| K3UG |
Rating:  |
2023-09-18 | |
| Fantastic Radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've been in the market for an HF Transceiver for mostly CW operations.
I was considering the FTdx101MP until I watched the N4HNH videos on Youtube.
I noticed there were many more FTdx101's available used than there were FTdx5000s .. so, from that I inferred that those that had them, kept them.
I'm old school, I like the knobs and buttons. I had an FTdx10 for a while. It's a nice radio, but the human interface sucks (for me at least).. I hated the touch screen and struggling to find the right menu choices.. even a band change is a PITA.
So.. I went the the FTdx5000MPL.. one of the best Ham Radio decisions I ever made.. This is one fantastic radio, and so convenient to use on CW... follow the wisdom of N4HNH and learn how to use this radio. and you'll be happy too. |
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| K6YE |
Rating: |
2022-12-22 | |
| STILL AWESOME |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I took my FTDX-5000MP to Yaesu for OLED replacement in June 2022. It was ready in less than two weeks and they also did firmware updates to make it current. It still performs well and I can now see the radio instead of depending on an auxiliary monitor and I now have all of 60 meters. It is truly a keeper.
This is my third review. I am still pleased as punch with the performance of my FTDX-5000MP. It did develop the dim OLED problem and I have owned it since 2011 CE. At some point, I will take it to Yaesu and have the OLEDs replaced. I have since acquired all three (3) MTUs and the DMU and it really shines. I am impressed with the new FTDX-101MP and may acquire one to replace my aging FT-1000. I will retain the IC-775DSP. No matter what, the FTDX-5000MP is a keeper.
Semper Fi,
Tommy - K6YE
DX IS and CW RULES |
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| W0HY |
Rating: |
2022-12-21 | |
| Shines on CW, Still worth considering |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my FTDX5000MP back in 2012. I always liked the radio, but never loved it, until recently when I became close to 90% on CW.
It is a dream on CW due to how smooth and quiet the radio works on QSK- which is near silent T/R switching. In this regard, it handily beats the more recent FTDX101, FTDX10, KNW 590SG, IC 7300 and many other relay-clacking radios on the market. The TS 890 comes very close to FTDX5000MP QSK performance as do all the Elecraft rigs I've run on CW (K2, KX2, K3).
Yaesu's crown jewel is the DSP and NR algorithms that do an amazing job of reducing noise without introducing watery or other negative artifacts. A lot of reviews will focus on this- it is well implemented. I think the FT5000 is so good, that there are no significant improvements derived by the DX10 or 101 regarding the DSP NR. It is remarkable, however, that the DX10 performs nearly as good as the FTDX5000MP with respect to DSP/NR given the price. I believe the only algo's that may compare are on the Anan- but I've not used one.
This radio can pull out ghost signals if you know how to use it. Anyone with the radio needs to watch N4HNH's videos on YouTube.
I appreciate that the rig has all the knobs and a real 3D meter!
What I never loved about the 5000 is the strong signal SSB audio fidelity compared to my older Kenwoods it replaced. I think Yaesu misses the mark on RX audio tailoring and it presents a little light on the low end frequencies for me and provides no way to enhance. SSB audio is still very good and many would not notice this. The FTDX10 is better here and even provides a 3 band RX EQ (while the 101D does not which is odd).
If a band scope is not a priority and if you are into CW, a used FT5000 is worth considering in 2022. It is hard to beat on CW and very, very good overall. |
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| BLUBBY |
Rating: |
2022-05-02 | |
| Superb receiver |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I live in a very noisy location, so on 75 meters S9+ noise is typical. My old radio an Icom 7410 has a fantastic NB so it could knock it down to s0 to s3. Then I tried the 5000.
It has a decent NB for impulse noise but it did poorly s meter wise here. I noticed however that signals that were just barely detectable on the 7410 were Q5 on the 5000.
This was confirmed over and over again.
I loved my 7410 and thought it was perfect...I was crestfallen to find a radio that worked so much better.
The contour control and DNR in concert defeated it constantly on weak signals. More testing indicated the 5000 was the best receiver I have ever used. I did all my comparisons without any MU tuning units inline BTW.
