I've used an FT-857 with DSP for contesting and DXpedition work,
notably the V31QQ/V31XM operation and as a second radio at VP9I.
For serious contest operation it has some major deficiencies. The
receiver isn't especially good. I tried the mechanical filter on phone
and it didn't make a significant difference. On CW, the narrow
International Radio filter helps but the wider Yaesu filter wasn't
very good.
And the RIT control design is brain-dead. I'll never get used to it.
But you aren't a serious contester (yet). You will probably start
by tuning the bands and calling stations, and for that the FT-857D
will be fine. Eventually, if you get more heavily into it you will
want a bigger radio because one knobs for each function is easier to
deal with than lots of menus. And you will want some features that
the FT-857D doesn't have, and you will want a better receiver. It
may be years, if ever, before this happens.
For now, the best place to put your money is in antennas.
Paul, K1XM
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