(Crickets!)
Possibly the scouts?
Brian makes a good point here, and the discussion about CW filters should be realistic and accept that the CW filter is an optional accessory that is not strictly essential for the basic operation of the radio on CW mode. The CW filter in the IF of the radio is the preferred option, but as mentioned above, audio filters are available that make CW reception on a crowded band much easier than with the ssb filter alone.
Ask a CW contester, they will tell you a filter is essential for what they do. Ask a DX specialist wanting to dig weak signals out of a crowded band, they will say something similar. But there are plenty of occasional Cw operators who never invest in a filter because they donāt really need one. This is why Yaesu did not include the CW filter in the radio as a standard built-in filter. By providing a slot for an optional filter, they allowed for either a higher quality SSB filter or a CW filter to be installed. (There is only enough space for one optional filter, though the W4RT mod did find a way of squeezing both filters in. )
The Murata ceramic filters used in the 817 for the standard ssb filter on both receive and transmit are mass produced very economically at a fraction of the price of the Collins mechanical filter. But they do not come in 500 hz bandwidths, I have not seen them in bandwidths below 2.4 khz.
So while I understand why Chris and others are saying the filters are essential, I think that they really mean that the cw filter is essential for the way they use the radio and the bands they use it on. That wonāt necessarily be the way a new operator will use the radio.
73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2DA
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For years I was reading about ft817/818. It draws a lot of current, it is small, displey is small, it is heavy etc. Two years ago I get an excelent deal and bought ft818. What do I think now?
It is not perfect butā¦
Damir, you idiot, you should buy it 15 years ago.
The same about cw filter. 98% of time you don t need it. SSB filter is good enough. What about 2% of time? Well, nothing is perfect
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The Collins filters both CW and SSB are no longer available in the UK
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How about a G90 with 20W? Iāve heard a fair few now using them!
They are no longer available anywhere. Collins ceased manufacture in 2019. The filter is used in a variety of Yaesu radios apart from the 817 but the PCBs are different.
The choice is
- Buy an 817 filter second hand.
- Buy another Yaesu filter PCB with the correct Collins filter and remove the filter from the PCB. Then either make your own PCB or buy a blank PCB from Inrad and mount the filter you removed and use that.
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I have the 817 300hz inrad filter and 857, 500 hz inrad filter. I like them both. as a cw op i would not have either rig without the cw fiter.
kc5bg mike
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I got lucky and have come across two 500hz filters. Bought the last Inrad FT818 board they had and bought the actual filter from a Chinese seller. Then came across a 500hz filter at the Atlanta Hamfest for $90. I would not recommend the 818 for serious CW use without the filter. It had no type of DSP whatsoever.
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I am 80% cw and 20% ssb operator and never use cw filter for last 45 years.
It must be something wrong with me 
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No, no, no. Your hearing is so trained that it replaces a narrow filter and selects the various cw signals with different pitches.
For me as a beginner this is impossible, Iāll be happy if I can decode the essentials in the clear. I admit this.
My opinion has this background and I should certainly have emphasized that in my comments.
73 Chris
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Don t give up.
I never use cw filter. So, as beginner I use ssb filter. If I can, you can also.
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SOTABEAMS sell an alternative SSB and CW all in one option, however, it is not for the inexperienced or you can get SOTABEAMS (for a price) to fit it as it does come with some risks. Buy Variable Bandwidth Filter Modules SSB/CW - Ham Radio Accessories | Amateur Radio Accessories and Equipment
There is another option, SOTABEAMS sells this product called the WolfWave
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I need to play the lotto tonight.
Came across a 300hz filter on QRZ 4 minutes after it was posted. $185
Sold my 500hz filter that I found at a hamfest for $90 a few weeks ago on eBay for $175, so my net will be about $160. So I only wind up only $25 out of pocket to upgrade to the 300hz. I could sell my other 500hz filter and be way in the black, but Iām going to hold on to it just in case anything ever happens to the 300hz, or I get another FT818.
Iāve had the KX3 for many yearsā¦good rig. My buddy has the KX2 which I think is better suited for portable use.
My one big requirement is an ATU, Iāve gotten lazy over the years matching antenna impedance manually ā¦HI HI
GL/73
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What Damir says is correct. We were all beginners and we had stumbles. But these days the new technology has made more and more people get used to āThe comfort zoneā
Avoid the use of filters and decoders and you will see how your CW improves exponentially.
73, Takeo
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There is one more issue related to a missing compressor for SSB.There is an optionā¦. Buy Speech Compressor for FT-817, 818 | Ham Radio Accessories | Amateur Radio Equipment
However additional stuffā¦
The 817 is quite old from the design. Keep this in mind when considering it.
But it is.a solid radio for cw. When enabled, it will do also 60m.
If you will consider digital modes later, you will need an additional interfaceā¦. all these will sum up.
73s Ingo
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Thanks everyone for the replies. I ended up finding a kx3 lightly used for a very good deal. Complete with side guards and face cover. Cable interface kit, built in atu and battery charger. Also the padded case and ax-1 antenna with 40m coil, counterpoise, tripod mount and binding post attachment for random wire.
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