For DX this rig is transformative. Finally, in my noisy location, I cannot transmit better than I can receive. This rig is the best DX radio I have ever used...it is incredible. Super highly recommended for DX use!
The tuning units are extremely desirable and I currently use the 80-60-40 one. Very nice.
I get very frequent great audio reports as well with the M-70 mic.
An ideal DX or contest machine. Very inexpensive compared to new price too used currently. I run the sub displays very dim in my dark shack to extend their life.
The 5000 presents as very quiet. I first thought it was deaf. I was wrong, Very wrong.
It has a HOT receiver. It just is quiet.
If you are a receiver geek like I am buy one and enjoy. Bad news is AM BCB and below is attenuated. The 7410 Icom is way better here. For ham band dxing don't think twice. Better ergos than a 101 with a small decrease in performance. Just incredible...holy cow what a rig!
DE KI4WCA |
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| KB6HRT |
Rating: |
2021-11-15 | |
| 3rd FTdx5000 MPL |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Just got a 3rd FT5000, had a D then the MP an now a MPL, all wonderful radios, bought the first one when they came out, the second one about 4 year later, now a new one on Black Friday 2017. I got a good deal, the MPL it's a GREAT Rag Chewing rig when using it with a G5RV, this setup hears very well and gives a great signal to noise ratio, with the MPL I can use this radio without headphones and hear all my buddies, even when conditions have not come in strong yet or are going out during Gray Line, most mornings on 40m & 75m a plus for an older HAM, these radios have been improved over time from my first D model, was so excited yesterday stayed up all night listening to the radio, in order for me doing that its got to be a GREAT radio. Have a Kenwood TS990s with a sleep timer, but I have never done that with that radio, do have a DMU that I am going to use with MPS that is used with a Yaesu FT950 so will be able to shift the feed cable back an forth between the 950 an the 5000 as I want for extra flexibility it can provide..........kb6hrt
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB6HRT on 2014-11-11
Brought the FT5000MP in May of this year and have not regretted doing so, GREAT RADIO had a 5000 D for 3 years before the MP. The MP has better lit displays and the knobs are tighter, one thing I did before I brought the FT5000MP was buy a new SM5000 display because the old display was dimming on the D found the replacement SM5000 display was some brighter than the old Ds display, not nearly as bright as the display that came with the MP, but the audio that came out of the MP's speakers on the SM5000 had more background noise mixed with the signal, added the new old SM5000 to the MP radio, now think I have the best of both worlds, have 2 other radios a Kenwood TS590S and a FT9000D, all are wonderful radios and I would not trade one of them, use the Kenwood to go to sleep by, it works great with its built in timer. Use the FT5000MP for Rag Chew in the mornings for 75-40m and use the FT9000D for weak signal work and Rag Chew on 160m early in the AM and at night for weak signals. I believe the FT5000MP is a better radio than the D both are still 5s and great radios, The Kenwood TS590s to me is the best value in HF with its HOT receiver, its easy to use. The FT9000D is the best radio I have used, if you have had Yaesu radios an buy a FT5000 or a FT9000 it will help learn these radios faster, these radios requires some extra tuning to get them right but when you do its is worth every penny paid ...................KB6HRT
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| N4GG |
Rating: |
2021-05-14 | |
| Still the best HF Transceiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Simply a pleasure to operate. No confusing menus and dual purpose knobs (unlike the K3). 200 watts (unlike the K3). Built in power supply (unlke the K3). Clean audio output (unlke the K3). A hot receiver on 6 meters (unlike the K3 before you buy their preamp). Ill stop with the K3 comparisons - this is a full featured radio, the K3 is a cult radio. The front end noise floor is remarkable. There is a control for every stage of the receiver - if you know how a receiver works you will love operating it. There is more dynamic range than you will ever need. The 600 and 300 Hz filters are razor sharp. The contour, peaking and notch filters are the best I've used. I'm keeping mine. |
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| MM0XXW |
Rating: |
2020-08-27 | |
| Better than expected! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
This is a big old lump of a radio and once you have it situated it won't be going anywhere.
Having an Icom 7610 on my desk prior to this I thought there couldn't be too much the 5k could bring to the party but how wrong was I!
