HF Rigs

[wajenkins]

Passed my General Exam yesterday. I am looking for feedback on good general duty rig, Don't want to spend 5-10k for a contest rig but want a good all band transceiver. Thought process so far is the Kenwood TS-2000, Good value for what it does, all band, DSP, TNC on board for digital modes, antenna tuner built in. Would have to add a power supply. Other radios may be a little cheaper, but would have to add additional filters and components. Would like honest feedback, not just based on brand preference. As you can see I lean towards Yaesu but I am not locked in. Thanks in advance for any feedback for the newbie, general class.

Allen J.
K5WAJ Temporary AG (That feels good)

Yaesu FT-8800
Yaesu FT-7100
Yaesu FT-60
Kenwood TK-280
Kenwood TK-380
Yaesu VXA-300 (Aircraft)
Yaesu HX--370S (Marine)
Icom PCR-1000
(2) Bearcat 996T's
Bearcat 396T
Radio Shack Pro-92

[jpryor]

Hello Allen,

I just upgraded to General a few months ago as well. My HF requirements were similiar to what you are looking for in regards to all (or most) bands, DSP, and an internal antenna tuner. I ended up going with the ICOM IC-746PRO. In comparison to the Kenwood TS-2000, the ICOM does not have UHF or an intergrated TNC. But the ICOM does have a basic spectrum display and it came with a "free" power supply. It has worked for what I've wanted to do, and I've been having fun with the radio.

Good luck in your search, and have fun on the HF bands.

Jeff KC8NNO

[N1SQB]

Depending on what your particular needs are as far as just a base or a base that can go mobile, I highly recommend the Icom IC-7000. All the filters/dsp you will ever need built right in. TX-RX audio is superb. Easy to fit anywhere either as a base or on the go in a car. You get HF right up to 440 MHZ. The display is unbelievably awesome. I love the TS-2000 but again, you have to think ahead. If the you know what hit the fan, could you easily pick that radio up and just go mobile? Not the 2000, its heavy. Power outage? Again, take the radio out to the car and easily talk from there. I am not knocking the 2000. I love it and wish I could have one for myself instead of playing with other people's toys. So if you main interest is base oriented, go for the Kenwood TS-2000. You will not be disappointed. As far as having a unit with a built in tuner, dont rely too much on that. If you ask other seasoned Hams, they too will tell you the same thing, get an external tuner. Internal tuners are very basic and very limited in what they let you tune. For example, you may want to experiment with say a long wire antenna. Most built in tuners will only tune coaxial antennas. You always get a more acurate reading from an independent external source. That has been my experience throughout the years. So while a built in tuner is ok if you are getting started, dont rely on it solely when making a decision on wether to buy a radio or not. Invest in a good external tuner for best results. Just my 2 cents worth.

Manny

[W9RXR]

I've been giving serious consideration to the Icom IC-746 Pro. It seems to be a very capable base HF radio that also has 6m and 2m. I've also considered the IC-7000, but the 746 has a larger display and room on the front panel for more controls. The mobile HF radios are great for what they do, but so many of the functions are crammed into a limited number of physical controls.

My house situation is going to force me to a vertical or compromised dipole. I've read some good reports about the Icom AH-4 tuner, so that is influencing my thinking towards compatible Icom rigs. On the other hand, a friend has a Kenwood TS-2000 that he uses with an SGC tuner and he's mostly happy with that combination.

[zz0468]

I'll toss my vote in for the IC-746PRO. I've had one for about a year now, and love it. A lot of the functions are intuitive enough that it's usable right out of the box, and once you understand how the menus work, it's an easy radio to operate.

I operate in a very high noise location, and the noise blanker is superb, and so is the DSP noise reduction.

[mcscanner]

Allen,

Passed my General several weeks back and have been going thru the same process. I settled on the TS-2000. I just put up a Diamond X200A and the VHF/UHF side is on the air. Next will be the HF side. I spent the morning pruning and measuring the backyard for a dipole antenna and I think I have it figured out. Sometime you really can have to many trees!

Couple of things on the 2000. The sub-radio is VHF/UHF only it is split between two connectors one for 144 and the other for 440. You will need a duplexer if you put up a dual band antenna. Diamond (MX-72N) makes one that is a good match for connectors and power levels.

I have been using Ham Radio Deluxe and DM780 to play with the receive side of HF and digital modes. Again another good match with the 2000. HRD does not deal with the sub-radio very well, but I just use the sub to monitor the area repeaters so it's really no big deal. Kenwood has a memory management program (free) to help with the 300 memory location in the radio. Not very polished and cut/copy/paste is very limited.

At this time I don't really have any comments for using HF for transmitting.

Good Hunting!
Mike KE5VYU

[elk2370bruce]

The 746 PRO is a great rig. So is the 7000. I know peope who are are actively using them on the air and they sound great to my ears. You might also want to look at a 756 PRO II used for about the same bucks as a new 746. I got one that was slightly used and not abused and have had a ball with it, As a Yaesu enthusiast, you might even consider the 897. I have not used this rig and can offer no first-hand comment,

[N5DXL]

I own a few HF radios but find my self using my IC-7000 95% of the time, using 3 antennas 205" G5RV,
BTV5 with 17 meter coil and a Tak-Tenna (40 meter). If I cna hear you I can work you and that's with
out a amp. Hey I even use a IC-7000 as a mobile in my 18 wheeler.
No matter what radio you pick remember just have fun....

73, Tom de N5DXL

[kokomo1]

I have a Icom 746 Pro and it is a great radio. It is an excellent radio with the only thing lacking is UHF. I use it for casual contesting and do ok with it and a modest antenna system.

One thing which attracted me to the 746 is the excellent filter selection already built in.

Also, you are making a wise choice getting a machine which has "knobs" and isn't menu driven.

[N1SQB]

Originally Posted by W9RXR

The mobile HF radios are great for what they do, but so many of the functions are crammed into a limited number of physical controls.

I tend to agree with you on this point. However, this seems to be the going trend of the future. I am all in favor of more knobs,buttons ect.. and less subfunctions. Unfortunately, it seems only the REALLY $$$$ rigs are like this these days.

Manny.

[wajenkins]

Thanks for all of your input, I may have a line a reasonably priced very gently used pro II, if I can lay hands on it, I'll probably go that route. The 746 seems like a good alternative. Thanks again for the input. Additional input welcome.

Allen J.
K5WAJ

[elk2370bruce]

Once you've got your rig on the air, let us know and you'll get some initial QSOs (and some QSLs) from us. See ya on the air soon.

[ki4rvh]

I have a Kenwood 2000 myself and love it. I get great audio reports. The Internal antenna tuner is great! Filtering works well. I love it because I can get on HF or 6 meters and crossband with my HT while in the back yard.