I am open to other radios that are similar. I want 160-10 HF, UHF/VHF. and 6 meters including FM.
I believe Yaesu is the only one that has the complete package in the price range of $1500 and under.
ANSWER : I'd probably forgo the ft991 and ft991a and here is why:
You probably don't need SSB above 10m. If you do want SSB on 2m/70cm then thats a different story... but you'll need a directional antenna horizontally polarized and most hams don't care to mess with it.
This leaves you with the need for a nice hf+6 rig and a nice dual-band FM. You'll be able to monitor the repeaters on one radio while chewing a rag or chasing DX on the other.
The shack-in-the-box doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Kenwoods TMv71a is a damned fine FM rig. Ive had quite a few and the kenwood is just a fine radio.
Now if you do need 2m/70cm SSB, that yaesu isn't going to cut it. You really need a real-time bandscope for this mode because contacts are few and far-between. Being able to see someone pop-up on the band will allow you to pounce. Listening to 144.200mhz USB will just bore you to tears. The 991 bandscope is useless and I have serious doubts about the 991A's bandscope.
I think the IC-7300 is the hot setup for the money. Add the kenwood I mentioned and you're set. If you decide to dabble in V/UHF SSB work, add a transverter to the icom and a nice horizontal beam for a damned fine starter-station.
ANSWER :
I have read a lot about the FT-991 and FT-991A including from people who have spoken with Yaesu insiders, and apparently the ONLY difference between the FT-991 and FT-991A is that the 991A has a live band scope whereas the 991 has only a "snapshot" band scope. Only you can say whether the addition of a live band scope is worth it to you or not. As I have said, to me it is not worth it.
Both the FT-991 and the FT-991A are fine radios. I know that some people are opposed to the so-called "shack in a box" but my 991 fits me like a glove. And on 144/430 Mhz it has System Fusion, Yaesu's digital voice mode. The 991A has this also. You get a lot of radio no matter which one you choose.
The FT-991/FT-991A are in a different league than the FT-450D. Remember that even the 991 was once a $1500 radio. You can expect much better performance over a 450D. (Not putting down the 450D, just stating facts. The 450D is a great entry-level radio.)
ANSWER :
Yaesu is supposed to offer a hardware upgrade program for FT-991 to add "A" features. Does it make sense to get FT-991 now while it's heavily discounted and then pay for the upgrade? Anyone knows how much will the upgrade cost?
But my question is ... do you really want that live band scope so much that you are willing to pay several hundred dollars for it? For me, I decided that I could get along with a "snapshot" band scope and put the rest of the money into my antenna and building my shack. I am happy with my FT-991 non-A version. I can't really see myself ever upgrading.
As far as the Icom IC-7300 goes ... it's an apples and oranges comparison. The 991 and 991A are "shacks in a box" with VHF and UHF. The 7300 is HF and 50 Mhz only. No doubt that the 7300 is an excellent radio, but honestly the SDR part really put me off. It's going to take a while for me to warm up to SDR.
http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/yaesu-ft-991-vs-ft-991a.543818/
I believe Icom has a complete package in the IC-7100 in your price range. I almost bought the 7100 but settled on the 991.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question: To me, no, the 991A is not worth the extra money over the 991, but this is going to vary by the individual. Some people just need to have a live band scope. I'm not one of them.
I have read a lot about the FT-991 and FT-991A including from people who have spoken with Yaesu insiders, and apparently the ONLY difference between the FT-991 and FT-991A is that the 991A has a live band scope whereas the 991 has only a "snapshot" band scope. Only you can say whether the addition of a live band scope is worth it to you or not. As I have said, to me it is not worth it.
ReplyDeleteBoth the FT-991 and the FT-991A are fine radios. I know that some people are opposed to the so-called "shack in a box" but my 991 fits me like a glove. And on 144/430 Mhz it has System Fusion, Yaesu's digital voice mode. The 991A has this also. You get a lot of radio no matter which one you choose.
The FT-991/FT-991A are in a different league than the FT-450D. Remember that even the 991 was once a $1500 radio. You can expect much better performance over a 450D. (Not putting down the 450D, just stating facts. The 450D is a great entry-level radio.)
I have read a lot about the FT-991 and FT-991A including from people who have spoken with Yaesu insiders, and apparently the ONLY difference between the FT-991 and FT-991A is that the 991A has a live band scope whereas the 991 has only a "snapshot" band scope. Only you can say whether the addition of a live band scope is worth it to you or not. As I have said, to me it is not worth it.
ReplyDeleteBoth the FT-991 and the FT-991A are fine radios. I know that some people are opposed to the so-called "shack in a box" but my 991 fits me like a glove. And on 144/430 Mhz it has System Fusion, Yaesu's digital voice mode. The 991A has this also. You get a lot of radio no matter which one you choose.
The FT-991/FT-991A are in a different league than the FT-450D. Remember that even the 991 was once a $1500 radio. You can expect much better performance over a 450D. (Not putting down the 450D, just stating facts. The 450D is a great entry-level radio.)