On 5 Oct 2006 18:39:12 -0700, Ed Byars wrote in .com:
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?

I really like my FT-857, and would buy another to put in the other car if
I had the cash to spare. Be sure to buy the separation kit and put the
control panel where you can see it without having to divert your eyes from
the road, and give *serious* thought to the fancy handmike with all the
controls on it except Squelch.

The 857's big brother, the FT-897, makes a good shack rig, too, and the two
radios use the same programming software, so that you can have the same
memory settings on both.

The 857 has a nice, sensitive receiver, and I've worked Italy, Germany,
Hong Kong and Taiwan mobile from central Oklahoma. It should really shine
when the sunspot cycle gets a bit farther away from the minimum.

But it's not really homebrew.

--
Mike Andrews, W5EGO

Tired old sysadmin