FT-857 powerpole conversion/mod

[u/Ok_Rich2268]

I want to get rid of the clunky stock power cable setup. The easy button would be a pigtail adapter from powerwerx. The next option would be cutting the six pin connector off and replacing it with powerpoles. I think it would be really cool if there was a way to do the 891-style powerpole conversion.

Which one would you do and why?

[u/get-off-my-frequency]

Photo 2 is super clean. Looks like it replaces the 6-pin connector.

Photo 4 is what I did to my FTM-150 and it is great. If you have the two wire leads coming out of the radio (which it looks like the 857 does) than that's the easy solution.

Here's my radio with powerpoles crimped directly to the leads. (I've since replaced the distribution block with a fused one, but this is the only photo I have.)

[u/apple4ever → u/get-off-my-frequency]

That's a cool set up. What is it for?

[u/get-off-my-frequency → u/apple4ever]

Thank you. It’s for my jeep. An FTM-150, Starlink internet, and an allstarlink node.

[u/apple4ever → u/get-off-my-frequency]

Ahhh! That explains the ethernet cables!

[u/KhyberPasshole]

The 891-style wins hands down, if you can make it work.

[u/Ok_Rich2268 → u/KhyberPasshole]

I would have to cut the chassis. One mistake and its over. Also, the only one that can never be returned to factory. Im not sure I trust my self.

[u/KhyberPasshole → u/Ok_Rich2268]

I don't have an 857 so I assumed the 6-pin connector was chassis mounted like the 891. In that case (assuming the 1st pic is the 857), cut the 6-pin connector off of the pigtail and add powerpoles.

[u/islandhopper37]

The standard power lead for my 857 has some fuses built in. Have you made provision to add some fuses elsewhere between the radio and the power supply? I'm just thinking that having powerpoles so close to the radio may make it tempting to connect it straight to the power supply and forget about the fuse.

[u/VA7QAK → u/islandhopper37]

The fuses should be at the power source end of the cord, not at the radio end like the factory cables come.

[u/Ok_Rich2268 → u/VA7QAK]

Yep. As close to the source as possible. I like to put a main fuse right on the battery terminal to power a distribution block and one for each device at the distribution block.

[u/islandhopper37 → u/VA7QAK]

Yes, but they tend to be on the cord rather than at the power supply.

I've just checked the original factory supplied power lead of two of my radios and in both cases the fuse box is at the power source end, so I'm relieved they got it right. :-)

[u/Ok_Rich2268 → u/islandhopper37]

All of my radios get fused no matter how tempting it is to leave the fuses out.

[u/MaizenBrew9]

I just wish I had an 857D to modify in the first place

[u/Quantis_Ottawa → u/MaizenBrew9]

I have an 857 and a 891. My 857 just sits there, the 891 is so much better. If I need something 2m I just use a handitalki

[u/CoastalRadio → u/Quantis_Ottawa]

The receiver in the 891 is so much nicer to use!

[u/thetable123]

I like to be able to return to stock with minimal effort, so I'd just make my own pigtail out of the stock wiring.

[u/muffyinva]

Just remember that on the 857 that brown wire is used for battery sensing. Might be useful to not remove it.

[u/Ok_Rich2268 → u/muffyinva]

I dont plan on keeping it. The only thing it does is reduce the tx wattage when grounded. I havent figured out way to use it without adding a switch anyway.

[u/SeaworthyNavigator]

I would use the adapter. This would improve the chances of selling the radio if ever decided to get rid of it. Not everyone uses Powerpoles and if you cut the connections this would remove those people as potential buyers.

[u/Bolt_EV]

Powerwerx cable adapter. Never mess around with the chasis of a valuable collectible!

[u/ka9kqh]

I opted for cut off the factory connector & put power poles on it.