Hi Mark,
A couple of questions here:
1. I don't quite follow you. You say you didn't get a Field because they
are no longer available, because they have been replaced with the FT2000.
Then you buy a FT1000. That rig has been unavailable for a longer period of
time then the field was. I don't doubt that it is a great radio, though.
2. How is the TS850 overall-compared to the FT1000 and such? I hear that it
is a great contest radio, and they are appearing at very nice prices today.
Just wish they had 6 meters in them.
73s John W5TD
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Steven Williams" <k9gx@n4gn.com>
To: "AD5VJ Bob" <rtnmi@sbcglobal.net>; <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 6:24 PM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios
> Bob,
>
> As Dayton approached this year I was considering buying a Field. Then I
woke
> up and realized that they're no longer available since Yaesu is now
> marketing the 2000.
>
> I had the good fortune to find a very clean FT1000 at Dayton. One of our
> "locals" was offering it for sale. It came with a complete set of filters
> and I paid in the low "$2k" range for it. I stumbled on to the rare
> combination of hooking up with a reputable local (I've know him for years)
> with a pretty good deal. The fact that the radio came with a full set of
> filters closed the deal for me.
>
> It's a 98 model and seems to be in excellent shape. It received it's first
> operating test with me last weekend in the IARU and performed flawlessly.
>
> Frankly, I'm not in a position where I can justify the purchase of a $3k
> plus radio.
>
> I also own a TS850 which needs servicing right now. I've received a couple
> of recommendations on service shops which I'm investigating now. If the
850
> can be revived it will go back into service as radio #2 here.
>
> The 1000 series is legendary for it's receive performance under high
> intermod (contest weekend) conditions. This rig passed muster in the IARU
> for me.
>
> I purchased the International Radio roofing filter mod at Dayton but have
> not installed it yet. I wanted to put the rig through it's paces "stock"
> before installing the mod for comparison's sake. If you find a clean radio
> it's performance can be enhanced considerably with the addition of IR
> filters, etc.
>
> I think owning the latest, sexiest radio, automobile or gadget is
oftentimes
> an issue of vanity having nothing to do with functionality.
>
> I suggest you shop carefully, continue asking questions, talk with locals
> and ops you know and respect and ask whether anyone has a rig for sale.
> Check online and don't be afraid to ask for references.
>
> Service is an issue. Ask around ahead of time. There are a handful of
> independent repair services out there. Check with them and see whether
they
> service the model you're considering purchasing. Ask about hourly service
> rates and the availability of parts.
>
> GL es 73,
>
> Mark, K9GX
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "AD5VJ Bob" <rtnmi@sbcglobal.net>
> To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 12:31 AM
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Contest Radios
>
>
> > Something is starting to concern me that maybe you more experienced guys
> > can help me on.
> >
> > I have been asking around lately about the FT-1000 and FT-1000D radios,
> > because I noticed a reduction in prices on what is being
> > offered on QTH.com and other places. So they are getting closer to where
I
> > can be.
> >
> > Many of the guys who have responded to my questions about the radios
have
> > been saying that the reason is that the FT-1000 and
> > FT-1000D radios are getting so old that "like anything else" you can
start
> > to expect them to start going bad.
> >
> > They are also saying that parts are getting *very* expensive and
sometimes
> > impossible to find.
> >
> > Is this the general opinion or is this still a worthy radio to have for
> > contesting?
> >
> > If not what is?! Many say that none of the IC756PRO series is responsive
> > enough because of its DSP and lack of crystal filtering.
> >
> > So what's left???
> > That is below $10,000 of course.
> >
> > 73 fer nw,
> > Bob AD5VJ(AAR6VM)
> > http://www.ad5vj.com/
> >
> > Member CTDXCC
> > 10X# 37210, FP#-1141
> > SMIRK#-5177, RARS #-149
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >
>
>
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