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write your own review of the Yaesu FTdx-9000 (non PEP version only).
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K5VY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 9, 2008 14:24
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Best I've ever owned!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own the FTdx-9000MP, 400 watt model. I've added the three Mu-tuners, and the outboard monitor display. I've had this unit since December of 2006. Let me say that I've been envolved in Ham Radio as a Hobby since 1947, and Wireless Telecommunications (we called it "radio" most of the time ) as a profession since 1958.
I've had Drake, Collins, Hallicrafters, endless military gear, Icom, Kenwood and eary Yaesu radios during that time. Add plenty of Commercial equipments to the list, and you'll get the idea...
Certainly, there were units that were outstanding at the time, but none to compare with this unit. Sensitivity and selectivity are without doubt the best. Along with a nice assortment of filters and Rx & Tx extras, I can't imagine this radio being any better!! I'm getting DX contacts from around the world running a barefoot 200-250 watts!! Running Class A, SSB with outstanding audio reports. CW & digital are really rewarding too. Mostly on 40 meters on a wire dipole!! The 66' tower is going up this Summer or Fall, with a 20 meter beam, God and my XYL willing !! I have to admit it took me several months to "Learn" this radio, but it is a patient teacher!
Now I learn there is a retrofit/recall program in the works. And at Yaesu's expense!! Including Shipping both ways!! So, as the saying goes, "The best is getting Better"... As one of my Aussie buddies says.."It's a bit pricey, but worth every bit..."
Best 73
Garland, K5VY
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KD9MF
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 9, 2008 09:37
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2 year report
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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after more than 2 years, on every day, still NO problems. works like it should everywhere.
nb still sucks, but then, so did all the rest except for the ft 1000d, which was the best nb around.
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K6JPA
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 30, 2008 09:19
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Quite Pleased!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Ok, first off, let me first say that I have been an Icom fan since day one. I purchased a IC-7800 when they were relatively new and have overall been quite satisfied with it. I still consider it a beautiful rig, and have no intent on selling it.
That having been said, my curiousity got the best of me and I decided to pick up a FTDX-9000D to compare against the IC-7800. I'll be honest, I didn't have as high of expectations for the Yaesu, but once it arrived, I was amazed with the high quality construction put into the rig, and how nicely it has performed. I have not found any issues with it, and aside from the learning curve being more steep than that of the IC-7800, I would have to say it gets the overall nod for quality and performance.
From a hard-core Icom fan, I have to congratulate you, Yaesu, for designing such a beautiful product. You've made a believer out of me.
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KF0B
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 23, 2008 08:54
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Best Radio Ever Designed !!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently received my new Yaesu FTDX-9000mp 400 watt HF transceiver. There are no words to describe it. Works beautiful. Fan noise from power supply I cannot hear. I decided on the 400 watt MP version and sold my amplifier. 400 is enough. Actually, it also does put out 400 watts on 6 meters. Monitor feature now works on all modes except FSK RTTY. Internal display is a waste if you are going to use a nice (and cheap) external display. Besides, you get 2 extra meters and a small multicolor LCD display this way. Also, you get the 4 large knobs for countour, N/R, Vrf, and Notch this way. Transmit audio and receive audio on this radio are the best I have ever heard. There is absolutely nothing bad to say about this radio, except maybe the price. Measure you station before ordering, as it is much larger than other radios. I have to say that this is the finest amateur radio that I have ever owned or used, bar none! Now... Is it worth the $10,000 + dollars ? Maybe..maybe not... you decide. I am still pondering that, but it is too late for me! I did not order any of the uTune units for this radio, and so far have not regretted it. 73
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AC5DF
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2008 06:13
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I must be in radio Heaven
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It is difficult to put into words in relation to the outstanding performance that sits on the table here in front of me. This FTdx-9000 Contest is an absolute work of art and performs far beyond my wildest dreams. Never before has the HF spectrum taken the shape this radio molds it into. I feel like I have gone to Radio Heaven. It's a wonderful place to be. Un-believe-able.............AC5DF..............
