[CQ-Contest] A portable rig for contesting?

[Duncan Lindsay - MSC Valencia]

Kris

I have both the IC706IIG and the FT897. The 706 has the narrow SSB filter, 
the 897 is stock. I have used the 706 for a number of contests now, from 
the mobile. It works OK but really is not a patch on the 765 I use at the 
home station. My main gripe with the 706 is it's poor IMD performance. The 
897 however is worse, but I didn't buy it for contesting so I shouldn't 
complain.

Have no experience with the other rigs you mention but I think if I had the 
money and based on what I've read, I'd get the Elecraft K2/100. Some people 
say it's a bit sparse on SSB, but if you're planning on using it for CW, 
you should be fine.

73 de Duncan EA5ON



Hi: As an alternative to my relatively large IC746 base station rig, I am 
considering buying a more portable rig that would also work well as a 
backup for contesting - primarily RTTY and CW. Some candidates of the 
current crop include: Icom IC-706MKIIG (been around for a while) Icom 
IC-7000 (not available yet?) Icom IC-718 (the "beginner's" rig) Yaesu 
FT-897D (rugged looks, internal battery option) Elecraft K2 (kit, good RX 
performance) ... and others. Do you have any comments on these or others as 
contesting rigs? Performance under strenuous operation, ease of use (not 
requiring too much menu browsing for common functions), contest 
functionality (such as a button for listening on the TX freq). 73 - Kris, 
TF3KX http://www.simnet.is/net/tf3kx