[TenTec] CW Contests and IP3

[John Rippey]

Hello, Barry:

Many thanks for your posting. It raises an intriguing question--not for 
that particular FT-920 since I've just sold it--but about the FT-920 
generally. I never considered the possibility of a receiver problem, since 
I noted comments by hams in eHam.net reviews and otherwise about the 
FT-920's contest performance whose experiences were similar to mine. But 
when the difference in ARRL lab's IP3 numbers is so great-->21 dB--it does 
make me wonder if you may be on to something and that I may have overlooked 
something so obvious as a defect.

I really liked the 920 as a CW rig--it is beautifully set up for it and a 
pleasure to use--and I would consider buying another in a heartbeat if it 
turns out that I misjudged the problem I had.  Do your contesting friends 
have the Inrad filter board modification installed on their FT-920's? I 
understand that helps a lot. Mine had the optional Yaesu 500 Hz CW filter, 
which worked well--except when multiple strong sigs were present.

As you may remember, I also tried out an FT-1000D, but sold it after 
finding it was more trouble than it was worth in tuning up, etc. Even 
though the FT-1000D's receiver was first rate, I found myself coming back 
to the FT-920. So any insights in this regard would be appreciated, because 
the FT-920 still would be my first choice overall as a CW rig. The reason I 
bought the Argonaut is that my quest for a totally satisfying (for me) CW 
rig is ongoing.

By the way, I've asked George at Inrad to check out the key clicks on the 
FT-920 and he said he would when he gets one to play with. I would love to 
see him come up with a fix similar to his MP fix.

Many thanks and 73,
John