The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
MIKE POSNER (WA2JJH)
on
May 22, 2006
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A few years back I posted an eHam article, "What do you want a $10,000 radio for?" The best and majority of answers were; a 1-2 thousand dollar radio and $8000 back. I agree.
I tried some eBay specials. First I purchased two Kenwood TS-950SDX transceivers. One stopped working in two weeks. I had purchased an early one that did not have the fused bias resistors for the final. The DSP unit was off as well. Then I lost the main RX.
The TS-950SDX was the "$10,000 radio" in the early 1990's. They sure worked great until they went south.
Since the radios weigh 75lbs shipped, I am in the hole for $250 in shipping. I can fix one of the 950SDXs; the other will be sold of on eBay as parts. Why again you ask? As parts I am not responsible for circuit boards, and assemblies.
Here is what I want in a $2000 radio. Why $2000? If you combine the features of Icom's new IC-7000, and the 200W output of the new Kenwood TS-480 and made a base station rather than mobile...SHAZZAM! You just might have a good radio.
Just two other items I insist on:
1) A switch for three front ends.
A) NO PRE-AMP, with a Roofing Filter (like in the Drake TR-7.)
B) Kick in a pre-amp, but use a more narrow roofing filter.
3) PRE-AMP plus wide roofing filter for FM and General coverage. Then they can do whatever they want with their cost saving DSP.
It just seems to me the technology is there to cost save with DSP and a USB-2 IF/demod./and 5 watts of audio to a front mounted speaker!
They simply should keep old tech that is better tech. For example the famous Kenwood RF speech processor requires an 8-pole filter after it.
Seems to me that rigs are breaking down into two classes -- the small and the cheap, or the Big and Expensive!
Well now it's your turn to give your thoughts on what a high performance, under $2000, radio should be.
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K8MHZ on May 22, 2006
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Well John,
After what I have been through with Kenwood rigs, any rig I spent more than 10 bucks for would NOT be a Kenwood.
What's up with the audio in today's rigs that they need a computer and a half dozen controls to clean it up? I would like a modern rig with the easy audio of my Swan 350. Nothing but a volume and a VFO and I can hear stations better than most solid state rigs. Actually I prefer, hands down, to use the Swan when the contesters come to liven things up.
Having 400 watts or so is also a nice feature.
How about a combination analog vernier and digital display? I like being able to go from one end of the band to the other in a second or so without missing anything.
What about bands and features a la carte? One would buy a chassis and front panel. Each TX band and RX band would be a plug in module. Same for features. Touch screen control would adjust each time a new feature was added. Modules for bands outside the amateur range could also be added as the modules would be FCC approved. The chassis would simply be the controls. Chassis could be 'gangable' so as not to waste space and to provide for an unlimited amount of modules.
This way if you don't like a radio due to a feature or lack of it, change or add modules! After market modules would become available. Heck, even the output power could be based upon a module. Start with a simple 100 watt HF rig and slowly upgrade to a remote controlled DC to daylight 1500 watt crossbanded monster!
The more I think about this idea, the more I like it.
Should we start building these John??
73,
Mark K8MHZ
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W1SMC on May 22, 2006
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I say there are only two options:
Option 1: Buy a Ten Tec Orion 2 and spend the remainder of the 10K on Antennas and related hardware.
Option 2: Buy two Ten Tec Orion 2's, use one for side-band / voice and the other for CW / digital and spend the remainder of the 10K on antenna stuff.
Either way you get a great (American) radio.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by LNXAUTHOR on May 22, 2006
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- can you tell the difference between a $2K transceiver and a $10K transceiver?
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by HA5RXZ on May 22, 2006
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Well, specifying your perfect rig can be fun so here goes:
1) A bomb proof front end. This might be achievable with solid state devices but (horror of horrors) I have heard of experiments with tube-based front ends that work well due to the high supply voltage.
2) Switchable first amplifier that can be placed either just before or just after the first mixer. This gives selection between best noise factor and best IP3 response. See the Picastar project for details.
3) No spurious signals in the receiver. I want to connect a dummy load, tune from 100KHz to 55MHz and hear nothing.
4) A clean and simple front panel with no menus. It's not a ten thousand buck rig but Tentec got it right with the Corsair II.
5) A 200W P.A. built using 500W devices. Why? It will run cooler and last longer.
6) Drift free (that's an easy one).
