[amsat-bb] Re: Satellite Transceiver

[Sebastian]

I will agree with you about 90%.  The FT-736R has been THE radio the  
satellite community has talked about for years, and will continue to  
talk about.  However, there are some things that need to be considered.

First, the power supply is a known problem.  Certainly not a huge  
problem, since if it goes out, you can run it with an external power  
supply.

The other problem is it's age; lack of replacement parts available for  
them; and eventual break down of the values of components due to it's  
age.

Additionally, while you can certainly find them used (and your price  
of $600 is way too low, I would buy a good one at that price - they  
easily go for about $900 now), the other problem is interfacing them  
with a computer, which from what I recall, requires an IF-232, and I  
think those are quite difficult to find today.  I don't know if there  
is an easier or cheaper way to interface them since I haven't owned  
one for many years, but not being able to use computer control on such  
an excellent radio would be a shame.

Last, their output power is not very high by today's standards.  Sure  
it's high enough to work the satellites, but it's probably not enough  
for meteor scatter, without an amp.

I'm not knocking the 736, I agree it's an excellent rig.  It's just a  
shame there is only one true 100% satellite radio currently being  
manufactured.

73 de W4AS
Sebastian

On Apr 5, 2009, at 10:31 AM, MM wrote:

>
> i am running the Yeasu FT-736R.
> it supports 6/2/440/1200.
> its the best Sat rig ever made and you can find good ones for under  
> $600.
>
> wf1f