Operation Manual

Page 22 FT-897 OPERATING MANUAL
SETTING THE OPERATING FREQUENCY
1. In the “SSB/CW/DIG” modes, rotate the DIAL knob to
set the frequency. Clockwise rotation of the DIAL in-
creases the operating frequency.
2. In the “AM/FM/PKT” modes, rotate the MEM/VFO
CH knob to set the frequency. Clockwise rotation of the
MEM/VFO CH increases the operating frequency.
3. You may also use the MEM/VFO CH knob to adjust the
operating frequency in the “SSB/CW/DIG” modes. The
MEM/VFO CH knob provides faster tuning, ideal for
making quick changes in frequency when you want to
move across the band in a hurry. You can then use the
DIAL knob to make fine frequency adjustments.
The synthesizer steps for the MEM/VFO CH knob may be
adjusted independently by mode. Use Menu Mode No-006
[
AM STEP
]
for AM, No-052
[
FM STEP
]
for FM, and No-
082
[
SSB STEP
]
for SSB/CW/Digital. See pages 54, 57,
and 59 for details.
If you press the MEM/VFO CH knob momentarily, then
rotate the MEM/VFO CH knob, you can now change the
operating frequency in 1 MHz steps, allowing very quick
frequency excursions. This can be particularly helpful on
the VHF and UHF bands.
In step 2 above, it was mentioned that tuning in the “AM/
FM/PKT” modes is accomplished using the MEM/VFO CH
knob. By default, the DIAL is disabled in these modes; if
you wish to enable the DIAL in these modes, use Menu Mode
No-004
[
AM&FM DIAL
]
; see page 54.
The main DIAL synthesizer’s tuning rate (the
number of steps per rotation of the DIAL) can
be adjusted using Menu Mode No-035
[
DIAL
STEP
]
. See page 56 for details.
STACKED VFO SYSTEM
Press the
[
F
]
key momentarily, then rotate the MEM/VFO
CH knob, as needed, until Multi Function Row “a”
[
A/B,
A=B, SPL
]
appears on the display.
OPERATION
Now press the
[
A
](
A/B
)
key to toggle between the “A” and
“B” VFOs. There are two such VFOs provided on each
Amateur band, so you may set VFO-A to the CW sub-band,
and VFO-B to the SSB sub-band, if you like. The operating
mode will be preserved, along with the frequency informa-
tion, on each VFO.
When changing bands on either the “A” or “B”
VFO, the two VFOs do not change bands to-
gether. This facilitates split-band operation,
such as on FM satellites.
CHANGING THE DIAL SPEED
By default, the FT-897 begins operation in the “fine tun-
ing” mode for the main tuning dial. However, a faster tuning
rate may be selected, for quick navigation up and down the
band.
BATT-B
BATT-A
DIAL MEM/VFO CH
BATT- A
BATT- B
BAND
MODE
CLARAF
LOC K
PHONE
MIC
SQL
/RF
MEM/VFO CH
DWN UP
V/M
DSP
UP
DSP
F
A F MEM/VFO CH
BATT-B
BATT-A
POWER
To engage the “Fast Tuning” mode, just press the POWER
switch momentarily while the transceiver is on. You will
observe a small “ ” icon in the bottom right-hand corner of
the LCD, and as you rotate the main tuning dial you will
notice that the tuning rate has increased significantly. Press
the POWER switch momentarily once more to return to the
“Slow Tuning” mode (the small “ ” will disappear).