[Yaesu] FT-920 IS Good, but Not Best

[WD8ARZ]

Actually there is not a filter or dsp setting in the FT-920 that you can not
set in the FT-1000MP. The variable adjustment for the Dsp on the 920 is
great and convent, and I wish it were on the MP, but there is no room on the
large control panel. But the same adjustments can be made in the menu
section of the MP that are obtained with the variable adjustment of the 920.

Choice of settings in the MP can be pre-setup.You can have pre-selections
groupings set up that meets most conditions. There are three levels of
adjustments. One affects dsp options when Dsp is off. Yes, you can set some
of the detector and filter width options for fall back when DSP is off.
Second group of settings kick in when turning on just the DSP 'on button',
but not having any DSP panel options switched in. The last grouping allows
different settings when the DSP is on, AND a DSP option is selected. Each
mode has its own adjustments of course. The first grouping is set for about
the widest options wanted for each mode. The second grouping is tighter,
with a noticable change in band width narrowing down from the first
grouping. The third set is the tighter grouping (not neccassarly the
tightest options - the user option button can be set up for that if needed
(thus a 'fourth' leval, or make manual changes in the menu). Many user's set
'all' MP menu options for the widest available choice, and that is
incorrect. Were not looking for FM quality here under all conditions, but
signal to noise intellagibility. The end result is a much improved listening
quality that conciderably reduces listener fatique.

The end result is much the same as the 920 of having Dsp settings from the
front panel that meet your most common conditions. How often do you change
your settings on the 920? .... not often, and there is a tendency to use
about the same set up for the same similar conditions. The same is now met
on the MP when it is configured as above.

Lets also point out that Dsp, Noise Blanker, I.F. Notch, Width and Shift
controls increase in performance as better filters are selected for the mode
in use, and the band conditions encountered.  The MP has dual I.F. stage
filter options that is one of the main reasons why it performs so well in
strong signal environments. Filters not only improve the bandwidth choice
being used, but the signal to noise ratio as well. This dual I.F. stage
filtering option is just not available in the FT-920. The 920 just doesn't
have the filter selections of the MP, and tests have indicated the filter
stages in the 920 are not up to the performance that they should have
(switching diode leakage, pcb layout ??).

Sorry, in the heat of the battle of band conditions, the 920 is not the same
apple as the MP. Nice rig but just not the same. Otherwise why don't you
hear the big guns in the dx pile ups using FT-920's?? Unfortunatly, the MP
menu system is one heck of a learning curve, and the factory default
settings are just not optimum for the best performance.

73 and best of the weekend to all.
Bill - WD8ARZ
wd8arz@ix.netcom.com