[50mhz] Opinions wanted on 6m radios

[Chris Boone]

Several Multi mode 6m rigs out there:

TS60 (late comer of course! :) which is 6m only (too expensive in my book)
But going back:

TS670
TS660 (both 670 and 660 are quad band but have 6; also the old TS680 which
is HF and 6; I have one still!
And there is the TS690 and later with HF+6 but you said you weren't
interested)
TS600 (old but works ok; needs preamp in rcvr and 10watts out)
FT690 (R I and RII models; own both!!!)
FT680 (cool looking)
FT650 (best rcvr on 6 in a lot of folks opinions)
FT625 (all mode with digital readout!)
FT620 (which doesn't have FM but good SSB/AM rig)
IC560 mobile (cousin to the 2m version and the 2m FM only model)
IC505 LCD 5watt out
IC551 10-25w (and D 100watt model !! but FM optional and the FM module is
rare to find!!)
IC502 (SSB only portable!)
MFJ made one (SSB/CW only and limited range..not much less than the
502...but just not as good!)
And the Ranger DX 5054 25 and 100w models

And I am probably leaving some others out!!

I own a FT857D and 100D...both good for 6, 2 and UHF SSB as well as FM and
HF....but they sure work great on 6!!
For the price, don't ignore them! ONLY thing about most Japanese mutli mode
rigs on 6?? The NB does NOT work in FM mode...and YES you need one (if not,
then WHY did Motorola, GE and others make such an animal for lowband VHF FM
radios???? HELLO JAPAN!!! The NB in the FT690xxx series and TS680 DOES work
on FM...a rare happening...otherwise, forget it! And I want an ALL MODE rig
to work the same in ALL modes....regardless, the NB should work in FM...)

Chris
WB5ITT
EL39BW


-----Original Message-----
From: 50mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:50mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Mike and Alicia Fanning
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 10:47 AM
To: 50mhz at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [50mhz] Opinions wanted on 6m radios

GM all,
I am interested in getting back on 6 after many years and would like  
opinions on folks' favorite 6m radios.  The last rig I used was an  
FT-620B at my Dad's shack and it was a very good radio.  I'm most  
interested in people's opinions on new 6m (or 6m+HF) radios, but I'd  
like opinions for classic rigs as well.  HF coverage is not a big deal  
to me as my typical mode of operation on 6 is to keep the rig running  
in the background waiting for a good opening, so it will stay  
dedicated to 6m coverage all the time.

Comments and opinions welcome!

Thanks,
Mike Fanning, K4GU
Huntsville, AL