[CQ-Contest] Which Compact Rig[Results1]

[Marios Nicolaou 5B4WN]

Hallo there,

	   I posted the following question (modified) on Saturday:  

Looking for a compact rig (eg TS50, FT-900, IC-706, Alinco DX-70 etc) for
DX-pedition use and contesting eg IOTA both SSB and especially CW. Has
anybody had any good or bad experiences with any of these rigs (or any
others). Things to avoid/ go for? Would I be disappointed in using any of
these rigs having been accustomed to the TS-830s/930 receiver/filters? 

THE RESULTS (so far):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
6 answers received:
                               Good/Bad things

In favor of the FT-900= II (mini-FT1000MP ?)
In favor of the IC-706= II (has 6/2m but ?poor CW operation? wrt rest,
                            gets hot easily, RX can be overloaded)
In favor of TS-50=      I (but no 6m , RX?)
In favor of DX-70=      I (better than 706 wrt to performance but no
                           keyer/VSWR?)
In favor of FT-890=     I

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If anybody else would like to share their experience with a compact rig
(dis) agreeing with the comments below, please send me a DIRECT email and
I would post out a summary here (if that's OK) in a week's time!

Many thanx in advance,

Best 73s Marios (5B4WN/G0WWW)

########################################################################
Marios Nicolaou Email: mzyd108 at unix.ccc.nottingham.ac.uk or 5B4WN at qsl.net
########################################################################

Individual comments: (Calls deleted)
--------------------
THANX FOR REPLYING GUYS!

====
My FT900 has much of the performance of my FT1000MP.
=====
>  Hello, friend Mario. Many friends in Brazil are changing the main
>transceptor for the ICOM 
>IC-706. They say, after using for some time, it's the best compact HF
>radio, beating TS-50 and FT 
>900. The 2nd option is the model from YAESU. You must avoid Kenwood and
>ALINCO. 
====

Hi Marios,
   I use the Yaesu FT900CAT, and for the money I paid for it, it's and
excellent rig.  The features are easy to use, it highly configurable,
and durable.  It took a small fall about 50 feet, and turned right on,
the case just had minor scratches on it.  As far as on the air
performance go, that rig can bust pileups at 100 watts into a vertical
just as well as my friends FT1000MP into a 3 element beam.  Overall, it
is the best rig for your money.  If you have any questions about the
FT900 feel free to email me with them.
====
Marios, I did give the TS 50 a short try at home. Mt friend, a Kenwood LOVER,
said great audio. If I had taken time to learn the menu etc., probably a good
rig.
However, I settled on an Icom 706 with 500 Hz cw filter. I used it last time
in A3 and was very happy with it. Problem with these new rigs, you have to
familiarize yourself with menu before leaving, unless you use it all the
time.
Either rig, with my switching pwr supply, weigh about as much as my IC 735.
If you use wire antenna you can getthe whole station in a carry on using
items of cloting to pad the gear.
GL Bob
=====
I own an Alinco DX70, a Kenwood TS50s, an Icom 706, and a Yaesu FT890.
The Yaesu wins, due to fully integrated system with built in ATU, CW
keyer, vswr meter, etc.  But, it is the largest of the systems.

For a VERY good HF rig (CW and SSB) with the added plus of 6 meters, I
really like the Alinco DX70.   Performance is far above the IC706 and
the TS50S.  The Alinco lacks a built in keyer or VSWR meter, but these
are easy enough to obtain (small size, etc)

I do not like the Icom or TS50S.  The HF receivers are not good on a 
full sized antenna (overloads easily).  The Icom has poor CW operation,
and runs very hot in temp at the 100W output.   

The Kenwood is ok, but, no six meters...it is the most basic rig.  I
believe I would rather carry a more functional radio when going on
DXpeditions.
====


--
CQ-Contest on WWW:        http://www.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
Administrative requests:  cq-contest-REQUEST at contesting.com