[CQ-Contest] Contest Radios

Wed Jul 12 09:15:12 EDT 2006

Hello John,
One radio which wasn't mentioned which is really worth looking at is the ICOM IC-765.  Its advantages are a crush-proof front end and REALLY large knobs, which (in contrast to the '850) make it easy to see and to tune.  In addition to the optional cw filters, I have put in Inrad's cascaded SSB filters in place of the stock sideband filters, and also have installed the new 3 khz roofing filter kit that is now available from Inrad.  I have used this radio for years both at home and at multi- multi's and it holds up very well.  I personally rate it as good or better than the '1000, particularly on cw.  Because of its size, I like it better than the '850.  It's main limitation is the lack of a built-in second radio.  The '765 is available quite reasonably on the used market, and I have had no problems getting repairs. 
My $0.02 worth..
73's,
Geo K2ONP

-----Original Message-----
From: w5td at lcisp.com
To: K9GX at N4GN.COM; cq-contest at contesting.com
Sent: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 10:59 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios

Hi Mark,

OK, got you now.  I did have a FT1000MP for a little while, and it was a
nice radio also.  I am sure that the FT1000 is even better.  Would like to
try a TS850 sometime, but won't fit in the station plans right now.

73s John W5TD

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Steven Williams" <k9gx at n4gn.com>
To: "John Geiger" <w5td at lcisp.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios

> John,
>
> I was looking for a NEW Field. 10 minutes after I realized a NEW Field was
> no longer an option the deal on the USED FT1000 presented itself. Based on
> my personal knowledge of the seller, the fact that the radio came with a
> full suite of filters, and his willingness to haul it home from Dayton (he
> had a flea market booth about 100 yards from where he parked his car). He
> lives about 15 miles up the road from me. It was a fairly easy decision.
>
> My TS850 is sick right now so I haven't been able to compare them side by
> side, but I think the FT1000's front end is a little more robust than the
> 850's. I expect that gap will widen when I install the IR roofing filter.
> Still, I've been very happy with the 850...and I've owned it 14 years.
>
> 73, Mark, K9GX
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Geiger" <w5td at lcisp.com>
> To: "Mark Steven Williams" <K9GX at N4GN.COM>; "AD5VJ Bob"
> <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>; <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 4:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios
>
>
> > Hi Mark,
> >
> > A couple of questions here:
> >
> > 1. I don't quite follow you.  You say you didn't get a Field because
they
> > are no longer available, because they have been replaced with the
FT2000.
> > Then you buy a FT1000.  That rig has been unavailable for a longer
period
> > of
> > time then the field was.  I don't doubt that it is a great radio,
though.
> >
> > 2. How is the TS850 overall-compared to the FT1000 and such?  I hear
that
> > it
> > is a great contest radio, and they are appearing at very nice prices
> > today.
> > Just wish they had 6 meters in them.
> >
> > 73s John W5TD
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Mark Steven Williams" <k9gx at n4gn.com>
> > To: "AD5VJ Bob" <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>; <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> > Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 6:24 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios
> >
> >
> >> 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
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> CQ-Contest mailing list
> >> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >
>
>
>

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