I went ahead and bought the Yaesu.  The ft-840 was being sold for only $520 at the hamfest with only one left so I bought it on the spot.  I already have a 20/80 meter diapole strung up and the radio so far is working great.  the only bad thing I have noticed is that the rig totally sucks on AM for both transmitt and receive.  I am going to install the 6khz Am filter and see if there is an improvement. I would like to know if the optional Am filter helps the radio on transmitt and recieve or recieve only.  but for only $520 dollars I dont think I could of gone wrong.  And I finally have my first Hf rig.

Next week I will be going to the seapac hamfest is seaside Oregon.  I finally want to get my very first Hf rig. because of my budget, I will have to go with an entry level model.  I have narrowed my choices to either the icom ic-718 or the yeasu ft-840.  I am having a very hard time deciding which one to choose. and they are both about the same price. which one is better built? or has the best reciever, and transmitt audio.  When I get my license upgrade, I am interested on using am on 160 meters, which rig will sound better on am? any opinions will be greatly appreciated!!!

73' de KG6ANB