Yaesu 857d for marine use?

[Dulcesuenos]

Just curious pros and cons of this unit? Can get an almost new one under 500. Does it have to be used with an antenna tuner to function properly?

[Jentine]

FYI, this is a HAM radio and requires at least a General License for operation and YES it does need a tuner. If you google the radio model, there is a dearth of information available.

[Goudurix]

Hi Dulcesueños,

1. Yes it is perfectly usable for HAM bands.
It can be opened up for extension of transmission frequencies to also cover transmission on the marine SSB frequencies, but even with a HAM license transmission ont those marine SSB frequencies is illegal. Only for emergencies.

2. It also covers VHF and UHF frequencies until 430 Mhz, so it can also act as an emergency double for your marine VHF where it will even give you 50 watts (again: illegal, but just in case of emergency I wouldn't bother).

3. It gives 100 Watts SSB PEP power in a very compact housing; actually it is nearly 100% the same as the Yaesu FT-897 but due to being even more compact even more functions have to be addressed via menus. Like the Yaesu FT-897 the receiver is quite noisy but when away from marinas acceptable.

4. Does it need a tuner? There is 1 answer to that: it depends on which antenna (system) you want to use.
If you want to use it "allband" with an isolated backstay antenna or other end-fed sloping wire antenna, you will definitely need an atenna tuner.
You can also use it with frequency "dedicated antennas, not needing a tuner. The easiest and cheapest solution are vertical wire dipoles, cut for 1 frequency, hoisted from the mast and fixed below on the toerail or lifelines. Check this topics, from Bill Trayfors.
There disadvantage is that you will need one for every frequency band you want to work on, and you will be limited by your mast height to define the lowest frequency on which you can use a vertical dipole (typically 12 Mhz for a 13m high mast.

Jan