[OKDXA] Best low band rig <$600

[John Geiger]

--- On Mon, 3/9/09, Nelson Derks <ac5up at windstream.net> wrote:

> vary on this one... But... Given the 
> price point I'd look hard for a Kenwood TS-930 or TS-940

Yes, my friend Dave (NN1N) believes that the TS930 is the best CW contesting rig ever made, and they do work nicely.  Never used a TS940 so can't comment on it, but I have a couple of friends who swear by them.


> 
> Aside from that, I've always admired the Yaesu FT-901 and
> FT-902. You 
> should be able to score either one well within the price
> point. The 
> FT-902 is preferred as it has the WARC bands. The drawback
> here is the 
> tube finals, but at least they run a 12BY7 driving a pair
> of 6146B's 
> which should be available for a while. As with the
> Kenwoods, the value 
> of any installed filters should be considered above the
> cosmetics.

I have never used a FT901 or FT902 but have always wanted to.  I almost ended up with a FT902 once and wish I had made the deal.  They were really advanced for their day with the built in keyer, FM, and the memory that would allow you to run split frequency. Plus the peak filter is a real bonus on CW.  I wonder how they compare to the Kenwood TS830. Lots of people like that in the hybred camp.



> One other rig I've had minor hots for was the Kenwood
> TS-870 which I 
> think is not going to happen for less than a kilobuck, but
> ya' never 
> know. 
I just can't get intot the TS870 for some reason although it is one of the best looking rigs ever made.  I hear that the correct serial number is important for that rig.  Supposedly it is a favorite among the Japanese EME crowd due to its noise floor.

The same can be said for the Icom IC-765, and that's
> not a typo... 
> Talking about the not-with-the-LCD-display IC-765. Very
> well regarded rig.

Yes, I have seen some good deals on these as well and they can be a very good deal considering the 500hz filters are standard, as is the built in PS and a very good tuner.  They need some memories for their CW keyer, though.

> Which brings up another point: The IC-756 *with* the LCD
> display that 
> tends to crater and be expensive to replace is one of the
> better bangs 
> for the buck in used rigs because of the bad rep the LCD
> panel has given 
> it. I doubt you'll see one in the $600 range... But... Ya'
> never know. I 
> have one here that hasn't developed any LCD issues.

I have had a couple of these.  They are good rigs although the receiver completely falls apart if you turn on the NB.

73s John AA5JG

> 
> Yet.
> 
> One last thot: I think the Kenwood TS-450 and TS-690 (same
> box but with 
> 6 Meters) are definite sleepers on the used market. Not
> much snob 
> appeal, but more than adequate and extremely long-lived.
> Plenty of them 
> out there, too
> 
> All the models I've mentioned have tested mods and known
> issues that can 
> be researched on the web and that's a good thing / bad
> thing situation. 
> Good because others have been there, done that, bad because
> they needed 
> to. Assume that anything you score will need some TLC, if
> only a 
> touch-up on the alignment.
> 
> BTW: This web site is your friend........ 
> http://www.radioamateur.eu/schemari.html
> 
> 
> John Geiger wrote:
> > I realize that limiting oneself to a budget of less
> than $600 will decrease the list considerably, but in the
> list member's opinion, what is the best DXing and contesting
> for the low bands (30m-80m) for less than $600.
> >
> > 73s John AA5JG
> >
> >
> >   
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> OKDXA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/okdxa
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:OKDXA at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>