Yaesu FT-817 - How to read the power meter

Page 28 of the FT-817 operating manual attempts to explain how to adjust your power output. Itis very difficult to understand because the coders cannot represent power output in a easy manner for some reason.

So take a minute with a coffee and you will NOW know how to set the power on your radio.


To control the power levels, press the function (F) button for 1 second

Rotate the SELECT knob to display the menu item 9 [ PWR MTR xxx ]  (xxx will represent pwr for POWER level, alc for ALC level, swr for SWR display or mod for FM deviation level).  

Press button A to control the power level, button B to select the meter display

Press the PWR button (button A) to step through the display.


With the input voltage  GREATER THAN > 11.5 volts, the display will look like this.


(L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts.

(L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts.

(L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts.

(L____) No bars displayed = 5.0 watts.


With an input voltage voltage LESS THAN < 11.5 volts, the display will look like this.


(L_l__) One bar displayed = 0.5 watts.

(L_ll_) Two bars displayed = 1.0 watts.

(L_lll) Three bars displayed = 2.5 watts.

(L____)-(L_lll) (BLINKING) Three BLINKING bars displayed = 5.0 watts.

For an odd reason the blinking display is a warning that you are using the 5-watt level while on battery power. if you have the stock 1400 maH battery installed then you will have known by now the battery life is very short.

The Windcamp lithium FT817 internal battery is well recommended

BaoFeng Buys Tokyo High Power Labs

Quietly, without much fanfare, BaoFeng (the marketing name for PoFung Technologies) has purchased the remaining assets from the holding administrator representing Tokyo High Power Labs.

This acquisition, completed just before the end of 2014, signals the entry of BaoFeng into the HF radio market.  This was discussed in detail on QRZ.

RUMORED NEW Products

In recent weeks, Factual Amateur Radio Technology Services have learned of a product roadmap for both amplifiers and a new HF transceiver.  We’re still gathering details, but what we’ve learned so far includes:

• Three New HF Amplifiers, modeled after Tokyo High Power Labs models.
• Three New HF Transceivers, with features to delight even the most critical of operators
• A new remote base protocol

Details are still a little sketchy, but the rumored HF Transceivers are reportedly being labeled:

• BaoFeng Hurricane (SDR with knobs, 250 watt all band transceiver)
• BaoFeng Tornado (SDR with knobs, 400 watt all band transceiver)
• BaoFeng Tsunami (SDR no front panel, 100 watt all band transceiver)

KILLER PRICING

The rumored pricing suggests BaoFeng intends to dominate the HF Transceiver market in a similar fashion that they have supplanted the VHF and UHF handheld world.  We could not verify at this moment, but the suggested retail price for the Tsunami is $180.00 US!