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

[Bill Coleman]

On Jul 21, 2005, at 7:17 PM, KE5CTY Bob wrote:

> 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 ????

I think this depiction is inaccurate. The so-called "dead years" have  
a number of innovative rigs introduced:

Elecraft K2 and K2/100
TenTec Orion
IC-7800
FT-7900DX

And even that misses the FT-1000 variants that have been introduced,  
with substantial upgrades to the basic rig:
FT-1000MP Mk V
FT-1000MP Mk V Field



Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901