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| Reviews Summary for FDK Multi-750XX |
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Reviews: 1
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Average rating: 3.0/5
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MSRP: $(missing—add MSRP)
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Description: 20 watt 2 meter all mode transceiver
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More info: http://
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You can
write your own review of the FDK Multi-750XX.
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KU4QD
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Rating: 3/5
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Oct 7, 2001 13:33
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Send this review to a friend
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OK, but there are reasons FDK isn't a big name today.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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My shack is full of unusual Japanese radios, so when I saw one of these on EBay and the price didn't go up out of sight, I took it. In fact, it was about the least expensive 2m all mode rig I've seen in recent years, so I thought I was getting a bargain. In some ways I was, but in other ways I wasn't.
FDK has sold rigs in the US, under it's own name briefly in the '70s, then under the ITC and KLM names. (Remember the KLM Multi-2700? That was really an FDK.) They did sell under their own name well into the 80s in Europe and at least som e in Canada. There are some really complimentary web pages about the 750 series of rigs, and this was the last of that series.
The Multi-750XX is a largish mobile transceiver covering the full 144-148MHz range of the 2 meter band. It puts out 20 watts, SSB, CW, or FM. It was contemporary with the Icom IC-290H or Kenwood TR-9130, but it has fewer features, notably no memories at all, and is physically larger. There is a tone switch meant for tone burst, but it's not hard at all to wire a PL board to that switch. The rig does the standard 600KHz offset for FM repeaters, and odd splits can be worked between the two VFOs. An up/down mic. is standard. The rig can scan the band despite the lack of memories. The rig has a bright blue LED display and a bar graph S-meter.
The most interesting feature available (which I don't, unfortunately, have) is the matching Expander-430X transverter, which the rig can control , creating a really large dual bander. Cross band satellite operation would be a snap with the transverter, and if you have one you'd like to part with I would love to hear from you.
The receiver of the Multi-750XX is sensitive enough, but it is subject to overload from very strong stations, similar to the Yaesu FT-480R of the same period. As a result, if you live near a contest op running high power during a VHF contest, you'll find it impossible to operate anywhere near him, if at all. This is why I can rate the rig a "3" at most, though for most casual 2m SSB or CW operation the rig is quite pleasant to use. Mine has also recently developed a display problem with the last digit, though I can still tell what frequency I am on and use the rig. I suspect that is merely do to old age, rather than any design flaw, and I do intend to have it repaired.
Many 2m mobile rigs of the '80s suffered annoying (but not fatal) flaws. The Yaesu FT-290R was a bit hard of hearing. The FT-480R overloaded. The Icom IC-290A was prone to feedback if you turned the volume up in the car. This rig is definitely in the same category, flawed but usable. You can certainly make a lot of contacts with an FDK Multi-750XX and have fun, but there are certainly better choices out there, unless you just plain need to have a rig that's "different".
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