FT-897 PORTABLE BASE STATION
Whether at home, in the car, or on a DX-pedition, the FT-897 brings you home-station performance in a compact,
transportable package. Features like Digital Signal Processing, Collins
®
Mechanical filter options, and easy Digital
mode interfacing give you leading-edge performance, wherever you create your Hamshack!
Ease of operation of the FT-897 is enhanced by
the large-diameter (1.8") Main Tuning Dial, similar
in size to the tuning
knob of a large base-
station transceiver.
Selectable tuning
steps of 2 kHz/4 kHz
per revolution ensure
that fine tuning is
always available,
while allowing easy
navigation around
your favorite bands.
Achieving 100 Watts of power output from such a
compact package is a difficult mechanical and
electrical engineering task. On HF, push-pull 2SK5125
MOSFETs driven by push-pull 2SK2975s provide
the 100-Watt power capability, while on VHF
maximum efficiency during battery operation is
yielded by 2SC3102 bipolar PA transistors. The
rugged aluminum die-cast chassis provides a solid
foundation for the heat sink for the power amplifier,
with a total of almost 40 cubic inches of heat sink
surface area available. With its
quiet, thermostatically-controlled
twin cooling fans, the FT-897
will stand up to the rigors of
DX-pedition or home contest
use, with dissipation capability
to spare.
The compactness of the FT-897 is made possible
by the easy-to-use "multi-function keys," which allow
adjustment of a number of transceiver operating
functions during operation. Pressing the [F] key
allows selection of the operating function row,
using the Selector knob, and you may then press
the [A], [B], or [C] switch, as needed, to change
the setting. What's more, a number of these keys
provide instant "hot key" switching to a related
Menu item, for "set
and forget" configuration
adjustment.
The convenient "Clarifier" (R.I.T.) knob, located at
the bottom right-hand corner of the front panel,
allows offset of the receiver frequency from the
transmitter frequency, to follow a drifting station or
to tune around a DX pile-up. But if you want a
larger knob for offset tuning, you may use the
Menu system to assign the Clarifier function either
to the Selector knob, or the Main Tuning Dial.
Measuring just 7.9" x 3.2" x 9.1" (without knobs),
the FT-897 is unmatched in performance versus
size. With the optional FC-30 Automatic Antenna
Tuner installed, the convenient carrying handle of
the FT-897 lets you easily transport your
HF/VHF/UHF station to a
portable location and get
on the air instantly.
Compact, All-In-One Transportable
HF/VHF/UHF Communications Station
Innovative FC-30
(optional)
Automatic Antenna Tuner
Adding less than 2" to the total width of the
FT-897 assembly, the optional FC-30 is a high-
speed, relay-controlled Automatic Antenna Tuner
utilizing a combination of sixteen capacitors and
nine low-loss coils to reduce SWR as presented
to the FT-897 feedpoint. Impedances of 17 to 150
Ohms may be tuned by the FC-30 on HF (25 to
100 Ohms on 50 MHz), and the lightning-fast
tuning ensures that you won't miss out on the DX.
Unmatched Ease of Access to Features!
Big-Radio Tuning Dial and Ergonomics
in Ultra-Compact Transceiver
Easy Receiver Offset Tuning (Clarifier)
Easy-to-Use "Scrolling Front Panel" Keys
Ideal for low-power operation under battery power,
the FT-897 is easily adjusted down to the 5-Watt
limit for "QRP" operation, and you'll enjoy the thrill
of having those rare DX stations come back to
your "flea power" portable station.
Take the QRP Challenge
Rugged, High-Output Power Amplifier
with Efficient Heat Sink
TX POWER OUTPUT
HF 50 MHz 144 MHz 430 MHz
FT-897
FC-30 Automatic
Antenna Tuner
Versatile Memory System!
And Much, Much More. . .
DSP BANDPASS FILTER
Separate DSP Bandpass Filters for Voice and CW
augment the analog filters, yielding a dramatic
improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and interference
reduction. For Voice modes, both the low- and
high-side cutoff frequencies are independently
adjustable, and for CW you may choose bandwidths
of 240 Hz, 120 Hz, or a razor-sharp 60 Hz.
DSP AUTO-NOTCH FILTER
To reduce interference caused
by annoying carriers within
the receiver passband, the
DSP Auto-Notch provides a
significant reduction in the
interference level. If multiple
carriers are present, the
DSP will detect and notch all
the carriers present.
DSP NOISE REDUCTION
The very effective DSP Noise
Reduction filter of the FT-897
is a tremendous operating aid,
greatly reducing background
noise without introducing
annoying distortion of the
desired signal. Operator
fatigue is reduced, while signal-
to-noise ratio is significantly
enhanced.
