| W0EI |
Rating:  |
2023-09-13 | |
| Though 32 years old, it's all the rig I could ever want. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This "D" model was made in 1991. I have no idea on its history or mods done other than it's been well maintained and carries ROM version 6.00, not that I have any interest in CAT or mouse or RTTY games or Packet or anything other than SSB and CW on 10-80M, same as when I started in 1969 on a Collins 75A-4, but I may try it on AM someday, HiHi.
I also have a mint FT-990 made in '93 and a Collins S-line that's the gold standard in durability and classic quality.
What I like about this FT-1000D:
1. Rather shocked it still works as well as it does at its age. I can't see anything wrong with it. As an SSB and CW only operator, I can't imagine a more suitable rig to my needs.
2. This one has the 200Watts out per spec, but also goes down to just 2.5 watts out (modded?) as a deluxe QRP rig which I always wanted since I sold the K1 I built 20 years ago. It's interesting to try to understand how it is possible that with only the amount of energy you can create rubbing your hands together, you can radiate enough antenna energy to be heard over a thousand miles away when conditions are good.
3. I added an Inrad 719C 125Hz CW filter that hears and even peaks the weak ones and lets you cut out anything near with just a click or two of the passband "shift". No ringing and a great addition in the unoccupied 250 slot. Plug and play.
4. I replaced the very good stock 2.4Khz "455" filter with a Rockwell 8-pole 3.2Khz -- now I can really appreciate those running quality mics with great audio that the 2.4 just couldn't hear. The 3.2 doesn't add much QRM, and to me, makes more sense than the 2.4 since you also have the 2.0 on hand should you really need to use it. I really like this rather rare Rockwell 3.2 -- just sounds better.
5. I like the blinking green CW LED in the display that is so good, you could use it to read morse with your eyes if your ears were deaf. It really helps to "see" the signal this way to tune it in just right so it's centered in your passband. That way, any filter you choose, the signal is right there with hardly any retuning needed, even at 125Hz.
6. The audio peak filter DOES do some magic on super weak CW signals that would otherwise not be intelligible.
7. The built-in speaker is quality as is the whole radio -- I waited days to hook-up my SP-5 and old Hallicrafters speakers which are better, but I was surprised that even the built-in speaker sounds so good.
8. The dimmable display is a pleasure. And the low setting is variable.
9. Audio quality with either the MD-1 or MH-1 mics gets nice comments, like: "don't touch anything, it sounds great".
10. 200 watts on hand is much better than 100 when QRO is the way to go.
11. The whole unit looks good and is overall a joy to operate. It's the best rig I've ever used going back to '69.
12. I was immediately impressed with the receiver and its audio quality -- even compared with my 990. The added filters might be the reason, but I suspect it's just a higher quality radio, period.
13. It's such a pleasure to use this rig that I just leave it on much of the time, tuning in CW ops to hone my copy skills or reading the DX mail.
14. Should the radio last, (and it's already lasted 32 years and still showing no signs of degradation) I can't see ever replacing this 1000D because I don't like or need menus and it has all a CW and SSB op could want, or all this one could want, anyway.
15. The build quality reminds me of my old Rockwell KWM-380. This Yaesu may not be quite as mil-spec, but it seems to be much more sophisticated in design and as reliable as one could ever imagine a rig to be.... some have been treated terribly over the last decades; others like this one have been guarded like gold. Should your likes in ham radio be like mine (hf SSB and CW only), you might want to try and locate one in excellent operational shape. Even the auto tuner still works nice on this one.
Slight nits:
1. The CW break-in on the 990 is super quiet, but this one clicks more than I like, so I'll use it on VOX-delay instead, which works just fine as I don't really like break-in mode anyway. I'm in no rush.
2. The fan is audible, but not bothersome to me. It makes a low-pitched, whirring sound when it starts, but gets pretty quiet once it's going and seems to really do a great job keeping the radio cool. Remember, for every 10 degrees celsius cooler your rig runs, you double its life expectancy (old engineering adage).
3. It takes a while to learn how to use it - Duh...haha.
4. Is that all?? Quite.
Very thankful I got me one. I still have my S-line and I'll use it, too, but this 1000 is my everyday radio now.
And let us remember what she said: "His mercy is on them that fear Him". Chas w0ei + |
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| K3HVG |
Rating: |
2021-03-26 | |
| One of the best! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Well, times and circumstances do change. No longer responsible for net NCS and like activities, I thought of selling my two FT-1000D radios and replacing both with a second FTdx-3000D. After some re-consideration, and admonishments from others, I decided that two FT-1000Ds for one FTdx-3000D (or like) was simply not cost nor operationally effective. So, I guess we'll be one of those finding out just how long these fine transceivers will ultimately last. So far, and after 25+years, we've had no issues, whatever, except for a defective power cord. Not shabby...
