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The FT-897 is a rugged, innovative, multiband, multimode portable transceiver for the amateur radio /HF/VHF/UHF bands. Providing coverage of the 160-10 meter bands plus the 6 m, 2 m, and 70 cm bands.

It includes operation on the SSB, CW, AM, FM, and Digital modes, and it's capable of 20-Watt portable operation using internal batteries, or up to 100 Watts when using an external 13.8-volt DC power source.
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

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

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.
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 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
Achieving 100 Watts of power output from such a compact package is a difficult mechanical and electrical engineering task.
2SK2975S On HF, push-pull 2SK5125 MOSFETs driven by push-pull 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.
When you've travelled 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
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.
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
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.
Overall, the FT897D represents excellent value for money, and is now our top selling portable radio.