IF SHIFT
To roll off interference using the analog IF filters,
the IF Shift feature varies the frequency of the IF
passband across the filter, removing interference
from either the high-frequency or low-frequency side
without varying the pitch of the incoming signal.
IF NOISE BLANKER
Another noise reduction circuit, in addition to the
DSP Noise Reduction, is the IF Noise Blanker.
Noise pulses are detected early in the receiver,
then amplified and used to drive a carefully-timed
gate in the receiver IF that blanks out impulse-
type noise from automotive ignition systems.
To enhance performance on both receive and
transmit, high-performance Collins
®
Mechanical
Filter options are available for both SSB and CW. For
SSB, the 2.3 kHz, 10-pole model YF-122S (optional)
provides a very flat passband response, for natural-
sounding transmit audio, along with excellent skirt
selectivity. And for CW, the 500 Hz, 7-pole YF-122C
(option) helps separate signals on a crowded band
in a contest.
When you've traveled a great distance to find that
ultimate quiet operating location, you want a great
receiver so as to take advantage of it! Yaesu's top
receiver design team crafted the front end of the
FT-897, accounting for the dramatic differences
between low bands like 160 meters and the 430
MHz microwave band. Wide dynamic range and
low noise low noise figure are the product of the
advanced preamplifier stage with negative
feedback for stability, and the
GaAs balanced mixer design,
with careful gain distribution from
the RF through the audio stages.
Flexibility in strong-signal operation
is also provided by the RF Gain
control, input attenuator, input
preamplifier bypass capability (IPO),
and Slow/Fast/Off AGC selections.
Nice Ears!! Legendary YAESU Receiver Design
Both CTCSS and DCS Encoder/Decoders are built in!
For easy access to repeaters, a 50-tone CTCSS
system works along with a 104-code Digital Code
Squelch (DCS) in the FT-897. For applications
requiring split CTCSS/DCS access, a convenient
"Split Tone" feature is also provided!
The FT-897 provides up to 200 "Main" memory
channels, each of which may be named with an
Alpha-Numeric label of up to eight characters.
These 200 Memories may
be separated in as many
as 10 Memory Groups of
20 Memories each.
For added convenience, you also get a "Quick
Memory" and a "Home Channel" on each band,
plus ten pairs of band-limit memories, to let you
restrict operation to a sub-band, if you like.
The quiet, fast-acting local oscillator system of the
FT-897 borrows extensively from the renowned
FT-847, using a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) to
achieve fast lock times and silky-smooth tuning in
10 Hz steps. The excellent carrier-to-noise ratio
helps preserve spurious-free dynamic range in a
crowded band, and the smooth tuning leaves you
with the feeling you’re using an analog VFO.
High-Performance PLL Design
Upgrade with Collins
®
Mechanical
Filters for SSB and CW!
Advanced Convenience Features for
VHF/UHF Operation!
Included are a CW Tuning indicator, CW Pitch control,
Electronic Keyer with three memories and Weight
Control, and selection of Full QSK or "Semi-break-
in" operation. For DX-pedition use, a unique "Beacon"
mode allows you to send a repetitive message on,
for example, six meters, to help others spot
propagation to your location. And if you're looking
to upgrade your license class, the CW Trainer feature
will send five-character
letters and/or numbers
via the speaker, so you
can practice CW reception
when the bands are dead.
Outstanding Features for the CW
Aficionado!
0.0
2.0
FREQUENCY Hz
3.6
¥
SSB DSP Bandpass Filter
95.0
FREQUENCY Hz
DNR OFF
DNR ON
3.0k
¥
DSP Noise Reduction Filter
95.0
FREQUENCY Hz
NOTCH OFF
NOTCH ON
3.0k
¥
DSP Auto-Notch Filter
FT-897: THE WORLD'S FIRST HF/VHF/UHF MULTIMODE PORTABLE/BASE STATION!
Now you can own a fully self-contained, high-power HF/VHF/UHF multimode transceiver that can be operated without an external power supply! With the exciting new FT-897, you can operate fully portable at the
20-Watt power level, using the optional FNB-78 13.2V/4500 mAh Ni-MH Battery Pack (two may be installed simultaneously). Use an external 13.8 Volt power supply for 100 Watts of power on HF/50 MHz, 50 Watts
on 144 MHz, and 20 Watts on 430 MHz. Or install the optional FP-30 Internal Power Supply in place of the internal batteries. . .however you configure the FT-897, there will be no limit to the DX action you'll enjoy!
