[CQ-Contest] Contest Radios

[Mark Steven Williams]

Bob,

As Dayton approached this year I was considering buying a Field. Then I woke 
up and realized that they're no longer available since Yaesu is now 
marketing the 2000.

I had the good fortune to find a very clean FT1000 at Dayton. One of our 
"locals" was offering it for sale. It came with a complete set of filters 
and I paid in the low "$2k" range for it. I stumbled on to the rare 
combination of hooking up with a reputable local (I've know him for years) 
with a pretty good deal. The fact that the radio came with a full set of 
filters closed the deal for me.

It's a 98 model and seems to be in excellent shape. It received it's first 
operating test with me last weekend in the IARU and performed flawlessly.

Frankly, I'm not in a position where I can justify the purchase of a $3k 
plus radio.

I also own a TS850 which needs servicing right now. I've received a couple 
of recommendations on service shops which I'm investigating now. If the 850 
can be revived it will go back into service as radio #2 here.

The 1000 series is legendary for it's receive performance under high 
intermod (contest weekend) conditions. This rig passed muster in the IARU 
for me.

I purchased the International Radio roofing filter mod at Dayton but have 
not installed it yet. I wanted to put the rig through it's paces "stock" 
before installing the mod for comparison's sake. If you find a clean radio 
it's performance can be enhanced considerably with the addition of IR 
filters, etc.

I think owning the latest, sexiest radio, automobile or gadget is oftentimes 
an issue of vanity having nothing to do with functionality.

I suggest you shop carefully, continue asking questions, talk with locals 
and ops you know and respect and ask whether anyone has a rig for sale. 
Check online and don't be afraid to ask for references.

Service is an issue. Ask around ahead of time. There are a handful of 
independent repair services out there. Check with them and see whether they 
service the model you're considering purchasing. Ask about hourly service 
rates and the availability of parts.

GL es 73,

Mark, K9GX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "AD5VJ Bob" <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 12:31 AM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios


> Something is starting to concern me that maybe you more experienced guys 
> can help me on.
>
> I have been asking around lately about the FT-1000 and FT-1000D radios, 
> because I noticed a reduction in prices on what is being
> offered on QTH.com and other places. So they are getting closer to where I 
> can be.
>
> Many of the guys who have responded to my questions about the radios have 
> been saying that the reason is that the FT-1000 and
> FT-1000D radios are getting so old that "like anything else" you can start 
> to expect them to start going bad.
>
> They are also saying that parts are getting *very* expensive and sometimes 
> impossible to find.
>
> Is this the general opinion or is this still a worthy radio to have for 
> contesting?
>
> If not what is?! Many say that none of the IC756PRO series is responsive 
> enough because of its DSP and lack of crystal filtering.
>
> So what's left???
> That is below $10,000 of course.
>
>  73 fer nw,
> Bob AD5VJ(AAR6VM)
> http://www.ad5vj.com/
>
> Member CTDXCC
> 10X# 37210, FP#-1141
> SMIRK#-5177, RARS #-149
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>