FT1000MP
In Ham radio the single most important piece of equipment one owns is a radio. Today transceivers have replaced the receiver/transmitter combinations of yore. Although some may hold that this has reduced quality, I have no nostalgic value for any tube equipment. I generally feel that newer things (once time tested) are typically better than older things. When I decided to enter the arena of contesting, I looked to see what many of the contesters use for equipment. I found that many, including several of the very best (ON4UN, K9DX) used Yaesu FT 1000 radios. My decision was calculated based on real world questions and answers from the world leaders in contesting, viewing hundreds of web sites and exchanging hundreds of posts on contesting reflectors and E-Mails. My Choice was the FT 1000MP and I now have 2 as well as access to a Mark V left at my station by good friend W0ZAP. I have since learned that, in the WRTC 2002, 19 of 20 radio's operated by the top 10 teams used FT 1000 radios. Although there are always improvements in radios and technology for receiving and transmitting, I have yet to operate a radio which compares. I have only used an IC-756 Pro for a little while and have yet to try the new TenTec Orion but have seen and heard and touched one. I will just say that their ergonomic department should be fired for not leaving enough room for a finger to travel between the large frequency knob and a knob above.