Ham Radio For Kids Message Forum

[kd5owo]

Alinco Needing More HF Equipment

After much thought I have decided to write my thoughts on Alinco needing to build thier market to include more HF radios.  Currently Alinco sales the DX-77T and the DX-70TH.  Both of thier HF rigs have good reviews, and hardcore Alinco users feel that this is a good step into the HF world.  Of course these two HF rigs can not compete in the mainstream HF world with Icom/Kenwood/Yaesu.  I have decided to compare and contrast the DX-77T with the FT-840 and the IC-718 along with the Kenwood TS-50S.  Later down I will compare and contrast the DX-70TH with the IC-706MK2G The Yaesu FT-857D and the Kenwood TS-480SAT.

Looking at the DX-77T its got the specs that outweight the FT-840; but not being an owner of either rig I can't speak of performance.  I can however speak of price, the FT-840 sales on the AES website for $554.99 the DX-77T sales for $669.99.  The FT-840 is your basic 10-160 meter (including WARC bands) HF rig.   The FT-840 does not come with FM as a standard like the DX-77T.  Also the FT-840 only puts out 25watts on AM, the DX-77T puts on 40 watts.  Given most of the users of the FT-840 are getting it for SSB/CW use, the DX-77T has the option to enjoy FM and AM a little more.  RX on the FT-840 is 100KHz-30Mhz, alittle more then the DX-77T which is 500Khz-30Mhz.  The DX-77T has 100 Memory channels on it.  I have not seen any evidence point towards to FT-840 having memory channels.  If it does I am not sure how many.  

The IC-718 does not have FM, and has far as I know cannot be modified for FM.   The IC-718 does have 101 memory channels and does have 40 watts on AM.  The IC-718 has receive from 100Khz-30Mhz.  It also has an electronic keyer, which I am uncertain if the DX-77T has the Electronic keyer built in, or if you have to install an optional accessorie.   The IC-718 sales for $549.99.  It also has a little bit bigger display then the DX-77T or IC-740.  Also with the ability to directly punch in frequencies.

The TS-50S is the same price as the DX-77T, but can it really compare to the DX-77T.  Kenwood promises this little radio to have "Outstanding Performance".  It has the 100 memory channels and the FM built in.  It also has whats called Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) which I guess makes for receiving better.  The DX-77T also has DDS.  The TS-50S has receive from 500Khz-30Mhz and only puts on 25 watts on AM.  Like the IC-718 and the DX-77T the TS-50S has Dual VFO's.  I was uncertain if the FT-740 has the Dual VFOs.   Both the TS-50S and the DX-77T have a Selectable AGC.  The TS-50S and the DX-77T are a lot of alike in thier specs.  Yet the TS-50S is smaller.  

Now for comparing the DX-70TH with the IC-706MK2G and the TS-480SAT and the FT-857D is very funny.  These rigs can compare in some ways but are very different.  Like the FT-857D which is a great radio from Yaesu, the price is not bad running at $699.99, this being for HF/6m/2m/70cm this with 60 meters.  Thats all modes 100 watts on HF/6m except AM at 25 watts.  2 meter is 50 watts/12.5 watts AM.  70cm is 20 watts/5 watts on AM.  The DX-70TH like the TS-480SAT also on HF/6m.. The TS-480SAT also will cost you $939.99 from AES.  What makes it so good?  The 16-bit DSP maybe or about the built in Automatic antenna tuner?  Its bigger and looks better then the DX-70TH but only does 25 watts on AM.  Does that matter?  Who is going to buy the TS-48SAT for AM anyways?

How abot the IC-706MK2G, my dream mobile HF rig.  Its got everyone a ham could want.  Or does it?  Well we are talking about an all mode rig here HF/6m/2m/70cm  No 60 meters (60 meters may not be the biggest deal, but to add it to the radios like Yaesu gives the user that option to use it or not) This rig  has 100 watts on HF except for 40 watts on AM.  2 meter is 50 watts and 20 watts on AM.  70cm is 20 watts and 8 on AM.  The IC-706MK2G has a large display and is compact.  The specs look very nice, and at $749.99 its not a bad radio.

Looking at these radios that could be better then the DX-77T and the DX-70TH it shows the need for Alinco to make a couple more HF rigs that include some these much needed options.  First off they need to make thier radios more appealing.  Many companies are making "Sexy Radios" and the hams are attracted to these.  The IC-706MK2G and the FT-857D have the options the change the display color.  Not sure about these other radios.. Radios are becoming more compact with more features.  Every year new radios come out    Alinco needs to debut some new stuff.  I have not read anything about any ideas for new HF rigs.  They seriously need it.  Evidence shows that more hams are upgrading to HF, and many of the hams I talk to are waiting to get a nice multimode/multiband mobile rig.  Alinco needs to come out with an HF rig that is comparable to these radios.  They also need to come out with a bigger HF rig to be used has a base station.  

If I got any specs wrong please correct me.  If you have anything to add please do so.  I look forward to opening up discussion with the group on what HF rigs need to have to appeal to the consumers.  You have to ask yourself if there is a time when the HF rig gets too many bells and whistles, and becomes too difficult to use with the menus and such.

73' and Gud DX!
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[K3ASK]

I think i've worked a few people with Alinco HF radios, but have never used or seen one my self.

[kd5owo]

If they decided to market more HF rigs, more people would have Alinco HF rigs and it would be a new market for them.  Too bad they have not done it yet.
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[K3ASK]

Maybe in the future they will have a new market and product line of HF radios.  And i'm sure you would get one if they did come out!    

[kd5owo]

...thats if they were in my price range
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