7) Two complete and seperate receivers for true diversity reception.
8) Reasonable size. Twelve x Twelve inches will be fine, I don't want to bring the rig home and find that the first comment from the YL is 'what is THAT!!'.
HA5RXZ
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by N1GXC on May 22, 2006
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I recently had a QSO with a gentleman fron Austria. He said he was using an IC-7800, Icom amp at 1K and a Mosley up 40 meters. I gave him a great signal report.
He stated that my rig sounded just wonderful and asked for my conditions. I told him I was using an IC-706MKIIG at 75w into a W3FF Buddipole portable antenna. Long pause.... "why do I even bother" he stated.
My point exactly!
73, Dan
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W2BLC on May 22, 2006
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In the real world of QRM, QRN, BPL, electric fences, water bed heaters, etc. - not an RF lab: Is that $10+K rig really going to be worth the expenditure?
I have a fully filtered 1000MP - I cannot imagine much improvement over it. But, then I also have a fully filtered 706 MkIIG and in 99% of instances it will do just as well as the 1000MP. I have yet to experience that "well known" overload of the 706.
I am not a contester - just a rag chewer. I live in the country and have good antennas. If, and I do say IF, I was going to improve the station - I would buy an Orion. The remainder of the $10K+ would be spent on gasoline, excessive school taxes, and the like.
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A mobile slant on things
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by K0BG on May 22, 2006
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I don't believe the $1,500 cost of the new Icom IC-7000 is cheap! I have one, but a lot of folks don't have that much spare money laying around especially if they have kids in school. I know a couple of amateurs who have IC-756 Pro IIIs in their vehicles, and they're over twice the price. Is there a difference in usability in a in-motion mobile between the two? I'd venture to say never, no matter the scenario.
From a power out stand point, 400 watts sounds like it would be the answer to every mobile operator's heaven-sent prayer. It very well may be, but average joe ham will be going through installation hell first; Running high power mobile isn't as simple as most folks think it is.
The real fact is, most mobile operators could achieve the equivalent dB increase in their radiated power simply by using an adequate number of bonding straps, proper wiring, and correctly installing their antenna.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: A mobile slant on things
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by KD4AC on May 22, 2006
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Since I do a lot of my operating from a vehicle, I'd like to see an HF mobile with a NB that actually works. My old Uniden HR2510 did a far better job of eliminating vehicle noise than any of the mobile HF radios out there. And while K0BG has an AWESOME web-site dedicated to setting up and installing a good mobile installation, it would still be nice to have a radio that could eliminate the noise because sometimes, even taking all those steps from Alan's web-site doesn't eliminate entirely.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K3EY on May 22, 2006
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First comment is to the TT lover...look into your radio and see how many parts are NOT made in America, in other words get real. I personally loathe Ten Tec because of the way I was treated, but that is not the reason for the topic.......
The Elecraft K2 has already addressed what is being discussed here. You can take it from bare bones to loaded, exactly what was requested on here. It's already here that dream radio, you guys just need to wake up from your dreams of the perfect radio to see it, it's at the Elecraft site.
k3ey
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W6TH on May 22, 2006
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.
I don't know Mike, but my Icom 718 with the cw filter is to my complete satisfaction, no need for much more.
I had the top notch radios in my time such as Collins, Racal, etc., looking back in time my dx is about the same as today. Ham radio has not changed that much to go for the 10K bucks, then again the 10K's are a nice show piece and may be worth the price in the next 200 years for the collectors.
73, W6TH
.:
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by NT4XT on May 22, 2006
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" SHAZZAM! "
Cool! I always loved Captain Marvel and the Shazzam/Mighty Isis hour on Saturday mornings in the 70's. Travelling the country in an RV with the Old Man... and Ms Isis was H-O-T! What a Goddess.
"1) A switch for three front ends.
A) NO PRE-AMP, with a Roofing Filter (like in the Drake TR-7.)
B) Kick in a pre-amp, but use a more narrow roofing filter.
3) PRE-AMP plus wide roofing filter for FM and General coverage. Then they can do whatever they want with their cost saving DSP."
"They simply should keep old tech that is better tech. For example the famous Kenwood RF speech processor requires an 8-pole filter after it."
Sounds like a recipe for winner to me!
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by N0AH on May 22, 2006
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Good point on the HR 2510. Since most truck stops are now selling expanding CB radios (since 450 BC) easy to convert to any band you want....I just say buy your dream rig there for $599.00 and pick a few donuts. It's the future of ham anyway with the give-away tickets just around the corner.
