Best Kenwood Rig?

[WEBSTER_KER at CSUSYS.CTSTATEU.EDU]

I'm in the process of upgrading my HF rig (hopefully within the next year or so) 
and was wondering what the comparions between rigs are.

I'm leaning toward the  Kenwood line of rigs, but I'm not sure what 
the differences are between the 450, 850, and 950. It looks like the used
market prices are running about $1000, $1500, and $2200, respectivly. Is the 
extra cost worth the extra features? Obviously I'd like to get the most radio 
for the least amount of cash, but if a small increase in cash gets me a big 
increase in features, it would be worth it.

Also, what is the difference between the 950 SD and the 950 SDX (other than 
about $2000!)? The rigs that I have seen for sale have been the 950 SD and I 
don't know what I get with the letter 'X'!

Any comments would be appreciated. Also, I'm not 100% sold on the Kenwood line, 
so if there are better rigs (in the same class as the 450, 850, and 950), I'd 
be interested in hearing about those as well.

Please respond privately and I'll try to summarize the results, if anyone is 
intrested.... Thanks... Kevin N1EPU [WEBSTER_KER at CCSU.CTSTATEU.EDU]


>From Rick, K7GM" <AONISWAN at ECUVM.CIS.ECU.EDU  Wed Feb 16 14:39:44 1994
From: Rick, K7GM" <AONISWAN at ECUVM.CIS.ECU.EDU (Rick, K7GM)
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 09:39:44 EST
Subject: Sprint low power

Oh yea...I almost forgot...(ok, ok, I DID forget)

     As I mentioned in my writeup for the September Sprint, and as has
been alluded to here in a few messages, I will be noting those who used
"low" power in the Sprint in my writeup (assuming I get some response).
So, if you were barefoot in the Phone Sprint, let me know.

                              73, Rick

>From Jay Kesterson K0GU x6826 <jayk at hpxxx.fc.hp.com>  Wed Feb 16 16:51:49 1994
From: Jay Kesterson K0GU x6826 <jayk at hpxxx.fc.hp.com> (Jay Kesterson K0GU x6826)
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 9:51:49 MST
Subject: K0GU Phone Sprint
Message-ID: <9402161651.AA19614 at hpxxx.fc.hp.com>

75m  40m  20m         K0GU SSB SPRINT    Team: BHCC
-------------           
 75   97  156  ----   328 X 48 = 15,744

Only 48 mults and I worked every mult heard. 

73, Jay K0GU                 jayk at fc.hp.com

>From barry at w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner)  Wed Feb 16 16:22:05 1994
From: barry at w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner) (Barry Kutner)
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 16:22:05 GMT
Subject: Phasing Tribanders
Message-ID: <iZLuHc1w165w at w2up.wells.com>

I'm considering adding a second TH7 half-way up my 75 ft tower, 
and phasing them. I'd appreciate any comments on the following:
1. Pros/cons of DX Engineering universal phasing box
2. Specifics on using the TH7 with a TIC RING rotor (from what I've
   heard the matching network gets in the way at the attachment site.
   Also, how do you support the boom truss with this rotor?
3. Is "polarity" of the balun an issue? What I mean is it possible
   have one balun 180 out of phase with the other if the windings
   or connections are consistent between the two of them. (Pardon
   my ignorance on the workings of the balun)

Any comments appreciated. 73 de Barry


Barry N. Kutner, W2UP       Usenet/Internet: barry at w2up.wells.com
Newtown, PA                 Packet Radio: W2UP @ WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA.NA
                            Packet Cluster: W2UP >K2TW (FRC)
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