I personally love my FT-857. Mine is the original model, not the "D"
model, but I modified it for full transmit (I use it with transverters I
build to get on other bands...right now I have transverters for 222 and
902) so it should work on the newer 60M band but I haven't tried it there.

It is a very small rig with pretty big features! When I ordered mine,
they threw in the DSP board. I've never had a rig with DSP, but it sure
does work nice!

I don't think you'd do much better for an all around rig (starter or
advanced) for the money! Hopefully, others will chime in here as well.

You didn't mention what license class you have, but the rig would be
great for any class. It has 100 Watts out on HF and 6M, 50W on 2M and
20W on 430. My only wish is that they would have built 222 in as well,
but I built a really simple transverter for 222 (designed by W1GHZ...
http://www.w1ghz.org)...I use mine at home, portable and mobile. No
problems and I've had it for about 3 years now.

Happy hammin' !!!

Scott
N0EDV

Ed Byars wrote:
I am going to buy a radio that I hope will last me many years. I want
to start with a mobile that will also serve as a base station.I am
looking at a YAESU FT-857D.

Any comments on the pros or cons of this as a beginner radio that can
stay with me as I develop my skills?