Well...I am buying a new HF transceiver...FT-2000 or IC-7600?

[KE7ATE]

Over the years I have had several transceivers and receivers. Some I have liked and some I didn't like. For the past several years, I haven't been able to be involved with my hobby because working and going to school full time has been a constant in my life (the past five years). In 1996, I didn't have an Elmer and the Internet was still barely useable, so when I bought my first FM mobile transceiver (Yaesu FT-2200) I was nervous about whether I was buying the right transceiver and would anyone even want to talk to me. I didn't know anyone or belong to any clubs. I learned morse code on my own and impressed myself when I actually passed the 5 wpm code test with a perfect score. I wanted to become a ham ( I use the term ham cautiously because I got verbally beaten by village idiots on qrz.com for even suggesting that being a ham was an acceptable term in the hobby.....whatever) since I was 12, but i had no money and had no elmers in my neighborhood. I am a self taught amateur radio operator or "ham", whatever you want to call me. Now that I have finished my second bachelor's degree, I can actually find some time to enjoy amateur radio and get on the air..HF, 2 meters, etc. As I mentioned before, I have accumulated a variety of odds and ends of "ham" gear. I was going to make a list, but we all have the same kind of experiences. After, lots of learning about what I like in a receiver and a transmitter, am I finally getting down to the equipment I like to use.

I didn't use to be a Yaseu guy for base stations, but my recent inspection of the FT-2000 has made me think otherwise. Yes, I have read all about the RFI problems....blah..blah..blah... Bottom line...ground your equipment. I used an Icom 746 Pro for almost ten years until I just sold it on ebay today. So, I was sort of indoctrinated into the Icom culture of transceivers, button menus and so on. I sat down with the 746 pro and realized I hated how the buttons feel when I press them. It never really felt like I had pressed them all the way in the way they responded to a simple finger press. I also began to realize how obnoxious it was to really use the 746 Pro. Why did I buy it...you are probably all asking the same question I asked myself two weeks ago. Well...Like I said, I didn't have an Elmer and I was still learning a lot about HF when I bought the 746 Pro. With age comes wisdom. By the time the Icom 756 Pro III was being discontinued, I was wanting a new transceiver. However, my experiences with the Icom R-70 receiver taught me what a really good Triple Conversion design can achieve. All this time, DSP is getting better with each implementation.

So, I read the reviews of all the equipment I missed out on while I was in school and learned that the FT-847 had a low noise DDS receiver. I was lucky enough to find one in really nice condition, low hours of use on ebay and I decided to take the plunge. I bought the transceiver. When I got it, I wasn't really expecting a whole lot. However, I learned that this particular transceiver had indeed a lower noise floor than other transceivers. I compared it to my Icom R-75 and was even more surprised to find the FT-847 had the Icom R-75 beat hands down. I like the DSP in it too.

I have decided I want to buy another HF transceiver base station and I am looking at the Icom IC-7600 or the Yaesu FT-2000. I know the Icom is more expensive than the FT-2000 and I know the history of the FT-2000. I am well acquainted with each radio, but just can't decide. I have read all the reviews and studied all the opinions about these radios, but I want to hear about people's operational experiences and the functionality of the two transceivers. I am not a contester, but I do set my shack up a lot like a contester's ham shack (oh...there's that offensive word again), because I like to spend more time listening into the depths of the noise than fiddling with the controls.

[KT7DAD]

I would rather have a used IC-756 PROIII

My friend got a 7600 at same time as I got my 756 PROIII

They pretty much do the same, the 756 have a mechanical meter, with a REAL needle, and out of pocket is about half of a 7600....

[KJ4VTH]

Stick with the FT-847 and donate the money you would have spent to a good cause. Like your local amateur radio club Field Day, or anything else you might deem worthy.

[K7MH]

Don't buy anything until you are sure of what you want. Spend more time with them both. Compare what the cost is after any accessories you might want are added in to the FT-2000. If you are on the fence, write down what you really like in features that they each have and compare.
I just got a 7600 so my 746Pro will find a new home soon. I like the 746Pro and never had a problem with it but it is time to say goodbye to it.
Maybe the 7600 isn't the absolute best choice for the money in terms of specifications, but it IS what I wanted.
I can easily choose for myself, but I sure can't for you!
Chances are pretty good that you will like either of them pretty well.

