mstangelo@comcast.net wrote:
> All,
>
> I've been enjoying this discussion of "non-competition-grade" transceivers.
>
> My base station radio is a K3 but I do lots of operating on the road and on
> trips and am looking for a small transceiver with good signal handling
> capabilitues on CW and well as effective DSP to help with the eliminaton of
> automobile generated QRN.
>
> Does anyone have experience with the following:
>
> Icom IC-7200
> Kenwood TS-480
> Yaesu FT-897
>
> Sherwood doesn't evaluate the smaller radios and I've looked at the receive
> 2khz and 5khz measurements in the ARRL Product reviews. None compare to the
> top of the line radios; the FT897 has the worst perfomance but the 7200 and
> 480 seem to have the best specs for smaller radios.
>
> I also considered the K2 but I also do lots of utility listening with the
> radio.
>
> I'd appreciate any feedback.
>
> 73,
>
> Mike N2MS
>
>
>
>
Mike,
I remember Earl Cunningham, K6SE (SK) did a comparison between the K-2
and the Icom 746PRO and came to the conclusion that the Icom 746 Pro was
a much better weak signal performer. At that time, before the K-3 the
K-2 was hard to beat. The K2 has some other down sides, like size and
ergonomics, and multiple punch function buttons. In my case I had two
K2's here from a guest contest op and did not feel like I had a radio in
front of me but rather a piece of complicated hand built test
equipment.that looked like a kids toy. I think the K3 with its diversity
RX has some real advantages on weak signal reception but for the same
price I could get two 746 Pros and send split audio to each ear....at
least I would have a spare. There will be a new Icom coming out soon.
I think Icom marketing realized they were selling a great radio at a
fair price (with a rebate and free power supply) that was just to good
and also potentially competing with their high end ham radio plans. Why
would you want to spend 5 to 6K unless it significantly performed
better? And why is the increment for a different new radio upgrade
always one , two, or three thousand dollars? Icom had it right with the
746 Pro but some marketeer had a better idea, it appears.
I never though I would see the day when a good transceiver would cost as
much as a fuel efficient compact car from the same country and with
probably more engineering and electronics in it....but here we are and
that day has arrived.
Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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