If you're living in an apartment, townhouse, or
other location where you don't have a lot of
space to install an antenna, ask your dealer for
a suitable balcony mount for the ATAS-120!
When using the ATAS-120 with the optional
ATBK-100 Antenna Base Kit (VHF/UHF
Counterpoise), you'll be able to get on the air
with an efficient, automatically-tuned antenna
system that will put DX contacts into your log.
Using an external 13.8 Volt power source, you
get a full 100 Watts of power output on HF
and six meters (144 MHz: 50 W, 430 MHz: 20
Battery-powered Field Operation
DC 13.8 V Mobile Operation
Internal Ni-MH Battery Pack
FNB-78 (optional)
Top-quality Base Station
Limited-space Antenna Ideas
FP-30 (optional)
Internal Switching Power Supply
ATAS-120 Active-Tuning
Antenna System
For an afternoon at the park, a day at the beach, or an emergency exercise, power your FT-897
using the optional FNB-78 Ni-MH Battery Pack, and you're on the air-completely portable!
Mobile operation, using the FT-897 as the cornerstone, is pure joy! The
combination of the FT-897 and the ATAS-120 Active-Tuning Antenna System
provides automated operation from HF through the UHF spectrum!
The FT-897's outstanding fundamental performance invites expansion into a full-featured base
station. The optional FP-30 Internal Power Supply provides operation from AC sources, and the
clamp-on FC-30 Automatic Antenna Tuner option expands the impedance range of the transceiver.
Round out your station with the optional MD-200
A8X
Deluxe Desk Microphone and the optional
VL-1000 Quadra System Linear Amplifier for world-class performance at home!
The power source tray of the
FT-897
is designed to
accommodate the optional FP-30
Internal Power Supply, allowing full-
power operation from 100-120 V or
200-240 V AC power sources. The
quiet switching-regulator design of
the FP-30 is tolerant of AC input
voltage variations, making it ideal
for DX-pedition use! And to extend
the impedance bandwidth of your
antenna system, the innovative
F
C
-
3
0
A u t o m a t i c
Antenna Tuner
o p t i o n
clamps onto
the left side
of the
The bottom side of the FT-897 contains a "power source tray" which can accommodate up to two
of the optional 13.2 Volt, 4500 mAh FNB-78 Ni-MH Battery Packs, for completely portable
operation without any external power source. Maximum power output is 20 Watts (70 cm: 10 W)
during battery operation, and with two FNB-78s you may expect up to eight hours of operating
time (TX 5%, RX 5%, standby 90%). What's more, you can charge one of the FNB-78 Battery
Packs while operating the FT-897 off the other pack—ideal for situations where solar or other
power sources are available. The CD-24 Charge Adapter provides the necessary voltage for
charging, and it may be used in conjunction with an external 13.8 Volt source, or the PA-26 AC
Adapter may be used to power the CD-24.
BASE STATION
FT-897+FP-30+FC-30
(optional)
MOBILE STATION
FT-897+ATAS-120
(optional)
FIELD STATION
FT-897+FNB-78
(optional)
ACCESSORIES & OPTIONS
Deluxe, Ultra-High-Quality
Desktop Microphone
MD-200
A8X
DTMF Microphone
MH-36
E8J
Collins
®
Mechanical Filters
SSB YF-122S (2.3 kHz)
CW YF-122C
0.5 PPM High-Stability
Reference Oscillator
TCXO-9
Internal Power Supply
100-120/200-240 VAC
FP-30
Internal Ni-MH Battery Pack
FNB-78
(Two may be installed)
4-Hour Charge Adapter
for FNB-78
CD-24
(Requires 13.8 VDC or
optional PA-26)
Charger for CD-24
PA-26
(Requires optional CD-24)
Bolt-on Automatic
Antenna Tuner
FC-30
Active-Tuning Antenna System:
The ATAS Series! (optional)
Yaesu's patented ATAS-120 Active-Tuning Antenna System
provides a compact yet efficient, automatically-adjusting
antenna for mobile, portable, or apartment-balcony use!
Utilizing DC voltages fed from the FT-897 the ATAS-120
automatically adjusts its length longer or shorter, with the
FT-897 feeding a tiny amount of power for SWR detection by its
internal directional coupler. When the best impedance match is
found, tuning automatically stops, and operation can begin.
Specified for operation on the
7/14/21/28 MHz Amateur bands, the
ATAS-120 contracts fully for use on
the 50/144/430 MHz bands, providing
a low SWR for local FM work (where
vertical polarization is predominant).
And if you're an apartment dweller,
use the optional ATBK-100 Antenna
Base Kit, which provides an excellent
counterpoise to
ensure low-angle
radiation on the
VHF/UHF bands.