I live in an urban area which brings it's own issues with noise and the like but a bit of tweeking of the various NR options have allowed me to receive signals I couldn't before.
177 step menu system seems rather daunting however once I set it as I wanted I haven't been back in.
Audio was quite fair on the stock mic, was improved by the addition of a headset and made superb by adding an Astatic 575m6 hand mic and tweeking the on-board EQ.
The SM-5000 is a little bit of a gimmick for me, the band-scope is nowhere close to the Icom 7610, but the speakers actually surprised me by providing a very decent sound way better than any other I've tried!
Question is would I buy it again and the answer is Yes so, for me, that's pretty much a first! |
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| K3MD |
Rating: |
2020-05-05 | |
| Still working |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Overall I have Had this radio 7 years. It has been back to Yaesu 3 times, two for LED problems, one for the correct button not being pushed (but the rep told me to send it back). On the last trip I had the 300 hz roofing filter installed. It is unbelievable, very helpful on 40M (by far the worst band for intermod interference).
I have written an overall review of this rig for National Contest Journal.
It has:
Best noise reduction available.
CW audio peak filter the best.
Excellent electivity.
Continuous selectivity adjustment, very useful for SSB or CW contesting.
Shift control that makes using AFSK on N1MMPlus very easy in RTTY contests.
Massive weight... it does not walk. Expensive to send back to the factory service center on West coast from Pennsylvania.
Dual receivers easy to use... good for pileups.
Turning off fast tuning on VFO B a bit tricky.... takes practice.
Easy adjustment of voice compression to get rid of bass.
Easy to use DVK.
Apparently better than IC-7610 or FTDX-101Z by reading eham.
My recent FRC poll showed K3 series most popular, IC-7300 after that. Neither compares at all with the FT5K, I have tried them both. DNR on Elecraft very wavery, does not get close to Yaesu.
Buy one..... it is the best rig available. I totally wore out my IC-7800. If I wear out the FT5K, I might buy another one (used). |
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| N4HNH |
Rating: |
2020-04-11 | |
| The FTdx5000MP Limited continues to amaze me |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I purchased my Yaesu FTdx5000MP Ltd in September of 2019, after spending 2-3 hours a day at HRO every 3-4 weeks for 9 months. I was seeking the ultimate HF receiver, for pulling out QRP SOTA stations 2 to 3 thousand miles away. I pitted every radio at HRO against one another, receiving the same signal with the same antenna.
I actually walked into the store expecting to buy a Kenwood TS-990S, but I decided I would try the others out before making a final decision. On the first day, the FTdx5000MP changed my mind. But I still tested all of the radios, over a period of 9 months. I was there the day they unboxed the TS-890. I also awaited the FTdx101D. The 101 is a beast. The FTdx3000D is a mighty fine radio as well. The Kenwood TS-590SG was also a strong contender, but the digital noise reduction failed miserably, compared to the DNR in the Yaesu radios.
It ultimately came down to a choice between the FTdx101D or the FTdx5000MP Limited. In the end, the ergonomics of the 5000MP Ltd won me over, when all else was practically equal. I like knobs, a real meter, the super low noise floor, and the 5000's digital noise reduction beat even the FTdx101D.
The 5000 has a built-in preselector function, called VRF (Variable RF). I have found it very useful. It can be used to tighten the front end of the receiver. The optional external mu-tuning filter provides even tighter selectivity than the internal VRF preselector. But most radios don’t even have a preselector equal to the VRF preselector, so the VRF is a very welcome feature in the 5000.
The FTdx101D and MP are now the industry leaders for RMDR, besting even the Flex 6700. But I believe Sherwood should retest the FTdx5000MP. His test results were recorded with the 2010 model of the FTdx5000. I believe the FTdx5000MP Limited would earn a higher position in Sherwood’s list, especially when combined with a mu-Tuning preselector.
I pitted the 101 against the 5000 and the receivers were neck and neck. The VC tuning preselector in the 101 will best the 5000 for a strong signal 2KHz away, but, like I said previously, most radios don’t even include a preselector equal to the VRF preselector. A preselector is very handy for contesting, during crowded band conditions. I’m not a contester. However, the preselector can still be useful for knocking down the noise floor, and the built-in VRF preselector, or the external mu-Tuning filter can be very effective for minimizing noise.
