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Yaesu FT-897D mobile base:




I was tired of searching for a VHF/UHF mobile and finally broke and paid a bit too much for an FT-987 at a
local hamfest. It was NIB and I honestly didn't know much about it. I still had a TS-440S for HF so this
really was never intended for HF use. It came with two batteries, but also had a few filters and a temp-
compensated oscillator that I didn't even notice at the time. Must have been a high end radio I suppose?

Right away the molex power was a headache, the pins center and lose contact easily - those need to be changed
for powerpoles. The batteries didn't last two years, they cook-off if left plugged in and not used. I don't
intend to replace them, they easily double the weight of the radio. Next problem was the LCD losing rows and
columns of pixels. This, in addition to the molex, were quickly turning into common problems. The molex was
usually handled by "mauling" the female pins so they stayed in contact. The LDC panels were getting replaced
at an alarming rate, and Yaesu rapidly ran out of them. The few front panel boards thay had in reserve them
quickly depleated, leaving this radio unrepairable by the time I looked for parts. Thanks Yaesu!

This radio is okay-ish. It's marketed as a field day / camping radio with the batteries, but it's got a
limited display, and multiple deep menus with short abbreviations, making it less than ideal for either role.
It's fairly easy to transport, but is quite heavy and the molex makes for frustrating mobile setup due to the
radio flashing or losing power if you look at it wrong. A sidecar tuner is also available.


disassembly pics

ft897_lcd_fitting_r3.pdf (1166 KB)

manuals

mods



last updated 08/20/2023 at 12:28:31