[Yaesu] comments on buying a used HF rig

[Jon Ogden]

on 2/11/03 3:44 PM, Hart Engel at va3kis@hotmail.com wrote:

> I want to buy a used HF rig for ssb operations, something with a good filter
> system and an antenna tuner. What should I be looking for? and why?

The biggest questions you have to ask is what is your purpose of looking for
the rig and how much money do you have to spend?

Used rig prices go anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands.

The best rig you could buy would be a used FT-1000D.  It has everything you
ask for above and more.  Is it the best radio out there?  In my view, yes.

But perhaps you don't need a rig that good.  Perhaps something more middle
of the road or even entry level would work.

I would recommend looking at old product reviews in QST or your local
society's literature.  See what features you think you want and how much you
have to spend.

Just realize that the sensitivity in all rigs is the same.  The specs that
matter are blocking dynamic range, receiver IP3 (related to blocking dynamic
range), selectivity (related to filtering) and transmit IP3 (clean xmit
signal).  The better all these specs are the better and more expensive the
rig (generally).

Find one that matches what you think you need, then ask about that
particular rig.  My recommendation is that if you want to do a lot of
operating, spend as much on the rig as you can possibly afford.  If you
don't have a lot of money than go for one of the lower end rigs.

I'm not trying to not be of any help.  You just ask a very broad question.

73,

Jon
NA9D
-------------------------------------
Jon Ogden
NA9D (ex: KE9NA)

Citizen of the People's Democratic Republik of Illinois

Life Member: ARRL, NRA
Member:  AMSAT, DXCC

http://www.qsl.net/na9d   <- Updated on 1/22/03!!!

"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."