The AM Forum

I am helping an older ham nearby decide on a new rig.  He is interested in
a Yaesu FT-950 for most of his work.  I got involved because he wants to
it to do well on AM because of 10 being open.

Anyone have input on this?  Other suggestions?  He is set on something brand
new and about $1300.  May convince him to get a recent model used rig.

Thanks,

Ed WA4NJY
Bradenton, Fl

I do like the parametric mic equalizer, but you only have 25 Watts out max on AM, which means about 12.5 watts out into a linear for clean AM.

If you want to work 80 and 160m, you would need a linear.

Phil

Thanks.  I really think he will use 10 AM only.  The 25 watts will do fine there.
My concern on all the ricebags is how aggressive the ALC is.  My ICOM 746 is
lousy unless I apply a bit of negative voltage to the ALC input.  Then it is not
wonderful.  Seems Yaesus and Kenwoods are better.

Just did not want the FT-950 to be a dud on AM.  Might get one myself.

tnx again,
Ed

Hi Ed,

I don't have any experience with the FT-950, but last May I did pick up a Kenwood TS-590S and have played with it on AM a little bit. The receiver reproduces AM beautifully with available bandwidth out to 10 KHz and a very pleasant low end. The transmit signal reproduces lows down to 10 cycles, but the DSP limits the top end to 3000 cycles (3 + 3 = 6 KHz total AM bandwidth for TX). Through the free software Kenwood provides you have access to a multi-band EQ to adjust the transmit and receive audio. It's possible to produce very satisfactory audio on AM, but like many multi-mode rigs, the DSP will limit the upper audio range. There is a front panel "Carrier" control that when set properly limits interaction from the ALC when operating AM. That being said, the scope pattern looks fairly strange on AM, but received reports have been decent.

The rig connects to a computer's USB interface through a standard USB cable. The price point is between 1400 - 1600 depending on where it's purchased. The user manual can be downloaded in PDF format from the Kenwood site if your friend would like to look it over.

It might be worth a look.

73,

Rob W1AEX

Note:  The attached sample picture shows the available EQ through the free downloadable software

The FT-950 has controlled carrier.
It will put out 25 watts carrier but when you modulate it will swing up to about 97 watts.
I have one that I use to drive a THP 1.5k.
The radio has the factory default audio settings and I get very good reports with a D-104 mic.