[amsat-bb] Re: New ICOM VHF / UHF / SHF Radio

[Bruce Robertson]

On Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 5:26 PM, Simon (HB9DRV)<simon at hb9drv.ch> wrote:
> Also I suggest that for satellite work a radio with such staggeringly good
> RX figures is overkill.
>
> Simon Brown, HB9DRV
> www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
Thanks to all for this interesting discussion. There are a couple of
points that haven't been noted yet.

I suppose if one used transverters intelligently, the duplex HF rigs
could operate as a HF and satellite station, something like the
TS-2000. However, it really does help to have multiple inputs all in
one box. I see five connectors on the Icom; persumably the two
N-connectors are for 1.2 and 435 MHz.

I note that the sign on the Icom says the 2m output is limited to 50w.
Not a problem for satellite work, but might be an issue if someone
wants to get their feet wet with EME. Perhaps more important for
satellite operators is the *minimum* power of the transmitter on UHF
and VHF. I find it annoying that the TS-2000 doesn't let me get below
5w, which is going to be quite a bit of power when I get my 11x11 2m
antenna installed.

One thing I very much do like about the TS-2000 is the digital
filters. The real cost of an Icom is considerably higher due to the
cost of filters.

Finally, it appears this rig has a USB port. It really would make
sense for manufacturers today to use the FTDI serial chip and avoid
all the silliness with serial/usb converters not working properly with
their protocols.

73, Bruce
VE9QRP