Topband: [Fwd: Re: Question for the EXPERTS and Heavy Transceiver users and testers]

[Herb Schoenbohm]

mstangelo at comcast.net wrote:
> All,
>
> I've been enjoying this discussion of "non-competition-grade" transceivers.
>
> My base station radio is a K3 but I do lots of operating on the road and on trips and am looking for a small transceiver with good signal handling capabilitues on CW and well as effective DSP to help with the eliminaton of automobile generated QRN.
>
> Does anyone have experience with the following:
>
> Icom IC-7200
> Kenwood TS-480
> Yaesu FT-897
>
> Sherwood doesn't evaluate the smaller radios and I've looked at the receive 2khz and 5khz measurements in the ARRL Product reviews. None compare to the top of the line radios; the FT897 has the worst perfomance but the 7200 and 480 seem to have the best specs for smaller radios.
>
> I also considered the K2 but I also do lots of utility listening with the radio.
>
> I'd appreciate any feedback.
>
> 73,
>
> Mike N2MS
>
>
>
>   
Mike,

I remember Earl Cunningham, K6SE (SK) did a comparison between the K-2 
and the Icom 746PRO and came to the conclusion that the Icom 746 Pro was 
a much better weak signal performer.  At that time, before the K-3 the 
K-2 was hard to beat.  The K2 has some other down sides, like size and 
ergonomics, and multiple punch function buttons.  In my case I had two 
K2's here from a guest contest op and did not feel like I had a radio in 
front of me but rather a piece of complicated hand built test 
equipment.that looked like a kids toy. I think the K3 with its diversity 
RX has some real advantages on weak signal reception but for the same 
price I could get two 746 Pros and send split audio to each ear....at 
least I would have a spare.  There will be a new Icom coming out soon.  
I think Icom marketing realized they were selling a great  radio at a 
fair price (with a rebate and free power supply) that was just to good 
and also potentially competing with their high end ham radio plans.  Why 
would you want to spend 5 to 6K unless it significantly performed 
better? And why is the increment for a different new radio upgrade 
always one , two, or three thousand dollars? Icom had it right with the 
746 Pro but some marketeer had a better idea, it appears.

I never though I would see the day when a good transceiver would cost as 
much as a fuel efficient compact car from the same country and with 
probably more engineering and electronics in it....but here we are and 
that day has arrived.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