If you think I'm kidding, just go to a T/A truck stop for example. It's better than an HRO even has rigs with roger beeps. Rigs start at $199.00 and you can pick up some Fix-A-Flat while you browse the chips section.
Don't forget the game room and showers. One more thing, the amps they sell in the back with 4 inch deep heat sinks are awesome. They have to be as most buyers weigh 350+++ lbs. (Hummmm...that read like an MFJ ad line)
They will kick your teeth in if it goes out during their QSO with France on 27.555 USB in the Alpha Tango club. Home of the HR-2510. So you know it has to be good.
I say we all just buy Icom Pro III's and be on even ground like stock car racing.
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RE: A mobile slant on things
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by W5TD on May 22, 2006
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KD4AC wrote: "Since I do a lot of my operating from a vehicle, I'd like to see an HF mobile with a NB that actually works"
YAESU FT100D
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RE: A mobile slant on things
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by AB9LZ on May 22, 2006
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Since a $10,000 radio sitting there by itself is useless... and certainly would not make life in my dank corner of the basement any more cheerful... makes me take a little more wholistic view of how I'd spend the cash on radio fun..
My vote; An Elecraft K2, and an airline ticket to a lounge chair with a palm tree framed view of the ocean. Whatever is left over from the 10k goes toward the bar tab.
73 Mark.
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K5MDM on May 22, 2006
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I think you hit the nail on the head...The new IC 7000 in a bigger box, for old eyes, less programming and more direct knobs and switches. For the 200 watts, I could care less, amps are easy..Im comparing the IC 7000 to everything at 2K or less...Mostly Icoms cause I love em , but the Kenwood TS 2000 is closer to matching performance, just hard to use for me. I predict the ICOM 746 Pro II with the 7000 basically in and easier to use larger radio..73 K5MDM
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KD4AC on May 22, 2006
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"YAESU FT100D"
That's what I have. I'll agree that it has one of the better NBs out there. But, when I installed my FT-100 in my 99 Ford Ranger the NB did nothing to remove the infamous fuel pump noise. I even had Ford install their RFI filter. It didn't remove any of the noise and the fuel pump failed about two months after having the filter installed. Meanwhile, I could plug my HR2510 in, hit the NB control and no more noise. None. And with no degradation of the signal I was trying to hear.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KD4AC on May 22, 2006
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"They will kick your teeth in if it goes out during their QSO with France on 27.555 USB in the Alpha Tango club. Home of the HR-2510. So you know it has to be good."
So, I guess you hang out there a lot then.
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by NT4XT on May 22, 2006
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N0AH, you're hilarious, tnx for the giggles.
Hey Vito, I'm there -
I've been using my good ole Corsair procured in used condx late 2001. It works fabulously, even for close in contest like conditions. There's no data management interface, but hey it has good basic raw performance at an under 500 price! It does have two CW filters in it... :)
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KA1YUW on May 22, 2006
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they could make a good radio at a low price if they would get rid of all the bells and whisles and use a good q-multiplier in stead of the crystal filters which the q-multiplier like waters use to make is much better and cheaper to make.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K0BG on May 22, 2006
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Actually, most bells and whistles come with the territory these days. The radios are not much more the RF computers, so a software extra here and there doesn't cost much.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K3UD on May 22, 2006
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How about an internet interface and networking built in? It could come in handy for using the rig to access EchoLink without having to bother with the computer in the shack :)
73
George
K3UD
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WA6BPE on May 22, 2006
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>I think you hit the nail on the head...The new IC 7000 >in a bigger box, for old eyes, less programming and more >direct knobs and switches.
You already have it. The recent QST review of the IC7000 put the receiver performance ahead of the Icom 756 Pro III. QST review numbers for the 7000 were IMD dynamic range at 5 kHz spacing 79 dB at 14 MHz, 78 dB at 3.5 MHz. 756 Pro III is 77 and 78 dB. Third order intercept at 5 kHz spacing on the 7000 at -12 at 14 MHz, -11 at 3.5 MHz. The 756 Pro III is significantly worse at -17 and -18 for IP3 on the same bands from ARRL measurements. Meaning the 7000 is quite a respectable little rig for $1500 with receiver performance that is as good as anything except the top of the line stuff like the Orion and the FT1000MP. It also means for the money the 756 Pro III is kind of miserable for receiver performance, but earlier comparisons of it to the high end stuff from Ten-Tec and Yaesu had already made that clear anyway.
