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FT-818

Yaesu
FT-818

Specifications

Prices

Portable & mobile HF / VHF / UHF all mode transceiver, up to 6W of solid output power and built-in high stability TCXO. This radio comes with Ni-MH 1900 mAh battery pack and whip antenna for 50 / 144 / 430 MHz. Ideated in Japan, year of introduction 2018.

Reference market : amateur-radio

FT-818 specifications

General

Frequency coverage
Receive	0.1000 ~ 56.0000 MHz 76.0000 ~ 154.0000 MHz 420.0000 ~ 470.0000 MHz
Transmit	1.8 / 3.5 / 5.1675 channel [1] / 5.3 [2] / 7.0 / 10 / 14 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 28 / 50 / 144 / 430 MHz band
Mode
CW / FSK (RTTY/Packet) / LSB / USB / AM / FM / WFM [3]
Tuning step
10 / 100 Hz / 1 / 2.5 / 5 / 6.25 / 9 / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 50 KHz / 1 MHz

Receiver

Sensitivity
CW / SSB	0.25 uV (1.8~30 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.20 uV (50~54 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.125 uV (144~148 MHz, 10dB S/N) 0.125 uV (430~450 MHz, 10dB S/N)
AM	32.0 uV (0.5~1.8 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.0 uV (1.8~30 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.0 uV (50~54 MHz, 10dB S/N)
FM	0.5 uV (28~30 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 0.32 uV (50~54 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 0.2 uV (144~148 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 0.2 uV (430~450 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
Selectivity
CW-N [4]	0.3 KHz (-6dB) 1.0 KHz (-60dB)
CW-N [5]	0.5 KHz (-6dB) 2.0 KHz (-60dB)
CW / SSB	2.2 KHz (-6dB) 4.5 KHz (-60dB)
AM	6.0 KHz (-6dB) 20.0 KHz (-60dB)
FM-N	9.0 KHz (-6dB) 25.0 KHz (-60dB)
FM	15.0 KHz (-6dB) 30.0 KHz (-60dB)
RF preamplifier [6]
Yes
RF attenuator [6]
~10 dB
Image rejection
> 70 dB (1.8~50 MHz bands) > 60 dB (144/430 MHz bands)
IF rejection
> 60 dB
NB (Noise Blanker)
Yes
RIT (Receiver Incremental Tuning)
± 9.99 KHz
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Off, fast, slow
Frequency stability
± 0.5 ppm max with temperature from -10°C to +60°C (CW/SSB/AM) ± 1 KHz max with temperature from -10°C to +60°C (FM)
IF (Intermediate Frequency)
1°	68.330 MHz 10.7 MHz (WFM only)
2°	455 KHz (CW/SSB/AM/FM)
Squelch sensitivity
SSB / CW / AM	2.5 uV (1.8~30 MHz, attenuator OFF) 1.0 uV (50~54 MHz, attenuator OFF) 0.5 uV (144~148 MHz) 0.5 uV (430~450 MHz)
FM	0.32 uV (28~30 MHz, attenuator OFF) 0.20 uV (50~54 MHz, attenuator OFF) 0.16 uV (144~148 MHz) 0.16 uV (430~450 MHz)
CW features
Semi break-in and full break-in 300~1000 Hz pitch control Reverse mode LSB/USB

Transmitter

Output power [7]
SSB / CW / FSK / FM	1 / 2.5 / 5 / 6 W
AM	0.7 / 1 / 1.7 / 2 W
Spurious emission
< -50 dB (1.8~29.7 MHz bands) < -60 dB (50/144/430 MHz bands)
Carrier suppression (SSB)
< -40 dB
Unwanted sideband suppression (SSB)
< -50 dB
Maximum deviation (FM)
± 2.5 / 5 KHz (narrow / wide)
Microphone
600Ω nominal (200~10kΩ)
CW features
4~60 wpm keyer

Features

Memory
200 regular memories, 1/10 groups 4 home memories (HF/50/144/430 bands)
Display
10 Hz frequency resolution Segment-bar signal meter
Selective calling
CTCSS / DCS
Antenna
BNC 50Ω front connector SO239 50Ω rear connector
Power supply
13.8 VDC ±15% nominal (8~16 VDC) 12.0 VDC (8 x AA alkaline cells) 9.6 VDC (Ni-MH battery pack)
Power consumption
~250mA RX, squelched ~450mA RX, typ 2.4A TX, max power (HF/50/144 MHz bands) 2.7A TX, max power (430 MHz band)
Audio power
1 W on 8Ω
Audio output
Jack 3.5 mm headphone or external speaker (low/hight level switch)
Connections
6-pin miniDIN (TNC for RTTY/AFSK/Packet) 8-pin miniDIN (PC control, cloning, ALC, band data) Jack 3.5 mm (keyer)

Mechanical and environmental data

Operating temperature
from -10°C to +60°C
Dimensions
135 (W) x 38 (H) x 165 (D) mm
Weight
0.9kg without batteries, antenna and microphone

U.S. version only, Alaska emergency frequency.
U.S. version only.
Wide-FM mode on 76~108 MHz only.
Optional YF-122CN filter installed.
Optional YF-122C filter installed.
The feature does not function on 144/430 MHz bands.
When using alkaline batteries or the supplied battery pack the max power is limited to 2.5 Watts.

