Yaesu FT-897D Buddipole Antenna Portable Field Station VA7RLW - Richard Wodzianek VA7JFX – Nicholas Wodzianek November 2014 Yaesu FT-897D Buddipole Antenna

Welcome I’d like to share our thoughts and experiences of selecting the correct amateur radio equipment for field use based on a user profile and use case.

Nick’s Use Case: Profile: Geotechnical Engineer travelling to remote locations Need a backup comm system while deep in the heart of nowhere Requirements: Communication range: 1000 km Portable station able to be easily transported by commercial or chartered aircraft, helicopter or boat to remote field locations Flexible power options: internal batteries 120 VAC to 12 VDC power supply external 12 VDC battery Portable antennas: 2m/70cm, 6m to 40m Quick and easy to set up and get on the air!

Yaesu FT-897D 2m/70cm 6-160m bands 100 Watts on 6m-HF bands 50 Watts on VHF 20 Watts on UHF Operating Modes: USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM, W-FM, Digital (AFSK), Packet (1200/9600 FM).  Digital Modes: RTTY, PSK31-U, PSK31-L and User defined USB/LSB (SSTV, Pactor, etc.). 

FT-897D - Opinion Likes: Very rugged Internal batteries Fully featured Dislikes: Display is limited Menu driven – more so than IC-7000. Not intuitive Yaesu antenna tuner has no extra CAT port for external laptop control Heavy

Power Ratings 2 Internal NiMH batteries 20 Watts for all bands when running internal 4.5 AH – each battery Provides about 4 hours of RX use per battery Under an 1 hour of typical TX use per battery External 12 VDC 22 Amps – TX 1 Amp - RX

Antennas Buddipole – 2m to 40m bands 2 traps with selectable band ranges Telescoping whips Multiple configurations (see above) Tripod stand Small nylon zippered carrying case Easy to transport – even as airplane check-in luggage Easy to set up Use an analyzer for faster tuning Antenna tuner recommended Recommend inserting a 2m/70cm ladder line antenna for quick setup – very portable. Put into Buddipole carrying case.

Accessories CD-24 internal battery charger – charges 1 internal battery at a time One end goes to a 12VDC supply – 1.4 Amps Will charge from vehicle cigarette lighter socket 12 VDC 30A power supply with Anderson Power Poles Youkits antenna analyser Makes the job of tuning the antenna quick and easy.

Cables 12’ 10AWG zip line DC cable with alligator clips for vehicle battery Cigarette lighter plug – for low current needs such as the internal battery charger Anderson power pole ends

Final Package – Ready to Go Radio and gear fits into a “Roots” carry-all bag The bag fits easily into luggage or other check-in bags Antennas fit into Buddipole case

CARESS’s Profile: Have a set Grab’n’Go kits – always on standy and ready for use in case of an emergency or deployment at a remote event. Easy to transport and ready for any mode of operation: Voice, data, CW Powered by any available source

Requirements: Fully self contained field unit Easy to carry Not as heavy and as large as existing Grab-N-Go kit Gator case – rack unit Rugged Fast deployment and setup Power Mostly external (battery or 120VAC) SLA 35Ah internal Solar panel and regulator for trickle charge (optional)

Candidate Radios Radio Benefits Negatives Icom IC-7000 Yaesu FT-897D Light weight All band, all mode Easy to use Commonly used radio No longer in production but available from Asia markets via eBay Not rugged External antenna tuner Yaesu FT-897D Rugged Internal batteries No longer in production but still available UI not intuitive Yaesu FT-857D Very light weight Low price Icom IC-7200 Rack mountable Speaker in front 160m to 6m Slightly heavy Kenwood TM-D710G 2m/70cm APRS, GPS 50 Watts Yaesu FTM-400DR Colour display

Candidate Field Kit 4U Gator audio rack mount case with wheels Microphones, cables, etc. fit in the front and back covers for easy storage and access 3U Front panel and shelf for radios, TNCs, speaker 3U Real panel for antenna mounts, power selection switch, etc. 1U Sliding shelf for notebook computer (slides out for data use) HF radio Antenna tuner Pactor 4 modem VHF/UHF radio with APRS 9600 baud TNC for VHF/UHF 35Ah SLA battery mounted internaly Charger for internal SLA battery Power supply 12VDC, 30A (rack mounted) Power selector switch (internal DC, external DC, external 120VAC) RT Systems USB-radio interface cable and programming software for HF and VHF/UHF radios Optional Solar Panel – plastic board (slips into case) Solar regulator for internal SLA battery

Front Panel - Concept Front panel consists of a 3U plate with a concept layout Bottom is a 1U pull out tray for the notebook computer

Rear Panel A 3U blank face plate 1U portion left exposed for cabling access Power selection using a heavy duty switch Internal battery / power supply External battery Mount the internal 30A power supply Bulk head SO-239 connectors for easy access to antennas AC connector for extension cord Power regulator to charge internal SLA battery Anderson Power Pole distribution

THANK YOU