| KB3BF |
Rating:  |
2017-10-11 | |
| Still an excellent HF Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought mine used at about half of the original price and have used this rig for a decade now. I loaded it with the INRAD filters. I you plan to get just one extra filter, get the INRAD 70 Mhz roofing filter for improved dynamic range. I still have not used all of its features. My prefered HF rigs are the MP, the Kachina 505 and the ICOM 706. Each one for different uses and applications.
I prefer the lighter 100W MP version over the Mark because I can run the MP on a 12V battery, while the Mark requires 30 V. Not worth the extra 1/2 S units in Tx. If I want power, I can use a KW amplifier, and 100W is more than enough to drive most amps.
If you cant run the the rig on 12 or 24 V, it may not be that useful for emergency comms. In any ham station, the antenna is the main element, then comes power considerations, and then the rig.
Without the antenna and a dependable access to a power power source, well you get the idea....My preferred antennas are KT34A, and STEPPIR vertical.
Going back to the MP qualities, i like the fact it has excellent dynamic range, and with the second receiver, you can do all kind of neat tricks like band spotting, QSY, etc. all while hearing each radio on headphones. There is a neat "stereo" effect when tuning both RXs to the same frequency. It has a unique sound on CW. I am planning on using the excellent MP receiver qualities for EME projects since it offers two separate Rx channels useful for dual polarization listening. The only thing it is missing is an external clock option for ultra high stability. But this can be addressed by PLL locking its internal clock, not easy thing to do, but doable.
While my MP never failed, I hope Yaesu keeps supplying replacement parts for it.
The MP has been a good investment for me. |
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| W4ABW |
Rating: |
2015-08-29 | |
| Long Lasting radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| My MP was made in 1995 and I bought it second hand in 1996. It may not have top Sherwood specs but with my decent antennas its great. No real problems in 20 years except a bad TX/RX relay. Byron in Sharp's Chappel,TN fixed that easily. I rate it a 5 for its longevity. It still looks like new too. Al, #1 DXCC HR. |
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| N2UJN |
Rating: |
2013-12-05 | |
| Excellent, Usable, Visually Beautiful, Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased this pristine FT-1000MP from its original, meticulous, local, long time Ham in Nov. 2012. Luck: I was listening to an FM 2m net one Sunday evening when the owner noted he was replacing his long time 1000MP with an FT-2000. I went to this ham's incredible shack, took one look, and agreed to acquire. Never heard of this radio before (new to HF).
Came with: Stock radio and hand mic and filters, Yaesu external speaker, external keypad, TXCO-6, and an INRAD noise filter. Paid: $1300. I had looked at enough new radios to have a sense this was an OK purchase. Now, I realize it was incredible.
pictures at: www.qrz.com/db/N2UJN
The radio is functionally perfect, looked new and still does.
Audio: I still use the hand microphone which gives good audio honestly. Not broadcast quality, but, good. FT-1000MP has five internal "transmit EDSP" audio settings: OFF, 1, 2, 3, 4. OFF sends the microphone out, unfiltered. 1 and 2 are two different "low cut" higher pitch audio that I sometimes switch to for AM or for contest pileup use. 3 is a very nicely filtered rendition of my own voice, maybe slightly high cut. 4 is definitely high cut low voice rendition. No equalizer, but, definitely possible to get a good output with these settings.
On my radio, with a dummy load, and RTTY out, I have tested each band and find output at 105W with Bird Wattmeter.
The SWR meter matches well fwd/reflected calculated SWR from Bird 43.
There is a control for NR (noise reduction). I tested mine after unhooking the INRAD filter and preferred position 2 without the filter to any setting with the INRAD filter.
The two NB (noise blanker) buttons work great for pulse noise, but, have to turn them off during SSB contests. Opens up too much for bleed over.
I leave the EDSP ON and most of the time and mostly do not have to use the shift and width controls to manage nearby signals. However, during contests, where SSB signals are close, with my 2.4 stock SSB filter, I have used these two controls: they are amazing. I can tune out essentially completely an SSB signal 1.5khz away from my current frequency with careful width + shift control. Together with the EDSP contour filters I have never really felt the need to get any of the non-stock filters or the INRAD roofing filter. Note, as new to HF I am not a serious contester and I am not in a super low noise area either.
The fast, slow and auto AGC is great. For SSB I get great listening quality with AUTO AGC. I cannot imagine not having AGC OFF, FAST and SLOW controls.
The auto-tuner on this radio works rapidly for any SWR < 3.2. You DO have the read the manual to sort out HOW to use it. One must first turn down the power out manually, then, hit the auto-tune button. Otherwise, during tuning, the FT-1000MP paradoxically does not reduce power output at high SWR. Very important note in the manual.
