I held off buying initially as I was worried about all the problems being reported. I was torn between something top drawer like the FTDX-5000MP and an all things to all men like the FT-991.
The FT-991 should have been my choice of radio as soon as it came out. Its got all I want from a radio – decent receiver, battery capable, and one radio for all bands, all modes, both portable and base.
However, I was stuck in the “I like a traditional radio” mentality and kept buying and selling the FT-817ND/FT-857D/FT-897D but the receiver is just too noisy, even using an external speaker and DSP, they never stayed in the shack long. When the FTDX-5000MP went down to £3,600 including the station monitor, I snapped one up – my 3rd FTDX-5000 since becoming a ham back in 2008. Alas, I wasn't happy running on a uninterruptable power supply should there be a power cut and so I tried an FT-991. The FTDX-5000MP is going up for sale – as is the FT-7900 which becomes surplus to requirements.
I have only had it two weeks but my PA stage hasn't blown yet, even under some pretty tricky tuning cycles on the extremes of 160m using the YT-1200 ATU (which is excellent – used one on the FT-450D and FTDX-3000). My other fear was the longevity of the touch screen. That seems quite robust and I find myself saying “hey do you think anything lasts forever? Especially something costing only £1,150!”. OK the receiver isn't going to be hardcore like the K3 or the FTDX-5000 but remember the kind of pileups T32C DXpedition had to handle with just FT-450D rigs, well, I think following their achievements, anything is possible and the FT-991 is streets ahead of the FT-450D.
