[VHFcontesting] IF Radios & XTRs

[Kim]

Terry,

AMEN!

73, Kim - WG8S



>     On 01/16/2023 10:58 AM Terry Price <terry at directivesystems.com mailto:terry at directivesystems.com > wrote:
> 
> 
>     Ed et all,
> 
>     I think the entire reason the K3 works so well and fits so many niches is
>     Elecraft listened. Both Wayne and Eric answered questions and suggestions
>     directly from their reflector. The closest any of the Japanese companies
>     ever came was the good old Yaesu Ft736R and maybe some of the ICOMs. But
>     just look at the IC-9700, ICOMs latest VHF rig, if doesn't even offer per
>     band PTT output for individual amps and no band data unless you want to roll
>     your own using an Arduino watching the CI-V. Yes I realize they are making
>     radios for worldwide consumption but I would this everyone would like this.
>     I'm anxiously awaiting the new IC-905 to see how bad they butchered it. I
>     have a IC-705 and it has a single PTT output, no band data for steering the
>     PTT and no CI-V jack. And, don't even get me started about 222 and 902 !!
> 
>     Unfortunately, we as VHF weak signal folks are such a minority that no one
>     will listen. They, like the ARRL, only cares about "shack on the belt" types
>     and HF. Flex is an American company (I think) and being a true SDR, one
>     would think it could walk on water and leave tracks but only if the software
>     engineers make it. One of our operators at K8GP/W8ZN has a Flex 6XXX and
>     after watching the amount of work it takes him to set it up and get it to
>     work, I'll keep my K3's until they put me in a pine box!
> 
>     Terry
>