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VE2VOL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 19, 2008 09:05
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Fantastic!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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It has been over 6 months since I have owned the FTDX-9000D
I have had the IC-7800 & FTDX-9000Contest
The FTDX-9000D is like no other radio that I have owned.
Learn...learn...learn..
The micro-tune system filters are the most advanced feature ever incorp. into TX, and it works!
First read the book. It's a must.I spent many hours reading and discovered new features.
Estimated time : 40 Hours Min...
Interference Rejection 12 pages on technical Information you must read that!
Page 57 learn about Frequency Navigation Techniques.
Contour control Operation,DNF operation, digital notch filter, DNR operation, ACM Agecent Channel Monitor, Abt Phantom Voltage??
One-Touch IF Filter Selection, ACM ?
Dial swap configuration,
One full page Information for changing the Speaker output Configuration, dont miss it..
Dont forget the TFT Operation Manual! another 10 hours... plus experimentations & few frustrations..and back agn into the papers..
Many year ago I went abord a 737 flight simulator
then the FTDX-9000D's front Panel Controls is as impressive was the 737 cockpit..
They call the FTDX-9000D Radio for Amateur....
Wow! I love this Hi-Class Radio, its a passion.
I am not a Technician I am a Professionnal Financial Advisor.
Now I can flight the ftdx-9000D AT 75% most of the time whitout any serious problems, last week had problem with the landing gears.. Since that time I am still on the air..I forgot to bring the instruction manual
If the FTDX-900 seems to complicated for you... go get the Ten-Tec Omni-V11. Plug & Play
Last thing.. The FTDX-9000Contest & FTDX-9000D
are not compatible with the HL-1.5KFX Tokyo Hi-Power Amplifier
(Automatic Band Selector does'nt work)
Read my Amplifier's comments Tokyo Hi-Power
Tokyo Can't find the solution.I use it manually..
The FTDX-9000D is in perfect working Condition since the the first day ...Trouble free Radio Thank's to Yeasu
73
God bless Canada & América
Francoys
VE2VOL
Born To be free
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KW4CQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2007 07:52
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My second 9000 is a Contest model
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This time I bought the Contest model (barebones, no options). I love this radio!! What more can I say? You looking for a numerical rating? OK, how about a 10?
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DIPOLE
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2007 15:26
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Excellent transceiver
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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After many years away from ham radio, my new found status as an empty nester made me look again at the hobby. Having spent several frustrating hours in a futile attempt at getting my old HW-101 to tune, I decided to punt the "cheap" approach and go whole-hog. After some comparison with the IC-7800, I decided to drop the green for a 9000D and have not regretted it. It is virtually a complete ham shack in a single box, and has performed flawlessly, as advertised, in every area. The only thing I have yet to try is the built-in rotor control/GC map, as I presently do no have any such antenna.
To be sure, this radio does have a learning curve. There are, it would seem, at least 3 different ways to do just about anything depending on the subtleties of the situation at hand. I would have to say it's an operators radio, definitely not for the guy who just wants someone to just tell him what button to push. Keep the operating manual close at hand!!!
It is large and HEAVY, as the 200W versions have an internal power supply. So get a heavy duty table. Construction is top notch and I fell this radio will far out live me.
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W4JBR
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 28, 2007 07:23
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Just got mine back
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Just got my FTDX9000 back from Yaesu. It gained 15 pounds while it was in the shop. It began as a Contest model but now is a "D" model. The 2nd receiver is absolutely terrific and the DMU unit is really great to use...I already had a good logging program and a grayline map program but this thing is truly the best of the best...
Yaesu forever!!
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VE7OVY
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 2, 2007 21:02
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happy as the day i bought it!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Over the past 21yrs, i've spent a small fortune on HF rigs. Here they are: Eico753, FTDX400, TS-130S, FT-767GXII, FT-840, FT-890. FT-847, TS680, FT-920, and a HW101. All were sold after a year or two of use. By and large its been a quest for performance that's been largely unmet until now. My current 'fleet' of keepers are a FT-817, FT-857, and two IC-746 non-PROs for Pactor use. Point being, i've had a few rigs over the years and feel i can speak with some knowledge. I have often favored Yaesu on hf because of the tonal characteristics of their receivers. I find their rx audio to be smoother, more 'well-rounded' and more pleasing to the ear IMHO. I'm NOT a contester, if you are you may have a different criteria/need than i.