You can watch the videos on my YouTube channel (N4HNH Radio) and you will see me using the VRF and the mu-Tuning preselector to fight QRM, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The preselector knocks the noise floor down very well. There will be a slight bit of insertion loss, which I liken to another level of attenuation, but you will also see the noise floor slope into oblivion on each side of the frequency you are tuned to.
If there is QRM, you can intentionally tune the preselector away from the QRM to the point where the QRM is minimized, but the person you are listening to is still readable. They might be S1 but they will be more intelligible than S7, S8, or S9 with QRM. Use the same procedure you use to combat QRM to minimize QRN.
The technique also works extremely well for CW. I pull CW signals out at S zero to S1, but I can make them sound like a practice oscillator. I use a combination of a roofing filter, narrowing the DSP width to 50 or 100Hz, APF (Audio Peak Filter), and VRF (or the mu-Tune preselector). I have the APF set in the menu (menu-112) to Narrow, or even S. Narrow (Super Narrow), when the station is so low in the noise floor that their signal is almost imaginary. One of my ham friends calls them ghost signals. I’m pulling these QRP stations out over 2,000 miles away on 17, 20, and 30 meters using the techniques above. Their signal without employing the techniques above is often unintelligible or even non-existent.
When working CW split, the second receiver can be helpful for finding the exact frequency where the other stations are sending. They aren’t always 1K up.
I should also mention that I purchased the SM-5000 station monitor with my 5000. I was very pleasantly surprised, especially after having read negative reviews. The sound quality is great! It has 4 selectable audio taper settings. When operating both receivers, the audio for receiver A comes from the left speaker, while the audio for receiver B comes from the right speaker. My favorite feature of the SM-5000 is the phase reversal mode. I liken it to surround sound. It’s as if the other station is sitting next to you.
If you prefer the ergonomics of knobs, aren’t attracted to fancy waterfall displays, like a real, D’Arsonval type, meter, and simply want a great contest class radio, the FTdx5000MP Limited is up for the task. The DNR bests any other radio from ICOM, Kenwood, or Yaesu, including the FTdx101D. If you must have a waterfall, buy the FTdx101D or MP.
73, de N4HNH |
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| KR9G |
Rating: |
2020-03-28 | |
| After 2 Years - Superior on all fronts |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This is a two year review. Over the past five years I’ve upgraded my primary transceiver, all Yaseu (I’ll admit to brand loyalty for 40 years), from 950 to 3000 to 5000. After reaching the 5000 level I realized it was the finest radio I have ever owned. The receiver is without question; awesome, all functions that adjust receive do what they’re supposed to do and within the published range. Transmit side same, power output is 95% thru outboard tuner. However, to extend life of radio, I would suggest using an amplifier so that you can loaf the 5000 at 50 watts or less most of the time saving the radio’s 200 watts for 10 meters, if it ever comes back.
I have reviewed at least 40 eham reviews sprinkled through 5 years of same, and the overall 4.7 is spot on. (mine would be 4.8 if I could), A sustained 5 rating over that period of time considering the demands of the amateur radio community, who I think, are the best evaluators of technical equipment, is not possible or realistic. The only real faults that I noticed in the reviews are the white line, OLED dimming, and of course Yaesu tech support; all real and need attention. Happily these issues, as of yet, have not affected me.
I also purchased the SM-5000 station monitor with my 5000. While the SM-5000 does have quality speakers especially when operating in dual receive mode, other options for using the 5000 with a pan adaptor should be considered, as the visual display doesn’t do anything for me.
In conclusion, an outstanding radio that should give years of outstanding service, unless engineering can make a giant leap to improve receiver capability which seems out of reach at this time. When reducing unwanted noise you are always reducing the signal you’re trying to hear. Great radio, everyone should have one, hi hi. I would like to add. after 40 yrs in the hobby, I find a tendency that we all seem to be acquiring, we seem to be so “hyper-critical” that some will find fault with everything. Things have come a long way in my 40 years when we only had “shift” and “notch” buttons back
in the day.
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