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Reference

Yaesu FT-857D Mini Field Reference

A task-first FT-857D field console with quick operating cards, function-row lookup, searchable menu settings, connector checks, and the printable PDF reference.

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Printable field manual

Use this page for quick lookups. Use the PDF when you want the field-card version in the radio bag.

Download PDF

Get on air

Quick start

Use this when the radio is on the bench or in the field and you just need to get it awake, listening, and not doing anything surprising.

Press path

  1. Connect 13.8 V DC power: red to positive, black to negative.
  2. Put the antenna on the right port: HF/50 MHz or 144/430 MHz.
  3. Hold POWER for one second.
  4. Choose the band with BAND UP/DWN.
  5. Choose the mode with MODE LEFT/RIGHT.
  6. Tune with DIAL for SSB, CW, or DIG. Use SELECT for AM, FM, or PKT channel steps.
  7. Bring AF up gently. FM noise has no manners.
You know it worked when

The display shows the frequency, band, mode, and meter. Audio rises and falls with AF.

If it still refuses

If the receiver is just roaring at you, lower AF, set squelch, and then start troubleshooting.

Get on air

SSB voice

Use this when you want a normal HF voice contact and would rather not discover your mic gain is awful from the other station.

Press path

  1. Select a legal band and frequency.
  2. Press MODE LEFT/RIGHT until LSB or USB is selected: LSB below 10 MHz, USB above 10 MHz.
  3. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows MTR, -, DISP.
  4. Press the A button under MTR until ALC is selected.
  5. Press PTT and speak normally.
  6. Adjust Menu 081 SSB MIC GAIN if ALC is absent, lazy, or pinned.
You know it worked when

TX/BUSY is red while transmitting, and ALC moves on voice peaks without sitting hard against the end stop.

If it still refuses

If reports say your audio is harsh, lower mic gain first. If PROC is on, back that off next.

Get on air

Open a repeater

Use this when you know the repeater output frequency but need to set the shift and access tone without spelunking through menus.

Press path

  1. Press MODE LEFT/RIGHT until FM is selected.
  2. Tune the repeater output frequency.
  3. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows RPT, REV, VOX.
  4. Press the A button under RPT until +, -, or simplex is correct.
  5. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows TON/ENC, DEC, TDCH.
  6. Press the A button under TON/ENC to enable the tone mode you need.
  7. Hold the A button under TON/ENC, then set Menu 083 TONE FREQ.
  8. Transmit briefly, identify, and ask for a signal check.
You know it worked when

The shift and tone indicators are visible before you transmit. A repeater tail or reply tells you the path is working.

If it still refuses

If it still will not open, return to RPT, REV, VOX and press the B button under REV to listen on the input. That often tells you more than another blind PTT stab.

Get on air

CW

Use this when you want the keyer, break-in, pitch, and spot tone set before your fist gets blamed for the radio.

Press path

  1. Connect key or paddle to KEY with a three-conductor plug.
  2. Press MODE LEFT/RIGHT until CW or CWR is selected.
  3. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows SPOT, BK, KYR.
  4. Press the A button under SPOT to match pitch.
  5. Press the B button under BK for semi-break-in.
  6. Press the C button under KYR for the internal keyer if using paddles.
  7. Hold the C button under KYR, then set Menu 030 CW SPEED.
You know it worked when

You hear sidetone while keying, and TX/BUSY turns red during key-down.

If it still refuses

If dots and dashes are swapped, set Menu 025 CW KEY REV before blaming your hand.

Get on air

Digital / packet

Use this when the computer or TNC is doing the talking and the FT-857D needs clean levels through the DATA jack.

Press path

  1. Connect DATA jack to TNC or soundcard interface.
  2. Press MODE LEFT/RIGHT until DIG or PKT is selected.
  3. For DIG, set Menu 038 DIG MODE.
  4. For DIG, set Menu 037 DIG GAIN.
  5. For packet, set Menu 073 PKT RATE.
  6. Set Menu 071 PKT1200 or 072 PKT9600.
  7. Transmit from software and watch power/ALC.
You know it worked when

The DATA jack path keys and passes audio. The front mic is not the active transmit audio source during rear DATA digital transmit.