Deluxe Desk
Microphone
MD-100
A8X
100(20W) 100(20W) 50(20W) 20(10W)
( ) indicates Power Output during operation using internal batteries.
CAT Computer
Interface Cable
CT-62
Packet Cable
CT-39A
Mounting Bracket
MMB-80
Lightweight
Stereo Headphones
YH-77STA
ATBK100
Antenna Base Kit
(VHF/UHF
Counterpoise)
About this brochure: we have made this brochure as comprehensive and factual as possible. We reserve the right, however, to make changes at any time in equipment, optional accessories,
specifications, model numbers, and availability. Some accessories shown herein may not be available in some countries. Some information may have been updated since the time of printing;
please check with your Authorized Yaesu Dealer for complete details.
2002.0930NA(U/E)
Printed in Japan
B9200397
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD.
For the latest Yaesu news,visit us on the Internet:
4-8-8 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8644, Japan
VERTEX STANDARD
US Headquarters
10900 Walker Street, Cypress, CA 90630, U.S.A.
International Division
8350 N.W. 52nd Terrace, Suite 201, Miami, FL 33166, U.S.A.
YAESU EUROPE B.V.
P.O. Box 75525, 1118 ZN Schiphol, The Netherlands
YAESU UK LTD.
Unit 12, Sun Valley Business Park, Winnall Close
Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, U.K.
VERTEX STANDARD HK LTD.
Unit 5, 20 /F., Seaview Centre, 139-141 Hoi Bun Road,
Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
http://www.vxstdusa.com http://www.yaesu.co.uk
Phone 714/827-7600; Fax 714/827-8100
Email:[email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Digital and Analog Interference/Noise Reduction
The FT-897 includes a wide array of analog and
DSP filters to help you dig out those weak DX
signals on a crowded band! One-touch activation of
the DSP filters, plus a convenient "DSP" LED on
the front panel, enhance the ease of using the DSP.
A wide array of features are tailored to the CW enthusiast
operating from home or on an expedition!
Large, Multi-Color Display:
You can even program
the display to show different colors on each band,
mode, Memory Group, or even to track signal
strength by color!
TX Meter Selection:
Modulation Level, ALC,
Power Output, or SWR.
Battery Voltage Meter
Easy Data Mode Interfacing:
Configure for
1200/9600 bps Packet, RTTY, or PSK31 in
minutes. Transmit Data
Level is adjustable via
the Menu.
DSP Microphone Equalizer:
Focus the available power to match your voice
characteristics.
Two Antenna
Connectors:
Separate jacks for
HF/50 MHz and
144/430 MHz.
Large, Easy-to-See
TX/RX Status LED.
Optional High-
Stability Reference
Oscillator:
The TCXO-9 provides
±
0.5 ppm stability at
77
˚
F/25
˚
C for applications requiring very high
frequency accuracy.
Versatile Scanning Features:
VFO Scan,
Memory Scan, Band-Limited Scanning (PMS), and
Dual Watch.
Smart Search
™
:
Automatic "Soft" Memory
Channel loading system.
ARTS
™
:
Auto-Range Transponder system tells
you if another ARTS-equipped station goes out of
communications range.
Spectrum Scope:
Watch activity
±
9 or
±
63
channels from your
current frequency.
VOX:
With separate adjustments for voice delay
and CW receiver recovery time.
Auto Power Off (APO), Time-Out timer (TOT)
and Automatic Repeater Shift
CAT System:
Computer programming capability
for DX/contest logging software, etc.
See your Yaesu dealer for details regarding suitable mounts for the ATAS-120.
SPECIFICATIONS
General
Frequency Range:
Receive: 0.1-56 MHz, 76-108 MHz, 118-164 MHz, 420-470 MHz
Transmit: 160 - 6 Meters, 2 Meters, 70 Centimeters
(Amateur bands only)
5.1675 MHz (Alaska Emergency Frequency: USA only)
Emission Modes : A1 (CW), A3 (AM), A3J (LSB/USB), F3 (FM),
F1 (9600 bps packet), F2 (1200 bps packet)
Synthesizer Steps (Min.): 10 Hz (CW/SSB), 100 Hz (AM/FM/WFM)
Antenna Impedance: 50 Ohms, Unbalanced (M)
Operating Temp. Range: +14˚
F to +140˚
F (
–
10
˚
C to +60
˚
C)
Frequency Stability:
±
4 ppm from 1 min. to 60 min after power on. @25
˚
C: 1 ppm/hour
±
0.5 ppm/1 hour @25
˚
C, after warmup (with optional TCXO-9)
Supply Voltage: Normal: 13.8 VDC
±
15 %, Negative Ground
FNB-78 (Ni-MH Battery Pack): 13.2 V (Option)
Current Consumption: Squelched: 600 mA (Approx.)
