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Author Topic: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads  (Read 799 times)

ZL1BBW

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2021, 01:53:11 PM »

For me, I find the bandscope practically essential, often have a multiple stations calling at once, and when yr screwed down 10 100Hz and the Audio Filter on its easy to miss thos callers off the side, also do a bit of contesting and its a big bonus there.

As someone said anything in the top 30 would be good.

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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

KX5ALC

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2021, 02:19:54 PM »

Yes, the G model has the Panadaptor outlet for SDR, which I will definitely take advantage of.  The only thing I like about the Ic7300 is the waterfall.............and for a hundred bucks and the extra screen I have here in my shack, I can have a nice large one to home in on signals.

I'm pretty sure I'm "stuck" (by choice) with the 590SG.  I've a couple of amateur radio "hurdles" yet to complete, but as soon as those are either behind me or well established, I think I'll open my radio stash envelope and pour out the contents for the TS590SG.  Hopefully by then I'll have saved more and the prices of the used SG will be coming down some.  And with any luck, they'll meet and I'll have a nice radio in my shack.
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WO7R

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2021, 02:48:52 PM »

Well, I hope you enjoy your choice.

As far as I can tell (I am not "actively" in the market for a rig) that we have unprecedentedly good choices for the money whatever rig we pick, particularly in the used market.

The very popular Icom 7300 has (IMO) placed a lot of pressure on all rig manufacturers at all levels.  It's a lot of radio for the money, as hams have apparently discovered so even other market segments that can get hams to pay more now have to deliver more to justify their premiums.  That, in turn, puts price pressure downward on comparable used rigs, too, which lack such features.

I don't think the existence of the Flex 6400 and the Elecraft K4 came about entirely because it was the next great thing they were working on.  I believe these radios exist, in part, maybe in large part, as a reaction to the IC 7300.
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K0UA

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2021, 02:57:58 PM »

Quote
I believe these radios exist, in part, maybe in large part, as a reaction to the IC 7300.

The 7300 changed everything, and put pressure on all manufactures to deliver more radio for less money. It cut the guts out of the used radio market. And that is a good thing for all radio amateurs. We have more and better choices at more affordable prices.

 New comers have affordable choices now that we could have only dreamed about just a few years ago, because there just was no way we could have afforded the top of the line radios and what they cost. Now we can.
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73  James K0UA

KB1NO

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #19 on: August 30, 2021, 03:43:17 PM »

James and others make good points about the IC-7300.   
If you buy a gently used TS-590SG for say $950 including shipping, make sure it has the SO-3 TCXO and the VGS-1 included.
Otherwise you will spend another $200 to add those.   The IC-7300 comes standard with both a TCXO and Voice Recording functionality and is
$1K new from HRO (after rebate) with free shipping.  Of course you could get along without those initially.   It's just another consideration.       
Initially I was an IC-7300 skeptic but I own one and enjoy using it on CW. 
73,
John, KB1NO



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AK4YH

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2021, 09:18:07 AM »

Elecraft K1 and K2.

Gil.
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N5CM

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2021, 06:18:38 PM »

I operate mostly CW and chose the 590SG.  I use it a lot and like it.

Two transceive antenna antenna ports.  Receive antenna port.  DRV port for SDR/display.  Great receiver and filtering.

 
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N4OI

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #22 on: October 06, 2021, 07:22:18 PM »

If you will be working CW, suggest you make sure there are no clicking relays...  Along with smooth, easy to listen to QSK...  Anything Elecraft is a keeper...  If I were on a budget, an older Tentec OMNI D (with the xtal filter) is about the best deal going...  Just sayin' 

73
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KM1H

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #23 on: October 07, 2021, 11:51:04 AM »

590SG all the way as its hard to beat its no distortion RX audio especially on CW in narrow passbands. Reports from many contesters and pileup DXers on the 7300 is that it is tiring on the ears in any mode after a few hours. Kenwood has been the TX and RX audio leader going back to at least the early hybrids of the 80's.

Carl
Ham since 1955 and still active on CW
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N2EY

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #24 on: October 09, 2021, 07:17:09 AM »

Hey Elmers..................I'm getting into CW and I "think" I've found the radio that best fits my budget limit and qualifies itself from what little I know about radios.  (gently used Kenwood TS-590SG) I'm a new Tech and going to be starting on my General soon, but will be starting CW lessons with LICW Club within the next few weeks.  Right now all I have in the way of a radio is an Icom 2200H 2-Meter mobile.  So I'm looking for my first HF rig.  Can anyone give me recommendations as to what they consider the "best" radio for pulling in CW signals?

There isn't one "best" radio for pulling in CW signals.

That said, the TS-590S family is very good. I used one this year on Field Day on 20 CW and made lots of QSOs with it.

Different radios of the same price range are NOT all the same. The '590SG is very good for the price - good audio, good filtering, good features and performances.

73 de Jim, N2EY
« Last Edit: October 09, 2021, 07:19:31 AM by N2EY »
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AE8W

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Re: Another one of those "Which is the best" Radio Threads
« Reply #25 on: October 09, 2021, 07:57:24 AM »

After a few decades away from HF I prefer a few of the newer features;
1) waterfall .... I like to see what is going on before I xmit and/or after a CQ. And, I like to see a few bands at the same time.
2) tx & rx equalizer ... more important, to me, is one for rx that really improves less than optimum speakers, headsets, and ears
3) pre-distortion to clean up sideband tx splatter. Doesn't do the the one talking much good, but does help make you a good neighbor in a crowed band.
4) not on many, but a method of separating slightly off low and high freq signals into left and right speakers/headset.
5) certainly not direly needed is the ability to have an external time base ... GPS controlled or some rubidum standard for those that like to *know* where they are
« Last Edit: October 09, 2021, 08:13:39 AM by AE8W »
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