Hi Everyone: Try good filters in the FT817/897/847. It costs $125 or more a
filter, but the performance change is dramatic. I put the Collins 300Hz filter
(Inrad #712) in my '847 and one in an 817. The improvement was so dramatic I
went out and got the Collins 2.0KHz SSB filters (Inrad #720) a few weeks later
for the 817 and for tx in the FT-847. There was room in my 847 for the Inrad
1.8KHz crystal filter, for receive, which has even better performance at the
-60 to -80 range on their charts. You will also notice a 2db improvement on
transmit with a narrow SSB filter versus a stock ceramic resonator. I have a
second FT-817 I use the stock ceramic resonator for SSB and a 500 Hz filter for
CW. I use that radio as an i.f. radio for the microwave bands, as the wider
filter helps when tuning/searching for weak signals and I still can go narrow
to improve the S/N when needed. I would put the 300Hz cwfilter in that radio
as well, but eventually you drain the budget. My FT-84
7 is actually usable now for a 160m cw contest effort with the filter
upgrades. One other comment. I notice the dynamic range goes to pot on the
FT-847 with the noise blanker on. I'm not sure how true that is on the 817 or
897, but try turning the NB off the next time your front end gets hammered on.
Don't forget that RF gain control knob does work. Find a weak VHF or UHF beacon
and see how far you can turn down the RF gain without giving up that much
hearing performance.
Mike wa3tts
Mike wa3tts
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