[Yaesu] FT-920 Production Bugs?

[Ernie Howard]

Hi Allan,

I have one of the later 920's.  Got it after Christmas. 

I have noticed the power out was only slightly less than 100watts
at times. I think the meter lags quite a bit on ssb.

The antenna tuner is my only 'problem' that Yaesu says isn't a 
problem.  It works fine when using near resonate antennas.  When I am
on 160, using my vertical the swr can get high. Yaesu decided that
the tuner shouldn't memorize settings if the SWR on the antenna
is higher than 3:1.  So it won't retain the tuning settings for all
the areas that I operate on 160.  Otherwise it performs as I would 
expect it to.  I've not noticed lower output when the tuner is on. 
It seems to tune in a reasonable amount of time.

Never noticed a display problem.

I've played with the digital voice recorder, even worked one
of the ssb contests with it, never talking live. I use a Heil 
headset with the HC-5 element, I think my audio shaping is set
for 3, maybe 4.  I've experimented with the DVR on 6 FM and 
most of the guys could never tell the difference between live
and recorded.  Depending upon the microphone you use, you could
possibly see different results between live and recorded. 

73 Ernie W8EH

Allan W. Schlaugat wrote:
> 
> I hope to purchase a FT-920 soon. I have heard comments from locals
> who have the 920 experiencing problems with the radio. These are:
> 
> >1. Not full 100 watts out on all bands.( about 90 to 100)
> >
> >2. Antenna tuner when tuned, there is less power out than out of the circuit.
> >
> >3. The display comes up a bit dim and takes about 5 minutes to full.
> >
> >4. The audio on the digital voice recorder sucks.
> 
> Can anyone confirm whether these problems have been fixed in later
> production runs of the FT-920? The hams who are experiencing these
> problems purchased the radio in October 97 and can be verified in more
> than one radio. The QST reviews made no mention of these problems
> (with the exception of IMD products).
> 
> On a related topic, can anyone compare the FT-920 with the rig it is
> replacing, the FT-990? Is the 920 worthy being called a 'upgrade' to
> the 990 in RX and features?
> 
> Thanks!   73   Al
> 
> --
> Allan W. Schlaugat            Albertville, WI  USA
>             allanws@werewolf.net
> Amateur Radio: N9ISN            APS: #186089
> 'I hate Winter' -anonymous
> --
> 
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