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WA0ZZG on May 22, 2006
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I think it is time to start thinking about a new way to build a receiver. The comment that I heard that best describes what the new technology will be was called "The Digital Catwhisker". This implies a direct conversion of RF to digital mode. All amplification, filtering, and demodulation is done in the digital mode. The need for any type of conversion to an IF frequency is gone. This can be done right now, but we Amateurs would not want to pay the cost. Remember, the concept of a front panel, with knobs, will also be gone. It will most likely be run from something like a web page and an IP address. I just installed the NPR satellite receivers for my station. There's some lights on the front panel, but that's it.
Each one has to have its own IP and a network connection. My FM broadcast transmitter has a female voice and calls my cell phone when it CAN'T solve a problem on its own. I can pull out one of the eight PA modules and it just compensates for it. Look for smart radios that fix themselves soon.
Dave WA0ZZG/KCCK-FM
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W9PMZ on May 22, 2006
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I would like an analog meter. Like the one on the TS-830S.
73,
Carl - W9PMZ
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RE: A mobile slant on things
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by KI6LO on May 22, 2006
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KD4AC writes "Since I do a lot of my operating from a vehicle, I'd like to see an HF mobile with a NB that actually works."
I have the FT-100D in the mobile and I can say that it has one of the best (if not the best) NB I have ever seen in a mobile rig. It completely cleans up what little ignition noise I do have without compromising the recevived signal.
Gene KI6LO
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by N8QBY on May 22, 2006
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I have a ICOM 746, the original. It does more than I would ever need. I wouldn't think of contesting but I am sure it would do fine in that also.
Now when MFJ finally comes out with their "Top of The Line" HF radio, it will blow all others out of the water. One can only expect quality from MFJ. It is coming, so keep an eye out.
73 Pat N8QBY
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W6TH on May 22, 2006
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Darin,
Buying a 10K dollar radio is like buying a Cadillac and driving two blocks to go to work.
W6TH
.:
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by N6AJR on May 22, 2006
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I guess If I had $10,000 to spend on radios I would get 1 Orion, 1 corsair II, 1 TS2000, 1 Scout, 1 omni c, 1 ic 746, 1 ft847 for the truck, and 2 ft 857d's one for each car..
Oh, I guess I already did. :)
For contessting I use the orion/ alpha 87 and eithe steppir 3 ele or gap voyager. for casual listening I use the corsair II as it has a PTO front end and no phase noise like the synthesised ones, easy on the ears. the 746pro /2kl/at500 is my backup rig/ second operator position. the ts 2000 is what I use to check out the performance of the other guys and the scout and omni c are just toys to play with.
Here is the big secret, grab any radio that will do 100 watts or so, and a fan dipole, and use the rest of the $ for a ticket to some island in the carribean , near the cook island or any place remotely remote.
Being on an island adds 1000 feet to your antenna and 10,000 watts to your signal. I find it amazing how well a radio works if installed in a rare dx site.
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KI6LO on May 22, 2006
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Everyone has different wants and desires in radio gear but the items I would absolutely have to see in a radio costing $2000 or more would be a REAL VFO style tuning knob as opposed to a indented stepped tuning dial like some have. I would also want to have real knobs and switches for most functions unlike the multi-level digital menuing. Some amount of menuing would be ok but the most used operating functions should be on a front panel physical switch or control like the older gear had. God I miss my TS-830S front panel.
For $10K I could replace everything in my shack and antenna farm and still put $5K in the bank.
It isn't the cost of the gear but rather the abilities of the operator that make operating FUN!!!!
Gene KI6LO
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WB9NJB on May 22, 2006
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Think back to 1965. Complete Collins S-Line, Station Monitor, all the rec. filters, and a 51s1 along side. That was your early $10,000 rig (station), although in separate boxes. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KB9JJA on May 22, 2006
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Real knobs, Real knobs, and more Real knobs. An IC 7000 with knobs for all the functions. No menus, or at least give me 8 knobs I can assign my most commonly used functions to!
KB9JJA
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WI7B on May 22, 2006
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Personally, I like W8MHz modular concept at the beginning of this thread.
