Click Image to Zoom InHF+VHF+UHF ALL MODE TRANSCEIVER
The FT-847 Earth Station: A masterpiece of high-tech design and packaging know-how!
Utilizing the latest computer-aided design techniques and thousand of "chip" components. Yaesu's engineers have achieved an engineering breakthrough that was only a dream just a few years ago: a full-power transceiver covering HF, 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 430 MHz bands in a package about 2/3 the size of an average briefcase. Ready for action on SSB, CW, AM, FM, and digital modes, the FT-847's ultra-compact size makes it ideal for serious base stations use, and well as a variety of portable and mobile applications, including Field Day, DX-peditions, VHF/UHF "Rove" operation, and RV installations. And long-term reliability is ensured by the rugged construction, featuring an aluminum diecast chassis which doubles as the power amplifiers’ heat sink.
HF+VHF+UHF ALL MODE TRANSCEIVER
The FT-847 Earth Station: A masterpiece of high-tech design and packaging know-how!
Utilizing the latest computer-aided design techniques and thousand of "chip" components. Yaesu's engineers have achieved an engineering breakthrough that was only a dream just a few years ago: a full-power transceiver covering HF, 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 430 MHz bands in a package about 2/3 the size of an average briefcase. Ready for action on SSB, CW, AM, FM, and digital modes, the FT-847's ultra-compact size makes it ideal for serious base stations use, and well as a variety of portable and mobile applications, including Field Day, DX-peditions, VHF/UHF "Rove" operation, and RV installations. And long-term reliability is ensured by the rugged construction, featuring an aluminum diecast chassis which doubles as the power amplifiers’ heat sink.
| Brackets | ||
| MMB-66 | Quick-Release Mounting Bracket | |
| Filters | ||
| YF-115C | CW 500 Hz Collins Mechanical Filter | |
| YF-115S-02 | 2.5 kHz SSB Collins Mechanical Filter | |
| Headsets | ||
| YH-77STA | Lightweight Stereo Headset for use with HF transcievers |
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| Headsets and Surveillance | ||
| YH-77STA | Lightweight Stereo Headset for use with HF transcievers |
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| Microphones | ||
| MH-36D8 | DTMF Mobile Microphone | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| LL-7 | Phone Patch Unit for SP-5 | |
| Power Supplies | ||
| FP-1030A | Power Supply (30A) |
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| Power Supply | ||
| FP-1030A | Power Supply (30A) |
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| Signaling | ||
| FVS-1A | Voice Synthesizer | |
| Speakers | ||
| SP-8 | Desktop External Speaker w/Filter | |
EME (Moonbounce) is considered by many to be the ultimate challenge in long-distance Amateur Radio work. After all, the path involves a half-million-mile journey, with an intermediate reflection off a convex, irregular object.
Nonetheless, advances in weak-signal detection, and the amazing capabilities of some of the largest EME stations in the world, brings EME communication within the means of most Amateurs today. An external linear amplifier capable of producing 150 Watts helps, and two or more Yagis or Quagis of at least ten elements each, suitably spaced and phased, should allow quite a few contacts to be made, on CW, using only your ear for detection. If JT44 or some other weak-signal digital mode is use, the threshold for signal detection will be improved by quite a few dB, making even more contacts possible.
At least one QSO has been made, on 144 MHz, between K7JA and W5UN, with K7JA running an FT-847 alone, with no external preamplifier or power amplifier, and a single 10-element K5GW Yagi mounted in a tripod.
Why did Yaesu use an HEMT transistor for the 430 MHz preamplifier?The HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor) device yields the benefits most needed for UHF weak-signal work: very low noise figure, high gain, and excellent strong-signal-handling capability. The result is a system sensitivity specification of 0.125 µV for 10 dB S/N ratio on 432 Mhz.
Where do I find VHF/UHF weak-signal work, and on what modes?
Weak-signal work, by most all definitions, takes place on CW or SSB, or on one of the computer-based digital modes. To get started, though, listen on the following SSB calling frequencies: 50.125 MHz, 144.200 MHz, and 432.100 MHz.
Watch the Amateur Radio publications for announcements of VHF/UHF contests; activity is significantly higher on contest weekends than at other times, but most every weekend, especially Saturday mornings and early evenings, are also periods of increased activity. Don't be afraid to call a few brief CQs on the calling frequencies, but if someone returns your call you should move off the calling frequency to complete your QSO.
And don't forget to wtch 10 meters (28 MHz) for signs of propagation. Once 28 MHz opens up well, the 50 MHz band may follow suit.
I see from the brochure that the FT-847 is compatible with the discontinued ATAS-100 Auto-Tuning Antenna System. Is it also compatible with the new ATAS-120?Yes! The ATAS-100 and ATAS-120 are interchangeable, and both work very well with the FT-847.
May I view the Operating Manual for the FT-847 online?Yes. Click on the "Files" tab in the FT-847 main page, and you will see links both to the Operating Manual and Brochure for the FT-847.
The FT-847 includes crossband full duplex operatin, so you can hear yourdownlink signal while transmitting (on a different band) on the uplink. The FT-847 is ready for operatin on Mode A (TX: 145 MHz, RX: 29 MHz), Mode B (TX: 435 MHz, RX: 145 MHz), Mode J (TX: 145 MHz, RX: 435 MHz), or Mode T (TX: 21 MHz, RX: 145 MHz). Independent display of both the TX and RX frequencies is provided, and twelve dedicated Satellite VFOs allow you to set the transceiver up for operation on a number of different transponders. Both "Normal" and "Inverted" tracking of the uplink and dosnlink VFOs is available.
Leading-Edge Receiver DesignStrong enough to survive the rigors of competitive HF operatin, yet sensitive enough for stand-alone Moonbounce operation without an external preamplifier, the receiver section of the FT-847 includes a low noise preamplifier, followed by a quad-FET first mixer, whch provides outstanding rejection of intermodulation. On 430 MHz, the receiver preamplifier is a HEMT device, for extremely low noise. And if you have tower-mounted preamplifiers you wish to utilize, the FT-847 can be configured to bypass the internal preamp in favort of passing +12V through your coax line to power your preamplifier.
Built-in Digital Signal Processing (DSP)For improved interference rejection, or enhancement of the signal-to-nise ratio, the FT-847 incvludes a sophisticated audio DSP system. Featuring Auto-Notch, Noise Reduction, and Bandpass Filter circuits, the DSP is an effective tool for improving receiver performance. The Bandpass Filter is particularly effective in weak signal work, such as EME (Moonbounce), as the CW bandwidth may be reduced to a razor-sharp 25 Hz, with a variable center frequency. This can yield almost 10 dB of signal-to-noise improvement over many commonly-used audio filters.
Shuttle-Jog™ Quick Tuning AidFirst introduced on Yaesu's FT-1000MP transceiver, the Shuttle-Jog™ Tuning Ring provides rapid frequency change by its unique spring-loaded design. Rotating the Shuttle-Jog™ ring slightly to the left or right beginas manual scanning to lower or higher frequencies, respectively; lean the ring further, and the scanning rate increases!
High-Contrast Multi-Function Blue Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)The large blue LCD provides high resolution and contrast for easy viewing from a wide range of angles and light levels. Dozens of status indicators keep you informed of every aspect of your FT-847's operating characteristics, with a large Sub-VFO field on the right side beig particularly helpful during satellite operation. The LCD's illumination brightness is adjustable via an 8-level dimmer function.