I just bought a second FT-1000D to act as back-up for my original "D" model bought in 1994. The original one has worked flawlessly since acquisition. I believe this second one will provide as good service for another 10 years,too. I got this one with the SP-5. I've had a myriad of other rigs, vintage and modern and the FT-1000/1000D transceivers just keep on working at factory spec. One simply can't do better. Yes, the CAT system sucks but for digital operations, I have another rig for that expressed purpose.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K3HVG on 2002-04-04
I have been running an FT-1000D for over 7 years, now, with excellent results and absolutely no problems. It was quite refreshing to get back to a radio that felt like that which I used to operate with (yeah... boatanchors...). I use an FT-990AC for a second rig and it, too does a nice job. I have also been impressed that Yaesu provides excellent factory update service for the FT-1000D. The FT-1000D is a keeper! |
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| VK2NZA |
Rating: |
2020-06-22 | |
| Classic standing the test of time. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my FT-1000D from a fellow club member about 21/2 years back, it came with the manual and also a binder containing the full workshop manual.
I had often admired the rig in older Yaesu online sales brochures and the Universal close ups however had not owned an HF Yaesu having primarily been a Icom afficionado albeit with a couple of Kenwood rigs in the past, TS-440 and still have a TS-480 SAT for travelling in our caravan, (travel trailer).
I had not planned a purchase but the rig was for sale in our annual club hamfest. It was in excellent cosmetic condition and the club member assured me it was in good operationg condition.
I lugged it home all 60 lbs of it and it sat for a while, the access to my shack is up a steep set of stairs made of handcrafted tree trunks into my A frame mezzanine and I was dubious abot trying to support the radio in one hand whie I used the other to steady my self on the steps.
Finally the solution was to place it in the bucket of my 65 Hp tractor and lift it to the roof that is just below my shack and in through an external door in the end of the shack that allows me to access my antenna termination box and a folding mast that is winched from the roof area.
Serendipitously the FT-1000 dimensions were identical width and height wise to my Icom IC-765 and IC-761 as i had built my wide shack desks portals/shelves to suit their dimensions and so it was housed alongside the afore mentioned rigs and above my paired IC-7410's and SP-20 speakers.
I read the accompanying manual and played with the FT-1000 receiver trying to get a handle on its operation.
Using the Mox button and RTTY I transmitted into my Termaline dummy and got a full 210 watts on my Daiwa meter corresponding closely with the rigs PO meter.
The rig is quite imposing and is very nicely constructed with an alloy facia, a myriad of very smooth pots and nicely positive button actions.
The finish, feel and looks are "impressive" and its a fine piece of art to look at.
The dual receiver's two tuning knobs are alloy and the other knobs are brushed alloy for the outer concentrics and quality plastic for the inners.
I do find the tuning rate a bit fast (even though it has a two speed selection) compared with my Icom IC 761/5 and multi speed selection on the IC-7410's.
Mine being the D'model has all the filters bar the 2nd receivers CW filter that was about the only internal option.
The sound through the matching SP- 8 filter speaker is very crisp on SSB even on the wide 2.4 khz filter and is obviously a sharp filter with tight skirts, by contrast the very good FL-44a in my IC-761 through an SP 20 speaker has a nicer fuller sound and somehow appears more intelligable.
The 2 khz filter certainly narrows the bandwidth and is very crisp and effective.
The CW filter is excellent
It has taken me some practise and reading of the manual to glean the capability and control of the rig, it has no menu's bar one I think to acertain the status of the firmware.
It certainly hears well however again it has a very crisp sound and I find my older Icoms have a less fatiguing sound whilst still having excellent intelligability.
The two completely seoarate receivers via the bandpass filter is excellent and allows for dual diversity with the separate receive antenna option.
The 24 volt finals are very clean with apparently low IMD and effective with good reports, I had some difficulty initially setting the processor, drive and mic gain which all effect each other but now have it sorted for my MD-1 desk mic, which I also like very much and feels like quality and mates well with the rig.
Recently after not using the rig for a while, the 761/765 being my favorite rag chewing rigs, I decided to give the FT 1000d some exercise and when transmitting through my Daiwa antenna tuner I failed to get any output, I checked it with the MOX on RTTY , yelled at the mic but no output, sadly I powered it of with the belief that some how I must have done something to the drivers or output transistors.
Last week i had a look again and realised that due to VFO selection on the 2nd receiver somehow it refused to transmit, reconfiguring the VFO settings voila! the rig powered up into the dummy with 210 watts out.
