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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

More Battery Power for the FT-817

I occasionally use the Yaesu FT-817nd on my SOTA expeditions if I want to use higher bands on the activation or for some odd reason want to operate SSB:-). I actually prefer it to the KX3 simply because it is less bulky and it performs well in the field. One of the concerns I have with taking the 817 is; should I take an external power supply since the internal, rechargable, battery can have a relatively short life span. This is due to the power required to operate the 817 versus smaller, CW only radios. I was looking for a higher capacity battery made for the 817 and came across an interesting offering on EBay. The link is http://www.ebay.com/itm/3000mAh-Polymer-Lithium-Battery-pack-back-door-holder-Yaesu-FT-817-ND-radio-/331093734430?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item4d16b9741e#ht_4797wt_706

  The product is a 3000mAh LiPo battery that fits the 817, a replacement for the battery door that allows the battery to be charged by an external charger (included) and a nice stand for the radio. (The battery that comes with the 817 is 1400mAh) All this for $89. Now, it is a product made in China, so it is tough to determine quality, (that's also true for certain US producers as well). I ordered the package and will test it to see if it is as advertised. W4RT offers a similar product but it's priced at $150.00 and the battery is a NiMH.

I have no commercial interest in this product, but it seems worth the money if it delivers as advertised.

7 comments:

  1. Mike,

    I have this battery and love it. I can do an all day SOTA activation with battery capacity left over. One of the really great things about the FT-817 is that it will continue to work down to nearly 9 V.

    73, Mike W5RST

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  2. Mike,

    Thanks for the feedback, I look forward to trying it out. I hope it's not too cold up there in Oklahoma.

    73,

    Mike AD5A

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    1. Yesterday, I was wearing a short-sleaved shirt. Today, my down-filled jacket!

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  4. Hello.

    Can you tell me how this Lipo Accu for the FT817 is preforming!?

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  5. The Lipo is performing well. I used the 817 this past weekend to do 3 summit activations or about 1.5 hours on the air, calling CQ and working stations. When finished the battery was still plut out 11.7volts. I'm very satisfied with it.

    Mike AD5A

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  6. Hello Mike,

    Thanks for the fast reply.

    I need to buy new accu for me FT817.
    So I was wondering of this was good unit.

    Now I will order this lipo set.

    Hope to meet you on the air Mike.

    Cor PD9CN
    73

    ReplyDelete