Topband: Question for the EXPERTS and Heavy Transceiver users andtesters

[Mike & Coreen Smith]

Dennis, Hi

Some might disagree, but the 2 best CW transceivers I've ***EVER*** owned 
for crowded bands and speaking specifically about CW contesting and pileup 
work have been a TS-830S(gold label- modded with 2 CW filters) and my IC-736 
with narrow CW filter. (I don't do much SSB work.) The IC-736 is hard to 
find, as I understand they didn't make a whole lot of them and once owned 
guys generally keep them a long time ! (Surprisingly there is one for sale 
in VE1 just popped up y'day @ $750 MAN--if I had the dosh, I'd buy it, I 
like the 736 so well).  I can operate just a few kcs away from either VY2ZM 
or VE1ZZ with no blowby or other nasty things happening to my IC-736, so 
that should tell you something about those rigs.  Jeff's and Jack's  signals 
are clean, but they're a bazillion over s9 right next door here...HI !

OK, I also currently have an IC-735 and it's noisy and crunchy sounding.  No 
comparsion to the IC-736...different beast altogether. No CW filter---yuck ! 
Not sure what it would be like with a filter, but I get the impression its 
not as bullet proof.
I haven't used it much....was going to put it in the mobile, so my comments 
on that might not be "fair".

I have used the TS-850 with filters @ VE1PZ's stn many years ago during CQWW 
SSB and although I liked it "OK", I still felt my 736 heard better with 
smoother audio.  To be fair I didn't make many CW contacts with it.  I 
didn't like the sounds it made while tuning the band (phase noise?) and 
there were a few phantom signals of the louder stations here and there.

Although not on your list, I would not recommend the FT-450at....which 
although it's a cool little Hf+6m rig, doesn't have the capability for a 
proper CW filter of any kind and it's my not so humble opinion that DSP is 
not the same as a nice mechanical CW xtal filter.  I got it on a trade to 
have a backup rig for 6m......I am a diehard 6m DXer, which brief excursions 
to 160m... ;-)

I'm sorry, can't speak to the rest of your list as I've never owned any of 
those.

Will be interested in hearing the results of your informal survey and I am 
sure many will expound the virtues of rigs like the K3 or the 
FT-2000D...which I've heard many nice things about....however seems it's out 
of mine and your budget !  If only we were all rich... Cheers Dennis

Mike VE9AA, eh

Mike, Coreen & Corey Smith
699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge
NB
Canada
E6L 1T1
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dennis Peterson
  To: Topband Reflector
  Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:14 AM
  Subject: Topband: Question for the EXPERTS and Heavy Transceiver users 
andtesters


  GM guys;
  I would like to pose the following question to those who have or had 
several of the well known transceivers on TOPBAND.


  I have currently in my possession and use an ICOM IC-735 which has been 
totally gone thru by MTS in Western Washington.   On a scale of 1-10 I would 
rate it at about an 8 as it has a few scratches here and there. 
Unfortunately, this transceiver doesn't have adequate filtering for CW 
operation on topband so I am LOOKING for something USED that will provide me 
with filtering for CW operation.

  I would like to hear from operators who have or had some of the more 
popular rigs for operation on 160 meters.  Filtering is a MUST, the rest of 
the bells and whistles isn't that important to me either.  I am looking or 
leaning towards the following transceivers:
  ICOM 746
  ICOM 746 Pro
  ICOM 761
  ICOM 756
  ICOM 756 Pro
  Kenwood TS-850

  Previously 4 years ago I had a Kenwood TS-870 but was forced to sell the 
complete station due to prostate cancer.  I have to go the USED route as 
social security checks don't go very far these days.

  Looking forward to hearing from many of you and I will attempt to post a 
summary of the results.  It would be nice to be able to listen to these rigs 
for a first hand view and experience as to its specs and features.

  Thanks for reading and in advance any and all comments

  de K4CKDennis















  Dennis G. Peterson
  326 East Jefferson Street
  Apt 2
  York, SC  29745
  803-389-9366

  Read my story below by clicking the URL:

  http://www.yananow.net/Mentors/DennisD.htm

  http://www.k4ckd.com
  _______________________________________________
  UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK


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