The latest, hottest rig! Bob and Pat both were the first five in line at the candy store to get these: From Yaesu's website: FT-817 The Ultimate Backpacker! Multi-mode Portable Transceiver The world�s first self-contained, battery-powered, Multi-mode Portable Transceiver covering the HF, VHF, and UHF bands! For more than four decades, Yaesu has been a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance multi-mode base station and mobile transceivers, as well as FM handhelds. Now Yaesu breaks new ground with the introduction of the FT-817: the world�s first HF/VHF/UHF self-contained battery-powered Multi-mode Portable Transceiver. Providing up to five watts of power output, the FT-817 is designed for operation on the 160-10 meter HF bands, plus the 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm bands. Whether your preferred operating mode is SSB, CW, AM, FM, Packet, or SSB-based Digital modes like PSK31, the FT-817 is ready to join you on your next hiking, camping, or search-and-rescue adventure!

And the specs: � Product Concept: Fully Self-Contained Battery-Powered Low Power Amateur Transceiver for Portable/Camping/Mountain top Use. � TX Frequency Coverage: 160 - 10 Meters, 50 MHz, 144 MHz, 430-450 MHz, plus Alaska Emergency Channel (5167.5 kHz). � RX Frequency Coverage: 100 kHz � 56 MHz; 76 � 154 MHz; 420 � 470 MHz. (Exact frequency range may be slightly different) � Power Output: 5 Watts SSB/CW/FM with 13.8V External DC; 1.5W AM Carrier. 2.5 Watts SSB/CW/FM with 9.6V Ni-Cd Pack or 8 �AA� batteries (AM: 0.7 W); Up to 5 W SSB/CW/FM power (max.) programmable via Menu on Ni-Cd/AA cells. � 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.). � Case Size: 5.31" x 1.5" x 6.5" (WHD) � Weight: 2.6 lb (w/Alkalines & Antenna, w/o Mic.). � Two-Color LCD Multi-function Display (Blue/Amber). � Bar-Graph Metering of Power Output, ALC, SWR, Modulation. � Optional Narrow CW and SSB Filters. � AGC Fast-Slow-Auto-Off Selection. � RF Gain/Squelch Control. o Built-in Noise Blanker. � IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) and ATT (Receiver Front End Attenuator). � Dual VFOs, Split Capability, IF Shift, and R.I.T. (�Clarifier�). � Wide/Narrow FM Selection. � AM Aircraft Reception. � Dedicated SSB-based Digital Mode for PSK31 on USB/LSB, AFSK RTTY, etc. � Built-in CW Electronic Keyer and Semi-Break-In (down to 10 ms delay) Capability. � Adjustable CW Pitch; CW Paddle Normal/Reverse Connection Selection. � Built-in VOX. � Automatic Repeater Shift. � Built-in CTCSS and DCS. � ARTS� (Auto-Range Transponder System). � Smart Search� Automatic Memory Loading System. � Spectrum Scope. � Front and Rear Panel Antenna Connectors (BNC on Front; M [SO-239] on Back). � 200 Regular Memories, plus Home Channels and Band-Limit (PMS) Memories. � Alpha-Numeric Labeling of Memory Channels. � Automatic Power-Off (APO) and Tx Time-Out Timer (TOT) Features. � Rear Panel Data, Accessory, and Key jacks. � CAT System Computer Control Capability (4800/9600/38400 bps); Cloning Capability.

How sweet it is! I trust you have told your local Santa Claus and Birthday wish granter that THIS is what would please you most! That is one sweet little package and loaded for bear! Amazing what they have done with boat anchors. Turned them into toys for the Big Boys!

It's a pretty good little rig, I got one about two months ago and hook it up to a big K5RV antenna (long inverted "V") at night and listen to shortwave broadcasts in bed. Just like my Grandpa Ed Frauenthal used to do in St. Louis. It has a 6 meter/450/2 meter rubber duck antenna on the front and a standard so239 connector on the back, two switchable antenna ports (bnc on the front), Bob (ab5n) did the battery mod so I can charge it up without having to buy the Yeasu battery pack, I can just use standard aaa niMh batteries in it. It's a bit underpowered, but that's adjustable also. It takes 10 hours to charge it up.

Hi all Finally got my 817 as a birthday present from me to me - tres cool (didnt have any money left over to buy a nice 1938 Leica - waa...) Anyway, this will be the primary qrp rig with plans for pedestrian mobile (see the hfpack website) and a driver radio for the microwave equipment. Tons o' fun! 73 de AA9IL Mike

Cool Mike. I used to have one tand they're great rigs. Bob has a battery mod that you may want to do to it.