[VHFcontesting] New to VHF/UHF Contesting: Next Steps

[David Pruett]

John,

I'm a huge fan of the FT-847, which has separate antenna connectors for 
HF/6m/2m/70cm.  Also separate relay outputs which are handy if you ever 
add bricks or transverters.  Finally, with the service manual (.pdf copy 
available on-line) you can go in and adjust the output power levels 
separately by HF/6m/2m/70cm, again very useful if you ever add bricks or 
transverters.

I've used my FT-847 for several years at my home station, primarily on 
70 cm, with no complaints.  However, I've only used it on SSB/CW, not FM.

I've also had an IC-706MKIIg and still have an FT-100D.  Both radios 
work well, but have many more menus than the FT-847.  I suppose that 
control size and layout is a highly personal thing.

73, Dave/K8CC
EN82

On 4/2/2016 1:21 PM, John Young via VHFcontesting wrote:
> Mike,
>
>
> X3 on multimode.  Picking up 6M FM and being able to snag &drag SSB operators to FM seems to be universal theme echo'd by all.  Deciding factor on which rig will be usedavailability, condition and receiver sensitivity.
> Receiver         Sens FM uV          Sens dBm
>                            144-430/6M.      144-430/6M
> IC-706MKIIg  0.18uV/0.25uV    -122/-119
> FT-100              0.2uV/0.5uV       -121/-113
> FT-857/897      0.2uV/0.2uV       -121/-121
> FT-847               0.2uV/0.25uV    -121/-119 (for sale in local club)
> TS-480SAT        NA/0.22                NA/-120   (for sale in local club)
> FT-8800            0.2uV/NA             -121/-121 (what I have for 2M 440)
> TM-331a(220MHz)  0.16Uv          -123         (what I have for 220MHz)
>   
> No hugedifferences in sensitivity, except for the FT-100 on 6M, so condition andavailability will matter most.  Thank youfor the radio suggestions.  I will start XYL begging ASAP  :-)
>
>
> 73, John, KM4KMU
>