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write your own review of the Yaesu FT-920.
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IK0YKM
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 11, 2009 04:05
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Große Gerät
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Ich habe meine zweite Yaesu FT-920. Der Empfänger ist groß. Der Empfang und süß und angenehm. Die Ausgangsleistung beträgt ca. 60/70 Watt sprach auch über das Mikrofon mit sehr modernen Heil Sound oder andere. Das Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis ist ausgezeichnet. Das Erscheinungsbild ist sehr bemerkenswert, ist die Figur in der Station. Er hat eine gute DSP und die Zeichen sind sehr deutlich und lesbar. Ich glaube, dass ich nicht mehr zu verkaufen.
Gute dx für alle von Henry
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NH7O
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Rating: 2/5
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Jan 15, 2009 23:41
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Inrad to the rescue
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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First let me say that, although I like the radio, giving this rating of 2 means on eHam "Needs help", which is true. It is also a keeper, as Inrad has come up with the needed fixes.
There are many aspects of the FT-920 that are very well done. The human interface is good, all the controls are convenient, save for the keyer speed control. The RX is very clean sounding, with low IMD in the audio stages. The TX can be made to sound fine with the internal DSP filters, (but I am looking for communications quality audio, not hifi). The large second VFO knob is great. There are several different ways to QSY around the bands, so everyone should be able to find a method that works. I don't find I need to access the menus much.
The A/B antenna selection and rx antenna input are a boon.
The auto notch works very well, and the noise blanker is good. I use the DSP audio filters constantly, and they are very effective.
I am mainly on CW, and find the adjustable pitch to be a great step over rigs with a fixed pitch. The sidetone automatically tracks the pitch control, and the spot switch also gives the proper tone. With all that, there is no way that one can be off frequency.
At the top of the list of detractions is the poor RX performance in the stock configuration, at least as far as use in dxing and crowded band conditions is concerned. The filter leakage (blow-by) and ultimate rejection is objectionable. The close in strong signal handling is poor for a modern rig. The DSP audio filter helps some on cw, but not so much on SSB. Local signals on 160m and 80m are just too much for it. Happily Inrad has come up with cascaded filter boards for extra IF filters, and a roofing filter. There are also some tips on the net for reducing the leakage around the filters to a decent level. Once done, the performance is acceptable, but still not great. Further improvements would require redesign of the filter switching circuitry and the second mixer.
The audio DSP I suppose was intended to overcome the problems with the poor IF filter performance, but the agc pumping that comes with audio filtering is not acceptable for weak signal use. There is no substitute for good crystal filters.
The memory keyer and voice keyer are quite buggy. Messages end up getting written over for no reason. It looks like the programmer just didn't check out his memory management properly, and such poor firmware really should not have gone out the door. There is an ability to record off the air, but oddly that recording can't be played back over the air. When monitoring the voice messages recorded, the playback is muffled and distorted, however playback on the air sounds fine. To play any message, two buttons must be pushed, which is fine once in a while, but not for contests.
The noise reduction control has no effect that I can discern, other than to reduce the audio level. I may not have the sort of noise it was designed to reduce.
To summarize, I think Yaesu cut some corners in making what could have been a top radio, corners that didn't really affect the cost. I found my 920 for a very good price, and after investing that much again in Inrad filters, I now have a good radio. To this end, 920 news group is quite helpful.
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M0CCQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 17, 2008 10:25
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Great!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought mine 11 years ogo,cost me £1600 then,worth about £6 now but what a fab transceiver.Used MOST of the time on 28mhz its been a wonderfull work horse,never let me down in all that time.I have however worn out the bernings in both VFOs.I think a first according to Castle.The light packed up about 3 years ago but i would not change it.Well thats not quite true,i have just bought a slightly less misused model,so should be good for another 11 years.If you get offerd one of these second hand try it.Cheap and cheerfull it may be but still one of the most user freindly transceivers out there.To this day still one of the best rigs on 6. See you on 28mhz ,its open just have a go.Cheers "keep radio fun" 73 Paul M0CCQ.
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KA2DDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 5, 2008 13:16
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The best !!!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is my second comment about the Yaesu FT-920. I've had mine since 1999 and am thrilled with it. I cannot see where or how I can duplicate this with a newer rig without paying a lot more money. Instead of replacing the 920 I wish Yaesu had upgraded to an FT-920A or some such interation. They may have had to make changes to this model but the basics should have stayed the same. I'd have to be nuts to get rid of it. Dollar for dollar it's the best, period.