Combine that with a voice command. Either a manual swirch or voice prompt that would send your VOX into "command mode". You could then instruct your rig to "change frequency seven six eight zero megahertz" or command "scan until detect" whereby it would stop on the first CW or SSB signal it detects. Total armchair. Hi HI!
73,
---* Ken
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W4DL on May 22, 2006
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The receiver specs of a souped up R4C, the audio quality on SSB of the Swan 350 out of the box, the cw keying characteristics of Ten Tec, the elegant ease of use of a TR-7, and the cosmetics of the high end Icom stuff. The rest of the $$ are best spent on antenna systems, a small refrigerator for the shack and solid furniture for comfort!
Good DX,
W4DL
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KA2LIM on May 22, 2006
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Just back from Dayton where I got to check out those two $10,000+ rigs. Big and fancy looking with more bells and whistle's than anyone will ever need or use. Too much money....they should make coffee and pour it for you but they don't.
Did get to see the new Yaesu FT-2000, suppose to be out in July 06, no price yet, but more to my liking in a transciever. Hope it is not too pricy.
Ken
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WX4O on May 22, 2006
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I'm still waiting to see how much the FT-2000 costs, and how it stacks up against the excellent FT-1000. And.. trying to save my quarters in case it's as good as I
think it will be. Had IC-718 and loved it. Currently have
a TS-480SAT and it's excellent.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WX4O on May 22, 2006
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I'm still waiting to see how much the FT-2000 costs, and how it stacks up against the excellent FT-1000. And.. trying to save my quarters in case it's as good as I
think it will be. Had IC-718 and loved it. Currently have
a TS-480SAT and it's excellent.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WY3X on May 22, 2006
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#1: Number one on my wish list is add an integral spread-spectrum 5.8GHz part-15 rechargeable (6 to 8 hour battery) wireless speaker/microphone with a range of 100+ feet (cordless phone range) that includes simple PTT and up/down frequency controls (why has no manufacturer done this yet???).
#2: I don't care how large the radio must be to accomodate them, but put LARGE knobs on it and control labels that are large and easy to read (like old Drake and Collins sets). DON'T make any control multi-function.
#3: 150 watts out would be nice to compensate for amps with slightly weak tubes.
#4: Add all these features to my Ten Tec Orion II!!! (Or my Elecraft K2!!!)
-KR4WM
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WY3X on May 22, 2006
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WX4O: I'm still waiting to see how much the FT-2000 costs
At Dayton, I was told about $4000.00. -KR4WM
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by G3RZP on May 22, 2006
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Figure the cost of a war surplus BC348 in 1950. Even a $15 Command tx was a reasonable amount of cash, translated to today's prices. So maybe $10k+ isn't that unreasonable for a real top of the line rig. Personally, I wouldn't pay that much, and my 20+ year old heavily modified FT102 is quite good enough for me. Its RF performance is adequate,especially on phase noise. Remember that phase noise can be more limiting than IMD - see my article in QEX a few years back. In practice, a noise figure of 10dB, phase noise at -130dBc/Hz at 5kHz and about a +15dB third order intercept point, combined with a step attenuator going in steps of about 2 or 3dB over a 20+dB range is more than good enough unless you're a multi-multi on a small site. In that case you need protective filters anyway because of the transmitted wide band noise.
The older rigs are generally, repairable - if the exact IC isn't available, there's room to cobble something together.
But I'm so mean that my amplifier cost about $100 and can do a kilowatt: the screen grid regulator tube is a 6L6G my father bought in 1936 for the then equivalent of 50cents, and I want his money's worth out of it. And I only need one country for the DXCC Honor Roll #1 spot....
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K6AER on May 22, 2006
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AES is selling the 756 Pro-III $2599.00. That will be about as good as it is going to get in the $2K+ catagory.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K3EY on May 22, 2006
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AES is selling them for what? Check your glasses OM
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KC0RDG on May 22, 2006
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I would buy the radio I currently own, IC-7000. It does what I need it to do and well I might add.
I would buy a 40 foot crank up tower and put a Hexbeam on top with a Yaesu rotor and use wire for 160-40m.
I'd invest the rest.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KG4RUL on May 23, 2006
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My IDEAL $10,000.000 radio would only cost $2,000.00.
Dennis KG4RUL
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KG4RUL on May 23, 2006
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Oh Yeah, and run on two 'D' Cell batteries, at 600 Watts for a full Field Day.
