[RTTY] Help me decide between two rigs

[Jim Reisert AD1C]

For me it's about the features more than the performance:

- I am addicted to the band scope on the IC-756 series.  I could not live without it.

- I operate 6 meters.  The FT1000 doesn't have have that band.

Each rig has its flaws:

- FT1000MP has a key click problem - find W8JI's web site for more info.

- IC756 Pro has a low-frequency rumble which was definitely corrected in the Pro III and maybe the Pro II.  But it can make it unpleasant to listen to CW or RTTY when there are strong stations nearby.

- All ICOM rigs have software limtations which prevent one from reading the "split" status of the radio.  CT and Writelog have found ways to work around it as long as you leave your fingers off the buttons.  But it can cause problems when working split and/or spotting stations on the cluster.

Note that the IF filtering options are different between the two rigs, and even among the 756 series.  Yaesu has a built-in power supply, the IC756 does not.

So you have to decide:

- if the performance is comparable between the two radios, is there a feature that is a must-have?

- if the feature set is comparable, then pick the radio with the best performance.

ARRL members can download expanded rig reviews from the ARRL web site.  That will give you the performance "numbers".

If it's at all possible, visit a friend who has one of the radios and see how you like it.

73 - Jim AD1C

--

 Jim Reisert AD1C, 7 Charlemont Court, North Chelmsford, MA 01863 
USA +978-251-9933, jjreisert at alum.mit.edu, http://www.ad1c.us