HF Rig Plastic Radio

[W1AEX]

...for classic AM scorched earth military superiority.

T

You have a way with words Tom. I like the sound of that statement!

Rob W1AEX

[flintstone mop]

I would not use the Flex SDR for DX SSB.

Fred,

What is the issue with your Flex on SSB? Filtering or other transceiver architecture, on-board processing, PC processing?

Brad

Hi Brad
I think my issue is using a mouse to get around the GUI/ SDR screen. The TS440 is a band up/down button, dial the VFO,  and talk. 100W of reasonable SSB. My Flex has a Contour Shuttle Pro (like a super mouse with many programmable buttons) that I just now activated again.  I have to re-program the buttons on that unit so I can select bands and make VFO changes with the spring loaded dial. Volume up/down, bandwidth buttons, etc etc.
I will try to work more SSB DX with the Flex, now that the noise floor was cleaned up, by me removing the isolation transformers from the RX output of the hardware to the external sound card. More trash and noise and birdies were removed when I activated the external PS to the sound card.
There was another issue with obtaining 100 PEP in SSB. I will go through set-ups and mic levels. There are presets for SSB. I will check those out. The Flex has been optimized for AM and I never got it "dialed in" for SSB.
I did not realize the FT1000D was 20 yrs old. Already?
Fred

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I did not realize the FT1000D was 20 yrs old. Already?
Fred

Actually, the FT-1000D entered the market in 1989.

[Steve - K4HX]

Guess that makes it a boatanchor. 

[WQ9E]

It certainly qualifies by weight.  I do wish it had the adjustable step size/tuning speed of the 1000MP but otherwise I prefer the 1000D.

[RolandSWL]

Hi All,

 I see that the FT-1000's still go for a kilobuck and up. Which "plastic" radios are worth consideration at say half a kilobuck?

Thanks, Roland

[W2VW]

It certainly qualifies by weight.  I do wish it had the adjustable step size/tuning speed of the 1000MP but otherwise I prefer the 1000D.

I wish they all had the automatic tuning rate increase as found in the TS-440.

Makes it an even better band cruiser.

Many owners don't even know they have this feature.

[Jim, W5JO]

I wish they all had the automatic tuning rate increase as found in the TS-440.

My 756 pro has that plus the ability to stack up to three frequencies on a band button.  It sure saves tuning time, then there is the tuning speed button to really speed things up.

[KL7OF]

Ft102 that has been "malcomized" is a good combo AM/SSB rig....

[Steve - K4HX]

As OF said, the FT-102 is a good choice. It doesn't need to be Malcomized though and you'll likely find the pricer lower without all those mods.

The nice thing about the 102 is that it has tube finals, so you get the boat anchor experience of tuning up. 

Hi All,

 I see that the FT-1000's still go for a kilobuck and up. Which "plastic" radios are worth consideration at say half a kilobuck?

Thanks, Roland

[N3GTE]

Dave, just glommed on to a pair TS-440's this passed weekend. My first plastic all mode xciver. Could you elaborate on the variable tuning rate?? Sounds interesting!
Tnx
Terry N3GTE

[W2VW]

Dave, just glommed on to a pair TS-440's this passed weekend. My first plastic all mode xciver. Could you elaborate on the variable tuning rate?? Sounds interesting!
Tnx
Terry N3GTE

Hi Terry,

     Back off the tuning dial drag according to the manual. Tune and note rate. Now fwap the dial with yer index finger to make it spin quickly. Note new tuning rate.

BTW it's safe to ring my doorbell now. Maxx the dog has gone SK.

73,
Dave

[N3GTE]

TNX OM
It's been a loooooooong time!!!!
'gte

[W2ZE]

For under a G-whiz, my money is on the TS-850. Excellent rx, and easy to directly feed the balanced modulator for hi-hi FB audio. Just use the data input in on the ACC3 connector and shazam, done.