[TVARC] FW: New Hams - HF Rig Recommendation?

[Frank M]

Thank you for passing that along!! Although I lean very heavily towards the Icom IC-7300, especially over the Yaesu 991A, I found the introduction to consideration of other, slightly older togs quite interesting!!! It clearly opens one’s mind to thinking outside the box and giving consideration to more than the new, highly advertised rigs. 
Thanks. 

Frank KA1AF 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 26, 2019, at 6:19 PM, George <k2dm at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Fellow TVARC members,
> There was a recent discussion on the Florida Contest Group reflector about what would be a good radio for new hams.  A few folks responded right away with the Icom IC-7300.  A couple of others recommended the Yaesu FT-991A.
> Here is a nice perspective from Lu, W4LT.  I found it interesting.  I hope you will also.
> 73,
> George K2DM
>  
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>  
> From: W4LT Lu Romero
> 
> Subject: Re: [FCG] New Hams - HF Rig Recommendation?
>  
> New or “new to them” rig? My recommendation for a first rig is a “new to them” radio that is well cared for and tested by a knowledgeable Elmer. That way, they have the opportunity to outgrow it or even if it doesn’t fit their requirements, get something else, as they don’t have as much invested in the radio. Minds change… Priorities change… There is lots to discover in Ham radio!
>  
> OK, so, General Class new hams. The question is “What is the problem they are trying to solve”?
>  
> Do we want a “do everything in one box” radio for roughly $1000?  A TS2000, though dated, does 160 through 70cm out of the box with the addition of 1.2GHz if you want to splurge. HF ops in SSB, CW (if they get enterprising), Digital with an external sound card, 2m and 70cm SSB/FM/Digital and even Satellite operations capable. Its remotable with the (somewhat clunky, but useable) KNS-2 system, also free out of the box (as opposed to Icom’s BA-1). Is it a spectacular receiver?  No, but passable in the main, the second is a bit worse.  Is the Noise Reduction top notch?  No, but works well enough.  It’s a jack of all trades radio… But it’s not master of one.  A compromise. But it does A LOT for a little. Hate it?  Sell it for what you got into it. They don’t vary in price much.
>  
> Do we want an HF only or HF/6m rig and are a bit tight with cash? For around $400, you can pick up a decent Kenwood TS570S(G) or 570D(G).  This is a great “tricycle” rig that has all the knobs, functions and buttons of the “big rigs” at a fraction of the price (and at a compromise in performance). Very clean transmitter with a somewhat mediocre receiver from the standpoint of selectivity… But InRad will sell you a 1.8kHz SSB filter that will really help! Great casual SSB/CW rig for general use and limited “contest operations training wheels”… All the knobs and functions work like the TS590, its higher performance cousin.
>  
> Do we want Bang for the Buck?  The Kenwood TS590s (not the SG) fits the bill nicely.  Used around $650, a BARGAIN at this price. Only Hf/6m but a radio that will grow with them and will let them do SSB/CW/Digital out of the box with minimum muss or fuss.  Its architecture and performance rivals radios at three times the cost, and the built in sound card will allow painless digital operations (meaning plug and play FT8… What else?).
>  
> Do we want portability over performance?  A Icom IC7100 will be a great choice. 160 through 70cm for around $1000 new, and even gives you DStar out of the box! You will need an external tuner for this one, LDG makes plug and play ones for a couple of hundred dollars.  Mediocre receiver, but the transmitter sounds OK and if you can get over the nutty touch screen menu system, it works well for rookie ops.  Really small footprint for those new tiny ops desks.
>  
> Like lots of flash and gingerbread like spectrum scopes?  A Icom IC7300 will fit this niche. HF and 6meters but nice size, great price, cool spectrum scope and modern SDR architecture for an incredible price. In my opinion, the receiver is a couple of notches over just OK, but if you’re careful and don’t overload it, it works well. It’s the herd mentality radio… And there is safety in herds.
>  
> So, again, what is the problem we are trying to solve here? Each op will have their priorities.
>  
> There are rigs that fit every priority out there. It all comes down to what their goals are. There is no simple one size fits all solution. The closest one comes to this is the TS2000… Admittedly long in the tooth, but if money is tight… It’s hard to beat for a do everything try anything radio.
>  
> Lu  W4LT
>  
>  
>  
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