Selecting a new HF Radio
in 2019 and beyond
What should I buy?
A question that keeps on
coming back!
After being off the air for 11 years I returned with a bang in 2014! I still
had all my radios from 2003 and they are still working well, BUT, time has
moved on and so had radio design. I want/need a new top line radio as my
primary contest and DX radio. Well, maybe need is a bit strong, but it would
be fun!
I am going to try and make this choice as scientific as
possible, I am not going to rush this as I have a few radios to play with at
the moment but I want the radio by October/November if at all possible so that
I can try it in the CQWW contests, hopefully from my new station..
You can read my thoughts and research results below, hope it makes
sense.....
Update 21/12/2023:
After using the Icom IC-7300 for a while I decided
I like that size modern radio quite a lot, even though it only has a single RX
it is still fine for local rag-chews and working casual contests like the CWT
tests. The one thing I would like is a slightly better receiver with better
filters, noise reduction and dynamic range.
This has led me to do some
research on what is available around the same size and what is best value for
money. I did seriously consider the Yaesu FTdx-710 but what I do not like is
the fact that it takes a few button presses and screen taps to get to the
filter settings. Since I often change filter settings during a contact that
will be a real pain, like it is on the IC-7300.
The option that is only
slightly more expensive and has a slightly better receiver is the Yaesu
FTdx-10. It has dedicated controls for the filters and it has the same
receiver and front-end as the "best in the world at any price" FTdx-101 radio.
Not only will this make a superb every day radio as well as a field/holiday
radio it will also give me the opportunity to see how good the Yaesu hybrid
SDR receiver really is. If it is that much better than what I have maybe a
FTdx-101MP is worth the cost.
Unlike a few recent radios I acquired for
the collection like the Icom IC-7300 and the Icom IC-7600 this radio was
selected for it's performance and not as a collectors item so a lot more
thought and research went into it.
I have found a "new in box" FTdx-10
locally, the deal has been done and it will be shipped early in the new year.
New baby on the way, Yaesu FTdx-10 with matching SP-30 speaker.
Update 25/07/2019:
The IC-7610 has arrived! First impressions are that
it is a beautiful radio. Before even switching it on I opened it up to make
sure it does not suffer from the reported issue with loose heat sinks. It
appears that they have solved the problem in the later radios, there is no way
the heat sinks can become detached on this radio, the are not just stuck on
top of the chips they actually wrap around the edges. Good news!
Just out of the box. BTW, these radios are really well packed.
Bottom opened up to check the heat sinks
No issue here!
Once I was happy I connected it up and started
getting to know it. All seems easy to understand. A quick check around the
bands showed no activity other than on 20m FT8. I called a few times (CW) on
20m but no luck, hopefully the bands will open up a bit later today so that I
can make a few contacts!
Calling CQ on a dead band. Screen capture to the internal SD card, neat
feature!
This coming weekend is the RSGB IOTA contest,
always fun to try and work a few islands, hopefully the bands will play along
so that I can give the IC-7610 a bit of a workout!
So, the first
new radio is in the shack, after I have used it for a while I will report back
on what I think of it....
Update 23/07/2019:
In my previous post I posted that I
was not sure if I should wait for the FTdx-101MP or if I should get a radio
like the IC-7610. Well, the decision was made, yes, I will wait for the
FTdx-101MP, and I will wait long enough to make sure any major issues with it
is resolved BUT yesterday an IC-7610 became available locally (like new
condition) so I made an offer and it was accepted! The deal was concluded this
morning and the couriers will pick up the radio tomorrow. It is an overnight
service so with a bit of luck I should have it on Thursday. While I am waiting
I am reading the manuals and downloading some software.
This is my
first SDR based radio and I am looking forward to comparing it with my trusty
FTdx-5000MP.
Update 09/07/2019:
I have contacted the supplier I used
for the FTdx 5000MP and unfortunately he has no price or availability date yet
for the FTdx 101D/MP. Now the question is do a I wait? Maybe till after my
re-location, or do I look at something else like the IC-7610? I am sure I can
get a 7610 quite fast but I also know ultimately I want the FTdx 101D/MP!
Update 08/07/2019: Time for a new radio again?
The last time I wrote here I was selecting a new radio and I ended
up buying 2 x Yaesu FTdx 5000MP's. They have given me great service but times
have moved on (It is almost 5 years later!) and there are now better
radios available. The new generation of SDR radios (And hybrids like the FTdx
101D/MP) are substantially better than the old analogue only radios.
