[CQ-Contest] FT-1000MP

[Mark Bailey]

Hi Bob:

Several very interesting topics here.  I am a guest operator only
and have been lucky enough to operate at some big stations! :-)
I mostly observe what they are doing and use what they have!

You will have a lot of fun building a station.

73,

Mark, KD4D

KE5CTY Bob wrote:
[...]
> 
> I have found out that the FT-1000MP seems to be the most used rig by the
> top contest stations. (Big Guns) And that most all have 2 or more towers
> at 100 feet or better along with commercial grade mono band antennas and
> phased switchable tower arrays for the lower bands, back up amps, ect.
> Ect

Yes, the FT1000MP's are very popular and the radio I see the
most often at contest stations. Many big stations build their own
monoband antennas.

> 
> Also discovered they normally use N1MM networked logging software for
> controlling the stations rotors, rigs, band changes spotting ect.

Logging software is all over the map.  I have never used N1MM
and it is certainly not the most popular program around here for the
big gun stations. It appears to be a fine program, and the price is
right!  I may try it this year for WAE SSB and I do expect it to
become more popular.

I recently did an informal survey of PVRC members, and Writelog
was by far the most popular logging program!

The "big guns" I have been at use CT (DOS) or Writelog (Windows).
I personally use TRLog for single operator contests (also DOS).
Most people know how to use CT, and this is a factor for the
bigger stations.

I have never operated a station using computerized rotor control.
Tracking band changes seems to be a big problem for most of the
logging software programs...there are so many different rules.
Keeping track of off-times is another area where a paper and
pencil backup helps me keep things straight.

> These "Top Guns" "Big Guns" ect - are fellows who obviously don't need
> to worry about cost so price is not a factor.

This is certainly not always the case. Almost everyone has
to worry about cost. The big M/M's need a dozen radios
and tend to use different models depending on what they
have and what their operators bring with them.  The
FT1000MP's have decent performance, they are easy to
use, and most people are familiar with them.

I'm starting to see TenTec Orions also.  I believe it's a
great CW rig, but I'm still learning how to use it most
effectively on SSB.