[Standard] C5900A comments

[Gary Pearce KN4AQ]

I have two 5900's.  They have been great radios.  Lots of memories (if you 
have the expansion module), easy and effective crossband repeat, intermod 
immunity are some of the high points.

I have not used the remote control capability, beyond a quick check-out 
years ago.  There is no feedback to the remote user, other than observing 
the behavior of the radio's output.  So if you fat-finger the command and 
send the transmitter off to Timbuktu, you can't tell what you've done.  If 
you can't get it back where you want, you can't tell why.

I have had trouble with CTCSS decode in crossband repeat mode.  Some 
(repeater) signals without clean, proper-level tone cause the receiver, and 
consequently the crossband transmitter, to chop on and off a few times 
before holding on (but decodes properly when crossband is off).  These 
repeaters may be sending tone passed from the input to the output, never a 
good idea.  It works OK on the repeaters that I know are sending clean 
tone.  One other ham reports the same problem.  I tend to think it's a 
design issue, not just one or two problem radios.

Something to consider - not only is the radio out of production, but the 
company has been absorbed into Yaesu-Vertex, the Amateur division is gone, 
and Yaesu is not servicing old Standard ham radios (that I know of). I've 
read of some independent service available, but haven't needed to use them.

The new Yaesu 8800 and 8900's are based on the technology in the Standard 
5900, and have gotten rave reviews.  I have one, but have not "wrung it 
out."  It has some improved features, some things I wish they would have 
kept from the Starndard.  Nothing major.  It does have Alphanumeric display 
available (handy with 800 memories) that the Standard lacks (does the 
Standard have the 200 memory expansion board?)  The brand new Yaesu is 
selling for under $400.  The Standard was far more expensive (over $800 
retail when new, and I paid $600 for a used one a few years ago).  I'd like 
to think mine are worth a lot today... but I bought the Yaesu instead of 
another Standard when I needed yet one more radio.

73,
Gary KN4AQ

At 11:09 PM 9/18/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>I am looking at getting a C5900A triband radio, and
>wonder what comments owners of this radio have.  How
>have you liked it so far?  I am mainly looking to use
>it in crossband repeater mode, with 440mhz in and 50
>or 144 mhz out.  Does it do a good job crossbanding?
>I am also impressed that you can change frequencies on
>it remotely using a DTMF pad.  Can you do this while
>in crossband repeat?  And can you use it to change
>between memories instead of just frequency input?
>
>Any comments would be appreciated.  Looks like a nice
>radio.  Is $325 a good deal for one?
>
>73s John NE0P