Radio short list

[Mikedp]

OK guys, I've narrowed it down to the Yaesu FTDX 1200 and FTDX 3000. I'm leaning towards the 3000. My question is, is the MFJ-4125 switching power supply a good choice to go with the FTDX 3000? MFJ 4125 Switching Power Supplies MFJ-4125 - And is there anything else I should consider in a PS?
Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[prcguy]

A couple of friends of mine had FTdx1200s and ended up dumping them partially due to transmit IMD problems where people 3 to 5KHz away would complain, plus they wanted a better receiver. I have not used a 3000 but hear good things about them on the air.

You can't go wrong with an Astron SS series in the 25 or 30A size.
prcguy

OK guys, I've narrowed it down to the Yaesu FTDX 1200 and FTDX 3000. I'm leaning towards the 3000. My question is, is the MFJ-4125 switching power supply a good choice to go with the FTDX 3000? MFJ 4125 Switching Power Supplies MFJ-4125 - And is there anything else I should consider in a PS?
Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[mrweather]

I've had good service from my Alinco DM-330MV switching power supply. It's more or less been running 24/7 for the last 10 years.

 

[Mikedp]

A couple of friends of mine had FTdx1200s and ended up dumping them partially due to transmit IMD problems where people 3 to 5KHz away would complain, plus they wanted a better receiver. I have not used a 3000 but hear good things about them on the air.

You can't go wrong with an Astron SS series in the 25 or 30A size.
prcguy

OK thx prcguy, will definately keep that in mind. The one that was really to my liking was the Yaesu FT 1000D, but unfortunately it was discontinued and I'm really uneasy with buying used online.

I've had good service from my Alinco DM-330MV switching power supply. It's more or less been running 24/7 for the last 10 years.

Thanks mrweather, I will look at it.

Guys is it generally better to buy a PS with a little more amperage than whats called for for the radio?

 

[chief21]

Actually, you should buy as much amperage as you think you might EVER need, or as much as you can afford. The rig will only take what it needs and the rest will be available for more radios and other stuff. Better for the power supply to loaf along than to be strained when you load it.

John AC4JK

 

[pendulous]

Have you looked at the Elecraft radios? Some of the best receiver performance in the business/

 

[KN4J]

I had the 1200 and sold it to help finance the 3000. I found it to be a capable radio. I have the Icom 7410 and find that to be a fantastic radio as well. Of the three, the 3000 would be my choice especially considering it does FSK RTTY, which many prefer over AFSK, without the need for anything externally other than the USB cable.

The Astron is a great choice. I use a couple of Samlex SEC 1235M units and they've been chugging along for a few years.

As for the 1000, it was a great radio back when, but I suggest taking a look at Sherwood's receiver test data page. It has some value, though it shouldn't be used as the only reference for a decision. Regardless, the 1000 is well behind the 3000. You might also want to consider the Kenwood 590SG.

Other than filtering, I don't know that you would realize a real difference between any of the above radios in receiver performance. I'm aware that the K3 is a great radio, but again, you're not going to magically hear something on the K3 that you can't on any radio in the $1,500 t0 $2,000 price range.

If you're really interested in a better receiver, consider putting money into a good antenna if you don't already have one.

 

[prcguy]

Yes, the FT-1000D was a great radio in its day, but time marches on and there are newer radios with much better performance. I also hear some of 1000Ds have developed intermittent problems over the years.

Someone mentioned Elecraft and if a K3S is in your price range you will have something that you can never say I should have done better, its easily in the top 3 list of the highest performing radios ever made. The FTdx-5000 is also top notch but getting a little expensive.

Tentec has gone through some changes since I bought my early Eagle, but is a really great performing radio with very few frills. Just a joy to operate and for those that don't like endless menus and too many knobs, this might fit the bill. Its got a fantastic and quiet receiver that makes afternoon rag chew nets sound more like an FM repeater than HF, its just that quiet and excellent in a crowded contest situation. I get lots of compliments on its loud and punchy transmit audio and its cheap compared to most other radios mentioned.
prcguy

OK thx prcguy, will definately keep that in mind. The one that was really to my liking was the Yaesu FT 1000D, but unfortunately it was discontinued and I'm really uneasy with buying used online.



Thanks mrweather, I will look at it.

Guys is it generally better to buy a PS with a little more amperage than whats called for for the radio?

 

[AK9R]

Of the three, the 3000 would be my choice especially considering it does FSK RTTY, which many prefer over AFSK, without the need for anything externally other than the USB cable.

You're saying the Yaesu FT-DX3000 keys FSK RTTY through the USB port? And it does this by means of a CAT command? Which RTTY decoders/encoders support this?

With the Icoms that have USB connections, you can only send AFSK RTTY through the built-in USB sound card. To send FSK RTTY, you need to interface to the Accessory port on the radio.

 

[pendulous]

Yes, the FT-1000D was a great radio in its day, but time marches on and there are newer radios with much better performance. I also hear some of 1000Ds have developed intermittent problems over the years.

Someone mentioned Elecraft and if a K3S is in your price range you will have something that you can never say I should have done better, its easily in the top 3 list of the highest performing radios ever made. The FTdx-5000 is also top notch but getting a little expensive.

Tentec has gone through some changes since I bought my early Eagle, but is a really great performing radio with very few frills. Just a joy to operate and for those that don't like endless menus and too many knobs, this might fit the bill. Its got a fantastic and quiet receiver that makes afternoon rag chew nets sound more like an FM repeater than HF, its just that quiet and excellent in a crowded contest situation. I get lots of compliments on its loud and punchy transmit audio and its cheap compared to most other radios mentioned.
prcguy

Ten Tec made great radios. I have the orion 2 and the specs per sherwood measurements right up at the top. same with the eagle.

 

[KN4J]

You're saying the Yaesu FT-DX3000 keys FSK RTTY through the USB port? And it does this by means of a CAT command? Which RTTY decoders/encoders support this?

With the Icoms that have USB connections, you can only send AFSK RTTY through the built-in USB sound card. To send FSK RTTY, you need to interface to the Accessory port on the radio.

I keep the 3000 in LSB RTTY (I couldn't do that with the 7410) and I use MMTTY with the EXTFSK option set in the MMTTY setup. I was initially confused about the subject until I visited the Yahoo Yaesu FTDX 3000 user group. Their file selection hosts the documents that explain this. I wanted to ensure that this could in fact be done so I contacted Yaesu tech support before I purchased the radio because I thought I'd have to purchase the SCU-17 (their external CAT/audio interface) along with the radio. He assured me not to bother with the SCU-17 and that the 3000 does FSK RTTY using MMTTY. He used the same procedure and software. Works well.

 

[prcguy]

The Elecraft K3S does both AFSK and FSK RTTY and PSK31 and PSK63 without any additional equipment. If you have the companion P3 spectral display and VGA adapter the decoded signals will show up on a computer monitor at the bottom of the spectral display.

I've used the PSK31 mode in the radio but have not done RTTY yet to verify, but if it works as good as PSK31 an RTTY user would have a nifty package.
prcguy

You're saying the Yaesu FT-DX3000 keys FSK RTTY through the USB port? And it does this by means of a CAT command? Which RTTY decoders/encoders support this?

With the Icoms that have USB connections, you can only send AFSK RTTY through the built-in USB sound card. To send FSK RTTY, you need to interface to the Accessory port on the radio.

 

[AK9R]

Interesting. Sounds like Yaesu's virtual COM port includes virtual DTR and RTS signals and you can set the radio up to execute a PTT on one and FSK Shift on the other.