• You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.

Help me pick a radio

Onthecoast

W9WDX Amateur Radio Club Member
Sep 13, 2012
256
28
38
I recently acquired an FT-1000MP Mark V Field that I thought would be the radio for me, but unfortunately when I received it, the radio smelled of smoke and the DSP did not work. It is going back to the seller for a refund. I really liked the analog receive on it, but couldn't live with the smoke and dysfunctional DSP. I've tried a few radios over the last year, but none of them were really what I was looking for. My IC-7000 got too hot when transmitting and the RX audio wasn't all that great. It was far too noisy for me and really unusable without DSP engaged. Lots of noise. Right now I am using a TS-440 with an additional SSB filter and an external DSP speaker and that seems to work ok, but I feel like there might be something better.

So I find myself looking for other radios in the same price class as the TS-590 and the FTDX1200. I really liked the smooth RX audio of the FT-1000 Field using only analog but I would like some functional DSP for when the band gets noisy. I'd say that I am primarily a PSK31 and SSB voice guy. I've also looked at the IC-7410 but compared to the other two which have more filters as standard, I don't know what to think. Unfortunately I do not have a store within a days driving so I can't demo them in person. The IC would have to have fantastic RX audio and DSP to consider it over the other two with the lack of standard filters. I'd appreciate any suggestions on other radios in the same price, new or used with smooth RX audio and good features.
 

You need to be aware that I am a Kenwood fan to start with. Having said that, and depending on how much you want to spend, I would consider one of several of the newer Kenwoods. I'm familiar withthe TS-440, and a couple of the later radios that are definitely better than the '440. I've played with other brands but always went back to the Kenwoods.
Best advice you can be given is to get your hands on a radio before buying it. I also know how hard that is, so whatever you think...
- 'Doc
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
I'm really liking what it read about the 590 but I've heard the receive an be harsh and tiring to listen to. Any truth to that?
 
It is a difficult choice. Quite a few radios have problems although they also have some very good positives, particularly the receivers.
The main negatives from users appear to be :-

TS590 - Low average ssb output
IC7410 - Power Overshoot. will only affect you if you're using an amplifier and recent serial numbers are probably fixed. No receive-only input
FTdx3000 - Sounds good, no common problems seem to be reported
FTdx1200 - Similar to above without the bells and whistles of the 3000 and no receive only input.

Hope that's of some help. The Eham reviews will be more detailed
 
I can't say anything about a TS-590, I've never sat in front of one. I have a problem with understanding what that 'harsh receive' means too. I've probably experienced the same thing, but describe it a bit differently, no frame of reference, you know?
As for the equipment reviews on the various forums, it's honestly a good idea if you take them with a 'grain of salt', both the good and the bad ones. Very few of those reviews are comprehensive and objective enough to draw any absolute conclusions. It's a very good idea to analyze them with a very 'leery' eye, sort of, especially the ones that are -superlative-. Oh well...
- 'Doc
 
What's all the negativity with eham reviews? They aren't any different than the opinions on forums, just a larger collection. I find them valuable but I only read the negative reviews and skim the positive reviews. I do the same on eBay and amazon.

It doesn't take long to figure out that some of the negative reviews come from either unrealistic expectations or pure ignorance, and some are thought provoking and insightful.
 
knowledge of each person must be limits and different from each other.

w1.png
 
What's all the negativity with eham reviews? They aren't any different than the opinions on forums, just a larger collection. I find them valuable but I only read the negative reviews and skim the positive reviews. I do the same on eBay and amazon.

It doesn't take long to figure out that some of the negative reviews come from either unrealistic expectations or pure ignorance, and some are thought provoking and insightful.
Very true, I find them quite useful.

I guess those that are unhappy with eham tend to be those who have learnt about a problem with their new toy.

All rigs have problems, it's a fact of life, it's whether you can live with it and whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for you personally.

If a large number of users experience a similar problem, then most likely there is a problem.
 
I love the Kenwood TS-590! I think it has a great receiver and I've owned lots of HF radios. I think the audio is pleasant and rivals that of my Icom 7700. The DSP works great and the display is great too. I recommend this rig highly. On the other hand, I too had an issue with low power output. I checked it through my Bird watt meter and found PEP was around 80-90 watts on my unit. Yes, I carefully went through all the settings but nothing seemed to work for me. I sent the rig back to Kenwood repair for a MARS mod and to have them check the low power output problem. It came back repaired but they would not tell me what they did. Good Luck!
 
I can't speak for how others feel about them I can only say that I'm not 'picking' on eHam reviews or any of the other group reviews. I don't put a huge amount of faith in them, sorry 'bout that (that includes the reviews I've made). Seems like it's either a 100% 'Yes!' or a 100% 'No!' mostly. There are few that get very specific, and even then I wonder if the reviewer was operating the thing correctly, or had realistic expectation.
That does not mean that they can't supply you with pertinent information, foibles, etc, they certainly can. I pay attention to them in general, then decide for myself. I figure that's about as 'normal' as it gets...
- 'Doc
 

dxChat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • dxBot:
    Tucker442 has left the room.
  • @ BJ radionut:
    LIVE 10:00 AM EST :cool:
  • @ Charles Edwards:
    I'm looking for factory settings 1 through 59 for a AT 5555 n2 or AT500 M2 I only wrote down half the values feel like a idiot I need help will be appreciated