| TI2TL |
Rating:  |
2008-01-08 | |
| Very Good Radio BUT... |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
First let me start by saying this is my first yaesu. I like it very much but comming from Icom rigs, I have to say that it is not any better than my Icom 751A or the 761 I had before this one. The radio has all the noise blanker mods done to it, it has the inrad roofing, 2.8 filters and 2.0 filters (I work mostly SSB). One thing I do not like about it compared to the Icoms is that it is a very complicated radio and you have to make many adjustments to obtain the same results that you get in the icom by just turning a knob. Very good looks but too many functions that aren't realy needed.
Would I buy it again? Well maybe.... |
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| EI7BA |
Rating: |
2007-12-31 | |
| A capable workhorse |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've had my MP for over ten years. It was an excellent and reliable performer. The W8JI mods,the INRAD roofing filter, and a couple of INRAD I/F filters, improved it considerably. It's not quite as good as my FT1000D, or my FT2000, but I have no complaints. I wouldn't give it a a full five rating..Four and a half is about right. |
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| K6LQP |
Rating: |
2007-08-15 | |
| Great Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Have used my 1000mp for a few years and like its overall performance. I like all the analog functions and use them extensively. However, I do not like the A/D or D/A converters and therefore do not use the digital functions for receive.
The radio is configured with an ANC-4 (with a tuned external noise dipole) inline to keep the background noise level to zero. This helps a great deal in enhancing the sensitivity of the rig as the AGC keeps the RF gain at a maximum while tuning.
The radio is configured with all filters slots filled with SSB filters. Note that by using the USER function (with specific settings) one can defeat all the filter offsets when the 2.0, 500 and 250 slot locations are engaged. This enables the placement and use of any filter in any location.
Also have the TCXO-6 and IRAD roofing filter in place. A word of caution - the roofing filter makes the IF alignment absolutely critical. If the alignment had been a little off prior to placement of the roofing filter, the effect would not have been noticeable. However, insertion of the roofing filter under this condition would result in a truncated output signal. Note that this affects weak signals the most (intelligibility is lost). Even the strong signals will sound ‘bad’ (truncated spectrum). This can be checked by using WWV - and corrected by making a slight adjustment to the TCXO unit (assuming there is no major board level misalignment issue to begin with).
Regards to all.
K6LQP
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| OZ1GCT |
Rating: |
2007-03-14 | |
| Excellent Rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have just got this radio, it was sold as defective and it was very, very cheap - 400€.
The internal powersupply is fried due to overvoltage, but that's it. Everything else is working perfect.It has all the optional filters and txco. All filter banks are filled.
I haven't decided yet, if I will have the internal powersupply replaced or repaired - it's working excellent with external DC voltage.
Before I bought it, it had never worked a single ssb qso, the previous owner worked only cw,the microphone had never been out of it's box. I love this rig and think I have made "the deal of the century" |
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| W2BLC |
Rating: |
2007-01-05 | |
| Top of the line |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had my MP for nearly 10 years and still enjoy the rig immensly. There are so many well written reviews before this one, that I cannot really ad much more. However.....
In the XMIT audio line I used to have several processing devices between the mic and the rig. One day I disconnected all the external stuff and ran my GoldLine directly to the rig. Nobody noticed any difference in my signals. So I now keep it very simple - no external processing.
For RX, I highly recommend a Sounds-So-Sweet speaker. This speaker allows me to hear the excellent signal reproduction the MP is capable of - better than any other speaker I have ever used (and I have tried many).
Last year I thought about getting a new rig. Instead I filled the filter slots and kept the MP. I have not been sorry. If I cannot clean up a signal, it was just not meant to be heard by humans.
I am thinking of a new rig for backup - but may well buy another MP. After-all, the MP is a known quantity that has a proven track record of excellence. |
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| K3AN |
Rating: |
2007-01-04 | |
| A Great Radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I bought my FT-1000MP used. The serial number says it came off the line in April of 1998. The first thing I did when I got it home was hook my antenna switch up backwards so I could switch one antenna between the MP and my ten-year-old TS-850. Searching for weak signals, I could not discern any difference in what they could pull out. Right away I noticed the audio from the speaker is more pleasant. Later on I realized that even the headphone audio from the MP sounds better. It’s far less “constricted” than the Kenwood’s, even with the same filter bandwidths in use.
Here’s what I like about it. Instant band selection means you don’t have to step through all the intermediate bands to go from, say, 40 to 10 Meters. Ditto the instant filter selection. The DSP noise reduction softens the noise nicely while imparting just a bit of coloration to weak signals. Adjustable peak hold metering makes it easy to see that your peak power really is 100 Watts. There’s a true RF speech processor, not an audio processor that simply provides compression. The DSP’s automatic notch makes 40 Meter nighttime operation much easier on the ears. The transmit and receive offset adjustments give you almost unlimited ability to tailor your transmit audio as well as adjust the response of narrow SSB filters for better intelligibility on receive. Most rare DX stations announce, “Listening up five,” and you can preset that offset value or any other value. And the second receiver gives you a fantastic tool when you’re part of the pileup trying to work that rare DX.
There are some ergonomic shortcomings. The dual stacked VFOs allow you to set one for CW and one for SSB on each band. However, going from CW to SSB on one band doesn’t automatically bring the other bands’ SSB VFOs to the “top” of the stack at the same time. The three pushbuttons used to select transmit metering functions are clumsy (each button controls two metering functions). A rotary knob would be better. The small knobs and buttons on the bottom row are difficult to reach and the labels aren’t easy to see. In my opinion there are two operational shortcomings. The DSP is outside the AGC loop, so the narrow DSP filter on CW is of very limited value. Also, the CW sidetone sounds pretty lame. But turn down the sidetone volume and it’s not so bad.
