[Yaesu] seeking opinions on 1000MP

[John Nelson]

Message text written by Scott Ginsburg

>I've been happily using an FT-990 for the past 8 years and am considering
an upgrade, possibly an MP. My primary interest is DXing,
but the contest bug has bitten, so I'm looking for a radio that satisfies
both avocations.<

I've owned an FT-990 since 1994 and also used an FT-1000MP fairly
extensively. IMHO the build quality of the MP isn't as good as that of the
990; the MP doesn't use the plug-in board system of the 990 and there's a
lot of untidy wiring. Some of its mechanical details aren't quite as nice
either. Performance-wise, I wouldn't say there's much in it. The second
receiver is useful in pile-ups and the sidetone audio on transmit is nice,
as is the built-in RS-232C interface; you don't need an FIF-232C with the
MP.  
 
>The features I'm most interested in are: quiet receiver, in conjuction
with DSP, giving the ability to pull out the weak ones under all kinds of
conditions, smooth QSK with clean CW keying and reliability<

My main interest is DX-chasing, and the current score is 275. I've never
yet failed to make a QSO because of a deficiency in the 990's receiver
although some feel that the level of receiver noise on CW is unnecessarily
high because of a design deficiency. No doubt the archives will contain
material on that issue. I don't use QSK, so can't comment on that.
Reliability -- well, my 990 has been entirely reliable in all respects
whereas I know of a few folks who have had minor problems with their MPs.
Incidentally, in comparative tests using the 990 against both with an MP in
the shack and another one belonging to a friend about four miles away,
people consistently prefer the audio from the 990.    

>So, if you've got an opinion I'd love to hear it! I'll supply a summary of
responses to anyone interested.<

Well, I still have the 990 and haven't yet found any reason to change it.
For me, going to an MP wouldn't feel like an upgrade. That said, I'm sure
many people out there love their MPs and swear by them; this is just my
£0.02. Talking of which, there's a rumour to the effect that Yaesu lost
money on every 990 they built! 

73 John
GW4FRX

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