[1000mp] Subjective Comparison of FT 2000 to Mark V

[Mike Schatzberg]

Hi Rob:

I have to get into the schematic, I don't have the service manual for the
FT2K.  But, here is my best estimate of what is happening here.

First of all, the monitor circuit is a real problem, in that it presents
distorted audio while using the processor.  Lower levels of compression do
not in fact distort the SSB signal, it just appears distorted in the
headphones.  Strange however, because the monitor works as it should with
the processor off.

Secondly, and here is the big plus for the Mark V, I believe the "processor"
must be a speech compressor, not the same RF processor circuit as in the
Mark V.  I don't know what else to think, but I will have to look.

In any event, the audio punch you can develop thru higher average power
output is a big advantage for the Mark V, and all the 1000 series radios.

I will try to get a response from Yaesu since they state on page 51 of their
FT2K manual that their "processor" should raise the average output of the
radio thru compression.  It simply does not do that in the upgraded FT2K I
have here.  My Kenwood radio, TS 830S, has a RF processor, and it works very
well, as old as that hybrid is.

These seem to be my main issues right now on the transmit side.  Until they
are worked out, I won't be sidelining my Mark V any time soon.  This is a
pretty interesting side by side comparison, the Mark V remains hard to beat.

The receiver comparison is going to take a bit longer, but the upgrade has
improved things quite a bit.  But I believe the FT2K does seem not to have
the same dynamic range as a modified Mark V.  Time will tell.

I would say you are correct about the earlier years of this radio anyway.
It looks like they are enlisting a cadre of BETA testers.  At least they
have already issued the first firmware upgrade, unlike what has happened
with the FT 9000 series.

73 and Happy DXing,

Mike
W2AJI
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob Atkinson" <k5uj at sbcglobal.net>
To: "All about Yaesu 1000mp" <1000mp at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 9:16 AM
Subject: Re: [1000mp] Subjective Comparison of FT 2000 to Mark V


> Mike,
>
> i have a Mk V and use the processor all the time.    it is the best
> processor I have ever used.  I had and/or tried so many rigs with
> crummy speech processors that I concluded all built in processors were
> no good and therefore, the first year or so I had the Mk V, did not
> even try it.  A friend persuaded me to give it a try.  I was amazed.
> there's a narrow sweet spot where if you hit that, it's almost like
> running an optimod on AM.  anyway, i hope Yaesu continues to use its
> design in later rigs.  I understand the FT1000 and 1000D had great
> processors also.
>
> 73,
>
> rob / k5uj
>
>
>
> On Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 08:11 AM, Mike Schatzberg wrote:
>
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> >
> > Hello Rob:
> >
> > This issue about the processor is a real show stopper.  The Mark V with
> > about 3 dB average compression, perhaps 5 dB max peaks, 100 watts pep
> > output, will produce 50 watts average power.  With the processor off,
> > it
> > produces about 25 watts average at 100 watts pep.
> >
> > There is no distortion at this compression level.
> >
> > The FT2K after upgrade, will be distorted at every processor setting.
> > The
> > audio is excellent with the processor off, using a MD 200 with factory
> > default settings.
> >
> > Increasing the processor setting only increases distortion, with no
> > resulting increase in average power output.
> >
> > This same result has been reported globally for the earlier radios.
> > There
> > may be a hardware change which Yaesu implemented for the later
> > production
> > radios.  Since they have not announced the firmware upgrade on their
> > website, last time I looked, I guess I would not expect them to
> > announce a
> > hardware change.
> >
> > I will contact the factory and try to find out what might be needed
> > for this
> > serial number.
> >
> > The receiver seems greatly improved after the firmware upgrade, and
> > some
> > significant menu adjustments.  More about all that latter after more
> > experience.
> >
> > The FT2K is set up side by side my Mark V, 200 watt radio, with an A/B
> > antenna relay switch to pop back and forth under identical operating
> > conditions.
> >
> > Time will tell more.  Meanwhile, I want to find the same performance
> > level
> > for the processor as in the Mark V.  I am looking for good articulate
> > audio,
> > with plenty of punch for DX operations.  I'll see what Yaesu says.
> >
> > 73 and Happy DXing,
> >
> > Mike
> > W2AJI
>
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