Yaesu FT-817
Z11 Tuner Mod & Schematic
I recently purchased a Z11 tuner and am very happy with the
performance, however occasionally I like to use antennas with a balanced feed line, so I made a 4:1 external balun like the one sold by LDG. Then I saw a mod by G3VGR for an internal balun and proceeded from there. I wound 25 bifilar turns of 30 awg wire on a T80-2 toriod. The toriod was placed on a small piece of perfboard with a 4/40 bolt centered in the middle and filled with hot glue, this provides support for the toroid which was then bolted through the back of the Z11 using the existing hole. I then carefully measured and drilled the holes for mounting the two antenna posts and switch. I also made up a "Y" cable to power both the FT 817 and Z11 from the same source. The antenna connection between the two units consists of two 90 deg connectors joined with a brass rod for the center conductor and a copper pipe cut to the right length and sweat soldered onto the threaded area of the connectors.Strap to secure tuner to radio 90 degree Connector detail Y power cable
Rear view showing switch and jacks Interior view showing balun placement
FT 817 / MiniPaddle
I have two excellent pieces of equipment, the Yaesu FT 817 and the Palm Mini-Paddle, which I have combined into an integral unit. The Mini-Paddle comes with an optional magnetic base, however, there is no where on the FT 817 where it can be placed and be in a comfortable operating position, so using this paddle meant attaching it to some kind of base and operating on the desk top in the conventional manner.
The FT 817 has the option of keying the built-in keyer with the mic up and down buttons, enabled in menu # 36. I took advantage of this feature and modified my Mini- Paddle by installing an RJ-45 plug in the base and added an offset tongue to engage the strap bracket on the rig. The paddle may still be retracted into the housing just as it was intended. To attach the paddle you first insert the tongue into the slot of the strap bracket, and then swing the assembly inward to seat the plug until the locking click is heard. This secures the paddle in an ideal operating position. The paddle can be left attached unless the microphone is needed for phone operation, then a thin piece of whatever is handy, can be inserted between the rig and paddle to release the locking clip on the RJ-45 plug. The paddle may then be removed in the reverse order of attachment. I have found that having the rig and paddle configured this way is preferable especially when operating portable.
FT 817 Antenna Mount
This antenna-mounting bracket was fabricated to accommodate the MP-1 Super Antenna. The heat sink was drilled and tapped for a 1/4-20 bolt and the angle mount can be pivoted to maintain a vertical bearing of the antenna regardless of rig position.
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