[RTTY] Yaesu FT-1000 MK-Field vs Icom 756 PRO II?

[Jerry Flanders]

I RTTY contest with the original 756PRO (2 of them). when the PROII came 
out I carefully read the specs and determined that the changes meant 
nothing as far as RTTY contesting is concerned, so stayed with the 756PRO.

Now that the 756PROIII is out, I carefully read the specs again. It SHOULD 
be a better "hearing" radio, according to the specs, but looks like the 
ARRL tests didn't find much difference. I like the idea of having the RTTY 
demod screen displayed along with the Spectrum Scope, but probably won't 
pay big bucks to upgrade to it just for that.

So - Knowing what I do right now, if I had to shop tomorrow for replacement 
rigs, I probably would save the money and look for clean used original 
756PROs just like I have now. If 756PROIIs were near the same price, I 
would get them instead. If I were to spend $3k, I would seriously consider 
the Orion instead at a few hundred more.

If you use it on SSB also, you will have to get more opinions - mine 
pertain to RTTY and CW only.

Bottom line: As far as I can tell, there are NO differences between all 
three as far as RTTY is concerned (except for the dual display on the 
internal screen - you can display the TU output along with the SS on the III).

GL with your decision.

Jerry W4UK

At 21:48 2/22/2005, Tim Pearson wrote:
>I am considering buying a new rig at Dayton and would appreciate comments on
>these
>two radios.  It will primarily be used for RTTY/PSK dxing and a little
>contesting
>(RTTY and CW).
>
>I have seen AA5AU comments on the PRO III and assume that they would apply
>to the PRO
>II as well?  Not sure if 756PRO II will even be available at Dayton and PRO
>III is out
>of my price range.
>
>Here are my personal thoughts on both rigs:
>
>Yaesu FT-1000 MK-F
>Pros:
>Two knobs main/sub
>Stereo audio main/sub (not mixed like Icom)
>Internal AC supply
>Might be possible to monitor RTTY & PSK at same time? (RTTY & Packet
>connectors)
>
>Cons:
>Filters options
>Filters limited for RTTY mode Normal and 250Hz only
>No Spectrum Dispaly
>No 6m (don't really care)
>??
>
>Icom 756 PRO II
>Pros:
>Nice Display
>Really Cool filtering
>No optional filters
>Spectrum Scope
>6m
>??
>
>Cons:
>External supply
>No knob for sub receiver
>Audio is already mixed internally not-true stereo
>??
>
>
>Any comments from RTTY contestors/DX'er would be appreciated!
>
>Tim-KU4J