Receive: 1 A
Transmit: 22 A
Case Size (W x H x D): 78.7"x 31.5"x 103.1" (200 x 80 x 262 mm)
Weight (Approx.): 8.6 lb (3.9 kg)
(w/o Ni-MH battery, antenna, Microphone)
Transmitter
RF Power Output (@13.8 V DC): SSB/CW/FM AM Carrier
160- 6 Meter: 100 W 25 W
2 Meter: 50 W 12.5 W
70 Centimeter: 20 W 5 W
Modulation Types: SSB: Balanced Modulator,
AM: Early Stage (Low Level),
FM: Variable Reactance
FM Maximum Deviation:
±
5 kHz (FM-N:
±
2.5 kHz)
Spurious Radiation:
–
50 dB (1.8-29.7 MHz)
–
60 dB (50/144/430 MHz)
Carrier Suppression: >40 dB
Opp. Sideband Suppression: >50 dB
SSB Frequency Response: 400 Hz-2600 Hz (
–
6 dB)
Microphone Impedance: 200-10k Ohms (Nominal: 600 Ohms)
Receiver
Circuit Type: Double-Conversion Superheterodyne
(SSB/CW/AM/FM)
Superheterodyne (WFM)
Intermediate Frequencies: 1st: 68.33 MHz (SSB/CW/AM/FM); 10.7 MHz (WFM)
2nd: 455 kHz
Sensitivity: SB/CW AM FM
100 kHz-1.8 MHz
—
32
µ
V
—
1.8 MHz-28 MHz 0.2
µ
V 2
µ
V
—
28 MHz-30 MHz 0.2
µ
V 2
µ
V 0.5
µ
V
50 MHz-54 MHz 0.125
µ
V 1
µ
V 0.2
µ
V
144/430 MHz 0.125
µ
V
—
0.2
µ
V
(SSB/CW/AM = 10 dB S/N, FM = 12 dB SINAD)
Squelch Sensitivity: SSB/CW/AM FM
100 kHz-1.8 MHz
—
—
1.8 MHz-28 MHz 2.5
µ
V
—
28 MHz-30 MHz 2.5
µ
V 0.32
µ
V
50 MHz-54 MHz 1
µ
V 0.16
µ
V
144/430 MHz 0.5
µ
V 0.16
µ
V
Image Rejection: HF/50 MHz: 70 dB, 144/430 MHz: 60 dB
IF Rejection: 60 dB
Selectivity (
–
6/
–
60 dB): SSB/CW: 2.2 kHz/4.5 kHz AM: 6 kHz/20 kHz
FM: 15 kHz/30 kHz FM-N: 9 kHz/25 kHz
SSB (optional YF-122S installed): 2.3 kHz/4.7 kHz (-66 dB)
CW (option YF-122C installed): 500 Hz/2.0 kHz
AF Output: 2.5 W (@4 Ohms, 10% THD or less)
AF Output Impedance: 4-16 Ohms
Specifications are subject to change without notice, and are guaranteed within the amateur bands only.
HF/50 MHz 1kW Linear Amplifier
Quadra System
VL-1000 + VP-1000
ATAS-120
ATAS-25
*
FC-30
Portable
Base
AC100~240 V
DC-12V
*CD-24
*FP-30
*FNB-78
Internal Battery
*FNB-78
DUP
DUP
Duplexer
DUP
Yagi, Dip. etc.
(HF/50MHz)
Bolt-on Automatic
Antenna Tuner
*
FC-30
HF/50MHz
144/430MHz
ANT
(144/430MHz)
*FNB-78
Mobile
DC12V
AC100V/200V
*CD-24
*PA-26
FT-897 System Diagram
ATAS-120
Antenna Base Kit
ATBK-100
ATBK-100
Active-Tuning
Antenna
(Automatic Type)
ATAS-120
Band Data Cable
for VL-1000
CT-58
Actual Size
Active-Tuning
Antenna System
(Automatic type)
ATAS-25
Active-Tuning
Antenna System
(Manual type)
Active-Tuning Antenna
*optional
Charge Adapter
Charge Adapter
Charger for CD-24
Power Supply
Ni-MH Battery Pack
Ni-MH Battery Pack
(optional)
Antenna Base Kit
for ATAS-120
A
B
Internal Power Supply
*FP-30
Active-Tuning
Antenna
(Manual Type)
ATAS-25
