Ed et all . . . again,
I have a pair of IC-9700s and use the DX Shop PTT interface for
independently keying all 3 amplifiers. Its kind of sux to have to buy a
3rd party interface for a 3 band rig, but it works well. My biggest issue
with the IC-9700 is not having an output for a larger display of the RF
spectrum. And, as far a 222 goes, the Yaesu FT-736R and the ICOM
IC-375A were and still are the only multi-mode rigs made for 222MHz. I
sold my FT-736R a couple years ago because it didn't have a usable interface
for computer logging when contesting. I managed to get my hands on an
IC-375A to replace it before I let it go. Since then I managed to snag a
second IC-375A so I have a backup. I spoke to ICOM at both Hamcation in
Orlando and Hamvention in Zenia last year and was told in no uncertain terms
that they WILL NEVER be making another rig for 222 multi-mode. I was
disappointed to hear this because the existing rigs are going to be
unrepairable in the not to distant future. Parts are already getting
scarce.
de K3SK
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Price <terry@directivesystems.com>
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2023 11:58 AM
To: 'Ed Kucharski' <k3dne@comcast.net>; vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] IF Radios & XTRs
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
-----Original Message-----
From: VHFcontesting
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces+terry=directivesystems.com@contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Ed Kucharski
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2023 11:33 AM
To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] IF Radios & XTRs
I have nothing to really add to this thread other than to vent my
frustration. Kevin alluded to it with his criticism of the Flex and xvtrs.
I'm particularly disappointed with Yaesu and their "flagship" radio
(FTDX101D / MP). No configuration or low level output for transverter
interfacing. I knew that before purchasing the radio and planned to continue
to use my FT1000MP MKV as an IF but the '101 has many nice features I'd like
to have when using it with transverters for 2m and up. A significant
oversight by Yaesu IMHO.
73,
Ed K3DNE
> On 01/16/2023 11:24 AM Kevin Hobbs via VHFcontesting
<vhfcontesting@contesting.com mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com > wrote:
>
>
> Thanks Terry ... that's what I figured ... I assume if the K3 does
that then
> K4 probably follows the same architecture. Seems like just another
VHF+ /
> XVTR oversight by Flex Radio. 73 KH
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Terry Price <terry@directivesystems.com
mailto:terry@directivesystems.com >
> Sent: January 16, 2023 10:40 AM
> To: 'Kevin Hobbs' <ve3kh@icloud.com mailto:ve3kh@icloud.com >
> Cc: 'VHF Contesting Reflector' <vhfcontesting@contesting.com
mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com >
> Subject: RE: [VHFcontesting] IF Radios & XTRs
>
> Hi Kevin,
>
> Don't know about the K4 but I have four K3's and they remember
> every
VHF
> band so when I QSY say to 222.100 and then to another band, when I
come back
> to 222, it is on 222.100 and the same mode. The K3 supports 10 VHF
bands so
> one radio can do 50 MHz (native) through 10GHz and the dial shows the
> correct frequency. Each band can have a frequency correction of
> +/- 5
KHz
> (maybe 10 I can't remember) and the band data is standard BCD that
> is
also
> mirrored for HF. There is a separate control line that goes low
> when
low
> power transverter mode is selected so you can differentiate
> between HF
and
> VHF and there is a PTT output, all of these signals are available
> at
the
> HD15 acc connector on the back. So you can cover 160m through 10
> GHz
all
> automatically with the right BCD decoder setup. If you get one
> with
the
> internal 2m transverter, it can be set up to cover bands from 902
> and
up as
> an I.F.
>
> 73,
>
> Terry - W8ZN
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: VHFcontesting
>
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces+terry=directivesystems.com@contesting.com
mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces+terry=directivesystems.com@contesting.com ] On
> Behalf Of Kevin Hobbs via VHFcontesting
> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2023 10:30 AM
> To: VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com
mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com >
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] IF Radios & XTRs
>
> Hi
>
>
>
> I have a Flex 6600M and a number of XVTRs connected to its XVTRA
> RXA
ports
> with external switching controlled via the Flex IO USB
>
> * 8 CH Relays to control DPDT coax switch to select between a Kuhne
> 144 XVTR (which is the IF for 10 24 47 GHz XVTRs) and a Q5 5-Band
> XVTR
>
>
>
> My issue is that when I change VHF+ bands via the Flex, it resets
> my
freq,
> panadapter etc to default settings and so I can switch back to
> where I
was
> when running the bands because the Flex thinks it all 28MHz and
> even
though
> it handles all the XVTR's it doesn't have any band memory /
persistence for
> XVTRs. This makes running the bands and going back and forth to
coordinate a
> feal nuisance.
>
>
>
> Does anyone have a workaround or know if some other HF IF rigs
> handle
this
> better ie: K3 or K4 ???
>
>
>
> 73 Kevin VE3KH
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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>
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