 50
Menu 29 - FM Mic 80
Menu 46 - SSB Mic 80
The ALC meter seems to behave ok no matter which power setting I use. On FM I also use Narrow and on AM I have had quite a few qso’s up tp 40km using just a dual band co-linear.
Hope this helps. Im my opinion the 817 is the best radio money can buy, it’s what the hobby is all about, fun!
I tend to force my voice a bit so my settings were a little under half of yours, Chris! I had no problems with the meter, but I wonder if the problem is due to voltage drop on the high power setting? How much does the voltage drop on transmit and does it drop less on a robust external supply, if so does the ALC difference still show?
73
Brian G8ADD
PS The 817 is a classic radio, I curse the day when I got rid of mine and will replace it when I have some spare cash!
As i stated Andy, it’s only my opinion. I have used my 817 from home, on mountains, on the beach, mobile. There is alot of competition in this hobby and ‘mine is bigger than yours’. As I said the 817 is what this hobby should be all about and that’s fun.
I have an Icom IC-7400 which is a superb radio on HF, 6M & 2M though I get more kicks out of using my 817.
