Dennis, Hi
Some might disagree, but the 2 best CW transceivers I've ***EVER*** owned
for crowded bands and speaking specifically about CW contesting and pileup
work have been a TS-830S(gold label- modded with 2 CW filters) and my IC-736
with narrow CW filter. (I don't do much SSB work.) The IC-736 is hard to
find, as I understand they didn't make a whole lot of them and once owned
guys generally keep them a long time ! (Surprisingly there is one for sale
in VE1 just popped up y'day @ $750 MAN--if I had the dosh, I'd buy it, I
like the 736 so well). I can operate just a few kcs away from either VY2ZM
or VE1ZZ with no blowby or other nasty things happening to my IC-736, so
that should tell you something about those rigs. Jeff's and Jack's signals
are clean, but they're a bazillion over s9 right next door here...HI !
OK, I also currently have an IC-735 and it's noisy and crunchy sounding. No
comparsion to the IC-736...different beast altogether. No CW filter---yuck !
Not sure what it would be like with a filter, but I get the impression its
not as bullet proof.
I haven't used it much....was going to put it in the mobile, so my comments
on that might not be "fair".
I have used the TS-850 with filters @ VE1PZ's stn many years ago during CQWW
SSB and although I liked it "OK", I still felt my 736 heard better with
smoother audio. To be fair I didn't make many CW contacts with it. I
didn't like the sounds it made while tuning the band (phase noise?) and
there were a few phantom signals of the louder stations here and there.
Although not on your list, I would not recommend the FT-450at....which
although it's a cool little Hf+6m rig, doesn't have the capability for a
proper CW filter of any kind and it's my not so humble opinion that DSP is
not the same as a nice mechanical CW xtal filter. I got it on a trade to
have a backup rig for 6m......I am a diehard 6m DXer, which brief excursions
to 160m... ;-)
I'm sorry, can't speak to the rest of your list as I've never owned any of
those.
Will be interested in hearing the results of your informal survey and I am
sure many will expound the virtues of rigs like the K3 or the
FT-2000D...which I've heard many nice things about....however seems it's out
of mine and your budget ! If only we were all rich... Cheers Dennis
Mike VE9AA, eh
Mike, Coreen & Corey Smith
699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge
NB
Canada
E6L 1T1
----- Original Message -----
From: Dennis Peterson
To: Topband Reflector
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:14 AM
Subject: Topband: Question for the EXPERTS and Heavy Transceiver users
andtesters
GM guys;
I would like to pose the following question to those who have or had
several of the well known transceivers on TOPBAND.
I have currently in my possession and use an ICOM IC-735 which has been
totally gone thru by MTS in Western Washington. On a scale of 1-10 I would
rate it at about an 8 as it has a few scratches here and there.
Unfortunately, this transceiver doesn't have adequate filtering for CW
operation on topband so I am LOOKING for something USED that will provide me
with filtering for CW operation.
I would like to hear from operators who have or had some of the more
popular rigs for operation on 160 meters. Filtering is a MUST, the rest of
the bells and whistles isn't that important to me either. I am looking or
leaning towards the following transceivers:
ICOM 746
ICOM 746 Pro
ICOM 761
ICOM 756
ICOM 756 Pro
Kenwood TS-850
Previously 4 years ago I had a Kenwood TS-870 but was forced to sell the
complete station due to prostate cancer. I have to go the USED route as
social security checks don't go very far these days.
Looking forward to hearing from many of you and I will attempt to post a
summary of the results. It would be nice to be able to listen to these rigs
for a first hand view and experience as to its specs and features.
Thanks for reading and in advance any and all comments
de K4CKDennis
Dennis G. Peterson
326 East Jefferson Street
Apt 2
York, SC 29745
803-389-9366
Read my story below by clicking the URL:
http://www.yananow.net/Mentors/DennisD.htm
http://www.k4ckd.com
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