FT-818 description :

The Yaesu FT-818 (FT-818ND) continues all the great features of the Yaesu FT-817 with output power increased to 6 Watts and built-in high stability TCXO oscillator besides the 1900 mAh NiMH high capacity battery. This radio is a fully self-contained multi-band transceiver for portable & mobile (car/camping/field) use. Providing coverage of the 1.8 to 28 MHz ham bands, plus the 50 / 144 / 430 bands, the rig includes operation for every modes as well for satellite communications.

YAESU FT-818 Transmit bands and Receiver frequency ranges

The FT-818 is designed for use either from an external power-supply or internal batteries, provides up to 6W of power output (SSB, CW, FM) and selection of four power levels. 6 Watt, 5 Watt, 2.5 Watt, 1 Watt on all bands with 13.8VDC input (AM 2 Watt). When using the battery pack or "AA" alkaline cells, the FT-818ND automatically sets the transmit power level to 2.5 Watt to conserve power, however the power may be switched to 6W or others.

FT-818 compact and light weight :

Measures 5.31" x 1.5" x 6.5" (135 x 38 x 165mm), light weight under 900g, the transceiver is an innovative multi-band, multi-mode portable radio within an ultra compact body. Outdoor portable operation may be enjoyed with the same convenience as a handheld transceiver.

FT-818 two antenna connectors :

This Yaesu transceiver is equipped with 2 antenna connectors, a BNC-type on the front panel and an M-type (SO239) on the rear panel. For portable and field operation the supplied whip antenna may be connected to the front panel connector. The Menu system allows setting which antenna connector will be selected for the operating bands.

YAESU FT-818 front panel (BNC type, left) and rear panel (SO239 type, right) Antenna connectors

FT-818 features :

Wide receive frequency coverage, from 100 kHz to 56 MHz as well 76-154 and 420-470 MHz.
Transmit coverage for all bands from 160 meters to 70 cm, plus Alaska Emergency Channel (5167.5 kHz) for U.S. version.
Transmit coverage of the U.S. 60 meter band (as following table).
IPO, Intercept Point Optimization, and RF attenuator for HF/50 bands.
Dual VFOs, RX/TX split capability, clarifier.
Automatic repeater shift and VOX function.
Digital modes RTTY, PSK31, Pactor, etc.
Wide / Narrow FM selection.
Built-in Noise Blanker (NB).
Built-in TCXO.
Built-in CW keyer and Semi-Break-In, down to 10ms delay, capability.
Adjustable CW pitch, normal / reverse paddle connection selection.
Two optional narrow-band CW filters (only one optional filter may be installed).
Built-in CTCSS and DCS decoder / encoder.
ARTS, Auto-Range Transponder System, with DCS signaling.
200 regular memories with alpha-numeric labeling, plus home channels and band-limit for scan.
Automatic power-off (APO) and Time-out timer (TOT) features.
Bar-graph of RF power, ALC level, SWR, modulation.
Three color, blue - amber - violet, multi-function LCD display.
Front and rear panel antenna connectors, real confort!
Computer control (CAT) and cloning capability.
Ultra compact case size.

FT-818 full featured CW operation :

CW Semi Break-in, the TX to RX recovery delay is programmable from 10ms to 2,5 seconds in 10ms steps. CW Reverse, provides BFO injection on LSB instead of the default USB. CW Pitch control, adjusts transmitter offset and associated side tone between 300-1000 Hz in 50 Hz steps for precise spotting on DX stations, side tone audio level is adjustable. Built-in electronic CW Keyer, with adjustable speed 4-60 WPM and adjustable weight between 1:2,5-1:4,5. More, for temporary use the microphone UP/DWN buttons may be set-up to key the "Dot" and "Dash" on CW.

FT-818 Collins mechanical filters :

A slot is provided inside the FT-818ND radio to permit installation of a 2.3 kHz, 500 Hz or 300 Hz optional High Performance Collins mechanical filter for enhance receiver performance.

