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Author Topic: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest  (Read 539 times)

KX2T

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FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« on: March 07, 2022, 04:30:33 AM »

I have by no means a real contest station these days as compared to what I owned back in the late nineties, more like a little pistol but the move from LI, NY to the west coast of Florida made some real changes. This weekend was a sampling of the way the bands were again when there was some sun spots except on 10m were it was open but not with the wall to wall station not yet. But as far as activity 40, 20 and 15 meters were rocking and rolling, chock full of stations like in the good ole days.

Since I have changed radios to the 101D I have seen some differences in how the Yaesu handles a really crowded band and if you can carve holes between some 20 over nine signals. Well the report back it did an outstanding job plus all the controls worked in concert very well even the VC tune allowed me once tuned right to reject many signals on the sides of my run frequency plus a neat trick with the notch tuned to 1500Hz left on and the bandwidth set to 2.4 and at times a little IF shift. Having the two RX sections almost the same was ice-cream on the pie but were I found this radio did shine is the use of the DSP selectivity controls that worked a cut above any radio's I have owned and really besting the 7610 that I had always found good but this radio is in another league more like a 7851 at allot less of an investment plus each RX section has its own controls.

What was amazing is how the front end didn't get crushed, no RX section audio IMD in this rig, its was clean all weekend. Yes there were signals ton 10m that were a little wide but I am talking about the wall to wall station on 20&15 plus being able to pick out new ones on a super crowded 40m band at night, 75m was a walk in the park. This radio is in a different league, maybe it doesn't have as pretty of a GUI interface as some of the sdr types but were the rubber meats the road this radio has what it takes.

No ringing in my ears like many radios I have owned in the past when operating for more than 24 hours in a weekend, it was a pleasure to use this receiver all weekend. I did listen allot during the DX CW weekend but I really didn't op cause my CW is not up to snuff were I would feel like being comfortable but it really did shine on that weekend too just cutting signals like a knife threw butter but on SSB this is one amazing radio. Yaesu did a great job on this radio, the only thing that would have been nice is if you could get a spectrum display with N1MM with this rig but maybe I can figure out how to make a SDR play work with N1MM to do just that. I just have to say this radio impressed me this weekend, the bands sounded as far as opening like they have in the past but this rig is ready for more sunspots, let the games begin!
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K1VSK

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2022, 06:40:23 AM »

Comparing any radio to other radios you never had (7851, K4, etc…) is a dubious comparison.
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W7CXC

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2022, 07:00:55 AM »

Are you commenting from first hand knowledge that he never had those radios? I do not know either way to be sure.

Just wondering. ;)
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NO9E

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2022, 07:26:42 AM »

FTDX101D wins the best audio of any radio in my opinion. Very loud and crisp. Piercing yet easy to copy. ANAN is close second.

I worked the contest with Flex 6600. Despite KW and phased beams, disappointment in establishment of run frequencies and in pileups. But full satisfaction in ARRL DX CW.

Ignacy NO9E
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WO2Y

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2022, 08:16:51 AM »

Sherwood Engineering did compare them all.....  and FTdx101 came out on top.  But it all comes down to what you like!  I've had a number of Icoms and Kenwoods, and liked them for various reasons... Had an FT2000 that I thought was just okay.  Love the FTdx101 for listening to either SSB or CW, but not a fan of the SSB audio adjustments, even with the equalizer kicked in.  Just my thoughts.....
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W0CKI

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2022, 08:27:01 AM »

I switched between my 101MP and my 7610. In most situations the radio’s were equal. But there were instances where one was better then the other. Each radio has different features that an experienced operator can go to and rely on.
I have had lots of rig’s in my 68 years as a ham, it takes time and effort to learn the capabilities of each.
Pretty good weekend for DX but nothing like conditions in the past.
Gary, W0CKI
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K7JQ

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2022, 08:32:33 AM »

While not disputing how good the FTDX-101D is (the specs and features confirm this), I can "pretty much" say the same thing about my IC-7300 in this past weekend's SSB DX contest ;).

With the filter bandwidth also set at 2.4kHZ and some manipulation of the Twin PBT controls, when needed, I could easily pick out and clearly hear weak signals and reject nearby ones. Basically, I'm a firm believer in the "law of diminishing returns". At three times the price of a 7300, will the 101D (ignoring the second receiver and other extra features that one might desire) give you much more superior one-on-one receiver performance, and get you *that* many more Q's in a contest situation? I don't know...would have to put them side-by-side...but it certainly is questionable. Today's technology sometimes makes incremental increases in measured specs moot when put against the real-world range of human hearing/vision capabilities. When viewed from 10+ feet, is a 4K TV picture four times sharper to the human eye than a 1080P HD one? You tell me, but then again, I'm 76 ;).

I'm in a relatively low *external* noise environment, but when it comes to band noise floor, the 7300's NR (IMO) is better than most of the radios I've used in the past 63 years. But as you increase the NR level to disperse the noise, it still muffles the audio and decreases the volume. I'm now using a "hamburger helper" in that department with an external West Mountain Radio CLRdsp NR unit. Using  a different algorithm, as you increase the NR level, the noise sufficiently disappears but the audio remains crystal clear with no artifacts nor reduction in volume. I'm quite surprised with its effectiveness.

It all boils down to what you feel comfortable with, will satisfy your wants and needs in features, and put your trust in for the $$ you spend. No one can tell you what to buy, nor criticize you for it. My opinion, and I'm sticking to it :D.