If it still refuses

If ALC is high or the transmitted signal is wide, reduce software audio first, then Menu 037 DIG GAIN.

Fix

High SWR / HI SWR

Use this after you have stopped transmitting and need to work out what to check before trying again.

Press path

  1. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows MTR, -, DISP.
  2. Press the A button under MTR until SWR appears.
  3. Lower Menu 075 RF POWER SET before any retest.
  4. Check the antenna port. HF/50 and 144/430 are very much not the same hole.
  5. Check coax, tuner state, antenna range, and counterpoise/grounding.
  6. Retest briefly at low power.
You know it worked when

The HI SWR warning is gone and a low-power check gives a sensible SWR reading.

If it still refuses

If it is still bad, stop testing the transmitter and fix the antenna system. The finals are not sacrificial components.

Fix

No audio

Use this when the radio appears alive but the speaker is giving you the silent treatment.

Press path

  1. Rotate AF up slowly.
  2. Open squelch, or check what the SQL/RF knob is doing with Menu 080.
  3. If using earphones, check rear SP-PH switch.
  4. Set SP-PH to PH before earphones.
  5. Check external speaker impedance if fitted.
You know it worked when

Speaker or headphone audio returns.

If it still refuses

If the channel is still silent, verify mode, frequency, antenna, and squelch before assuming anything more exotic.

Fix

Weak receive

Use this when the signal is there, sort of, but the radio is making you work too hard for it.

Press path

  1. Check antenna and band first.
  2. Check SQL/RF gain role with Menu 080.
  3. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows IPO, ATT, NAR.
  4. Press the B button under ATT to turn attenuation off unless overload is present.
  5. Press the A button under IPO only when band noise already moves the S-meter.
  6. Use DSP DNR/DBF only after RF-side checks.
You know it worked when

The wanted signal becomes easier to copy without simply making everything quieter.

If it still refuses

Change one receive tool at a time. If the signal gets worse, undo the last thing you did. Very scientific, annoyingly effective.

Fix

Keys locked

Use this when the front panel seems to have joined a silent protest.

Press path

  1. Press LOCK once.
  2. Press FUNC to leave row mode if active.
  3. Press CLAR or hold CLAR to clear RIT/IF SHIFT.
  4. Press V/M to verify VFO or memory state.
  5. If needed, set Menu 054 LOCK MODE.
You know it worked when

Lock icon disappears and controls respond.

If it still refuses

Power-cycle before reaching for reset options. Most mysteries are just state, not corruption.

Configure

Memory store

Use this when the VFO is set up properly and you want to keep it for more than the next five minutes.

Press path

  1. Set frequency, mode, shift, tone, and power.
  2. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows MW, SKIP, TAG.
  3. Press the A button under MW briefly for memory check.
  4. Rotate SELECT to an empty channel.
  5. Hold the A button under MW for one second.
  6. Press V/M and rotate SELECT to verify recall.
You know it worked when

Memory channel number appears and stored operating data returns.

If it still refuses

If this is only a temporary parking spot, use QMB, the quick memory bank: hold V/M, or press FUNC and rotate SELECT until STO, RCL, PROC appears.

Configure

Scan

Use this when you want the radio to search, but not behave like it has never met squelch before.

Press path

  1. Set squelch so the channel is quiet with no signal.
  2. Choose VFO or memory mode with V/M.
  3. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows SCN, PRI, DW.
  4. Press the A button under SCN.
  5. Rotate DIAL or SELECT to reverse direction.
  6. Press PTT or the A button under SCN to stop.
You know it worked when

Scan advances and pauses when squelch opens.

If it still refuses

If scan stops or resumes in a way that feels cursed, check Menu 077 SCAN MODE and 078 SCAN RESUME.

Configure

Tuner / ATAS

Use this when the TUNE key needs to know whether it is talking to an FC-30 or an ATAS antenna.

Press path

  1. Hold FUNC to open Menu.
  2. Rotate SELECT to Menu 085 TUNER/ATAS.
  3. Choose TUNER, ATAS(HF), ATAS(HF&50), or ATAS(ALL).
  4. Hold FUNC to save.
  5. Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until the LCD shows TUNE, DOWN, UP.
  6. Press the A button under TUNE to activate; hold it to retune.
You know it worked when

Tuner/ATAS status icon appears, then normal display returns.

