Paul Christensen wrote:
>
> >But then, maybe your correct, because most hams today are more interestedin
> the 'bells and whiltles'
>
> I agree. Take a look at the handheld market. Why on earth does it seem
> that every ham would accept the ability to make his HT into a "scanner" than
> have much improved intermod rejection by limiting the received bandwidth to
> only the amateur band? It would sure be nice if we could at least have the
> option of one or the other. In my opinion, basic performance should never
> give way to features.
The Yaesu VX-1R is a good example of what you mentioned, Chester. When
guys
who have bought one show it off, they usually demonstrate how the radio
will
receive police, fire and even FM broadcast frequencies.
The good old, reliable Radio Shack HTX-202 was designed specifically to
receive
and transmit only in the 144-148 MHz range. Ironically, the major
complaint
about this HT was that it would not work outside of that range. It
might have
been nice to be able to work slightly above or below the 2m band, such
as on the
nearby MARS frequencies in use in this area, but I never expected it to
be a
scanner.
As on oldtime ham who can remember the era of tube-based equipment, I
appreciate
that the Omni VI+ *doesn't* have so many of the bells and whistles.
Besides, I
like having most, if not all, of the controls right on the front panel.
The
menus in the IC-706 really bother me, thus that rig gets used mostly on
6m and
2m SSB. While I can appreciate the capabilities of fine,
top-of-the-line rigs
like the FT-1000D and MP, their front panels are just riddled with
controls, many
of which most hams don't ever use.
73 de Jim - AD6CW
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