ham radio

[redman2006]

As far as transmitting it is only three bands, but listening is wide band. That was why I was curious if it and a light antenna would work for backpacking. Eventually an 875 or 817 looks good for that, but those are heavy. This is more about listening as a way to enjoy an evening on top of Blood mountain than about emergency communications.

Thanks for the help.

[AD]

857 is not that heavy. I have packed with mine and it works well and you have world wide coverage.

The 817 has only 5 watts out and unless you learn CW, its a waste of money.

[unseenone]

The FT817ND is claimed by Yaesu to be the ultimate backpacker radio. Approx. 2.58 LBS

It's ironic a radio touted as the ultimate backpacker radio doesn't provide it's weight anywhere. It just goes to show the disconnect between engineering, marketing and sales. I had to download the owners manual to get it.

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=06014CD0AFA0702B25B12AB4DC9C0D27&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

The 857D is a proven all mode radio, and weighs in at 4.6lbs not including battery.

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=8CBB7C4BDBAF40129AD4253A4987523C&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

If you don't need to potential power, or bands, go light. Otherwise, go big!!

[AD]

Above all remember: "Morgan had a 857D"!!!!! Nuff said!!

[redman2006]

By the time you add antennas and batteries for the 875, what would a pack weight actually run? Also, what kind of a run time do you have on the batteries and how do you charge them in the case of either radio?

I have tons to learn, and any radio equipment is a long ways down the road. Still, I am a gear addict and like to window shop.

As an aside, would some form of a packable solar recharger work?

[AD]

You thinking too hard about this.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lCuGf21tGSc

[redman2006]

Thank you. Trying to pin down weights is tough.

[redman2006]

I have seen this video before. That was one reason I was asking about weight. It looks like a fairly full daypack with the bulk she laid out. I was not sure about the weight, especially of the battery. Thanks for the link.

You are right, I tend to think too much. Generally this results in over buying or buying gear that is too complex or more than I need or will really utilize.

[AD]

Red

The battery weight /reserve power will depending on you transmit/listen ratio and the power out setting on the radio. The 857 can go from 5-100 watts.

Look at this link for batteries that are small, sealed and weigh from 4.5lbs and up depending on AmpHrs needed.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_6?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A389574011%2Ck%3ABattery&keywords=Battery&ie=UTF8&qid=1404917436&rnid=493964

The Par End Fedz antenna (used in the video) is just over a pound and doesn't need a tuner since they are balanced out of the box. Drawback is they are mono band but easy to deploy.

[redman2006]

Thank you