If it still refuses

If the radio complains about SWR or range, stop and check the antenna, coax, grounding/counterpoise, and selected port.

Look up

Reset / recovery

Use this when the radio is acting strange and you want the least dramatic recovery path first.

Press path

  1. Press LOCK if controls do not respond.
  2. Press FUNC to leave row mode.
  3. Clear CLAR/IF SHIFT.
  4. Check VFO/memory with V/M.
  5. Power-cycle before using reset combinations.
You know it worked when

Normal VFO or memory display returns and controls respond.

If it still refuses

Master reset clears memories and menu settings. Record important values before choosing the big red metaphorical button.

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFa

A/BA=BSPL

VFO and split operation.

A A/B

VFO A/B toggle

B A=B

Copy Main VFO to Sub VFO

C SPL

Split on/off

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFb

MWSKIPTAG

Memory management.

A MW

Memory write/check

B SKIP

Scan skip memory

C TAG

Frequency/tag display

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFc

STORCLPROC

Quick memory and voice punch.

A STO

Store QMB

B RCL

Recall QMB

C PROC

Speech processor

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFd

RPTREVVOX

Repeater and hands-free transmit.

A RPT

Repeater shift

B REV

Reverse repeater TX/RX

C VOX

VOX

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFe

TON/ENCDECTDCH

Tone access.

A TON/ENC

CTCSS/DCS encoder

B DEC

Decoder if split tone on

C TDCH

Tone/DCS search

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFf

ARTSSRCHPMS

Search and programmed scanning.

A ARTS

ARTS

B SRCH

Smart Search

C PMS

PMS scan

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFg

SCNPRIDW

Scanning.

A SCN

Scan

B PRI

Priority scan

C DW

Dual Watch

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFh

SCOPWIDSTEP

Band activity view.

A SCOP

Spectrum scope

B WID

Scope width

C STEP

Scope step / max hold

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFi

MTR-DISP

Transmit checks and display.

A MTR

Meter select

B -

Alternate meter select

C DISP

Large/small display

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFj

SPOTBKKYR

CW operation.

A SPOT

CW spot tone

B BK

CW break-in

C KYR

Electronic keyer

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFk

TUNEDOWNUP

Antenna tuner and ATAS motion.

A TUNE

Tuner/ATAS tune

B DOWN

ATAS down

C UP

ATAS up

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFl

NBAGC-

IF-stage receive cleanup.

A NB

Noise blanker

B AGC

AGC on/off

C -

AGC fast/slow/auto

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFm

IPOATTNAR

RF front-end control.

A IPO

Preamp off IPO

B ATT

10 dB attenuator

C NAR

Narrow FM

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFn

CFIL--

Optional IF filters.

A CFIL

Ceramic IF filter

B -

Optional FIL-1

C -

Optional FIL-2

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFo

PLY1PLY2PLY3

CW beacon memory.

A PLY1

Send CW beacon text 1

B PLY2

Send CW beacon text 2

C PLY3

Send CW beacon text 3

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFp

DNRDNFDBF

DSP audio cleanup. The front-panel DSP key also jumps here.

A DNR

DSP noise reduction

B DNF

DSP notch

C DBF

DSP bandpass / CW peak

Press FUNC, then rotate SELECT until these labels appear. Manual map: MFq

MONIQSPLATC

Monitor, quick split, tone call.

A MONI

Monitor squelch

B QSPL

Quick split +5 kHz

C ATC

1750 Hz tone call

38 menu items shown
004

AM&FM DIAL

Enable MAIN DIAL in AM/FM

RF

Use if SELECT channel steps are too coarse.

005

AM MIC GAIN

AM microphone gain

Audio

Set if AM audio is weak or overdriven.

019

CAT RATE

CAT baud rate

System

Match computer/control software.

020

CAT/LIN/TUN

Rear CAT/LINEAR jack role

System

Set CAT, LINEAR, or TUNER to match connected device.

021

CLAR DIAL SEL

Clarifier control knob

RF

Choose SELECT or MAIN for RIT offset.

024

CW DELAY

CW break-in recovery

CW

Lengthen if receiver returns too quickly.