Despite these issues, the receiver’s strong blocking and IMD performance, coupled with the smooth audio and the flexible QRM-fighting tools and topped off with a second receiver in the same box, still make this a radio a solid “5” in my opinion.
By the way, Yaesu has come out with so many high-end rigs since the 1000MP (Mark V, Field, FT-2000) that you can now find the MP for under $1,000. In my opinion that’s a fantastic bargain, because the general consensus seems to be that the MP is as good as, or even somewhat better than, its successors. |
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| G0DJE |
Rating: |
2006-12-04 | |
| Great Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Had it for 18 months, have had the INRAD roofing filter mod and have now installed CW filters and INRAD 2.1 and 1.8kHz filters.
Fabulous radio, bargain second hand. Was looking the the FT-2000, but very plastic feel and lack of any killer improvement makes me just love the 1000 MP even more! |
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| DJX |
Rating: |
2006-07-04 | |
| Superb Performer |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned my '98 FT-1000MP for about three years now and cannot imagine ever parting with it.. I purchased this rig at a very reasonable price - sight unseen - trusting the seller's word that this MP was immaculate, pristine, etc.. He was right.. My MP is in like new condition with all original accessories, box, everything..
I have added the TCXO-6 for maximum stability, both 2.0 filters, the 500hz cw filter for the main receiver, and had Byron Campbell-WA4GEG (THE YAESU MAN) perform the key click mod along with full alignment and check up from top to bottom..
This rig is amazing.. The receiver is excellent and has many different possible ways to configure it for individual operator preference.. The receiver is sensitive and the selectivity is excellent... The ability to use DSP (EDSP) or conventional filters, or DSP and conventional filters combined is truly awesome.. With the ability to cascade the filters, mix with DSP, and many settings and configurations within the menu, the possibilities are almost endless as to how you can set up the receiver..
If you have someone move in close to your operating frequency, you can select the 2.0 filters.. If the 2.0 filters are too narrow for your listening pleasure, you can cascade the 2.4 filter in the 2nd I.F. slot with the 2.0 filter in the 3rd I.F. slot for a slightly wider receive but not as wide as the 2.4 filters.. Or vice versa, choose the 2.0 filter in the 2nd I.F. and the 2.4 filter in the 3rd I.F... Or, if you are operating in an area of the band without much activity you may want to choose the 6.0 selection for fuller receive audio.. If that is too wide and you are receiving some interference, you can select the 2.4 filter in the 2nd I.F. and select 6.0 for the 3rd I.F.... or vice versa... All of this coupled with engaging the EDSP provides many, many, many possible receiving configurations..
To fully benefit and experience what this rig has to offer, one must read the manual and most importantly experiment with the rig and LEARN the rig's many parameters.. The rig is great if you "plug and play", but it has so much to offer if the owner will just learn the rig..
The transmit audio is wonderful.. Whether you are using the stock hand microphone or HC-5 cartridge with stock settings, no EDSP, or if you are using a nice studio microphone with outboard audio gear, the audio is clean and nice.. If you are into Hifi or ESSB SSB audio, with the proper settings engaged on the rig, some good external audio gear for equalization and a good microphone, the FT-1000MP will produce some of the best "HiFi" "Broadcast" transmit audio available.. Like the receiver section, the transmit section of this rig has a multitude of settings and possibilities..
At one time, I had considered selling my FT-1000MP and buying a FT-1000MP Field.. I guess I felt that it would be an upgrade.. After talking with many operators who had owned the original MP and were currently using the Field or MK-V version, I changed my mind.. Many operators that I spoke with said that they wished they had their original FT-1000MP back.. Not that the 1000Field or MK-V versions are bad rigs, but many operators felt that the original MP had more flexibility than the newer Field or MK-V and the newer Field and MK-V offered nothing that the original MP couldn't do... The Field and MKV versions are great rigs, but I prefer my original MP because I do believe it offers more operating flexibilty and is just as good as the newer versions.. You can't go wrong with any of the three..
To Sum It Up:
Whether you are a plug and play operator with little need for the many features this rig has to offer, or if you are a contester looking for excellent receiver sensitivity / selectivity and split or dual in-band receive capability with plenty of "bells and whistles", or if you are a genuine audio guru looking for a rig capable of that smooooth HiFi broadcast quality audio and plenty of adjustment parameters, THE FT-1000MP is a perfect choice for anyone.. At the current used market selling prices, if you can find a clean, unmolested 1000MP, don't hesitate and buy it.. Average price at this time is $1000 to $1400 depending on condition and options installed.. At this price, the MP is an unbelievable bargain without sacrificing performance, and in all honesty, I believe the MP is a top performer that can hold it's own against many of the new high dollar, top end rigs on the market today..
Best Regards to ALL,
73,
CJ W4DJX
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| IK1VQY |
Rating: |
2006-05-15 | |
| Really a great radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I had my FT-1000MP for about 9 years. I had never a little problem, only a great pleasure of listening an amazing sound and an optimum sensibility, a splendid modulation in any circumstances.
In a word: wonderful!
VY 73's de IK1VQY Alfredo. |
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| KK9H |
Rating: |
2006-04-11 | |
| Top notch |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| This is the original, not the Mark V or Field. With the Inrad roofing filter installed I think it is simply the best performance per dollar value to be found today. I have seen them priced very reasonably in the used market. My MP has all the extra filter options installed and I have performed the key click modification. The second receiver makes operating in a pileup much easier than going back and forth between VFO's. It's a joy to use. I have operated heavily with the TS-850, PROII, 781, Omni VI+ and K2/100, but the original MP simply feels smoother and sounds better to me. |
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