Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5   Go Down

Author Topic: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?  (Read 1922 times)

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2020, 04:27:39 PM »

What are these “subtle improvements” they’re talking about? I can’t find any references anywhere to differences between the display systems on the 101D and 101MP.

I have not yet gotten my DEC 2020 print QST issue yet and rarely read the Digital issue as it is inconvenient holding/reading my iPad while sitting on the Outhouse hole.  ;) :D :D

I did read the QST 101D review last year before I bought my 101MP and of course took a peek at Sherwood.

I am not aware of any display differences between the 2 radios. There are 2 reasons I bought a MP model instead of of a 101D. The 200 watts and 101MP external Power supply, and the 300hz roof filter builtin to the MP model. There are several other differences between the 2 models, none of which really interested me. Also for resale reasons if I was disappointed, the MP model would be more desirable to resale.

I would interested in knowing how the 101MP display would be different/better than a 101D display.

However knowing you Jerry, if you buy a 101, it will be the MP model.

So how was the QST MP review? Thumbs up or down? Stupid question, ARRL never overtly bashes any review radio.

Stan K9IUQ
Logged

W6UV

  • Member
  • Posts: 1147
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #16 on: November 23, 2020, 09:18:24 AM »

So how was the QST MP review? Thumbs up or down? Stupid question, ARRL never overtly bashes any review radio.

About what you'd expect from a QST review. Abbreviated because they'd already reviewed the FTdx-101D. Thumbs up, overall.
Logged

K0UA

  • Member
  • Posts: 9589
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #17 on: November 23, 2020, 11:03:13 AM »

There is nothing to fear from the 7610. Mine is original and has no issues. Sure some did, but Icom repaired them. I sure would a lot rather have the second receiver than that single receiver Yaesu. Mighty handy. I have had mine for well over a year now, and it was lightly used by an older fella going into an assisted living facility and could not utilize it any longer.  Best money I have spend on rig in a long time. Full performance out of the box with nothing else to "add on" for more money. Very hard to beat in its class.

James K0UA: When you say single receiver Yaesu, are you referring to the FTDX10, and not the FTDX101MP/D? The Yaesu manual for the latter refers to Main and Sub receivers, and they do not appear to be merely two VFOs. I'm faced with the same decision as W6UV.

Thanks,
Steve W1LV

Yes, I was refereeing to the new FTDX10 NOT the FTDX101MP/D  Which of course has 2 receivers.
Logged
73  James K0UA

W6UV

  • Member
  • Posts: 1147
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #18 on: November 23, 2020, 11:06:53 AM »

After lots of research, I've changed my mind and am now leaning towards the IC-7610, despite the display issue. I have two other HF rigs, so it won't be a big deal to send the 7610 back for a screen replacement if that ever becomes necessary.

The thing that changed my mind is the spectrum display on the 101. I consider the 3DSS display to be a flashy gimmick, geared more towards selling rigs than anything useful while operating. The 2D display is just too frantic for my tastes--I just couldn't sit watching it jump around like it does for hours at a time--I don't know why Yaesu didn't bother to include an averaging function to quiet the thing down. The spectrum/waterfall display on the Icom is much smoother and nicer to look at for long periods of time while operating. I've gotten so used to a waterfall display that I consider operating to be as much of a visual activity as an audio activity.

I'm also swayed by the direct sampling design of the 7610 versus the superhet front end of the 101 with the ADC in the IF. It just seems like a throwback to the last century to me. The Yaesu is also more limited in connectivity than the Icom (I/Q output via USB is a biggie for me).

I haven't bought anything yet, but will likely wait until Friday in anticipation of a Black Friday sale. And I can use the price difference to get the new Elad FDM-S3 SDR receiver (I probably spend 75% of my operating time SWLing and 25% hamming these days.)
« Last Edit: November 23, 2020, 11:09:08 AM by W6UV »
Logged

K0UA

  • Member
  • Posts: 9589
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #19 on: November 23, 2020, 11:11:34 AM »

Quote
Whereas Icom uses DSP filters that can be set to only 3 different width frequencies and then selected, the Yaesu DSP frequency width is constantly adjustable with a knob, much more useful.

And then us Icom 7610 owners would state the obvious that yes there are only 3 filters selected by MODE by the filter button, but we have instant access to trim those filters to anything we want with the twin passband controls right on the radios face. And you already knew that.

To operate an Icom is to love an Icom.   :)
Logged
73  James K0UA

G8FXC

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #20 on: November 23, 2020, 11:19:13 AM »

...

To operate an Icom is to love an Icom.   :)

As I've discovered late in life! I had been a Yaesu owner all my licenced life - until the FT-2000. They managed to annoy me so much with that horrendous design that I decided to give ICOM a try and realised that I had been wasting my money all those years!

Martin (G8FXC)
Logged

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #21 on: November 23, 2020, 11:50:12 AM »

To operate an Icom is to love an Icom.   :)

I love my wife. I love my dogs. Radios don't get love from me, they are just appliances. Unlike many hams I don't worship a Radio either.

