[CW] What about a FT-450 for CW?

[Danny Douglas]

OK At least it has one. Its a shame they didnt make the on/off capability
available.   My old TS430s was a great rig, lacking only, to my necessary
use, digital filtering, and remote capability for CAT.  It has VOX on/off,
Notch filters, RIT, IF Shift, Noise Blanker, processor,Narrow/Wide filter
crystal selection, etc. and would still be in use here today, were it not
for a lightning hit, which put the transmit portion completly out of
condition. I purchased it new in 1982.   It still works fine, as a secondary
receiver.  I replaced it with a TS570s and hope to get as many years of good
service with this one.  Between the two, they have gotten me 338 countries,
9 band DXCC, WAS, WAZ cards etc. (plus DXCC in England).    Yes- it would
indeed be nice to have the "best",   whatever that may be, but most of us
cannot afford what would appear to be outlandish prices that we see in
todays "best" rigs ( or at least costliest).  I believe the ham radio
companies have done an excellent job in keeping costs of their moderate to
low price rigs down, to a point where most of us can enjoy the hobby without
breaking our banks.  I can remember my very first new rig (Kenwood - 1970)
and it was the same then - costing me about a month and a halfs wages, at
that time.  We certainly are getting more for our money now.
Danny Douglas
N7DC
ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA
SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
All 2 years or more (except Novice)
Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for
those who do.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Danner" <markd at mfwi.org>
To: "CW Reflector" <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 6:42 PM
Subject: RE: [CW] What about a FT-450 for CW?


Yep, it's full-time VOX!

Time to go home and play with my toy!!

:-)

Mark AB7MP

(As a general rule, one gets what one pays for.  One of the other posts
mentioned the K3 and that is on my wish list!  Santa, are you
listening????)

-----Original Message-----
From: cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Danny Douglas
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 3:09 PM
To: CW Reflector
Subject: Re: [CW] What about a FT-450 for CW?

No VOX?  How in the world did that slip out of the factory?  Of all
things to leave off!  Even a good toy would include that capability.
Danny Douglas
N7DC
ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA
SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
All 2 years or more (except Novice)
Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred, I Do not use, but as a courtesy
do upload to eQSL for those who do.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Danner" <markd at mfwi.org>
To: "CW Reflector" <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 1:08 PM
Subject: RE: [CW] What about a FT-450 for CW?


Michael J.,

I have an FT450.  Toy?  Yeah....maybe!  (When it's all you got, it's
hard to say some things!)
Just a couple of notes on the 450 - you will have to add a narrow CW
filter - it's not included.

Also, (this is picky!) if you like to zero-beat by turning the VOX off
and keying against the other signal, it won't work with the 450.
There's no VOX button to push!

If you enjoy SWL activities, you'll probably want to add a wide AM
filter.  The included AM filter is too narrow.

If you want to work 10M FM - you'll need to add that module also.

Also, if you really like QSK, the 450 will be very disappointing.  I can
get closer to QSK with my Tuna-Tin and it's toggle switch (slight
overstatment for effect!)

But, I've been using the "toy" since my last rig died and this was the
only one I could afford at the time.  Yes, I'd love to replace it, but
that will have to wait.  Do I enjoy using it?  Sure!  The alternative is
no operation at all (I use it as the receiver with the Tuna-Tin.)

If you can spring for more, it'd be a really good idea.  If it's all you
can afford, just remember it's an entry level rig and the whistles and
bells will add to the cost.

A toy?  Well, you're talking about Christmas, so toys aren't that bad!

73,

Mark  AB7MP



-----Original Message-----
From: cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Michael Baker
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:55 PM
To: 'CW Reflector'
Subject: RE: [CW] What about a FT-450 for CW?

Save your money and buy a TS-2000 Kenwood and forget the FT450. It's a
toy radio designed as a newbie first HF rig. Not too bad on SSB but it
is NOT a serious CW rig at all.
I have played with every rig on the market in the last 40 years and as a
CW DXer and contester on a budget I have NOT regretted my purchase of
the TS2000 almost 5 years ago now.
Most 930's I have used and owned had a good receiver in them. Yes they
have some phase noise but the QSK is sweet.
The TS2000 has a bit of a noisy receiver as well but the selectivity
features of the adjustable DSP filtering are wonderful. You can split
hairs with is!  :>) I am planning on adding the INRAD 2.1 roofing filter
to mine as soon as I have some spare $$$ and I am told it makes the
front end almost bullet proof.
Just one mans opinion but I do think you would just be wasting your
money.
This weekend is Sweepstakes so if you have access to a TS2000 to listen
too this would give you a good test of its capabilities and the
shortcomings of the FT450.
Good luck. Best 72, 73

Michael Baker  K7DD
k7ddmjb at qwest.net

-----Original Message-----
From: cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Michael Josefsson
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:57 PM
To: CW Reflector
Subject: [CW] What about a FT-450 for CW?

Well XMAS is approaching. Will a FT-450 make me happier than I am now
using a 1984 vintage TS-930S? I find the 930 somewhat noisy but love the
QSK. And when operating field-day then I seem to be the only one not
being QRM:ed by the others - they QRM each other and I QRM them in some
extent, but I come out on top usually:)

So is a FT-450 an improvement? At least *something* must have happend
the last decades, or...  :)


Ideas welcome!
/Micke
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