[amsat-bb] Re: Icom 9100

[Edward R Cole]

Watching from the sidelines (with my FT-847 and K3).

One of the reasons I held onto my FT-847 was that with the addition 
of my DEMI 144/1296 xvtr the total outlay (when they were new) was 
$1600 + $395 ~ $2K.  And that covers 160m - 6m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm.  The 
FT-847 "IS" a satellite radio, full-duplex crossband.  Too bad they 
discontinued production (which begs one to wonder if there might be a 
new version coming?).  All radio are increasing in cost (it's called 
inflation - err, or maybe more profit?).

When I bought the K3, I struggled with considering selling the FT-847 
and buying DEMI 144/28 and 432/28 xvtrs.  I also considered buying a 
used IC910H.  But, in the end, it made more sense to keep the FT-847 
for satellite and casual VHF.  The K3 is in a whole 'nother league 
than the FT-847, as afar as receiver performance and that is why I 
bought it.  I did give in to buying a new DEMI 144/28 xvtr, so in 
time if Elecraft can come out with duplex receive sw, I may add the 
432/28 and finally say goodbye to the old FT-847.

For outright performance, either the K3 or Flex5000 own the real 
estate (note: TS-590S has been introduced as a contender at 
Dayton).  How they are incorporated for satellite full-duplex 
operation, remains.  The IC9100, TS-2000x are not in that league, sorry.

I doubt that DEMI will enter the transceiver business (but?).  I was 
hoping RFSpace would come up with a dual-Rx SDR-IQ and/or 
TCVR-IQ.  The SDR field is wide-open as where ham radio technology is 
going. "Theoretically" if you purchase a "good" SDR, you will never 
have to buy any hardware, again - just new sw.

With the unlikely launch of new Heos, it is hard for the industry to 
justify (new or existing) high-end satellite rigs.  Icom obviously 
bundled HF into the new radio to widen its appeal to those wanting a 
one-box,does-all, radio.

PS: in the risk of repeating myself, I bought the K3 to be my 
state-of-art receiver for eme, ms, mw, and general weak-signal 
stuff.  If it can eventually do satellite that would be an added frill.

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 10:59 AM 5/16/2010, Sebastian wrote:
>I sold my IC-910H recently, as I had thoughts about going with the 
>9100.  But at that price, I can't justify it.
>
>I agree that the Flex 5000 is probably a much better radio (since we 
>don't yet know all the technical details on the 9100).  However the 
>cost of the V/U module for the Flex is about as much as you would 
>pay for a brand new TS-2000.  Sure the Flex offers more, but let's 
>face it, with the current birds in orbit, it's overkill for the 
>average ham who makes occasional satellite contacts.
>
>Perhaps others such as DEMI, will see this as an opportunity and 
>come up with alternatives?
>
>73 de W4AS
>
>On May 15, 2010, at 9:43 PM, Michael Tondee wrote:
>
> > I guess once I put the upcoming V/U module in my Flex 5000 I'll have
> > that amount of money in it but I won't have had to spend it all at once
> > and IMHO I'll have a markedly better radio. Also one that isn't outdated
> > a day after I walk out of the store with it.
> >  I'm just not a big fan of Icom's anyway so I guess I'm pretty biased.
> > 73,
> > Michael, W4HIJ
> >
> > On 5/15/2010 7:22 PM, Mik Forsythe wrote:
> >> Just left Dayton a few hours ago.  Icom said that it is 
> basically a 7600 and a 910.  It is bigger than the 910.  It was in 
> a display case so I can't tell you what the feel was like of the 
> weight.  Price is in the $4,000.00 range so that will kill a lot of 
> the satellite market if you ask me.
>
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