I have been doing quite a bit of reading and watched a few YouTube
videos trying to decide on a new flagship radio. It looks like it is between
the Yaesu FTdx 101D/MP and the Icom IC-7610. The 101 is the leader at the
moment with better specifications. It is also larger with more controls, I
like that as I hate digging into obscure menus while contesting. The only
issue with the 101 is availability, it is brand new, and the possibility that
it might have real issues that have not been discovered yet. I will wait a
bit, at least till after my QTH move so I will most likely buy second half of
October. Time will tell.....
Yaesu FTdx 101D
Update 03/11/2014:
It is finally here!
Well, finally some good news! The Yaesu FTdx-5000MP is finally here and in
the shack! It did not take me long to get it connected and up and running. The
best bit was the first contact, FT4TA on 15m CW, what a great start!
I
still need to spend some time to setup the radio but I already love it The
ergonomics is great and what a great receiver! Quiet and sensitive, cannot
wait to use it in a contest!
In the shack and running!
And the winner is!!!
The superb Yaesu FTdx-5000MP, well done in producing an industry
beating radio again Yaesu!
And
the runner up, because I want a similar styled, but not the same, as a
backup/second radio, a Yaesu FT-2000 (PEP-2000 enhanced version), upgraded
with a NS 3kHz roofing filter and a SDR based pan-adapter.
In
one day (but after a lot of research, reading and testing) my shack went from
a primary Icom based DX/contest station to a primary Yaesu based DX/contest
station, finally I am back "home" with Yaesu, I started on HF with a Yaesu (an
old FT-707) and eventually upgraded to a FT-1000D before I became inactive in
2003. Feels good to be back with a brand that has decent receivers and decent
controls, not the small wobbly plastic controls found on most Icoms..... I
will keep my Icom radios, they are not bad, the Yaesu's are just better!
Update 02/09/2014:
Today I made payment on the
FTdx-5000MP, the order and stock was confirmed with the wholesaler in Germany,
now I have to wait patiently, I should have it in the shack in about 3 weeks.
On a side note I struck a deal on a backup radio today, a new Yaesu
FT-2000. I have already ordered a NS 3kHz roofing filter for it to increase
the dynamic range by about 23db, this replaces the useless standard 3kHz
roofing filter that comes with the radio. The standard filter, as measured in
the lab, is actually a 6kHz filter. This makes an average radio a decent
radio, not as good as the FTdx-5000MP but at least as good as an IC-7800. I
have also ordered the components (A SDR receiver) to add a pan-adapter to the
FT-2000, it will make for an interesting mini project. Once complete it will
provide a great spectrum scope and it will also allow me to change frequency
with a mouse click, just like on the IC-7800. I will document the conversion
and publish it as a mini article here.
The plan is to collect the radio
tomorrow, hope I get time to do it, having the FT-2000 in the shack will make
waiting for the FTdx-5000MP easier.
Update 01/09/2014:
After months of research, looking at test results, talking to many people and
going from one model to the next my decision has finally been made! I placed
an order for a Yaesu FTdx-5000MP today. It will take around 12 working days to
arrive from Germany, the price is right and it comes with a full local
warrantee. Now I just have to wait! I will study the manual while I am
waiting. I am also considering ordering a DMU-2000 from HRO in the USA, they
seem to be a lot cheaper than the German source. If I like the radio, and I
full expect that I will, I will look for a second one to complete the contest
station, till then the IC-756Pro3 will have to do duty as a second radio.
Update 29/08/2014: Good news, well I hope so! Looks like I
might have found a pristine IC-7800, and at a reasonable price! It is 450km
away but I think I must take a drive and go and look, hopefully I can make a
deal. It is a MK 3 with the 3kHz roofing filter and the newest (3.01)
firmware. Maybe the search for a new radio will be over soon.....
Is
this the new flagship radio in my shack?
I still need to consider what
I will use as a second radio in contests. It makes sense to at least stay with
the same brand to make things less confusing in the heat of the moment. I
think for now I will use the IC-756Pro3 till something else comes along, maybe
a 7600 or a 7700?
(Update
01/09/2014 - Seems like my "new" information was not correct! The ARRL
tests were indeed done in 2007 but with the 3kHz roofing filter installed
and V2 firmware. The close in dynamic range is 80db, the later, after V2
firmware upgrades only added only a few features like enhances scope
functions. So it is quite sad but the IC-7800's RX was and remains quite
pathetic. I am SO glad I discovered this in time, it is amazing how some
people refuses to accept that their pride and joy is not so great after
all....)
Update 28/08/2014: A quick update on my
selection of a new main radio. I discovered something rather important.
Initially I wrote off the Icom IC-7800 due to it's poor close in dynamic range
performance. As low as 87db on the Sherwood list. I did notice that the test
was done in 2004 but did not take much notice of that. Today I found out that
that was with a 6kHz roofing filter in the Mk 1 version. Since then Icom have
added a 3kHz roofing filter and several software upgrades. The close in
dynamic range is now 117db! That is better than any other radio on the list.