I'm a happy ham again and pleased that all is well.
I cannot comment on the rigs performance in close proximity to other strong signals as i live in a rural area with very quiet conditions, but the biggest like for me is the very punchy clean transmitter and the great feel and control the rig allows.
The negatives, other than back strain lifting one, I feel that my Icoms IC 761, 765 and my 7410's have more sensitive receivers, I find the certainly later technology IC-7410's very quiet and due to being newer technolgy superb filter and bandwidth selection, the PLL IC-761 and DDS IC 765 have very very nice receivers and just sound better, appear slightly more sensitive, somehow the syllables on SSB and AM appear to have more clarity and although only 100 watt output their 12 volt finals are very clean with no ALC problems unlike that of my IC-7410's that had to be upgraded with a factory fix for the ALC overshoot, lthough barefoot there appeared to be no problem
As with my other rigs, the addition of sophisticated outboard BHI DSP filtering unit to the AF output improves the rig considerably.
I like the build quality and the flexibility of the FT-1000D alot, it has a very good transmitter, hi frequency stability with the unique factory fitted TXO-2 and still a rig that has mostly discrete components for ease of repair.
It just looks impressive and feels good to use and when the conditions are challenging the extra power has some advantage.
I intend to hold on to the rig and due to my quiet RFI location see no need to purchase one of the later flagship rigs such as the FT-5000, MP 101's, FT-890 or IC 7610 as the rigs I have all work very effectively in unison with some high wire antenna's.
I would give the rig a 4.7 but 5 is close enough.
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| KB1NMY |
Rating: |
2019-08-05 | |
| True Classic Performer |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I was very lucky to purchase a NOS FT-1000d very recently
I have owned many high end modern rigs in the past. I
actually was putting this radio up for sale but then decided
to put the monster on my desk and use it. The results were
I was blown away by the performance of this radio especially
the clean smooth analog receiver and nothing but unsolicited compliments on the TX audio. I can listen to this radio for hours with no fatigue. It may not have all the bells and whistles
of a modern rig of today but it truly is in a class of its own.
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| N6BIZ |
Rating: |
2018-09-23 | |
| Great |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The ft1000 is like an older rolls Royce,they never go out of style
Love mine |
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| K5DL |
Rating: |
2018-05-29 | |
| A DXers Classic |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This radio haunts you. If you buy one and ever make the mistake of selling it...you will be haunted till you get another one. I’m on my third and probably my last. The looks, the performance, the feel, the construction. Nothing else is like it...even after all these years. Just simple to operate, raw performance. My latest has the Inrad roofing filter mod for a performance improvement on today’s bands. Dual receive with the ability to split the earpieces...pile up in one ear and DX in the other...a great tool. You have to spend a lot of money on modern rigs to get that capability. Dual VFO knobs...another nice tool. Again only available in top modern rigs. On CW the APF is awesome...pulls signals out of the noise.
These are great radios if you can find a really nice one...grab it! And I’ve never seen a display failure...so not sure what an earlier reviewer might have heard or experienced. Not a known issue with these radios. |
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| W5RG |
Rating: |
2018-04-03 | |
| GREAT RADIO BUT! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The Yaesu 1000D is a great radio even today..yes it does not have all the fancy lights and buttons hidden menu's band display but this radio will hear anything a new radio will hear..period!! It's big and heavy and well built..lets see if these new rig last as long as this rig has!! Only one problem now is the display..this radio has been out now almost 30 years..if someone could come with a led display for this rig I would sell my 5000 and K3 just to buy one. Simple to use..200 watts..no menu's..will not move off the desk and metal front. I think this was the last metal face Yaesu made. sixty pounds of pure radio!! |
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| AF5CC |
Rating: |
2016-03-17 | |
| Still top of the line! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This radio is big. Really big! It makes the Icom 756 it replaced look like a mobile rig, and my Icom 706 look like an HT.
If you are a ham who hates menus (I am not one) this is a rig for you. There aren't any menus. None! The closest it comes is to pressing a couple of keys while turning it on to see the ROM number. Since it doesn't use menus it has an interesting way of doing certain things-you set the CW offset by flipping dip switches. Not the easiest thing to do, but I guess that is one of those set and forget things.
I have owned around 45 different models of HF rigs. Some several times-I think I counted 15 different times I had a Yaesu FT100D. Most have have been lower end rigs, but I have had a few competition grade radios like the Kenwood TS950SDX, TS950, and TS850, Yaesu FT1000MP and FT990, and Icom 756PRO2. I picked up a Yaesu FT1000 around 3 weeks ago and it is quickly moving to the top of my favorite rigs list. It is as good or better than those other competition grade radios I have owned.
