[MRCA] HF/SSB pack sets.

[D. Platt]

Dennis,

Excellent compendium on these types of radio sets.  That said, it 
appears to me that if one wishes to own and operate one for a number of 
months (dare I say years?), one would necessarily need depot support 
behind one's back?  I've considered several sets but have backed away 
for that reason.  Broken/inop gear is simply unacceptable to me and I 
find that I become adamant in getting everything up to snuff.  My last 
foray was repairing a pair of PRC-68Bs.  Luckily I had a friend at the 
USAF Sacremento depot and he was instrumental in finding me a manual and 
some test adaptors.  I may yet spring for a GRC-106A as I've become a 
bit familiar with them.  Corallary to your previous comments, I have 
both the FT-897D and the FT-857 HF-VHF rigs.  I doubt that there's 
anything on the green MIL market that can compete in all, I repeat all, 
aspects.  That is, cost, operation, maintenance, MTBF, et al.  That 
said... they ain't green and that may be the real salient point........  
One can't bring beer to a wine-tasting party!

Jeep - K3HVG