[Yaesu] VX7R purchase?

[Ray Brown]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dominic @ GroupMail" <Dom@Groupmail.Com>
>
> Hello . .I am looking at a VX7R, and as I have been out of the loop for a
> little while, and want to mitigate and chance of a disappointment, how is
> this rig?
> I do want the 4 bands, and the 5W output, but is the WFM and AM filters
> (for the extended RX) better than what was on the FT50R? Any other weak
> points or drawbacks to this package??
>
> How about digital / packet purposes? Can this little wonder be suited for
> that chore :) ?

  Well, since I have both a FT-50 and a VX-5R, I can definitely say that the
WFM and AM filters on the VX-5R are greatly improved over the FT-50.
(In other words, I can hear the local AM and FM radio stations just fine!)
Of course, the -5R only does *3* bands, but that's enough for me for now.
But I'll probably break down and get a -7R sometime next year. :-)

  As for digital modes, I've seen APRS folks use both the 5R and 7R for
APRS using the TinyTrak encoder, so, yeah, it should work for packet,
too. Just feed it a lot of power if you're going to runn the 5 / 3.5 Watts,
and more aluminum heat sink material on the back wouldn't hurt, either.
It does get a little warm when tx'ing a lot.

  And yes, I'm keeping my FT-50 as a backup. :-)

  Good luck!

                _Ray_        KB�STN