Everything people say about the receiver is true. I ran it in the ARRL SSB DX contest recently and I never saw any desense or IMD products generated in the receiver, and that was with the Preamp on. I don't have big monoband antennas at high heights but I was running gain antennas and conditions on 15 were outstanding. Signals were very loud, and the FT1000 handled them with ease. I just have the 2.4khz SSB filters in each IF and between the Width and IF Shift controls never had a problem with isolating a station admist the QRM. Another local ham and myself often talk about how great the slope tuning is on the Kenwood TS850 and TS950, and the Width control on the FT1000 is every bit as good. Much better than Icom's recent PBT tuning controls (the PBT was very good on the Icom 720A). On CW the APF peak filter really works nicely to help bring signals up out of the noise.
This rig does dual receive better than most of the others also. You can split receiver audio by ear, you have a separate VFO control knob for each receiver, and each receiver can be on different bands, modes, and filter widths. This makes busting split frequency pileups much easier than having a single receiver, and it is nice to leave one receiver on the county hunters net frequency while tuning around working DX on 17 or 15 meters with the other receiver. Picked up quite a few new counties recently that way. I tried doing limited SO2R tuning each receiver on different bands during a contest, and I sure need more practice with that!
With the exception of 1 contest where I borrowed and amp, and another one where I guest operated from N0EL (now a SK) station, I have always run 100 watts. The 3DB gain this provides sure seems to make a difference. In the SSB DX contest I got many more stations on the first call than I normally do. The audio really seems to have a punch to it on SSB. I have it paired up with a Shure 444D mic and I frequently get reports on the audio. I am much more of a CW operator, but in the recent Oklahoma QSO party I had a 77 QSO run in 30 minutes on 20 SSB. Never done anything like that before. The processor seems to ad some punch to the transmit audio without causing distortion.
The tuner works fast and pretty well. It loaded my 15 meter Moxon on 20 meters the other day when I forgot to flip the antenna switch.
The FT1000 was pretty easy to get on the digital modes as well. There is a 1/8" jack for fixed level audio out, and a phono plug labelled "phone patch" for audio in. Did a little soldering of one cable a few mornings ago and I was on RTTY. I still have to manual switch the rig into transmit when doing the digital modes, but there is a PTT phono plug in the rear which I might try to wire up a footswitch to, or find a way for a USB jack to send the rig in transmit from the netbook.
If I had to pick something I didn't like, the best I can come up with is the IF Shift control. Instead of being free turning with a center detent, it is detented all the way around, so you have to look at it to see if it is centered or not,you can't just do it by feel. That is pretty minor, though, and if that is the biggest problem with a rig, then it is a great rig!
What others have said is true-this rig just feels like a high precision instrument. All of the knobs tune smoothly, the VFO knob has just the perfect weight to it, the S meter is so smooth and just looks right when you are receiving or transmitting. Everything about this rig says QUALITY!
It was a top of the line rig 25 years ago, and it still is today. You can find these for excellent prices today, don't pass it up. |
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| W3DVE |
Rating: |
2016-01-21 | |
| doesn't get any better |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| All i can say if you see a 1000 at a decent price, buy it.you will keep it for a life time |
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| KC7MF |
Rating: |
2015-10-08 | |
| Nothing But quality |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Ok. Before I begin to fawn over this radio let me set something straight. Yaesu still has a page dedicated to the FT-1000D. It has a link to "packages". On this page it says this:
FT-1000D 200 Watt HF Transceiver w/ XF-A, XF-B, XF-C, YF-110C, YF-110CN, BPF-1 and TCXO-1
Now. Wasn't that easy? So many experts.
This is a special radio. It is a beautifully made piece of equipment. The receive is excellent. I have AB tested it against my Icom 756Pro and it is every bit as sensitive. The Icom has more features and DSP but there is something about the receive audio from the Yaesu that makes it the one I turn on when I just want to listen. Even the internal speaker is very nice.
This radio is analog all of the way. I find that restful. Once you get to know this radio you can really find the sweet spot under just about any conditions.
I get excellent audio reports from this radio. You can get carried away with the drive if you are not careful and at 200 watts it will wail on an amplifier if you are not careful. I find I rarely need more than 200 watts unless I am doing my net control duties.
The dual receive is super. Diversity great fun. The filters are clean and allow me to zone in on the faint ones quite nicely.
So is it better than the best modern machines? Not really. But it holds its own with them in most cases. It is like a Rolex watch. It does not tell time better but the joy of owning something so beautiful is its own reward. If you find a good one buy it. Mine is not for sale. And probably never will be.
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