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Reviews For: Yaesu FTdx-1200

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FTdx-1200
Reviews: 125MSRP: 1879
Description:
The FT DX 1200 provides up to 100 Watts on SSB, CW, and FM
(25 Watts AM carrier) and a rugged state of the art highly
balanced receiver circuit configuration for top performance
on today’s crowded bands. Similar to the high end “YAESU FT
DX” series, it uses 32-bit high speed floating point DSP.
Yaesu’s acclaimed superior DSP algorithm is highly effective
in weak signal processing and enhancement. The 1st IF
frequency is protected by selectable 3 kHz, 6 kHz and 15 kHz
roofing filters that effectively attenuate interfering
signals.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001254.6
K7WXK Rating: 2014-05-24
update of previous review Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After receiving the 1200 back from Yaesu due to a blank screen, it has performed flawlessly. I previously gave it a 3 because in this high tech world reliability is pretty important. It is definitely one of the best bangs for the buck. Still learning how to best utilize all the features, so the rig just keeps on getting better with experience. $1500 buys a lot of radio in the FTdx-1200. You won't be sorry.
VE3GZB Rating: 2014-05-15
Impressive! Not perfect but a step in the right direction. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I’m quite surprised by the quality of the receiver in the FTdx1200. In terms of the newer radios I’ve had a good share of Kenwood radios from hybrid models to a TS-2000 as well as keeping my older British KW Electronics tube radios alive and on the air.

I enjoy chasing 20 and 15 meter DX through pileups, but as many hams know crowding can become an issue especially if the DX you’re chasing gets stepped on due to varying band conditions. So being able to notch out and reject a signal that’s only a couple hundred hertz away from your desired signal is a real bonus.

I went to Radioworld in Toronto to try out a variety of rigs they had on display including some which cost over 10 grand. Ease of use, layout and performance in tight band conditions were of importance to me. Some of the radios these days seem to be designed by committees or software programmers rather than radio engineers and the layout of some of these newer radios leaves much to be desired.

I tried the FTdx1200 there in the store and I was pleasantly surprised by it’s relative ease of use, the low noise of the front end and the ability to control where I want to direct the receiver’s efforts on detecting a signal and where to reject a signal.

Certainly it is a major step up from the Kenwood TS2000 which seems to be much noisier than it should be.

There is definitely a learning curve to this radio. The menu system takes a little getting used to. Trying to find how to adjust output power limits for example was a little bit of a science experiment and the scope feature where the band spectrum contents are displayed for the operator’s interest does annoyingly mute the audio when it’s set to automatically refresh itself at set intervals.

Nevertheless I did find this to be a very good radio when chasing DX in pileups.
WD8U Rating: 2014-05-07
outstading Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This FTDX 1200 is outstanding. Iv had mine for about six months....and it is a pleasure to operate. The menu system is very intuitive , easy to use for sure.
By programing the NAR button for the power output
menu , I can adjust power quickly...(menu 177).
The FFT board is a Must Have...very nice option.
I did a test with a FT950 side by side and this FTdx1200 is very low noise and better (IMHO). Great audio on recive and transmit. A very good value.
Sotware with the included rs232 works great with HRD and many other programs. Easy to update also. A normal RS232 cable is all that was needed..($20)
KE4NU Rating: 2014-04-05
Very Pleased Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had my FTDX1200 since January and so far I've been well pleased. The receiver is far superior to the Icoms I have or have had. It has lots of bells and whistles which really can enhance a signal or reduce interference. Keep your operating manual nearby, there is a learning curve. The transmitter work great too. Minor annoyances include an over sensitive tuning knob and no knob to reduce ssb power out(menu changeable). Overall its a great value and I'm well pleased.
KD0YDG Rating: 2014-03-22
Great radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This was my first purchase after renewing my HAM license. I was looking for a radio that was inexpensive but was more than a mobile unit. I paid only $1,100 for my radio from HRO.I had read numerous articles on this review site as well as others and am very glad I made the purchase. It is everything I expected, straight forward to learn and memorize with use and a good manual. Well worth what I paid.
N4JAP Rating: 2014-03-14
I'm impressed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first Yeasu HF rig - prior transceivers were Icom 706 M2g, 746, 756, 7200. This 1200 has beautiful receive and transmit audio, and has amazing tools for fighting noise and interference. The DSP noise reduction does an amazing job without butchering receive audio. Being used to Icom's twin passband tuning, I find the 1200's width and shift adjustments much more effective for blocking QRM. The receiver has a very low noise floor, and just sounds so warm and pleasant to my ears with no listener fatigue. I use a Heil PR 30 mic, and with the EQ adjusted the transmit audio is so nice. Before getting this rig a couple months ago, I really wanted the Icom 7410. But after a couple hours of comparing the 7410, Kenwood TS 590 and the 1200 at HRO, I was sold on the 1200. I was really disappointed with the 7410, because I found the receive audio too harsh and tinny. I operate SSB, no CW, and find the 1200 to be an excellent choice for a mid-priced transceiver. I also find the 1200 fun to operate - the menus and controls are logically grouped, and I quickly learned how to operate the rig without reading the manual. The display is pure eye candy, and can be tailored to your preferences. The scope is useful to see what's happening around the operating frequency, and the FFT-1 option is a great tool for monitoring the passband of your received signal and transmit audio. Since I'm not a CW op, the FFt-1 does a great job decoding beacon IDs, or eavesdropping on a QSO. I'm sold on Yeasu!
WA6IPD Rating: 2014-03-12
Upgrade to my Orion II Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought my FTdx1200 six weeks ago as backup for my Orion II but it quickly won me over and became my rig of preference. I didn't think I would like the scope not being on all the time but now I prefer the snapshot that the 1200 gives, I find it much easier to tune in stations using the snapshot. One would have to be a real unhappy nitpicker to make a negative review. I have one recommendation, and that is on your desk mike if you do not have them install the three push buttons, up, down and fast. You will find the tuning dial very touchy and these push buttons will greatly assist in tuning.
KC0MFK Rating: 2014-03-09
So Nice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
An update,just added a new Heil HM-12 and upgraded with FFT-1, SCU-17 and the FH-2. For the price this has to be one of the best value high performance transceivers in amateur radio.
W0YN Rating: 2014-03-07
Nice! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Extremely pleased with this fine radio. I recently installed the upgrade FFT-1 advanced functionality board. Should be standard equipment, a nice upgrade for the beautiful display. I really like this radio. The receiver is so quiet, outstanding DSP. I'm continually impressed by the performance of this radio.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W3UT on 2014-01-16

This is an outstanding transceiver. My review rating is based on the radios merits, not comparing to another brand or model. My previous radio was an Icom 756 Pro3, an excellent radio. I am equally impressed with this radio. After trying out the FTdx-1200 at HRO I had to have one. The radio is not only attractive, but a nice performer. The receiver is sensitive and quiet. Great filtering. Transmit audio is excellent and have received numerous positive comments on my audio. The display and band scope are beautiful and easy to read. The quality and finish is superb. This is an enjoyable transceiver to operate and feels like a precision instrument. A tremendous value for the money.
KK4AMK Rating: 2014-03-07
Surprised At the outstanding performance and Features. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I must admit I was a bit skeptical with all the hoopla given the FTdx 1200. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. After purchasing and setting up the rig I was amazed at the performance of the radio especially on the receive end. I began hearing Dx like never before. The features with noise reduction, shift and contour allowed me to zero out ton's of unwanted signals. Even though this receiver specs out middle of the road compared to other name brands in the price range, it is an outstanding receiver with many features that make it a worth while investment. I for one would certainly buy it again.