[CQ-Contest] FT1000 or FT1000MP? (LONG)

[Steve Jones]

Seasons greetings to all.
 
I would appreciate people's view as to whether I should keep my 2 year
old FT1000 (non D) radio, or the mint condition FT1000MP which I bought
in December. I bought the latter in order to carry out some a/b tests
over Christmas holiday, and to also compare with the rx of my ic7400
(mainly used on 6 and 2m) and a friend's ic756proII.  
 
To put the dilemma into context my current and future interests are as
follows:
 
1.	To continue HF contesting (hence the need to keep one twin rx
radio)
 
2.	To become more active on the lower bands as we go down the cycle
(40m four square construction started, and plans for bigger 80m and 160m
antennas), hence the need for a decent rx on low bands, and also option
of diversity reception (plan to put a big loop across one of my fields)
 
3.	I'd like to have the option of transverting onto 70mhz again
from 10m (so rx performance on 10m and ease of transverting is
desirable)
 
4.	I continue to have an interest in 10m, so a decent rx on 10m is
also important
 
 
I would welcome people's views on which of the 1000's I should keep. My
Christmas tests are not yet complete, but so far the ic7400 has been
impressive on LF and 10m on RX (but not as good as the two 1000's in
handling qrm (without using the dsp- all radios compared using the stock
2.4 bandwidth. to be fair), so I am comfortable keeping the ic7400 as my
second HF/6/2m radio. The difference between the two 1000s (so far) has
been marginal on  160m, 80m and 10m, and when I have tried the MP's dsp
I cannot say that it has made a noticeable difference on ssb. The MP has
had the Inrad 70mhz mod carried out, so there is no hiss problem on rx
that I can detect.
 
I am particularly interested in hearing from contesters who switched
from the 1000 to the original MP - what were the perceived advantages of
switching, and did your view change with the benefit of hindsight?  Do
you find the dsp useful with ssb contesting?  I am equally interested in
honest opinions from people who have switched from the MP to a MK5 or
MK5Field recently - ie perceived advantages and the actual experience
after switching. I have considered the option of selling both the 1000
and the MP and going for the 200w mk5 plus the 6m transverter (6m has
been main band here for 15 years), but have been told of birdie problems
on the transverter plus some failure problems with the mk5 itself. The
MK5 Field is an option I would consider seriously if someone who has
used one in anger can convince me its better than either the ft1000 or
the original MP. 
 
My gut feeling at present is to stick with my original decision 2 years
ago (when I could have bought either the ft1000 (USA import) or the
outgoing original MP) and continue to keep the ft1000 (stock cw 500hz
and 250hz filters, plus an Inrad 1.8 ssb filter I added to the 455 if),
as I don't think any manufacturer will ever build such a quality radio
as the original FT1000 again.  However I like the MP too (for its easy
configuration, transverting, and auto notch).  If I am persuaded to keep
the MP then I would probably buy the Inrad 8.2mhz if 1.8 ssb filter to
give me cascaded 1.8s on ssb, and add at least another cw filter and the
second rx 400hz Inrad cw filter. If I keep the FT1000 I will add the BPF
to give true diversity rx , as well as the Inrad 400hz second rx cw
filter .
 
I am sure some will suggest keeping both the 1000s for SO2R, but I don't
intend trying SO2R for quite a while yet, and I would rather use the
ic7400 with its 100w on 6m and 2m for PAs than go down the transverter
route on all the vhf bands (been there with my ft920 and its too messy).
 
So there you have it - which 1000 would you keep and why please. In
order to keep the use of bandwidth down it might be better to mail me
direct, and I will sumarise to the reflector if there is enough demand,
or will email direct those that want to know the outcome.
 
Final final question - I remember there used to be a website with equip
details of active contest stations but could not find it on the web
yesterday - is it still available? I am interested to see what all the
big guns are currently using (without having to go to each of their
individual web sites).
 
Thanks for the bandwidth and HNY for 2004
 
73
 
Steve GW0GEI