I use SignaLink USB with Ham Radio Deluxe and DM-780 for digital modes with the User 8-6 settings on the SignLink site for FT-1000MP. Works perfectly for PSK-31 and RTTY. Also, full automation to HRD with a $12 null serial cable and a $10 serial card.
Summary: I was incredibly fortunate to hear this radio put for sale on a 2m net, then, even more fortunate that one of the more well known hams in the area did not buy it on the air and gave me time to do so. The radio is not only incredibly capable, it is a work of visual art.
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| SA6AUT |
Rating: |
2013-09-25 | |
| Quality |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
First of all, the knobs, audio and overall feels well build with quality!
Got all filters inside with Inrad Noise reduction mod and TCXO, so I'am able to fight QRM and QRN like never before!
Can hear stations I didn't with my previous rigs,comfort and plesaure to my ears!
It's a great cw machine and fun to operate!
This one is a keeper!
73 to all |
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| 2E1MPC |
Rating: |
2013-01-10 | |
| A great radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| just a fantastic radio by yaesu easy to use , Juat managed to get my mp back from my friend after 6 months away , Never again will it leave my shack |
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| CT2GEM |
Rating: |
2012-12-28 | |
| Take my word |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Over the years my station had many radios: TS-450, TS-570, IC-706M2G, FT-847, FT-897D... and now the FT-950, IC-756P3, TS-2000 plus the FT-1000MP (have it for just 1 month). If i had to pick just one radio i would go for the FT-1000MP. I wish someone told me before...so i'm telling to you: go get one and you wont regreat! |
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| WB5JHY |
Rating: |
2012-05-23 | |
| A classic |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| This was my first new radio bought in 1996. Over the first couple of years I managed to load it up with all the rocks it would hold. What a joy it has been to use. Still operates without a hitch. Worked a little bit of everything early on including psk, rtty, slow scan, FM, AM along with cw and ssb of course. Some light contesting and my share of DXpedition contacts giving the local big guns a good run. Used 1000MP's are going for cheap now days but not this one. It will hold it's place next to my new 5000MP. It has earned "classic" status in my shack. |
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| N1TA |
Rating: |
2012-03-09 | |
| Outstanding. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I am incredibly disappointed that "5" is the highest rating I can give this radio. This is the real deal. It just has that "feel" of quality. Turn the knobs, feel the finish on the case -- it makes ICOM products seem like toys. Under the hood, so long as the proper filters are installed, the MP has an outstanding receiver and the transmitter to match. Split operation is the best, especially the ability to listen on your tx and rx frequencies -- and the panel layout is perfect. Still have not found a radio I like more. I recommend this for contesters, DX'ers, and even casual hams; you won't be disappointed. It is a travesty that this rig is bluebooked even a dollar under $2000. |
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| OE5BFM |
Rating: |
2012-02-22 | |
| An analog Masterpiece! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
After 30 years of Ham Radio I owned a lot of transceivers, e.g. the famous Kenwood TS-930 or the TS-850, but also modern DSP-rigs like the Yaesu FT-950 and the IC-7400.
It´s important for me to get a fine sounding CW. The TS-930 had problems with the AGC (popping sound)and the TS-850 too because of the time-lag through the narrow 500c CW-filters.
But not so with the FT-1000MP! Till now I didn´t know that this exact receive of CW is possible! I added the Inrad 500c CW-Filter for the 455 IF stage and also for SSB the 2Kc Filter. Apart from that my FT-1000MP is unmodified. But I will add the Inrad 70Mc amp next.
The hiss is smooth and low, no comparison to the new DSP-rigs. To play fair, I owned only mid-priced ones, probably the high-end rigs are better.
The AF-DSP really works and attenuates noise more than the signal. Even on a long wire antenne the FT-1000MP has no problems with big signal handling. The tuner is silent and fast and is surprisingly able to tune the long wire with UnUn!
The FT-1000MP is certainly the best transceiver I owned till now.
Vy73! |
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| VA7TF |
Rating: |
2012-01-11 | |
| Black Beauty |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've owned a used FT1000mp (built 1996) now for about 6 years. I had added some filters and also the INRAD ROOFING filter, a great option. The rig has performed flawlessly from day one.I also own an FT2000D and replaced the Yeasu original useless 3 kHz filter with AC0C's 3 kHz filter.
Although the FT2000D is also an excellent rig, the FT1000mp still has it's place in my shack. What a great rig for it's today's "blue book" price. It has a great RX and TX. I've thought of selling the FT1000mp, but not seriously. It is definately a "Black Beauty"
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