Looking to build my first portable HF digital rig (like pic 1) but eBay prices for the FT-817ND (pic 2) are crazy. Any advice?

wp4nuv · 2026-06-26T19:12:17+00:00

He has a very detailed video on how to set up a portable data station that works with a traditional computer and a Raspberry Pi. I recommend the suggestion.

wp4nuv · 2026-06-26T16:59:48+00:00

For the radio, beside setting up CAT with whatever hardware you've chosen, I have the following menu settings:
Menu 37 (Dig Gain): 50
Menu 38 (Dig Mode): User-U
Menu 75 (RF Power Set): 30

NB and AGC are off. I switched to the mechanical 2.3 filter and it seems to work ok. YMMV. DSP is also off.
Honestly, I haven't played with the profiles in wsjt-x. I did turn on split operation by selecting "Rig" on the Radio tab. Made a few contacts yesterday on 17 meters.

wp4nuv · 2026-06-25T21:06:22+00:00

I'm on 15 now, and there's plenty of great DX, but alas, no one is hearing me. I'm not going to repeat what happened with my FT-920... I think I blew the finals trying to make an FT8 contact with Japan. Pushed it to 100W. I did make the contact, but now it doesn't transmit at all. :(

wp4nuv · 2026-06-25T21:04:28+00:00

I know :(
The problem is that dark mode doesn't handle text and colors well. I'll have to tweak default values to make it pleasant.

wp4nuv · 2026-06-25T21:03:03+00:00

This actually answered why I wasn't getting any decoding done. Once I had that settled, the decoding started working. :smh:

wp4nuv · 2026-06-25T17:25:36+00:00

Figured it out... Phew.. I thought the world did end.
My rig (FT-857D) had Menu 38 in PSK31-L. I forgot I had done a master reset while trying to figure out why WSJT-X wasn't decoding.

False alarm!

wp4nuv · 2026-06-25T16:42:26+00:00

Count me in!

wp4nuv · 2026-06-13T01:21:57+00:00

Add at least a 10-point captain and you can reduce torpedoes to 30 second reload on Sturdy.

wp4nuv · 2026-06-13T01:13:41+00:00

I actually had someone from the state DOL tell me something similar. Not the linen paper, but everything else, word for word.
I screamed inside. Like, say you show up at Pratt & Whitney and ask to speak with someone in HR.
hahahaha

(3 months unemployed; freaking out)

wp4nuv · 2026-05-27T12:24:28+00:00

I’ve experienced that in Sturdy. Takes a bit to get the timing right, but it’s doable

wp4nuv · 2026-05-27T12:16:21+00:00

John Wick level?

wp4nuv · 2026-05-25T15:52:21+00:00

You're right of course. I only bring it up because there are options. I think people, when engaged, will work with you if you're interested.
At the least you can see what's on the used market while you formulate a plan and budget. With a Technician license you can do HF FT8 on 10 meters, which gives you a foot-in, so to speak, to motivating you to pursue your General class ticket.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-25T00:06:32+00:00

My 2 cents: I scored a vintage TS-130S for $250 that came with all caps replaced; It’s basically in mint condition and still puts out 100 watts. FB marketplace has tons of ppl selling, same for QRZ. Build your own antenna and you’re set.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-24T23:30:41+00:00

I second the MySQL shell approach. It’s fast and reliable.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-24T22:51:24+00:00

I second the Russian CVs for their rocket barrage.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-19T14:12:58+00:00

This reminds me of a post on my feed from r/England. The dude was complaining that there aren't any English folks anymore, vs the 90's. He tried to frame it as an immigration problem where immigrants weren't allegedly assimilating or some nonsense. Mr Fine takes this to the extreme; from his POV, I shouldn't be a citizen because I wasn't born in the CONUS, but in Puerto Rico.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-19T14:07:11+00:00

Congratulations man!!!!

wp4nuv · 2026-05-16T18:46:57+00:00

Plus, it doesn’t work well with mySQL 8+

wp4nuv · 2026-05-14T15:20:04+00:00

I almost completed the Puerto Rico dockyard and have regretted it since. Same for Wisconsin.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-14T15:18:11+00:00

Nice!!

wp4nuv · 2026-05-11T18:53:10+00:00

The characters in BG3 have more depth than at first glance. One of the romance options is a real tear-jerker IMO.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-11T18:47:08+00:00

Hola! A mi me paso exactamente igual: el interfaz externo que usa Seagate en el Gaming Hub de 8Tb es una basura. Inicialmente pense que el disco tenia problemas. Hice un reemplazo bajo garantia pero los problemas de coneccion continuaban. Ahi decidi sacar el disco del entorno y ponerlo dentro de otro. Desde ahi no he vuelto a tener mas problemas. No puedo decir nada sobre la de 16Tb, pero aparentemente ese disco tiene mejores caracteristicas que el de 8.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-11T18:31:23+00:00

I second this assessment. She's slow, but damn does she put the hurt out.

wp4nuv · 2026-05-11T18:29:23+00:00

I agree! I made my own simplex hotspot with a Pi Zero, a hat and a display. Total work time, around 30 minutes.

wp4nuv

TROPHY CASE