I have always liked the Icom scope and layout plus the 7800
has some really great features, suddenly this radio is back in the running!
Some of the features I like is the 5-200W output selection, better than the
FTdx-5000MP's 10-200W option. I also like the option to control the radio with
a USB mouse and keyboard and the option to take a CF memory card for backups
and recordings. The radio also has a plug for an external screen and an
Ethernet port that can be used for direct remote operation.
The only
problem is where to find one that is affordable, it has to be the latest MK 3
with the new brighter screen and 3kHz roofing filter..... Watch this space!
(Update 01/09/2014 - Seems like my "new" information was not correct!
The ARRL tests were indeed done in 2007 but with the 3kHz roofing filter
installed and V2 firmware. The close in dynamic range is 80db, the later,
after V2 firmware upgrades only added only a few features like enhances scope
functions. So it is quite sad but the IC-7800's RX was and remains quite
pathetic. I am SO glad I discovered this in time, it is amazing how some
people refuses to accept that their pride and joy is not so great after
all....)
Update 10/08/2014: I
have read in depth reviews of every single top end radio in production. If I
look at all the pro's and con's the FTdx-5000MP is still the clear winner, and
when combined with a pan-adaptor like the L-PAN it seems unbeatable. I found
an easy way to beat the "no 5W option" con that nearly sunk the FTdx-5000MP
for my QRP shack, I can reduce the power to almost any level using ALC
feedback. A few -V's on the ALC input and the power will drop right down. I
will test to find the require voltage to drop to 5W and the apply it
permanently via a variable voltage regulator tapping power from an internal
12V circuit.
Now I need to shop around for a good price and also after
sales support! Unfortunately the local lead-time seems to be 4-6 weeks, I am
not known for my patience so I might just end ordering it myself from the USA
or Japan and then paying extra to get it earlier via courier.
Update 12/07/2014:
After deciding on the Yaesu FTdx-5000MP, mostly on the basis of user reports
and great RX performance if you look at the figures, I made two disappointing
discoveries. The first is that the 5000 cannot go down to 5W output, the
lowest is 10W, what was Yaesu thinking! No QRP with this radio??
The
second point is that I was told they are in short supply, the reason for that
is that it is being discontinued! It is supposed to be replaced with a
FTdx-5000LT, this radio does NOT have a band scope, again, what is Yaesu
thinking?? I believe the reason is that they are having problems with the
supply of the band scope screen, but surely they can find a different supplier
or simply redesign the scope around a different component? Yaesu, you are
going backwards....
So now the search goes one, I am still looking at
getting a FTdx-5000MP (Why? I have fallen in love with the radio and it
reminds me a lot of my much missed FT-1000MP), that is if I can find one, but
I also need to look at a second radio to be used for QRP. At this moment the
FTdx-3000 looks like a good option but I need to do more research.
Update
04/07/2014: I spent some time today doing research because I am
looking for a top class radio, a few things that are important to me are a
great RX (SO important), dual RX, band-scope and good ergonomics.
I have now done lots of research on the new radio subject.
This includes looking at the specifications, reading the ARRL reports as well
as the Sherwood tests. I also look at user reviews on places like eHam, trying
to filter out the noise from the facts. Here are a few notes.....
Icom
7800/7700:
Pro's:
Con's:
1. I like the
ergonomics 1. Not so great RX (no better than what I have!)(See 28/08/2014 update!!)
2. Dual RX
2. Price!
3. I like
the Band scope 3. No dual RX or even dual receive on the 7700!!
4. Ethernet port 4. No IF out!!
5.
External monitor option
5. The IC-7700 does not have dual RX or a second RX!
Kenwood TS-990
Pro's: Con's:
1. I like the
ergonomics 1. No real local support
2. The band scope looks good 2. No such a great RX
3. Dual RX
3. Extremely expensive!
4. Great TX sound
Yaesu FTDX-5000MP
Pro's: Con's:
1. Love the
ergonomics, 1. Seems like they are in short supply....
Yaesu know how to
quality build radios! 2. The minimum
power setting is 10W!
2. Nice band-scope with speakers
3. Dual RX
4. Best RX in class!(see 28/08/2104 update!)
5. Great RX and TX sound
6. Standard crystal oven
7. Standard 3kHz roofing filter
8. IF out for
pan adaptor.
Elecraft K3
Pro's: Con's:
1. Great RX
Dynamic range 1. Terrible ergonomics
2. Bad RX sound
3. Bad TX, not clean at all!
4. No band scope
At this point the FTDX-5000MP seems
to be the clear winner! I have just contacted the local supplier to find out
things like price and delivery time, I do know they do not have stock....
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