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[A. MeLek Wolde- SeLa'se]

Recently licensed (Tech), and I am
quite confused as to which model of
radio to purchase. Will primarily use
in tractor trl (ref k0bg.com) with 6160
Scorpion ant. In the last 4mos I have
had a change of mind on 4 radio's. 1.IC
7000  2. 480HX  3. TS2000 & 4. 746pro.
      I have been getting feedback from
various sources, yet none is in agree-
ment to quality/performance of above rigs.
      Now I hear that Kenwood will be intro
ducing a (8series ?) unit next year. This
will be a major/first time purchase of HF
radio, preferrably w/ 6m. I have the D710A.
I appreciate your comments/suggestions. 73

[K0BG]

If I were making the choice, I'd forget the 746 and 2000 if for no other reason than their size. While you might have the space to mount them, the choices are limited. And, their basic design is getting rather long in tooth.

The 480Hx has a lot of bang for the buck, and if an amplifier is in the future, you can probably get by without one. After all, there isn't much difference between 200 and 500 watts. It does have DSP, and for an audio based one, it's good. However, it doesn't hold a candle to a decent IF based DSP.

You didn't mention the Yaesu 450, and that's a good sign; it just has too many drawbacks even when operated as a base radio. And the quirky mic gain system is real shortcoming in a mobile. (I cover this on my web site under Miniaturized Radios.)

You didn't mention the 706. While it too is a little long in tooth, it's as good as any current Yaesu mobile offering, and that includes the 450.

The venerable 7000 has a few drawbacks too, but the latest production units have long since fixed the toothing problems first seen. It still has the AGC pumping issue, but you get used to that for the most part.

What you really should do, is go to a reputable dealer, and play with all of the ones you mentioned. Ask questions, read the brochures, and think about every segment about (you personally) installing each one.

And don't forget to plow your way through all of the various menus.

Alan, KOBG
www.k0bg.com

[A. MeLek Wolde- SeLa'se]

Alan, thank you for your much
respected suggestions. So I guess it
will be between the 200w 480HX af DSP
v.s the 100w IC7000 if DSP (I like the
7000 looks), and your point on the super-
iority of the "if DSP" is well taken.
     By the way I stumbled onto your very
helpful/informative web site while on the
breedlove antenna mounts site 1month ago.
     It was then that I learned about the
Scorpion antenna (as I swore by the HI-Q up
to then), and as mentioned, will be using
whatever radio I get with the S-6160. Also
I really appreciate your extra effort in
addressing the issues of antenna mounting
problems on tractor trls and how to rectify
this problem.  Since then I have been passing
along your website to truckers/non truckers. 73, Melek

[NM2K]

I would go with the IC-7000 or IC-706 if money was short.

200 watts is a lot closer to 100 watts than it is to 500 watts. I would forget about this aspect of the purchase buy something with an IF DSP. Amplifiers can be bought cheaply once one breaks away from having to buy cosmetically perfect equipment. Dust bunnies and chipped finishes have nothing to do with how the amp works.

I am really a fan of all of the major brands and I have equipment from all of them. For ruggedness and easiest programming, I choose Icom. For base work I like my IC-756PROmkIII, my Yaesu FT-890/A & an FT-101E. I used to run a Kenwood 430SAT. Sorry I sold the latter.

I currently do own and operate an IC-706mkIIG. I've owned all three models of the 706 and I really like them. So far, the only failures I have experienced with them has been do to operator error.


Ed, NM2K

[KG4UPR]

After carefully scrutinizing the alternatives in this price range, I purchased a TS-480HX earlier this month and have absolutely no regrets. Receiver performance is excellent. Kenwood targetted HF performance, and I think they got it right. The TS-480HX more than holds it own compared to my high-end Racal and Collins receivers. Very good NB, DNL, and BC features that should be well-suited to the mobile environment. NR DSP performance on AM/SSB is good, but not quite as effective as bhi audio DSP technology. NR2 (autocorrelation DSP) for CW is outstanding. The TS-480 is very flexibly packaged for fixed, mobile, and even field service (only 12V 200W product available?). Solid construction with excellent thermal design. Compared to the nested menu approach of many competitors, the front panel user interface is very operator friendly. I feel like I am operating a radio instead of programming a quirky VCR!

Final thought--I am not convinced the DSP IF as typically implemented in this price range is necessarily superior. There are other performance factors to consider including the linearity of the frontend, agc, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide meets your needs.

KG4UPR