Bob K7JQ
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W9IQ

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2022, 08:58:56 AM »

Sherwood Engineering did compare them all.....  and FTdx101 came out on top. 

This is a common misconception. The Sherwood list as presented on the website is sorted by Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (dB). In that regard, the FTdx-101d is on the top of the list. But if you start comparing other measurements, you will find that it is not always "on top".

It is also worth noting that the often referenced list is strictly a receiver, not transceiver, set of measurements. If you wish to dig into more details, you should read the detailed test report for that transceiver. Just to show that it is not all roses, here are some of his comments regarding the FTdx-101d:

  • The waterfall is rather granular (chunky).
  • IMD on the spectrum display is significantly higher than the down-conversion radio itself.
  • Output power overshoot occurs on CW, and even more so on SSB.
  • This measured “dead time” makes it impossible to hear a desired signal in full QSK mode at 24 WPM or faster.

I am not picking on the 101d, as most reviewed radios have their warts. The point is that you cannot look at the Sherwood "chart" to pick your radio. Rob has stated this many times in his public presentations.

If Rob's reports are important to you, then it is worth referring back to his report list on a regular basis. He will often issue updates with corrections of prior errors or with measurement from later production runs.

BTW - If you are looking for "the ultimate receiver", then apparently you should buy an R9000 receiver and add Rob's modifications to it. Rob states "The fantastic Icom R9000 receiver is near perfect except for two areas..." (which his mods apparently correct).

- Glenn W9IQ
« Last Edit: March 07, 2022, 09:17:40 AM by W9IQ »
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

ZL1BBW

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2022, 11:28:54 AM »

FTDX101D wins the best audio of any radio in my opinion. Very loud and crisp. Piercing yet easy to copy. ANAN is close second.

I worked the contest with Flex 6600. Despite KW and phased beams, disappointment in establishment of run frequencies and in pileups. But full satisfaction in ARRL DX CW.

Ignacy NO9E

I remember working you over the weekend, I think I said at the time big signal and there was certainly no problem picking your call out of the pileup.  If anything yr signal sounded perhaps a bit too nice, no raw edges to make it stand out.  Cheers  Gavin ZL1BBW
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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.

NO9E

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2022, 12:39:22 PM »

Thank you Gavin.

Instructions say that mic gain in Flex 6600 should be set so that the peaks barely touche the red zone. Then the signal is really weak, FT450 style. Contesters found that mic gain needs to be 10 db higher, just before the onset of distortions.  Others found that distortions are caused by the equalizer and with an external equalizer the radio can be driven even higher. 

Nothing like that needed in FTDX 101. It sounds excellent as is. No dramas and no possible divorces over the time spend going around the flaws of the radio. 

I should switch to FTDX101D but got used to many conveniences of the Flex.

Ignacy NO9E
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K7JQ

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2022, 10:46:13 AM »

Sherwood Engineering did compare them all.....  and FTdx101 came out on top. 


I am not picking on the 101d, as most reviewed radios have their warts. The point is that you cannot look at the Sherwood "chart" to pick your radio. Rob has stated this many times in his public presentations.

- Glenn W9IQ

I wholeheartedly agree. You might look at the list, take it as the gospel for a purchase, and fork over the money without thinking about other things besides receiver performance. But if it meets your overall criteria/needs and you're happy with it, then great!

How many times have you seen a radio for sale in the classifieds after a month or two of ownership where the op says... "too much radio for me", "never use most of the features", "Can't get used to the ergonomics/menus",  etc, and then sell it for a $500+ hit in the wallet? Or you might be unhappy with it and rationalize keeping it because you don't want to take a financial loss.

Gotta do your research, think about your own operation preferences (what a waste if you buy a 101D and operate 95% FT8), read reviews, and if possible get to see and operate a radio before you buy, especially if it's a high dollar investment.

Bob K7JQ





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KX2T

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Re: FTDX101D and this weekends SSB DX contest
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2022, 07:50:12 PM »

I guess I am a late bloomer cause it had taken me a long time before I bought the 101D and really got it last November, I didn't purchase it because of Rob's list or his review comments. Instead I purchase the FTDX10 back when it first came out in December 2020, way before any reviews and way before it hits Rob's list. I sold my backup rig which was a 7300 and wanted to see what this down conversion/SDR hybrid was all about plus I have already owned a 7610 at that time for two years. I basically don't go out and buy a radio because were it sits on a list, I buy it for operator conveniences, RX performance and ya gotta like how a everything works, way to many hams today buy radio's either by were it sits on a list of the GUI which is total BS cause its GUI doenst make the radio perform any better in crowded band conditions.

Threw the 50 plus years I have owned many Kenwood, Icom's and Yaesu's but it seems once Yaesu got rid of that Gorilla Called Motorola they started building better radio's again so when the Ten came out it gave me the taste but I will say that the review that the ARRL lab did on the 101 did attract me were they stated they just could not get the receiver to block unless they started to put allot more signal into the front end but that was way after the test from Sherwoods labs, he tested that radio once it first came out. No radio is perfect but Yaesu did a good job on this one, they set the bar for what a good RX section should do and only Kenwood has really come up to par but it lacks in the area for contesting. The K4D when they finally come out with the Superhet/SDR model might be there but what is out today is more like there version of Icom's 7610.
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