A friend is having the Inrad roofing filter put in his Pro3...but then I can select from 3 roofing filters.
Button and knobs I just get used to and then don't give them much of a thought.
The digital meter on the 7600 is very nice and can be configured a few different ways.
I don't miss analog meters in rigs.

[KO6WB]

You're the one that has to make that decision and hopefully one you can live with.
The only thing we as a group will tell you are our own personnal feelings about what's good and what's bad. Usually the bad stuff will be exposed in greater depth and quickly. Amateurs are unkind to rigs that flop (can I really call you anything I want? Just kidding).
Now for my suggestion. There are a number of newer units coming down the line and some of them will be here by the end of the year. The TS-990 is supposed to be here by the end of this year (maybe) and Yaesu has one coming that just might interest you and that's the FTdx-3000. It is reported to have the exact same receiver in it the number one rated FTdx-5000 has in it. The FTdx-3000 will be minus the second receiver the FTdx-5000 has in it but the FTdx-3000 will be lower in cost and produce 100W output instead of 200W the FTdx-5000 offers.
This would be a great unit if it all is true and it would be worth the wait. BTW there are times when new units come along but good ones show up seldom so don't think you can wait for the next batch of outstanding units because it could be a long wait. There is information on when the FTdx-3000 is to make it to market but I don't have it. An internet search will tell you that.
Now if you're think "This guy is a Yaesu fan" you'd be wrong. I just bought a TS-590S and I'm very happy with it. I also bought a ASL-600 that so far is working very well.
There are other units coming down the line from Flex in the new 6000 series. They have some very impressive numbers and although I don't know what they will cost I would bet that would be impressive as well (if you have to ask you can't afford it).
Have fun
73
Gary

[PA5COR]

I used the FT 847 for almost 15 years with Collins filters ( bought new) and went last year to a FT 2000-D, the FT 847 is spare transceiver now.
As you did i read up about the transceivers could compare the FT 2000 with a Icom 756 Pro 3 with roofing filter and some other transceivers and loved the ergonomic control layout.
The receiver is quite good, and with the latest software the receiver does just fine compared to the others.
200 watts is fine for most Qso's i tend to hardly ise the HEathkit SB-1000 anymore.
It's your choice, the FT 5000 is a littlee better receiver but costs a lot more, and it is your money to spend.

With good transceivers has to come good antenna's in which i tend to spend more time and interest as a transceiver.
Good luck chosing your next radio.

[KF7QPK]

If you don't have to have it today, I'd agree with KO6WB and wait a few months for the FTDX-3000. At least wait for the reviews.

[N2RJ]

I would rather have a used IC-756 PROIII

My friend got a 7600 at same time as I got my 756 PROIII

They pretty much do the same, the 756 have a mechanical meter, with a REAL needle, and out of pocket is about half of a 7600....

They're not the same. Not in the least. Did you compare receiver performance? The 7600 is better.

[AE1P]

FT-2000 or IC-7600?

Well, that's easy...neither..get a K3...

[WB2WIK]

To be fair, I've never used the IC-7600. I understand it's very good, but I haven't had my hands on one for more than 5 minutes at HRO.

But I have used the FT-2000 quite a bit and wasn't impressed. Even more telling is my neighbor Dave WA6DKN, who owns just about everything (!) bought an FT-2000, used it on the air about one week or so, and sold it. He has an IC-7800, FT-9000DX, FT-5000DX, K3 and lots of stuff, so he knows his way around radio gear and has been licensed over 50 years. Dave didn't like the FT-2000 much and was happy to sell it very quickly.

As with most things, if it's the only thing you have, it's perfect. It's probably also a huge step up from an "old" rig, if that's the standard of comparison. But I suspect it doesn't hold its own well against an IC-7600 or many other modern rigs.

Yaesu has a huge winner in the 5000, everyone seems to like it.