The 818 has an extra 1W (which some 817 owners achieved by modding), a TCXO and 1900mAh battery. Other than that, they're pretty much the same rig.
Anyhow, buying an 817 is a precarious affair - I had one guy offering me a "great deal" and then at the last minute, I discovered that the radio was 16 years old!!! So for an extra £50 I got an 818 and that way you know it's only a few months old.
Although I have an Elecraft KX3 (with built-in ATU and 2M board) which I love and adore, I am always conscious of the fact that it's like taking a Rolls Royce to the top of a hill when you know damned well that you should have taken the Land Rover.
The FT-818ND is tough and robust. You can chuck it in a backpack with little thought about its well-being. If you keep the radio in the (superb) Yaesu Leather Case, you can virtually guarantee that it will remain in good condition even after years of SOTA work.
Taking the Elecraft on a hike is like taking a box of eggs! I'm not suggesting that the KX3 is fragile or poorly constructed - it's not!! It's a superb radio, but it just requires a lot more care when handling it outdoors. I should really buy some of the protection options available for it and stop worrying!
According to others, the reception on the FT-818ND cannot hold a candle to the KX3, but they say it's also not that bad! The sheer convenience and durability of the FT-818ND means that you will be much more willing to throw it over your shoulder when going out - and you will therefore be much more likely to make a contact. Taking the KX3 out on the other hand needs some care and so you might not be as eager to "throw it over your shoulder". The big advantage of the KX3 is that it's got 3 times the power of the 818.
Anyway, no matter what the reason for buying an 818 - I just did! And I absolutely LOVE IT!! I really do. I've had some amazing contacts with it, even reaching deep into Russia on 5W and Denmark and Iceland on 2.5W.
Weather permitting, I'll take it out this weekend and have a play. In addition to using the regular antennas that I use with my KX3, I'm also going to try the Elecraft AX1 Telescopic Vertical. Should be interesting.
Features of new 818 :
- Improved frequency stability ±0.5 ppm: Built-in TCXO-9
- Larger battery capacity: 9.6V/1900 mAh (SBR-32)
- 5MHz band Operation available
- 208 Memory Channels / 10 Memory Groups
- Operates on 160-10m, HF, 6m, 2m and 70 cm Bands
- Ultra-Compact and Portable
- Two Antenna Connectors
- IF Shift, IF Noise Blanker, IPO, ATT
- CW "Semi-Break-in", CW Reverse, CW Pitch Control
- Built-in Electronic Keyer
- Multi-Colour Easy to see LCD
- Internal Battery Operation Capability
- ARS Automatic Repeater Shift
- APO Automatic Power Off
- Front Panel Key Lock Mode
Specifications:
- Frequency Ranges: RX 100 kHz - 30 MHz
- (Amateur Bands only) 50 MHz - 54 MHz
- 76 MHz - 108 MHz
- 87.5 MHz - 108 MHz
- 430 MHz - 440 MHz
- TX 1.8 MHz - 54 MHz
- C2 Version (5.2500 MHz - 5.4065 MHz) WRC-15 + UK
- B2 Version (5.3515 MHz - 5.3665 MHz) WRC-15
- 144 MHz - 146 MHz
- 430 MHz - 440 MHz
- Circuit Type: Double-Conversion Superheterodyne (SSB/CW/AM/FM)
- Single-Conversion Superheterodyne (WFM)
- Modulation Type: A1A(CW), A3E(AM), J3E(LSB, USB), F3E(FM), F1D(PACKET), F2D(PACKET)
- RF Power Output: 6 W (SSB/CW/FM), 2 W (AM Carrier) @13.8 V
- Memory Channels: 208
- Case Size (W x H x D): 135 x 38 x 165 mm
- w/o knob and connector
- Weight: 900 g (w/o Battery, Antenna and Microphone)
Supplied Accessories:
- Hand Microphone(MH-31A8J)
- Battery (SBR-32 9.6V 1900mAh Ni-MH )
- Battery Case (FBA-28) (Requires 8 "AA: batteries)
- Whip Antenna for 50/144/430 MHz (YHA-63E
- DC Cable (E-DC-6)
- Shoulder Strap, Ferrite Core, Rubber Foot
- Operating Manual
- Battery Charger (PA-48U/C)
Read more: https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/amateur-radio/transceivers/mobile-transceivers/yaesu-ft818---new---coming-soon#ixzz5w6nUoA1W
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