I do like Icoms and just sat down and figured out what HF models I have owned over the years. I did have MANY 2mtr Icom radios before they started making HF radios. I have owned the Icom 751A, 746, 746PRO, 756ProII, 756ProIII, and the 7600. I have may have missed a model, 60 years of radios is a lot to keep track of. I have owned many Kenwood HF radios, but only a few Yaesu HF radios, The original Yaesu FT-101E and the FT-1000 which I liked and owned for 10 years, the longest I have kept any radio. And now my third Yaesu, a FTDX101MP which may outlast me. :D

Stan K9IUQ


Logged

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #22 on: November 23, 2020, 11:57:07 AM »

And you already knew that.

The Yaesu 101MP system is superior, much easier to use and handles QRM better, and yes I did know that.

Stan K9IUQ
Logged

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #23 on: November 23, 2020, 12:31:44 PM »

I have may have missed a model, 60 years of radios is a lot to keep track of.


Yeah, you missed more than a model. You also owned Icom 706MK, 706MKII,706MKIIG, 7000 and the Icom 7100. That makes a total of 11 Icom HF radios, 3 Yaesus and can't remember all the Kenwoods but probably around 8 different Kenwood HF radios. Oh yeah let us not forget my one Flexradio.

Before the transceiver ERA I also owned may Separate xmtr/RX combos from Johnson, Halicrafter, Hammarlund, HeathKit, Allied Radio, Swan. No wonder my wife keeps saying I buy too many radios.  ;)

Stan K9IUQ
Logged

K8EZB

  • Member
  • Posts: 63
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #24 on: November 23, 2020, 01:45:54 PM »

New 101MP in the shack as of this afternoon. Waaay too soon to have any strong opinions except for this: fit, finish, industrial design of the 101MP vastly better to my eye than the 7610 sitting next to it. More when I think I know something more about the 101MP!

Rick
K8EZB
Logged

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #25 on: November 23, 2020, 03:52:54 PM »

Waaay too soon to have any strong opinions except for this: fit, finish, industrial design of the 101MP vastly better to my eye than the 7610 sitting next to it.
Rick
K8EZB

Congrats Rick, hope you enjoy it. Yaesu construction and fit, finish have always excelled. Yaesu knows how to make pretty radios. Icom makes nice workmanlike radios. The Yaesu is a refined Lexus, the Icom is a tough Ford 150.  ;) Both will get you to Walmart.....  :D :D :D

Please keep us updated, W6UV Jerry is gonna buy a 7610 and you bought the 101MP and already own a 7610. I know Jerry quite well, I predict you are gonna be more happy than Jerry with your new purchase.

This prediction is from an Icom Fanboy......

Stan K9IUQ
« Last Edit: November 23, 2020, 03:55:17 PM by K9IUQ »
Logged

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #26 on: November 23, 2020, 04:34:09 PM »

More when I think I know something more about the 101MP!

Rick
K8EZB

Rick, I apologize. I knew your call was familiar but at my age if I do not communicate with a person regularly I tend to lose track of important information.  ;)

Thankfully I still know how to research and found our many conversations from last year. Yeah, how could I forget the ex-CEO/President of E.F Johnson Radio inviting me and others to buy some 101MP's by volume.  :) :) :) :)
After reading our past conversations I gotta ask what took you so long to buy a 101MP? You were egging me on to buy one and I did. I needed your push because as you well know I WAS on the fence for a long time about buying a 101MP. Thank you for pushing me over that fence Rick.......

Stan K9IUQ
Logged

W6UV

  • Member
  • Posts: 1147
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #27 on: November 23, 2020, 04:45:33 PM »

One thing about the 101's 2D waterfall display is curious. When an ionosonde sweeps by, the line on the display looks like a dashed line when it should look like a continuous line. I wonder if this is because the rig doesn't sample every frequency on every screen update? It certainly appears that that way. The lines look smooth and continuous on the 7610 and on my Flex-6500.

It also appears to happen on the 3DSS display too--instead of looking like a solid line, it looks like a picket fence.
Logged

K8EZB

  • Member
  • Posts: 63
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #28 on: November 23, 2020, 04:46:38 PM »

Wasnt intending to push, Stan. I waited to buy a 101MP because I wasnt convinced that the early glitches had been discovered and corrected. You soon found one, and I think some others have also been discovered. While an unrepentant optimist, I have been bitten enough times to know there will be more, but hoping these will be resolved with firmware updates. We'll see. I hate sending equipment for repair.  Just did that on an Acom tuner (to their U.S. repair station) and it was gone for 2 1/2 months; would have been longer if I didn't ride their behind. My Acom story (there is more) is starting to sound a little like your Flex story (but only a little so far).

Rick
K8EZB
Logged

K9IUQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 3448
Re: FTdx-101MP Gotchas?
« Reply #29 on: November 23, 2020, 05:10:43 PM »

I wasnt convinced that the early glitches had been discovered and corrected. You soon found one, and I think some others have also been discovered.
Rick
K8EZB

Yeah, the one I found cost me $175 in shipping because Yaesu does not pay for insurance. They will pay for the shipping. I did get extremely fast turnaround, 21 days and most of that was in shipping to CA from IL. I was pleasantly surprised by the way Yaesu handled my 101MP issue. Of course that is all well documented as it happened last year by me on this forum. When a Company deserves to be bashed I am not hesitant to be the one that does it. It is after all my $$$$, something I take serious.

Since then I have been happy with my purchase, no further gotchas for me. I have not even written an eHam review on the 101MP, because I don't care what radio a ham buys, it is your $$$. No smart ham believes eHam reviews anyway.

Stan K9IUQ
Logged
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5   Go Up