Dennis KG4RUL
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WA4UF on May 23, 2006
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Let's see... an Icom IC-7800 runs what, about $12,000? That's right on about 20% of my annual income, give or take. In the summer of 1964 Mom bought Dad a brand new, full-up S-line setup - 75S-3, 32S-3, 516ps, 312-B4; the whole schmeer ran about $2,500, or roughly 20% of Dad's annual income. So the price of admission for a top-of-the-line radio hasn't changed, relatively speaking. [And yes, I still have that Collins gear and no I won't part with it for any sum of money! :-) ]
That said, I'm lucky if I can cadge $500 a year to spend on my hobbies - I believe someone mentioned the fun of juggling ham radio and raising children at budget time :-).
My "perfect radio" would probably come in two flavors - a base rig with all primary functions on knobs and switches, variable bandwidth and a movable IF to dodge the guy a couple KHz away with the linear and the splatter, and really good transmit audio; and a mobile rig that squishes the noise, has a really good receiver, and plenty of memories to hold all the freq/band/emission combos and 2m repeaters I regularly haunt on long road trips, again with most of the primary control requirements not involving a whole slew of menus (I'll accept one or two menus in the interest of keeping the rig small enough to put in the car in the first place).
Oh wait, my 20 year old TS-830S and 10 year old FT-100 already meet all those requirements. Total outlay about $1,000 for both. That leaves a bunch left over for antennas and feedlines, and plenty of weekend getaways with the kids and romantic dinners with the XYL. Gotta keep everything in balance. It's a *hobby*, not an *obsession*! [ed.note: Yeah right, tell me another one! :-) ]
Mind, if Ten Tec would produce something like an Argo V/526 combo for a grand, I'd be all over it like stink on a warthog. Or maybe better, a K2 with 6m and 2m internal to the rig rather than in transverters - you listening Elecraft? :-)
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WR8D on May 28, 2006
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I won't even give it a second thought. What ever floats ones boat though i guess. I bought a new alpha and a new 775dsp with all the filters in 98, and it sunk me around that figure. I love the 775 but would never do that again. The old alpha still works as good as the new one so i sometimes think why i spent that money. "lol". The wife and i love to fish our 97 ranger looks and runs and all that as new. Its the same thing as the radios though. Sure i can sink 35k in another one. It won't run any better than the one i now have though. I have a room full of radios and don't guess i'll ever put that much in just a single rig. After a few years on the bench they become just another good looking "old" rig. My two cents: 73 WR8D
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K1CJS on May 28, 2006
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The $10K radio--what are its uses? Is it better than any other?
Two words explain it all:
STATUS SYMBOL!
It brings to mind the story of the Japanese cars, the Toyota and the Lexus: The engineers in the Toyota factory knew they had a good product in those small Toyotas--economical and last a long time, so they said why not just soundproof and insulate (vibration wise) a standard Toyota and see what we come up with. Well, it turns out they made a couple other improvements and called the result the Lexus--and upped the price because it was now considered a 'luxury' car.
A few years down the road, it seems that the Lexus owners had complaints about the car getting noisy, even more noisy then a Toyota of the same vintage. It seems that the insulation and soundproofing wore away and the parts loosened up far more than it was thought they would.
I don't know how true it is, but if it is, I think the same holds true for those 2K plus radios--all the extra bells and whistles look nice and are impressive, but when the radio lets go and needs repair? You may well wish you had bought the 'Toyota' instead of the 'Lexus'!!
73!
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KI4CRA on May 28, 2006
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Although I don't have the Icom 7000, which I would surely like to have, I do have the next best thing the IC-706MKIIG. which is an outstanding radio. I also have the Kenwood TS480HX, yes the 200 watt one. Up until last Tues. my 706 was installed in my 02 Explore Sport Trac. I now have both the 706 and the 480 in my shack. That s my $10,000 radio. I would't trade this set up for anything. The audio on the Kenwood is superb, the front end on the 706 is excellant, which is not to say that the kenwoods fornt end is a slouch not by any stretch of the imagination. I am still experimenting with both rigs to see what configuration I want to go with, but for now this one's a winner!
Mark
AI4HO
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by K3TJ on May 28, 2006
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Actually, my 706 (not mk anything) gets dusted by any nearby transmitter. Read that "Trucker with a KW CB." I still won't part with it. Great little radio.
