[CQ-Contest] What rig to choose for a one-time fieldday MM setup?

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Mark,

I would respectfully disagree with Maarten.

The TS-480SAT was an adequate rig for everyday communications, but under contest conditions, frankly, it didn't hold up.

I found that it had trouble with pulling weak signals out, and if a strong signal came up with 3 kHz of where I was, the front end was wiped out.  (And yes, that was with the CW filter)

And I'm just a humble single op.  I could just imagine what several of them would do in a multi-op station.

To be perfectly honest, my Corsair II handled contest situations much better than the '480 did.  And that's one of the main reasons why, when the opportunity came, I traded my '480 away.  

(For example, WQ3T lives around the corner, literally, from me.  When we would both be on 40 meters, I knew it every time with the '480, and I couldn't get within 5 - 10 kHz of his QRG.  With the older Corsair, and now an Omni VI+, I don't even know he's on the air.  Now, just extrapolate that for heavy band conditions...)

I realize cost is a factor here, but I would strongly hesitate to recommend the '480 under these circumstances.  I suspect you'd be replacing the rigs within a year or less... so why spend the money on them in the first place?

I would also strongly suggest you look into the Ten Tec Eagle.  I think that for the money, it is one of the better rigs on the market, but is currently flying "under the radar."  I will tell you this much... I've used a K3, and I've used an Eagle, and all else being equal, I'll take the Eagle any day over the K3.  (And I know of at least one local ham who sold off his K3 and replaced it with an Eagle and is quite happy he's done so)

GL

73, ron w3wn

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Maarten van Rossum
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2013 3:42 AM
To: PA5MW, Mark
Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] What rig to choose for a one-time fieldday MM setup?

Mark,

The K3 is out of the question but what about the TS 480? I think this is
one of the very few transceivers which does not crumble under contest
conditions priced under €1000,-. It's priced a little over €800,- but when
your buying 10 to 12 of them you should be able to negotiate a better deal.

Also the IC 7200 comes to mind. Priced a little over €900,- it's a bit more
expensive but the receiver should also be able to handle contest conditions
without any problems.

Furthermore, the KX3 is a great contest rig but with only 10 Watts output
power it's probably not suitable to drive your amp's.

IMHO there aren't many rigs out there that can still be bought new for
under a €1000,- which can handle contest conditions. The TS 480 and the IC
7200 are the only ones that come to mind right now.

73, Maarten PD2R


Op vrijdag 29 november 2013 schreef PA5MW, Mark (pa5mw at home.nl):

> Thanks for all your responses.
>
> But please mind you:
>
> - We need to allocate no less than *10-12* similar HF rigs
> - The K3 is way too high priced
>
> 73 Mark, PA5MW
>
>
>
>
> On 29-11-2013 14:03, PA5MW, Mark wrote:
>
>> Looking for the ideal HF rig for a one-time 6 band  field-day MM setup.
>> Run+mult stations, so about 12 HF rigs in total.
>> All 160-10m stations using the same rig. All with external filtering. All
>> with additional PA.
>>
>> Requirements:
>>
>> 1) Simple to use interface
>> No learning curve, anyone can learn operating this rig at contest level
>> within an hour.
>> Any required fine adjustments, make that *problems*,  in the field for
>> the whole MM setup needs to be easy.
>>
>> 2) No quirks.
>> No unsolvable issues like leading spike at PTT.  No horrible high phase
>> noise.
>>
>> 3) Small & lightweighted, can withstand some rough handling during travel
>> Must fit in suitcase.
>>
>> 3) Price level must be very low.
>> Any additional tips for buying and selling the rigs after the FD contest?
>>
>>
>> Your answer, based on you own or club experience (no textbook/performance
>> lists wars) will be much appreciated !
>>
>> 73 Mark, PA5MW
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>>
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-- 
73, Maarten PD2R
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