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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
W0BUW Rating: 2013-09-02
Wonderful baby to my FT 5000 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have had the FT 5000 for about three years and have had no problems. In these reviews the owners seem either to love their item or hate it.
This low priced transceiver is a wonderful addition to my shack. Yaesu had to take some short cuts because of the price and to guard there FT 5000 and 3000. It doesn't have an IF out nor a USB port. The scope is not in real time even with the addition of the available add on. I love the display colors more than I do my FT 5000. I will let the EE guy's here give you the electrical specs. I am having fun with this moderately priced transceiver.
VE3OIJ Rating: 2013-08-19
Excellent radio, decent price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Picked up one of these in July when my FT-857 gave up the ghost. The new radio sits in the shack, bumping the FT-847, which migrates to the portable case, replacing the dead FT-857.

So, my comparisons are the 1200 against the 847, 857/897, and two other radios I work with regularly: Kenwood TS-2000, and TS-590.

Right off, this radio is a level above the FT-857/897. It costs more, and from a user perspective is absolutely worth it. It is a better receiver all-round on the same antenna. The filters enable me to tune signals I simply could not with the 857/897, and the background noise is quite reduced. As it is new, Ham Radio Deluxe and other software doesn't appear to have the full or proper CAT command set, but it can be made to work with rig control software, so no worries there.

Compared to the FT-847 (which I think would be the same "class" separated by 15 years), it is still a substantially better radio. In addition to the superior filters and adjustments noted above, the speed memory (3 favourite frequencies/settings on each band key) is very handy. The built-in autotuner is effective and has allowed me to move some equipment off my desk, freeing up space. Interface required a new cable compared to the FT-847, but that wasn't a particular surprise. Morse key jack on the front as well as the rear is convenient. The knobs have a nicer feel on the 1200, and it doesn't have the annoying "jog" feature of the 847. However, I miss having 2m/70cm, but I wasn't working satellite from home anyway, although I'll need a dual-bander now for local repeaters.

The radio is comparable to the TS-590 in many ways. I prefer the display of the 1200, and my familiarity with the Yaesu user paradigm of menus makes the 1200 a more natural user experience, but that is personal. If you're a Kenwood person, switching to the 1200 would have interface issues. Compared to the 590, I find the handling of voice in from my mic to be superior on the 1200, in terms of effects of the ALC etc. I don't have scopes and test equipment to quantify that more, but it seems to work better - the 590 I get to use is touchy/non-linear as you increase the mic gain.

The 1200 is far easier to use, IMO, than a TS-2000, but the TS-2000 has options that the 1200 doesn't have (2m/70cm/1.2 Ghz for satellite). Price is similar to the TS-2000, and honestly, when I was narrowing the choices down, it was TS-2000, Icom 7100, and FTdx-1200 on the short list. Ultimately, I passed on the TS-2000 as older tech that would probably be discontinued sooner than later.

I do have an FFT-1 board. I find it a bit picky to receive PSK signals directly on screen. RTTY is easier, probably because of the wider nature of the signal. I haven't tried it for CW reception.

Overall, I am very happy with the rig after a month.
W7VP Rating: 2013-07-26
Excellent Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have now had my FTdx 1200 for more than a month. I have just received it back from a comprehensive testing protocol with Adam Farson, VA7OJ, who has reported the characteristics of the radio on his web site at http://www.ab4oj.com/test/docs/ft1200notes.pdf.

I also have the FTdx 3000 which Adam also tested.

This is a very good radio as what appears to be a replacement for the FT-950. For example the receiver sensitivity and the IMDDR3 results are almost exactly the same even though the RMDR figure is a bit higher. The sensitivity is a bit lower than the FTdx 3000 though and the scope is not real time as in the 3000, even with the FFT-1 option. Nor does it have an unfiltered IF output as in the 3000 so as built there is now way to hook up a panadapter. Transmit IMD is very good and there is no ALC overshoot. The DSP NB easily handles noise spikes without tripping the AGC.

Nevertheless the features of the 1200 are very similar to the 3000 for rejecting interference making it easy to use the rigs together in an SO2R setup.

Review of Adam's report will provide you with the reasons for my rating. This is an excellent rig for the price point and is easy to listen to.
73
Bill
W7VP
VE3NJG Rating: 2013-07-22
Excellent buy in new lineup Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
WOW !!! This rig is a great buy without emptying your bank account. I am no newcomer to hf rigs. I have tested many many over the years including almost all of the current line from Kenwood, Elecraft, Yaesu and some Icom. I do not even remember how many others in the past 50 years. In todays market as in cars they are all very very good. The receiver in the FTDX-1200 is very hot yet very very quiet. It plays just as well on CW as on phone. The transmit audio uses the same software as the FTDX-5000 so the TX EQ is as good as it gets. The awesome new Heil HM-12 makes it just sing. It is pretty much the same as the FTDX-3000 minus a couple of little features. You can add these, but if they are really that important then buy a 3000. The rig has a big radio feel with a weighted VFO knob and is well layed out. Simple to use, and it will compete with any rig on the market. I found it amazing. The fully enhanced spectrum display scope is a feature you will just love. It can go full screen too and is automated. Taking nothing away from the TS-590s, for the same price point this rig will guarantee to knock your socks off. I found no short comings unless you expect every known option.. Having said that this rig has every option 99% of all hams ever need.
K0XY Rating: 2013-07-09
...oh rah ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
...somehow, my original review was misplaced, so here we go ! I have both the FTdx3000 and the FTdx1200...both are great radios, both are "fun" radios, IMHO ! ...operationally, the performances are near identical, yes you can quibble about some variances, but it is quibbling... but be advised, the 1200 does not include the FFT-1, SCU-17 and the FH-2 devices...these are additional add-ons for the 1200 that when included will price the 1200 very close to the 3000...both of these radios are WINNERS !!!