[SixClub] FT450 vs FT857D vs Icom 706mKIIG on 6m

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 5/21/2010 12:16 PM, John Geiger wrote:
> Does anyone on the list have any experience/opinions on how the Yaesu FT450, the FT857D, and the Icom 706MKIIG compare in terms of 6m performance?
>
>    
These are my opinions and others may well disagree.

I can't compare them all, but I have had both the 897D (comparable to 
the 857) and the Icom 7000 while a friend had a 706.  Although I liked 
the functionality of the the 897D (it was easier to use with multiple 
modes and band hopping) the 7000 and 706 were build much better and had 
receivers that were notably better.
OTOH you can find the 897D's for substantially less than the 7000's. The 
spin sheets say the 857D's receiver is based on the 897's design and the 
way it's worded appears they've improved it a bit.

Although the  they are all 1.8 through 440 MHz coverage in my opinion 
the 7000 is the best of the bunch for ultra compact, does everything 
radios that also make good mobiles.  The Yaesu's are the least expensive 
and the construction (inside) shows it.  The rear jacks are held in 
place only by the soldering to the circuit board while the Icoms have 
them mounted to the case. This is not a big deal unless you are moving 
the rig from mobile to base a lot.

While it's by far the best performing radio with big antennas and 
signals, the 7000 is also the most complicated menu wise.  That is not 
to say the others are easy but "to me" the Yaesu was laid out more 
logically. IIRC the 706 was a bit easier to operate than the 7000.  They 
were all radios that required I needed to keep the manual handy. <:-))

Price wise none are considered "expensive" although the 7000 is the 
highest at a tad under $1300 new with the remote mounting kit. The 897 
is about $400 less with the 857D selling for about $750 or roughly $50 
less than the 897D. The 706 is currently running near the mid $900 
range, or about 40 to $50 more than the Yaesu $897D.

Actually my 897D is going up for sale, but first it needs to go into 
Yaesu as I'm having a problem with the CW external keying. One of the 
input keying lines is dead, although the keyer works fine. Looks new, 
just doesn't work on CW at the moment.

73

Roger (K8RI)
> I am looking at picking up one of these rigs for HF and VHF use.  Would be interested in a good deal if someone has an extra one they are looking to sell.
>
> 73s John AA5JG
>
>
>
>
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