Hi Ed,

Thank you for the reply, and comments.

On 2008-02-05, Ed_G wrote:
I made the same decision between those two radios over a year ago
and have no regrets in chosing the FT-450.. The receiver is
definitaly superior to the Rx in the Ft-897. The IF DSP features are
well worth it. I use mine primarily as the HF station in my motorhome,
as well as a backup to my IC-746 in the home station.

One question: what are the menuing systems like? I have no real problem with
getting to grips with menus, but some reviews seemed highly critical of them.

From POV of something like filtering, how easy are they to use?

In addition to the hundreds of reviews already suggested to you,
you can also check out the Yahoo Groups for each of those models of
radios you are looking at.

Yep, I am a member of both the FT-450 and FT-897 Yahoo groups.

I was looking for another opinion on either/both radios.

Are there anythings you hate/love about the radio?

What antenna are you using with it?

Did you spring for the DTMF microphone? If so did it make frequency entry
easier?

Also, did you get any other options (ATU, etc?)

thanks for your comments and help.
b

One question: what are the menuing systems like? I have no real
problem with getting to grips with menus, but some reviews seemed
highly critical of them.

If I were to fault Yaesu for anything, it would be their menu system.
Of the big three, I find Yaesu's menu system to be the least intuitive.
That said, I will say that I find the menu system for the FT-450
"different", and perhaps more straight forward than that of the FT-897
system. I have an FT-817 which is similar to the FT-897 and FT-857
type radios and It is not nearly as easy to use as the FT-450.



From POV of something like filtering, how easy are they to use?

Not as easy at the IC=746, but still better than the other Yaesu
radios to which I already referred.



Are there anythings you hate/love about the radio?

No hate, nothing particular that I love, either.


What antenna are you using with it?


A 23' base loaded vertical on the back of my motorhome. Works
superbly, but I always adjust my loading coil assy for a good 50 ohm
match for the radio.



Did you spring for the DTMF microphone? If so did it make frequency
entry easier?

I had no need for the DTMF microphone. I am pleased with the stock
mic.



Also, did you get any other options (ATU, etc?)


Since my home brew antennas always are designed for a 50 ohm match, I
had no need to get the matching unit.


Ed K7AAT

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the reply.

On 2008-02-06, Ed_G wrote:

If I were to fault Yaesu for anything, it would be their menu system.
Of the big three, I find Yaesu's menu system to be the least intuitive.
That said, I will say that I find the menu system for the FT-450
"different", and perhaps more straight forward than that of the FT-897
system. I have an FT-817 which is similar to the FT-897 and FT-857
type radios and It is not nearly as easy to use as the FT-450.

That is very good news. Very glad to hear it. So the 450, has a
"better" menu system than the 817/57/97?

From POV of something like filtering, how easy are they to use?

Not as easy at the IC=746, but still better than the other Yaesu
radios to which I already referred.



No hate, nothing particular that I love, either.


A 23' base loaded vertical on the back of my motorhome. Works
superbly, but I always adjust my loading coil assy for a good 50 ohm
match for the radio.

With all these average, or "positive" comments, I don't understand how the radio
has received bad reviews.

Thank you very much for your comments Ed. You'd helped me alot.

much appreciated.

b
ei8fdb

On 2008-02-07, blue box thief "blue box wrote:

A 23' base loaded vertical on the back of my motorhome. Works
superbly, but I always adjust my loading coil assy for a good 50 ohm
match for the radio.

Oh, one more thing Ed. Have you ever carried the radio for a long distance?
Is it heavy? I know its 2.xKg, but just wondering if its possible to carry
the thing in a backpack?

Just curious..

thanks
b
ei8fdb

Oh, one more thing Ed. Have you ever carried the radio for a long
distance? Is it heavy? I know its 2.xKg, but just wondering if its
possible to carry the thing in a backpack?


No, I'm not much of a packer any more. If there was any significant
reason for me to pack a radio on my body, I would get the FT-857...
although more for size reason than weight. THe FT-450 is smallish, and
far lighter and smaller than most of the radios aimed at use as a
primary base station, but still, its a bit big compared to the smaller
mobile type radios.

Yes, its is possible to carry the FT-450 but its size, in my
opinion, would possibly preclude carrying some other desired stuff....
and of course batteries would be the biggest problem. If you really
want to hoof it into the wilderness I'd recommend something like the FT-
817... even though it is a QRP rig.



Ed K7AAT

That is very good news. Very glad to hear it. So the 450, has a
"better" menu system than the 817/57/97?


Menus are a rather "personal" interface between the operator and the
hardware. I am rather old fashined and I like knobs and buttons with
dedicated functions. Not much made like that now-a-days. While the FT-
450 is a bit better in this regard compared to those other modern Yaesu
radios, it is NOT even close to perfect by any means. In my opinion,
yes, the FT-450 has a 'better' menu system but others may disagree.


Ed K7AAT