[Rover] Downsizing my Rover station

[Rick R]

I have both an FT100D and an FT857D. I use the FT100D as an IF for my 
microwave transverters because I can turn down the output to approx 1W, 
which is the standard input for all my transverters. My son recently 
purchased the 857 for use in his car, but we have been using on the 
operating table in the house for the past month. Both rigs are excellent for 
our uses, however, you will find there is a slight trade off in performance 
between these-all band-all mode rigs and a good transverter/IF rig. In my 
rover I use an FT736R for bands ABCD. I wanted to keep the rover simple--but 
also wanted to use 12 bands....so I use the FT736 + an amp/preamp for each 
of those bands, then I have the FT100D and transverters for 9EFGHIJ  
(+laser). The FT736 is an average performer.
I think the key here is simplicity and bandswitching, and I have a one 
switch changeover for my IF box for bands 9EFGHIJ, which allows me to keep 
open 144-222-432 for liaison with the micro station I'm trying to contact. 
If you get an allband, you'll still need the 222 transverter for use on that 
band, but easy to hook into the allband on one of the lower bands, depending 
on what transverter & LO freq you have.
If on the other hand you are one of those rovers that goes for high 
perfomance, big power and big antennas, the transverter route will give 
better sensistivity and selectivity (in general), but you'll have a vehicle 
full of gear, connectors, switches and relays. I have tried the band 
activity display--although it works, it's of limited use, and I don't bother 
to use it, as I have better luck finding stations by hearing them while 
tuning! GL es happy holidays..let us all know what you decide. 73, Rick, 
K1DS