In the continuing quest for 'the perfect rig' after watching & reading the mostly bad reviews on eHam, i finally got my hands on a IC-7800 and FT9K at Radioworld in Toronto. The IC-7800 failed to impress me cosmetically/ergonomically and sound-wise. It was just another fancy rig to me (no offense to the '7800 owners, i'm sure its a fine rig). However the FT-9000 is, i believe, built for those who LOVE to operate for fun/ragchewing. Maybe if you're a CW nut you want an Orion. Or a contester maybe you want a 7800. But for me, the FT-9000 has what it takes to be a rag-chewers ultimate radio with A+ performance when you wanna work the pie-ups too.
Wow. The 2hr demo blew me away. The size of the dial, the controls, the silky-smooth FEEL of the knobs as they turn, the SOUND of the receiver, the ABILITY of the rig to reduce/eliminate QRN/QRM is amazing! The continuously variable DSP bandwidth works great. The MTU8040 really does a noticeable job on eliminating noise in the receiver. For those that claim it doesn't make much difference, i say they must not be in a noisy area because i notice a big improvement in s/n with it in. The variable TX bandwidth was the clincher for me. While i'm not one of these 7khz ultra-wide SSB 'audio gurus' with a rack of gear, i want the rig to SOUND good. Most of my HF-ing is rag-chewing, not chasing DX in pile-ups.
After coming home from the demo, i sold most of my other rigs and picked upa FT9000CONTEST with a Blue Dial and added the DMU, and the MTU8040. Didnt go for the big expensive optional display, instead i use a cheap 15" LCD computer screen. Part of the reason i did this is i like how the contest looks with that row of big knobs and meters across the right side of the radio and i didnt want to give that up for a fancy display. (also the thought occured to me if my LCD display dies, it'll cost $150 to replace. Hate to think what the optional Yaesu display will cost when it eventually dies, so i went with the cheaper option).
Only took 3wks from order to delivery via Radioworld in Toronto. What a brute! About 60lbs and the shipping box is the size of a bar fridge!
The manual is a bit daunting but explains most things. Way too much to sit and read in 1 day. Getting the radio to play was fairly intuitive, once you learn how the menu system works. Then its just a matter of going through the manual and the menu and making changes one by one. Out of the box, the defaults will get you on the air decently, but tweaking to your tases is definitely required. This is not a radio for beginners, you need to know a bit about operating and RF/circuits to understand what you're doing.
I use it with a Heil PR-20 Goldline and a W2IHY 8-band EQ box. Works great for me. While i dont have the processing & downward expanders and all that other rack-mounted gear, i'm happy with what i have and the reports i get.
Having the rig for 8mos now, I must say i am still as happy today as the day i bought it. Now that Yaesu is releasing updates and gave everyone cables to do them with for FREE, its starting to feel like a solid and supported radio. Well done Yaesu, its about time you supported the rig and its users after 2 yrs of neglect on the FT9k Keep up the recent good work!
Sure there were a LOT of intitial bugs 2yrs ago on the first "BETA-TEST" models (shame on yaesu for selling a product for full price when it was still so buggy!). Heck, i could make MY radio shut off by a certain combination of switches!!). Admittedly there were some hardware issues too with RF Amps blowing up and other issues. HOWEVER, it seems like the bugs are now worked out and i'm happy to see more positive reviews as of late, which echo my experience.
So for those of you who want one of the best and sweetest-sounding HF rigs out there, give one a try. Get your hands on a demo rig at your local toy-store and make a contact or two. Dont be turned off by the earlier poor reviews. A lot has happened with this rig in the past 2yrs. This is one rig i don't plan on replacing no matter what they come up with next. This is the first rig in 21yrs of being a ham that meets & exceeds my expectations. NOW i can sit back, enjoy operating and stop buying every new rig that comes out!
73 de Kevin ZL1OVY VE7OVY VA7FE
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