[Kenwood] New Awesome Yaesu VHF/UHF Radio

[James Riveria]

Yaesu/Vertex announced Wednesday plans to unveil its newest 
VHF/UHF/Satellite transceiver at the 2004 Dayton Hamvention.  The FT958 will 
be a do-it-all weak signal and satellite transceiver, meant to compete with 
the Kenwood TS2000 and Icom 910H.  The FT958 will come equipped with 4 bands 
as standard: 6 meter, 2 meters, 70 cm at 100 watts output, and 23 cm at 50 
watts output.  The FT958 will be able to hold 4 additional band modules, 
with optional modules offered for HF, 222 (at 100 watts), 902 (at 50 watts), 
and 2300-2450 (at 10 watts).  Yaesu hopes to offer additional modules for 
10ghz and 24ghz at Dayton 2006.

�This will be the ultimate VHF/UHF radio� sources at Yaesu said.  �We may 
have dropped the ball in replacing the FT736 with the FT847, but this will 
put us at the top of the VHF/UHF/Satellite game again.�  The FT958 will 
include dual receive, including dual in-band receive.  It will feature full 
duplex, AF-DSP for both receivers, crossband repeater capabilities, and a 
built in TCXO.

In addition, Yaesu will be instituting its own version of Kenwood�s 
controversial Sky Command remote control system with the FT958.  The 
systems, called WIRES Mark V, will not face the legal issues that Sky 
Command does because all control and return audio signals will utilize 
frequencies above 440 mhz.  The system will initially use the 70cm and 23cm 
bands for control and audio signals, with other combinations available in 
the future.  Yaesu plans to introduce its new VX-9R quad band HT to work 
with the WIRES Mark V system.  The VX-9R will cover 6 meters, 2 meters, 70 
cm and 23 cm with dual receive, built in TNC, and LiON battery power.

Yaesu hopes to be shipping the first FT958s to the US by late 2004, with the 
VX-9R to be introduced at the same time.  �These are exciting times for the 
VHF/UHF community and Yaesu� sources at Yaesu said.  �We also hope to 
eventually introduce band modules for 3.4ghz and 5.7ghz.  We want the FT958 
to be the transceiver of choice for weak signal operating and contesting.�  
Prices are expected to start at $2300 for the basic FT958, with modules 
running from $400 to $800, depending on band.

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