YAESU FT-818 optional Collins mechanical filters

YAESU FT-818 optional Collins mechanical filter YF-l22S (2.3 kHz, SSB, left) and YF-l22C/CN (500/300 Hz, CW, right)

Installation of optional filter: remove the FBA-28 battery case or SBR-32MH Ni-MH battery pack from the transceiver. Additionally, disconnect the DC cable from the jack on the rear panel of the transceiver, when operating the FT-818 with a DC power supply. Referring to figure at left, remove the shoulder belt bracket and its 2 screws from both side of the transceiver, then remove the 5 screws affixing the top case of the transceiver, and remove the top case. Note, disconnect the speaker's connector when you remove the top case.

YAESU FT-818, installation and mounting location of optional filter

Refer to figure at right for the mounting locations for the optional filter. Position the filter so that its connectors are aligned with the mounting pins on the board, and push it into place. Replace the internal speaker's plug, then replace the top case, and connect the battery case or Ni—MH battery pack and turn the transceiver on. Now, change the setting of Menu #38 (OP FILTER) to "SSB" if installing the YF-122S device, or "CW" for the YF-122C/CN. Filter installation is now complete.

FT-818 memory :

208 memory channels can be stored with the Transmit and Receive Frequencies, and 8-character alphanumeric tags. More, the Quick Memory Bank (QMB) feature allows calling up a preset memory and call with one touch, enabling efficient QSY operation.

FT-818 multi-functional display :

A wealth of information is available on the display, for easy operation. Spectrum Scope Monitor (SSM), displays receiver activity +/- five channels from the operating frequency. Multi-color display, the LCD illumination may be set to Blue, Amber or Violet color using the menu. Double sized frequency display, improves viewing in outdoor operation.

YAESU FT-818 multi-functional display, SSM / Multi-color / Double-sized

FT-818 60m band for U.S. version :

Channel number	Frequency
M-601	5.3320 MHz
M-602	5.3480 MHz
M-603	5.3585 MHz
M-604	5.3730 MHz
M-605	5.4050 MHz

FT-818 front panel :

YAESU FT-818 front panel

Reference / Description
1	PWR Switch
2	AF Knob The inner knob adjusts the receiver audio volume level presented to the internal, or external speaker.
3	SQL/RF Knob In the USA version, this outer knob adjusts the gain of the receiver's RF and IF stages. Using menu selection #45, this control may be changed to function as a Squelch control. In the other versions (EU, International), its default setting is set to Squelch.
4	LOCK key
5	V/M key Pressing this key switches frequency control between the VFO and Memory Systems.
6	TRANSMIT/BUSY Indicator This LED glows green when the squelch opens, and turns red during transmit.
7	MAIN Dial It is used both for frequency tuning as well as menu setting in the transceiver.
8	F Key Pressing this key momentarily changes the display to show the operating functions available via the [A][B][C] keys. Press and hold this key for one second to activate the Menu mode.
9	FUNC Keys These 3 keys select many of the most important operating features of the radio.
10	BAND DWN/UP Key
11	MODE key
12	HOME Key Pressing this key momentarily recalls a favorite Home frequency memory.
13	SEL Knob This rotary switch is used for tuning, memory selection, and function selection.
14	CLAR key Press this key momentarily to activate the receiver Clarifier feature. Press and hold this key to activate the IF Shift feature.
15	ANT Jack

FT-818 side panel :

YAESU FT-818 side panel

Reference / Description
1	MIC Jack
2	SP/PH Jack This mono jack provides audio output for an external speaker or earphones. When you insert an earphone plug into this jack, the SP-PH slide switch, located to the right side of this jack, must be set to the "PH" position.
3	SP-PH Switch If you use earphones with this radio, move this switch to the "PH" position to prevent injury your ears.

FT-818 rear panel and connections :

YAESU FT-818 rear panel and connections

Reference / Description
1	INPUT 13.8VDC
2	GROUND Terminal
3	KEY Jack This 3-pin jack is used for connection to a CW keyer paddle or a straight key.
4	DATA Jack This 6-pin mini-DIN jack accepts AFSK input from a TNC, it also provides fixed-level receiver audio output / PTT / squelch status.
5	ACC Jack This 8-pin mini-DIN jack provides a TX line, ALC, band data for connection to an external amplifier. It is also used for cloning and for control of this transceiver using a PC.
6	ANT Jack

FT-818 price

We have collected for your convenience the Yaesu FT818 sale price (US Dollar) and its trend over time. Useful to guarantee a cheaper purchase of this radio and to put it for sale in the second-hand market. Of course offers, accessories, warranty terms and conditions can lead to different figures.

Price	Date	Condition
USD 679.95	2023-mar	Brand-new
USD 579.00	2020-mar	Brand-new Store special offer
USD 675.00	2020-feb	Brand-new

FT-818 review

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