[Yaesu] WTB: 70cm all mode

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

You don't really want a 726 or 736 if you operate mixed modes. They have 
the stupid habit of changing the receive and transmit frequency when 
changing between USB and CW modes moving the SSB carrier up 800 Hz when 
going to CW. If you remember and can correct for that before the SSB 
station you wanted to call on CW has gone to another band its OK, but 
that has cost me many contacts. The 736 is low on front end gain so has 
a poor MDS and about 30 dB of signal rise above MDS before AGC starts 
which means when you crank up the audio to copy a weak signal you get 
your ears blasted when somebody on 200 miles away comes on the frequency.

The FT857 (and 897, essentially the same hardware in a box big enough to 
hold a battery with a low power mode when on battery which is hardware 
switched by a 5th pin on the 6 pin power conector of the 857) solves 
both those problems. Likely the QRP 817 also works well. The 857 has a 
mode where I can receive on USB with my choice of ceramic, or SSB or CW 
mechanical filters and to transmit SSB I key the PTT (probably would 
work with VOX too) and talk, or to transmit CW I hit the key. The 
display moves up by the programmed CW offset, but it receives where it 
was before I hit the key. And it has enough front end gain to get to AGC 
rapidly to protect the ears and sounds more like a live receiver than 
the 736. I liked the first 857 so well, when I came upon one at a 
hamfest, I bougt a second one. The DSP works but I've not detected it 
improving the S/N of a very weak CW signal, though I have found the CW 
mechanical filter does improve that S/N on occasion.

The 726 is also short on memories and has very limited subaudible tone 
capabilities for FM. The 736 has lots of memories and built in tone. I 
have one of each. The 726 needed added modules for 430 and a second one 
for 440. Mine has broken down from running packet, possibly the memory 
battery has gone dead and I need to reset it with a special power up or 
better yet replace the battery. My 736 has 222 and 1296 modules. The 222 
has a broken cable (made of a few strands of hair sized wire) again and 
while trouble shooting the 1296 module I broke some cable strands. I did 
get the 1296 module to receive, but it doesn't yet transmit and its a 
pain to troubleshoot when moving it breaks the cables. Its repair is low 
priority on my list. The 736 does work 2m and 70 cm from 430 to 450 in 
its basic configuration. It has slots for two more bands.

Some FT-100 lost the VHF/UHF PA transistor which is an expensive fix. 
Seems there was a design problem which I don't remember. I don't know 
whether it is as good as the 857 when switching modes or not. I've not 
operated one.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 8/5/2011 2:51 PM, John Geiger wrote:
> I am looking for a 70cm all mode radio like the FT780, FT790, FT790RII, or
> FT726 with UHF module.  Might be able to swing a FT736R for the right
> price.  Can't afford a FT847 unfortunately.  I would also be interested in a
> yaesu FT100D or FT857D.  It needs the mic and power cord.  Any other
> accessories aren't really needed.  Let me know if you have one for sale.
>
> 73s John AA5JG
> ______________________________________________________________
>