[HCRA] Rig Shopping - list members opinions/experiences please.

[Kevin F. Berrien]

After being licensed for 8 years, and picking back up the hobby, I'm 
shopping around for a substantial rig, which is baselike, 100 watt, yet 
portable, and room to grow out of my tech license.  I'm interested in a 
hf-440 all mode radio for base/portable work.  As a future investment, 
I'm looking to purchase new, and don't mind investing extra monies for 
future ability.

My activity would begin as VHF/UHF base work (get on ssb finally), and 
hopefully grow soon into HF.  In the past I have done remote vhf 
contesting, and would likely do again in the future.  Auto-mobile use is 
not a concern or interest.

I've narrowed down the following, and would be interested in any 
experience or advice from the list members.  I'm not a fan of extreme 
features, or very small units.

FT-897 (likely with tuner & inline mountable AC supply).
IC-706MKIIG
FT-100D (believe is new on the market?)

I'm leaning towards the 897, for its bulkier size,  less combined 
buttons (so it appears) and optional AC supply attachment, and internal 
battery options.  706 would be 2nd, while the 100D is a bit small for my 
tastes.

73, Kevin
N1VMJ