M0TEF - QRP and Amateur Radio

I have been using my ft-897 for a while now, the main rig has a fault and I have been far too busy to get it sorted and repaired. I found it was not quite right, I have been spoiled by using quality receivers over the last few years and I couldn't quite put my finger on what was missing. Some reading online and some tests quickly helped me identify what it was, the AGC was a little too fast and the audio amplifier adds a certain hiss and noise to a signal. I found two fixes online, the first one was to add a capacitor in parallel to modify the AGC hang time adding it to C1503 - mod to be found on DG2IAQ modification sheet, a great source of information for any 897 owner. found here. http://www.ok1kng.netcontrol.cz/rs/download.php?soubor=25 The other fix was to reduce white noise, the info can be found here. http://ok1fig.nagano.cz/FT897D/FT-897D_LessWhiteNoise.htm By adding two capacitors to make up the 0.75uF and a resistor of 68 Ohm between pins 2 and 4 on the IC the TDA200

Where have I been? I have had a busy old time pushing forward with a few projects and enjoying the pleasures of family life with my wonderful girls. I have taken a bit of time out to focus on some really important things to me. I am back though, I feel I have a bit of time to dedicate to my hobbies and sharing some of my projects with my readers. This last 18 months or so have seen my build my teaching profile and adding to my commercial photography clients, I have started on a Master program exploring educational research and developing my career that way. The good news is though that my hobby has been there to allow me to escape and relax when needed, I often find that the hobby of radio offers us an escape from normal everyday life in many ways. Sometimes the ability to go and sit and listen to some CW with the headphones on and hide away from family noise for an hour is always welcomed. I am enjoying my Begali key and trying to work some rare DX when time allows and I am lo