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K5DZE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 5, 2008 12:14
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OUTSTANDING!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I primarily operate QRP, but when I want to operate with more power, I use an FT-920. It has an excellent receiver, great audio, great 12" easy read display, and at 16" w x 6" h, it has over 70 controls at your fingertips without calling up a menu! In my estimation, the FT-920 operating features and larger physical size make it more fun rig to operate in the shack than many of the newer, smaller, multiple menu driven rigs.
I sold my first 920 to get a couple of additional QRP rigs (IC-703 and KX-1)...I quickly found that I missed the FT-920 so much that I bought another one. I have been a Ham for over 50 years and I am convinced that the FT-920 is an exceptional radio and a really great value for today's Amateur. It certainly is a favorite in my Shack. If you need a great HF rig, get a Heil mic and do what others have recommended...find a nice one and buy it! You won't be sorry!
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KP4CAT
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 10, 2008 19:31
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The baby of the shack
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got mine about 2 years ago. Actually the mic setting is Behringer B1 mic with the Xenix 802 equalizer from Behringer too. The reports that i get are excellent about my modulation. This setting is the pile up breaker, any time i get on the air i don't have troubles breaking the pile ups. This radio is better than the Ft 950 and is really like the Ft 1000 series. For my is the last marvelous that Yaesu ever produce. If you find one RUN!!!!!!!!!! and buy it.
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KI4CRA
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 1, 2008 18:38
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What a radio!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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What a radio! Picked up this beauty about 3 weeks ago, so this is just a first impression review, will post another review in several months.
First impression are wow, I have an Icom 746Pro, I gotta say that the receiver on the 920, is on par if not better than my 746Pro. Weak signals? No problem, this rig will pull em out. The DSP on this radio even though it is audio and not IF based is nothing short of awesome, when using the high/low cut, once set, you shouldn't need to reset them.
At first I wasn't all that certain I wanted an "older" radio. This rig from what I have been able to determine is either a 2000 or 2001 model. By the time this particular rig hit the market most if not all the bugs should have been fixed. I haven't had ANY of the problems some of the other posts have had. My unit does have the 2.4 Hz SSB filter, the AM filter, and the FM board. I am also using the MD100 desk mic. I have found through trial and error and a QSO with another 920 owner who has an identical rig. Finally got my Xmit audio set to a "T".
I really, really like the dual VFO on this radio, a push of a button and you're on another band or working split, great feature on the 920. I guess you could call this the poor man's FT-1000MP, has a lot of the same features as the MP. Maybe not all the bells and whistles as the 1KMP but all in all a great rig.
My 746Pro went to the shop for some updates just before last weekends CQWW contest, and didn't have the buffer relay to hook up my AL-811, so I really didn't participate in the contest. Having said that the week before the contest a lot of DX stations were tuning up readying for the contest. I worked a bunch of em OK1's VU2's, YO4's, what with the notch and the IF shift, if I could here em I could work em, guess I shoulda worked the contest.
Anyway, in closing, for only having this rig for 3 weeks, I am thoroughly enjoying this rig. Yea my Pro is back got back earlier this week. and its doing great. Although most of my HF work is done out back in my shack proper, and the 920 being my Lazee Boy HF station,(see my profile, or my qrz bio) this is the right rig in the right spot at the right time. I have had a lot of rigs in the past 5 years, culminating I think with my 746Pro and the Yaesu FT-920. Again WOW what a rig! Catch you on the air.
73 de Mark
AI4HO
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KD8BUV
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 1, 2008 15:24
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Great rig,
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just sold my FT-950 I purchased in March and replaced it with the FT-920. In my oppinion, the FT-920 exceeds the 950 hands down. Some times newer is not always better. The FT-920 is more user friendly than the Ft-950 and the recieve is far better. I do not regret selling the 950 to get the FT-920. The audio reports are far better than the FT-950. I did keep my MD-200 mic which is a great match for the FT-920. If you have a chance to purchase a FT-920 don't pass it up. You will be pleased.
K8PMN
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EI3GRB
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 26, 2008 15:13
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value for money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Goood realible rig
I like the layout, starting to age a little & seems to be overpriced with the dealers with regard with the ft950 etc
still you can (like I did) pick 1 up for a reasonable price in a private deal
to get the most from the radio I think it needs the filter switch board mod, hence the 4 rating for the basic rig.
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