[amsat-bb] Radio selection: FT-818 vs IC-7100

[Dave .]

I've had a 7100 for about four years now and love it. The menus are easy to
use and it has DSTAR which I enjoy. I'm just getting it setup with a
SDRPlay as a RX to use it for portable satellite operation. I used it as my
base for a few years and then bought a 9100. Now it's my primary
mobile/portable radio.  MTC has them on sale for labor day, after rebate
$779.00
https://www.mtcradio.com/icom-ic-7100-160-10-meters-6m-2m-440-mhz-12-vdc-w-dstar-779-after-mir-sale/



Dave
N2OA

On Thu, Aug 30, 2018 at 11:29 AM Daniel Holmes <danielh at holmesonics.com>
wrote:

> Hi everyone, time for another “what radio is right for me” thread. I
> haven’t seen one compare these two: IC-7100 and an FT-818. Primarily
> looking at satellite work, but I’m also interested in HF digital (primarily
> FT8). I’ve already got an Arrow antenna, and a potatoFeng. Right now I use
> an SDR to receive, and CubicSDR works pretty well for that-I’ve gotten
> adept at moving the tuning while using the Armstrong method of Alt/Az
> locating. I haven’t tried transmitting, just because my HT has pretty poor
> transmit characteristics. So I feel I’m pretty good on the full duplex
> issue.
>
> Cost isn’t an issue, with the current rebate on the IC-7100 they are close
> enough to not matter. And the accessories needed will balance out (for the
> Icom, tuner and power supply, for the Yaesu, tuner, and signalink-I have an
> adequate power supply).
>
> For the short term (6 months or so) most of my satellite operating is
> going to be from a card table in the back yard, or portable. HF will be a
> little more permanent, so each radio will have to be disconnected, moved,
> and setup again for satellite stuff. That’s the paralysis—the FT will
> probably be easier to move, but the IC is more sensitive.
>
> So I think my criteria is coming down to ergonomics of operating vs
> sensitivity and HF power. I use MacDoppler for tracking, and will probably
> rely on it for downlink shift on the radios, with my SDR as backup. Oh, I
> already do QRP CW on 20, so I’m not too nervous about power of the 818.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan
>
> Sent from my iPad. Fewer misspellings, more errors.
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