I won 4 ARRL Sweepstakes CW contests using FT-107Ms! That was 1981-1985
so this radio is a bit dated. I think I was the only serious contester
who ever used one. Many people remember it for its unique sound during
one year. I think the QST write-up used the phrase, "Things really
clicked for Randy this year." [Some of the FT-107Ms have problems with
severe key clicks on the leading edge of CW characters if the RF output
is turned up to the full 100W.]
The FT-107M is (was) a great radio for its day. It was the last JA
radio that still had a real VFO (i.e., the last of the non-digital
rigs). It had a very hot receiver that worked great on 10 meters.
Unfortunately the front end is pretty wide open so it has some trouble
with strong adjacent signals. The S-meter makes you think the bands are
really open because all the signals are over S9.
It does have solid-state finals -- no tuning required. It can't put out
much more than 100W.
If you want a fun low cost radio that runs on 12VDC, buy it. If you are
looking for a more serious "performance oriented" radio for DXing and
contesting, move up a little to at least a TS-930S or later (TS-940S
excepted).
Randy, K5ZD
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Smith-VE9AA, Coreen Smith-VE9AAA, [SMTP:ve9aaa@brunnet.net]
>Sent: Saturday, January 03, 1998 7:53 PM
>To: CQ-Contest@CONTESTING.COM
>Subject: [CQ-Contest] ft-107m as a contest rig??
>
>Has anyone ever used a Yaesu FT-107M as a serious contesting rig ?
>
>A local is selling off some gear, and I can pick one up relatively cheaply.
>
>Not sure exactly if it has the 3 (6146b's) tubes like the FT-102 or not, but
>I
>know it will run off of 12vdc (maybe only 12vdc?)
>
>Any comments, one way or another greatly appreciated, as I have never
>had the chance to use one of these rigs, though I have owned a '102, and
>also own a 101E.
>
>Mike
>
>Michael & Coreen Smith
>271 Smith Rd, Waterville
>Sunbury Co, NB, E2V 3V6
>Canada
>
>
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