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

[N1JGE]

First, determine what kind of operation you want to do (i.e. contesting, rag chewing, DXing, etc.). Then go and read some user feedbacks off EHam, taking into consideration, not everyone posts factual information so you have to take it with a grain of salt. Ask around some of your local DXers, and Elmers.

If I were to have to chose between the 847, 7600 and 2000, I would go the 7600. The rcvr in the 847 is poor for HF and the 2000 isn't much better. Read some product reviews from QST paying attention to blocking dynamic range figures and IMD figures, then look deeper at other than 20 kHz spacing. I had the 2000 and if suffers badly in a crowded band.

Also, check Sherwood Engineering and pull up some of Rob's data, heck, drop him an e-mail with questions.

All in all, you really need to know your need, how you plan on using your radio, factoring in some of the aforementioned info from reliable sources, consider dollars spent, and go from there.

GL and let us know how it goes once you have something on the air!

Take care!

I don't know about all the numbers but it seems the Icoms 7600 and 7800 are way down the lists in Sherwood's review. I don't see the review for the FT 950 so I wonder how that woud stack against the Icom.

[N0AZZ]

When you buy the best you don't have to second guess just read the numbers QST, Sherwood now if you asked me about a QRP rig I would have to answer mine a K2 that I built even though it is a K2/100 loaded. Compare prices to features and the FT-5000 is the winner even in the rigs costing in the $10,000-12,000 range.

The receiver in the 7600 is good as is the one in my IC-9100 but in very weak signal work it will not hear what my FTDX-5000 does. In what you thought was just noise on the band you can dig out that signal with the 5000 and work a weak one in between a strong one on each side of him. But things like these are only worthwhile if you want to work DX or do some contesting, I work every contest but I'm not a contester just looking for DX or a new band country I like the challenge.

It really does all boil down to what you want to do with the radio and only you know what that is.

[NW9R]

I spoke with Rob (Sherwood) some time ago, he had sold 5 of his transceivers to get the 7800 and was sorely disappointed. Ended up getting a 781 with spare CRTS and is much happier. The 2000 and 950 are known for poor performance in crowded band conditions (one reason so many are bought and sold quickly), much like the TS_2000 and FT-847. Nice generic radios, but if you want better performance, best look elsewhere. Even older radios out there are much, much better.

Again, really ends up being what do you want your radio to do for you, what are you planning on using it for....sometimes compromise is okay if you want to save $ but don't need the higher end performance.

I have little use for built in band scopes when I can do it externally (SDR wise) which is much more effective.

[N3AWS]

Well, my observation is that the IC-7600 beats the FT-2000 hands down. BUT the new FT-3000 will have the same receiver as the 5000, so you might want to wait a little longer....

[KR2C]

v

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....

That has got to be the most ridiculous reason to buy a radio, ever!

[NA0AA]

Wow, I agree with Fred, note the date and time!

OK, I'm a bit of a Yaesu Fan Boy, so take everything I say into that fold. I've got an 897, 847, 2000D and 5000D.

Both of the 8's are fully filtered.

And they work in order of listing with performance.

The 2000 is a great advance over the 847, BUT as Fred says, everytime you turn on the 5000, you forget what it cost.

However, seems to me that the Icom might actually be a better receiver, in the books.

One thing to think of, what sort of antennas do you have and what sort of RF swamp do you live in? My CA shack is VERY noisy, and the super talents of the 5000 are a bit wasted as a result. My CO shack has a winter 80 meter noise level of S0. Another thing entirely.

[KJ3N]

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....

That has got to be the most ridiculous reason to buy a radio, ever!

You might think so, but I've born witness to a guy 80+ years old come into my local HRO (this was over 6 years ago) and tell the sales guy that he wanted a radio with an analog meter. That was his only requirement.

He was shown the only 2 radios that, at the time, had an analog meter. One was the FT-840, and the other was an Icom 756ProII. He took one look at the 840 and left with the Icom.

[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.

[KO6WB]

The other thing that you posted that you are a self taught amateur. Well take that knowledge and apply it to your decision making process. Why bother with the folks that have that knowledge, you're smarter then they are (not really but you tried to say you were in the beginning of the post). The folks on QRZed always try to be helpful, some of them have problems and tend to take it out on anybody they can. You should have ignored them and taken the advice of the ones that truly tried to give you direction and technical help. So next time you want advise try not to start off the posting with your own accolades. Just ask the question and filter out the things that make no sense. You will get better results that way and more to the point.
Let us know what you have decided and good luck.
73
Gary

[KQ9J]

v

That has got to be the most ridiculous reason to buy a radio, ever!

All else being equal, I also prefer an analog meter. The bigger, the better. I HATE the little bar-graph things. Played with a 7600 a while back and liked the fact the meter can be made to "look" analog.

Love my current radios, but I have to admit I can't wait to play with an FTDX-3000.