I seem to have bought the last 817 as the 818 was coming out.  It is my go-to radio.  I have talked next door and to Europe with 5 watts. (Morse Code). It has all modes and all bands.  I have a battery cable with attachments for a vehicle cigarette lighter plug, car battery clamps, and connectors for any 12v source I can find.  My all power power pack is a 26,000 ah battery when hooked to the 817 it should run for 20 days or more with accompanying solar panels.  It is worth the wait.  Also, you can listen to AM/FM broadcast stations for local propaganda.  With a small modification you can use it on the CB frequencies if it is legal in your country.

The last couple of days I have been camping in South Texas.  I am learning Morse Code and have been using it mainly with either my Yaesu FT-817 or the KX3.  With an endfed wire on my DX Commander pole I was talking easily to Hungary and Bulgaria.  My issue is my local EMMCOM wants WINLINK on 80 meters.  It is all well and good but if you are 'deployed' I can't see having the room for an 80 meter antenna.  Any suggestions??  It just amazes me that shack rats expect field rats to use 100 watts on WINLINK on 80 meters.

It doesn't matter if it is a far right or far left boot kicking you.  It is still a boot kicking you.  It is irritating when people have to bring ideologies into discussions.  Everyone has an opinion and many should stay private.  Except radio brands.

I used to go to the ARRL ARES training but grew disheartened when it was the same thing over and over, "you have to use winlink if you want to remain in this training and join the ZOOM meetings on Thursdays!!!"  When chatting with people locally they just want to learn how to use their radios or other communication devices during an emergency or disaster.  A few of my neighbors and coworkers decided to get their radio licenses and training and are totally enjoying a hobby they really didn't think about.  Thanks for the website!!!  de KE5ES