[CQ-Contest] FT-920 - IC-718

Thu Jul 21 22:29:24 EDT 2005

I think the TS870 was discontinued about 2 years ago.  The TS850, TS930, TS940 and TS950SDX were all considered premier contest rigs, as was the TS830 during the tube era.  I used to have a set of Kenwood 599 twins and the receiver on that was excellent also.

73s John NE0P

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "KE5CTY Bob" <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>
Date:  Thu, 21 Jul 2005 21:08:32 -0500

>How long has Kenwood been out of the running for the "preferred rig status"
>for contesting?
>Was there ever a model that was good for a *real* work out?
>
>TNX,
>Bob
>KE5CTY (old calls WB5ZQU - WY5L)
>http://www.qsl.net/ke5cty/
>Code may be dying but the pioneering spirit that put the code there in
>the first place is still going strong.
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "KE5CTY Bob" <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>
>To: "'David Thompson'" <thompson at mindspring.com>; "'CQ Contest'"
><cq-contest at contesting.com>
>Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 6:17 PM
>Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FT-920 - IC-718
>
>
>>
>> I want to thank *everyone* for *all* the responses to this question.
>> >From them I have continued on with my own research as well - which has
>> lead me to some *very* interesting conclusions:
>>
>> I am not sure I have made a final decision on a rig yet, however, one
>> thing has become apparent through the evidence presented:
>>
>> According to the following link
>> (which tells what year a model was manufactured):
>> http://www.ozgear.com.au/amateurinfo/equipment_ages.htm
>> which in turn references this link as it's primary resource:
>> http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/prodrev.html
>>
>> Coupling the feedback I got from you guys (which I consider to be a
>> *very* good source if not then - THE TOP SOURCES - of bottom line
>> experience and knowledge of equipment operation) *with competition
>> scores to prove out the claims if nothing else does*
>>
>>  "figures don't lie - but liars figure" --
>>
>> Along with the fact that contesting is the most grueling test of
>> operator and machine therefore the most calibrated meter.
>>
>> Meaning who cares what the spec sheet says and the marketing boys (who
>> most of which have never even tweaked a knob except on their Mercedes
>> car radios) say - if it can't be *proved* out in the field.
>>
>> Conclusion:
>>
>> The Amateur Community has been *FAILED MISERABLY* by the manufactures
>> and suppliers and for many years.
>>
>> According to the manufacture dates and the demand (preferred radios) -
>> there has been no *practical* noticeable change in equipment (change
>> worth having from a practical - operational standpoint) for almost 9
>> YEARS only smoke and mirrors (cosmetics) with the *most* preferred rig
>> being almost 10 years old in technology according to manufacture output:
>>
>> Kenwood; TS-830S HF Transceiver;Manfact'd approx May 1981
>> Kenwood; TS-850S 160-10 Meter Transceiver;Manfact'd approx Jul 1991
>> ICOM; IC-728 MF/HF Transceiver;Manfact'd approx Feb 1993
>> Yaesu; FT-1000MP MF/HF Transceiver;Manfact'd approx Apr 1996
>> Yaesu; FT-920 MF/HF/6 Meter Transceiver;Manfact'd approx Oct 1997
>>
>> (((The Dead Years)))
>>
>> ???? 2005 ????
>>
>> As a result from what I can see the price for these rigs has stayed
>> inflated (due to demand) to a ridiculous market value - which really
>> instead should be money a Ham would be spending on *new* technology not
>> 10 year old technology over and over again and again.
>>
>> I also conclude and assume from the data (since) only HF rigs have been
>> preferred) contesting is not *really* done at the VHF/UHF or SHF levels
>> interestingly enough which is where most of the manufacturers with newer
>> technology (newer rigs) seems to be focusing their output.
>>
>> 7&3 fer nw,
>> Bob
>> KE5CTY (old calls WB5ZQU - WY5L)
>> 10X# 37210
>> FP#-1141
>> http://www.qsl.net/ke5cty/
>> Code may be taking a back seat for now, but the pioneering spirit that
>> put the code there in the first place is out front of it all.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
>> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of David Thompson
>> Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 12:04 PM
>> To: CQ Contest
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FT-920 - IC-718
>>
>>
>> The IC-718 is (as described ) an entry level rig.  A casual op will find
>> it great.
>>
>> The FT-920 is another story.  Having a built in monitor, DVK/speech
>> processor for SSB, and dual frequency readout  make a good economy
>> contest/DX transceiver.  Its one of two rigs of choice on 6 too.  With
>> filters available from Yaesu and INRAd it hold its own and it seems to
>> have good overload sensitivity so nearby loud signals don't affect it.
>> Its far better for 75 and 40 SSB split than my older FT-980 or several
>> ICOMs I have used.  The clicks problem that shows up in the 1000MP
>> series does not appear to be a problem either.
>>
>> The problems are there (its an ecomony rig) such as limited menu
>> selection, hidden menus that are not well publized, the DVK is hidden
>> behind the VFO B tuning, and on SSB I find that you need to turn off the
>> equalizer and add bass for best results.  K4EA told me it sounded thin
>> and high pitched with the EQ on. (using the Heil HC-4 element which
>> works great on the FT-980, FT-1000D and MP).
>>
>> Don't know about the TS850.  I remember GW3YDX saying it was terrible on
>> 160 in QRM and loud signals (something the TS870 cures).  But W4AN swore
>> by his so I guess its what you are used too.
>>
>> Dave K4JRB
>>
>>
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>
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