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Author Topic: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?  (Read 55062 times)

KX2T

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #60 on: July 05, 2017, 09:19:16 AM »

The FT990 was a decent design for its day but also the FT1000 and MP versions as well but I do believe that the TS590 series, Icom 7410 and OmniVII would trump the older radio's as far as front end designs and the DSP filtering is far better but those older radio's had a superb feel when you operated them. I used a pair of 1000MP's in the 1990ies when I used to contest allot and they held up very well in a multi single/ multi multi  small station with tuned band pass filters and 1/4 wave coaxial stubs. For under $1K you have many decent radio's in the used market, top of the list would be the TS590, Icom 7410 or even a Flex 3000 would be at the top in which all these radio's are current designs and you can get service and parts for. As far as the FT450D or the IC7200 go I have always looked at these radio's as field rigs not base stations and in that arena the 7200 would be best in show but more for portable use.
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GM1FLQ

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #61 on: July 05, 2017, 11:21:50 AM »


Had an MP, not a patch on the 1000D build quality.......for me it was the start of the slide downwards to honky tonk VCR quality.

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KC4ZGP

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #62 on: July 05, 2017, 11:37:39 AM »


Universal radio had a new/used Alinco SR8T for sale. I stress had.

It with my D-104 and EB-104 are cool as heck. (I must like 104).

Check their used list. You'll find something.

Kraus


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GM1FLQ

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #63 on: July 05, 2017, 01:17:45 PM »

Just make sure it isn't this one........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1gzTVR4hT0&t=132s     ;D

(PS I actually like Alinco for providing an offering for those who may not have or want to devote a biggish budget for a ham radio rig)
« Last Edit: July 05, 2017, 01:24:58 PM by GM1FLQ »
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AF5CC

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #64 on: July 05, 2017, 06:47:18 PM »

I have had a Yaesu FT990. Pretty good rig, for the same price and level I preferred the Kenwood TS850.  A few more filtering options, built in CW memory keyer, option for a built in voice keyer, and another excellent receiver.

I am currently using a Yaesu FT1000 (original, not MP).  Leaving the dual receive aside, the extra 3db compared to the FT990 is nice.

73 John AF5CC
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AF5CC

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #65 on: July 05, 2017, 07:11:18 PM »

Another former top of the line rig you can get today for well under $1000 that seems to have aged very well if the Icom 765.  Its predecessor the 761 had trouble with the plastic trimmer caps going bad and needing to be replaced.  I am pretty sure the 765 didn't have that issue.

It is a complete rig in that you get a built in power supply, built in antenna tuner that loads up about anything, built in CW keyer, 500hz cascaded CW filters as standard.  It is easy to modify the IF shift to work as pass band tuning instead. 

I have never used a 765 but see good reviews about them and never really see any common problems mentioned about them due to aging.

73 John AF5CC
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W8JX

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #66 on: July 05, 2017, 07:27:47 PM »

I have had a Yaesu FT990. Pretty good rig, for the same price and level I preferred the Kenwood TS850.  A few more filtering options, built in CW memory keyer, option for a built in voice keyer, and another excellent receiver.

I actually owned a 850 for a few weeks in later 90's. I  planned to replace my 830 with it. After playing it side buy side I resold it and kept 830. 850 had a lot og bell and whistles 830 never had but when it came down to raw performance, the 830 receiver sounded better.
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

GM1FLQ

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #67 on: July 05, 2017, 10:21:42 PM »

I have had a Yaesu FT990. Pretty good rig, for the same price and level I preferred the Kenwood TS850.  A few more filtering options, built in CW memory keyer, option for a built in voice keyer, and another excellent receiver.

I actually owned a 850 for a few weeks in later 90's. I  planned to replace my 830 with it. After playing it side buy side I resold it and kept 830. 850 had a lot og bell and whistles 830 never had but when it came down to raw performance, the 830 receiver sounded better.

Had an TS850 also - the common dds chip failure problem came along, fixed it and off it went.........kept my 830, still working perfect.

Also had a TS950, ok, nothing to rave about - 1000D always felt bit more special / better built so kept it, still working perfect.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2017, 10:34:45 PM by GM1FLQ »
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AF5CC

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #68 on: July 06, 2017, 11:31:12 AM »

From what I have heard and read, the Kenwood TS830 has one of the best receivers ever made!  I haven't used one so can't comment on that one, but did have a set of Kenwood twins for 7 or 8 years and the R599 receiver was really nice.  It even had 6 meter and 2 meter receive converters.

The 850 does have the DDS chip problem if you get an early serial number one. 

I think the FT1000 is better than the TS950 also.  Not sure why the TS950SDX goes for so much more money than the FT1000 on the used market.
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W8JX

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #69 on: July 06, 2017, 05:07:35 PM »

From what I have heard and read, the Kenwood TS830 has one of the best receivers ever made! 

It could be. It has a very fine receiver. One of the best I have ever used.
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

GM1FLQ

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #70 on: July 06, 2017, 10:52:56 PM »


I think the FT1000 is better than the TS950 also.  Not sure why the TS950SDX goes for so much more money than the FT1000 on the used market.


Maybe because it was a favourite with the audiophile (essb big boomy-boom mic) broadcast station impersonators.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2017, 11:02:25 PM by GM1FLQ »
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KE0ZU

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #71 on: July 07, 2017, 04:38:10 AM »

I'll add my vote for the FT990.    Had mine for quite a few years and its is a very dependable, excellent performing radio.

Mike
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AF5CC

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #72 on: July 07, 2017, 08:41:57 AM »

If you look around you can usually find a Yaesu FT1000 going for not too much more than the FT990.  I would go that way as it gives you 200 watts, dual receive, and a better filtering setup.  The 990 has a similar receiver to it.  I also like the Width control on the FT1000 better than the Digital Filter (which is really analog) on the 990.  The FT1000 is much larger, though, if space is an issue in your shack.

73 John AF5CC
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W4KVW

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #73 on: July 09, 2017, 09:05:36 PM »

ICOM 7000 hands down.Get an automatic tuner of your brand choice & you are set.In one word the ICOM 7000 is "AWESOME" without a doubt.If you like a bigger display then you may do that as well.Even adding the auto tuner & the larger display you will be under $1000. :)

Clayton
W4KVW
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VK2NZA

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RE: "Best" Sub $1000 HF Rig, New or Used?
« Reply #74 on: July 10, 2017, 04:12:40 AM »

I would suggest the Icom IC-7410 also, it is an excellent transceiver with a superb receiver and has the benefit of still being current and available new for a bit over $1000.00
I have had two of them for several years and love the receiver and the overall quality of the rig build. both have the 6 and 3 khz roofing filters. Really pretty much the same receiver as the IC 7600 and so much less expensive, no screen however.
IC-7410's DSP is excellent and has analog type sound.
I also have an FT-1000D and although I live in a very quiet rural area so no close strong signals find the IC-7410 to have as good or slightly better receiver than the Yaesu. The FT 1000D may be better in a high signal location however!
I expect some flak over this.
Also as AF5CC states the IC-765 is a very good rig with an outstanding receiver, mine is an early production but I've had no cap problems although the internal tuner relay has needed a look-see a couple of times.
I really like the IC-765!
 Just my take! 73 Ross.
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