[Yaesu] Re: Ft100D vs FT847 Revisited

[caitlynmaire@earthlink.net]

Hi, John,
> 
> I am mostly confused with the receiver impressions. 
> Everyone thought that the FT847 had the better
> receiver.  if you look at the QST product review
> numbers, the FT847s receiver sucks compared to the
> FT100.  Here are the important figures
> 
>             BDR     3RDIMDDR      3RD IP
> FT847         
> 20 meters   114        95           +12   
> 2 meters    96         84           -19 
> 
> FT100
> 20 meters   130        94           +10  
> 2 meters    113        84           -13
> These measurements are with the preamp off on 20
> meters, and with the preamp on for 2 meters, because
> the preamp is always on for the Ft100D on 2 meters. 
> The 130 BDR for the FT100D is impressive.  It beats
> rigs like the Icom 746, Kenwood TS2000, and the Icom
> 756PRO.

One thing that may be even more telling:  the new radio that is
replacing the FT-847 on the market is a base rig built on the FT-100D
platform.  The FT-897 may actually be the best answer for you:  the
brilliant receiver of the FT-100 with the antenna jacks and some of the
real knobs and buttons of the FT-847.  The radio is out in Japan and
Europe, and I understand Yaesu had one at Dayton.  It should be out in
the US shortly with a street price in the $1100 range.
> 
> Even more telling is the second order intercept point.
>  It is +51.7 for the Ft100D, and +14.7 for the FT847. 
> I do not look at the 2nd order IP alot in reviews, but
> the FT847 has the lowest one I have ever seen.
> 
> I like numbers-they are somewhat more objective, and
> easy to compare.  I am currently teaching two
> statistics courses at the college level, so I
> understand numbers real well.  What aren't these
> numbers telling me?  How can the numbers show a much
> better receiver in the FT100, but everyone
> subjectively rates the FT847 much better?

Bigger speaker, bigger box, more $$$ must equal better radio, right???

I don't own either radio, but I have a friend who has both, and another
with an FT-100 who sold an FT-847.  Not everyone thinks the FT-847 is
better.  I've played with both, and the FT-847 has much better
ergonomics, but is that the mark of a better radio?

All the best,
Caity
KU4QD
(who isn't about to buy either just now)