[K3PZN-List] Quasi-Vintage Rigs?

[James Nitzberg]

Hi Curt & Group;

I'm back on VHF after a 4 month lapse.  I'll look out
for you during commute hours.

Here are my picks for bargain yet high performance
radios:


1.  Kenwood TS-850SAT.  Almost untouchable per dollar
if you can get one for $600 or so. 

2.  Icom 746 Pro.  More money - however an unusually
good package.

3.  Yaesu FT-1000MP - original version.  A scratch and
dent one sells for under $1,000.  It out-performs the
Kenwood TS-850 receiver for close in signals around 
your desired frequency.

Of course - spending money to improve your antennas
will go alot further than any of these radios!

73,

Jim  WX3B
--- Curt Milton <wb8yyy at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I am contemplating upgrading my station by replacing
> my 100 w rig (TS-140) with something higher
> performance.  In addition to considering mid-price
> rigs (IC-746 and TS-2000), i am also wondering about
> the nicer rigs of the recent past.  And I have 2
> kids
> in college so maybe I should consider other options.
> 
> I read/hear nifty things about the FT-990 and
> TS-850,
> and the measured performance (lower phase noise and
> higher blocking dynamic range) would be a
> significant
> upgrade.  And overall I think I like these rigs more
> than the newer ones, based on what I am perceiving. 
> (I know one shack I can visit to try a FT990 owned
> by
> a coworker - guess I need to try a TS-850 some day).
>  
> 
> Are there any issues with "old age" for these 20+
> year
> old rigs?  I have heard that care is needed to
> replace
> batteries - do these only store short-term memory
> and
> not rig "firmware" ?  The shaft encoder on my TS-140
> reverses direction occasionally and the audio drive
> pot is a bit flacky, but otherwise this rig may last
> a
> couple more decades.  Any other wear issues to be
> alert to?  
> 
> Just looking for data, so I can be ready if an
> opportunity to buy ever presents itself.  
> 
> Replies off list welcome, if anyone else wants
> similar
> data I can send what I learn.  
> 
> 73, curt
> 
> PS - if there is any interest in re-populating
> either
> of our repeaters during normal commuting hours, i am
> game!  until then, i have been camping on 147.135
> where i regularly chat with some interesting folk.  
> 
> 
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