My Ft-1000MP with an SP-8 does not hold a candle to the rich audio of a KWM-2A with a 312-B5.
Thats simply a statement on tubes.
What Collins did with brute force filtering, in my opinion, can't be matched by DSP. But, put the right filters in any radio and hook it to a real antenna, it will send your spirit flying.
Now a Heil mike (I prefer a headset) will give you nice audio out of almost any radio to round out the picture. When will the manufacturers realize that bit of trivia?
Respectfully, Ed k3tj
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by KG6AMW on May 29, 2006
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Quote, "WX4O: I'm still waiting to see how much the FT-2000 costs At Dayton, I was told about $4000.00. -KR4WM" Some of us are waiting to see how the mid market for rigs shapes up. So far Ten Tec originally came in at the right price of $3300, but got greedy and went up to $4000. If Yaesu management is paying attention, sell the Yaesu FT 2000 for about $3000 othewise, just buy the Orion which may be a better but over priced rig.
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WN7T on May 29, 2006
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For my $10K:
Hire SMIRSH to kidnap a NSA KH14 ELINT bird from orbit, using their launch facilty inside that Japanese volcano. Next, strip out the RACAL radio receiver with the liquid N2 cooled superconducting front end and the PU240 powered thermionic power supply. Finally, strap this together with the diamond thin-film solid state 2KW transmitter and then you have a mobile, self-powered 2 kW rig with a -155 dBm receiver noise floor. It's that simple!
73,
Paul WN7T
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RE: A mobile slant on things
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by N3JJA on May 30, 2006
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".....an airline ticket to a lounge chair with a palm tree framed view of the ocean. Whatever is left over from the 10k goes toward the bar tab. "
Best idea I've read so far. LOL!
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RE: A mobile slant on things
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by KB2FCV on May 31, 2006
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I already have my high performance, $2000 radio - my elecraft K2. It has great specs, it can be QRP or QRO.. and you can easily take it on the beach! The best part about it is that it's a kit!
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RE: The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by WB2WIK on May 31, 2006
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>The $10,000 Radio Part 2: Reply
by KB9JJA on May 22, 2006 Mail this to a friend!
Real knobs, Real knobs<
::Yep. Like my older rigs and my newer wife.
WB2WIK/6
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The $10,000 Radio Part 2:
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by W4LGH on June 3, 2006
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The $10,000 radio is BACK. Its been here before, but no one really realizes it. Back in the hay days of
Drake and Collins, we had what would be equal to the $10,000 price tag of todays radios. I own a MINT Drake 4B setup, always had a soft spot for Drake, but could not afford the $599 receiver & $599 transmitter, and the $249 power supply/Speaker. Hmmmm.. let see 599+599+249= $1446.. 1966 dollars!! If I am not mistaken, the price of GOLD was around $35
an ounce then, GAS (the new GOLD standard) was about .25 cents a gallon...etc etc...I think you see where I am going with this. And even the Drakes and Collins of the 60's were no where CLOSE to the specs of ICOM 7800's or Yaesu FT-DX-9000's. So in actuality
these new rigs are LESS and give you MORE. But once again, I can NOT afford one of them!!! (Would love one, but just not in the budget!) So its really not that crazy, we all just got used to CHEAPER better radio, just like everything else.
So I say if you can afford one, and NOT get divorced, or have to live in a tent, then GO FOR IT! Its really nice to have nice things.
Me, I was able to give myself a brand new FT-1000MP MarkV this past xmas, and I really LOVE IT. Wanted to wait out the FT-2000, but the $3000 price tag wasn't gonna fly with the wife!!
Get used to it people the days of "CHEAP" in this country are GONE, CARS, GAS, HOUSING, ENERGY, FOOD and now Amateur Radio, have all caught up!!!
Wasn't my idea...so don't shoot the messenger.
73 to all, if you have one of those $10K radios, invite me over...would love to drool over it. My shack, which has taken years to get where it is can be seen on my website http://www.w4lgh.com .
73 again, de W4LGH - Alan
www.w4lgh.com
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RE: Ten Tec Radios ...
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by N5WRX on June 8, 2006
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I for one am a Ten-Tec fan.
Perhaps the parts are not 100% American made but the design, development, assembly, and tuning sure is.
I also like the fact you can call them on the phone to talk about a problem and not get the run around.
Lastly they work ... and they work well.
Drake was the same way until they quit the business.
William Lee
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