025

CW KEY REV

Paddle polarity

CW

Reverse if dots/dashes are swapped.

027

CW PITCH

CW sidetone/filter pitch

CW

Set to preferred CW tone.

030

CW SPEED

Internal keyer speed

CW

Set sending speed.

033

DCS CODE

DCS encode/decode code

Repeater

Set for DCS repeaters.

037

DIG GAIN

Digital input level

Digital

Set for soundcard/TNC drive.

038

DIG MODE

Digital mode/sideband

Digital

Select RTTY, PSK31, or user mode.

040

DIG VOX

Digital VOX gain

Digital

Use for audio-triggered digital transmit.

042

DISP CONTRAST

LCD contrast

Display

Set for viewing angle.

043

DISP INTENSITY

LCD brightness

Display

Dim for night, bright for daylight.

044

DISP MODE

LCD lamp mode

Display

AUTO2 for external power, OFF for stealth.

049

DSP NR LEVEL

DSP noise reduction level

Audio

Increase until noise drops without watery audio.

051

FM MIC GAIN

FM microphone gain

Audio

Set if FM audio is low or distorted.

052

FM STEP

FM SELECT tuning step

RF

Match channel spacing.

054

LOCK MODE

What LOCK disables

System

Choose DIAL, FREQ, PANEL, or ALL.

056

MEM TAG

Memory alpha tag

Memory

Label memory channels.

063

NB LEVEL

Noise blanker level

RF

Raise only enough to reduce impulse noise.

071

PKT1200

1200 bps packet input level

Digital

Set TNC audio drive.

072

PKT9600

9600 bps packet input level

Digital

Set TNC audio drive.

073

PKT RATE

Packet rate

Digital

Choose 1200 or 9600 bps.

074

PROC LEVEL

Speech processor compression

TX

Set for SSB/AM punch without distortion.

075

RF POWER SET

Max RF power for band

TX

Reduce for battery, heat, nearby people, or tuning.

076

RPT SHIFT

Repeater offset amount

Repeater

Set regional offset value.

077

SCAN MODE

Scan resume rule

Memory

TIME, BUSY, or STOP.

078

SCAN RESUME

Scan resume delay

Memory

Set hold time after signal.

080

SQL/RF GAIN

SQL/RF knob role

RF

Choose RF gain or squelch.

081

SSB MIC GAIN

SSB microphone gain

Audio

Set with ALC during speech.

082

SSB STEP

SSB SELECT tuning step

RF

Set quick tuning step.

083

TONE FREQ

CTCSS tone frequency

Repeater

Set repeater tone. Default is 88.5 Hz.

084

TOT TIME

Transmit timeout timer

TX

Protect finals and prevent stuck PTT.

085

TUNER/ATAS

TUNE key device

Antenna

Select FC-30 or ATAS-120A.

087

VOX DELAY

VOX hang time

TX

Set delay before returning to receive.

088

VOX GAIN

VOX trigger gain

TX

Set so voice keys TX and noise does not.

Front panel controls

AF
Speaker or headphone volume.
SQL/RF
RF gain or squelch depending on Menu 080.
SELECT
Function rows, AM/FM tuning, memories, menu numbers.
FUNC
Press to use the A/B/C function labels. Hold to open the numbered menu.
A/B/C
Press the button under the label currently shown on the LCD.
DSP
Jump to the DNR, DNF, DBF function labels.
V/M
Toggle VFO and memory. Hold to store QMB.
LOCK
Lock controls; behavior is set by Menu 054.

Connector checks

INPUT
13.8 V DC, negative ground, 22 A supply.
HF/50 MHz ANT
HF and 50 MHz antenna port.
144/430 MHz ANT
2 m and 70 cm antenna port.
DATA
AFSK, packet, audio, PTT, SQL status.
KEY
Straight key or paddle. Use stereo plug.
SP/PH
Set rear SP-PH to PH before earphones.

Before the first transmission on a new setup

  1. Licensed for frequency and mode.
  2. Correct antenna port and antenna for band.
  3. SWR meter selected before power check.
  4. Menu 075 set to lowest practical power.
  5. People clear of antenna.
  6. No HI SWR, abnormal voltage, or pinned ALC.