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| ICOM IC-9700 |
I've had an interest for a while in VHF SSB and FT8. I also wanted a more robust radio for my regular FM repeater use. Using dual band mobiles in the shack just started to feel like a compromise. Or maybe I just want to sound like I can justify a new rig, in case the XYL is reading this!
I spent quite a while going back and forth on what kind of radio to buy for VHF/UHF. Like I said, the mobiles just didn't seem enough like desk candy. But what was it that I really wanted to accomplish? I made the mistake of not asking this question before I started looking at rigs online. I had all but decided on the Yaesu FT-991A. In fact, I had it added to my online cart and was going to check out when I decided to look around a bit more. The 991A is a very capable rig. HF, 6m, VHF, UHF, and Yaesu System Fusion! It connects to a PC with a single USB cable for rig control and digital modes. It would be excellent to pair with my Yaesu FTDX1200 currently in the shack...so why didn't I buy it?
When I started thinking about what I actually wanted to achieve, I made this list:
-Base Station
-VHF/UHF
-FM/SSB
-Preferred to have a nice band scope
-Preferred to have Dstar so I could put my ICOM ID-5100A in my truck
-Preferred more output power than my 50w ID-5100A
Given that list of wants, it became clear that the FT-991A would not do the trick. The 991A doesn't have as nice of a band scope as the IC-9700. It has Yaesu System Fusion rather than Dstar. There isn't much YSF in this area, but I do maintain a Dstar stack nearby. The 991A also is still not any more powerful than the ID-5100A mobile.
So even though the cost of an IC-9700 was a bit more and it would require a triplexer, it seemed to be a much better fit for my needs. When I went to order the IC-9700, I decided to order from Gigaparts. I had been looking at it for a few days on their website and added it to my cart. I pulled up the cart and began to checkout, just to find that the price had increased suddenly by $100. Which is strange because DX Engineering and Ham Radio Outlet still had it at the same price. I then decided to not pay the extra unexplained $100, so I ordered from Ham Radio Outlet. I found out after I ordered it that it was out of stock. I ordered it on 5/1/2020 and have heard nothing. When I inquired with HRO customer service, I got a one line response that they hope to have them by the end of the month...so I wait.
[UPDATE 5/27/2020]
After 26 days of waiting patiently, I finally received my IC-9700!
73 de W4LSG sk
I spent quite a while going back and forth on what kind of radio to buy for VHF/UHF. Like I said, the mobiles just didn't seem enough like desk candy. But what was it that I really wanted to accomplish? I made the mistake of not asking this question before I started looking at rigs online. I had all but decided on the Yaesu FT-991A. In fact, I had it added to my online cart and was going to check out when I decided to look around a bit more. The 991A is a very capable rig. HF, 6m, VHF, UHF, and Yaesu System Fusion! It connects to a PC with a single USB cable for rig control and digital modes. It would be excellent to pair with my Yaesu FTDX1200 currently in the shack...so why didn't I buy it?
When I started thinking about what I actually wanted to achieve, I made this list:
-Base Station
-VHF/UHF
-FM/SSB
-Preferred to have a nice band scope
-Preferred to have Dstar so I could put my ICOM ID-5100A in my truck
-Preferred more output power than my 50w ID-5100A
Given that list of wants, it became clear that the FT-991A would not do the trick. The 991A doesn't have as nice of a band scope as the IC-9700. It has Yaesu System Fusion rather than Dstar. There isn't much YSF in this area, but I do maintain a Dstar stack nearby. The 991A also is still not any more powerful than the ID-5100A mobile.
So even though the cost of an IC-9700 was a bit more and it would require a triplexer, it seemed to be a much better fit for my needs. When I went to order the IC-9700, I decided to order from Gigaparts. I had been looking at it for a few days on their website and added it to my cart. I pulled up the cart and began to checkout, just to find that the price had increased suddenly by $100. Which is strange because DX Engineering and Ham Radio Outlet still had it at the same price. I then decided to not pay the extra unexplained $100, so I ordered from Ham Radio Outlet. I found out after I ordered it that it was out of stock. I ordered it on 5/1/2020 and have heard nothing. When I inquired with HRO customer service, I got a one line response that they hope to have them by the end of the month...so I wait.
[UPDATE 5/27/2020]
After 26 days of waiting patiently, I finally received my IC-9700!
73 de W4LSG sk
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