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

[Don KB2YSI]

While I own an IC7100 and am working on the setup to use it in the field
with transponder satellites. I will say it is not really the best setup
when compared to an 817/818. Not to mention the weight of the radio alone
much less than including a battery too.

73, Don KB2YSI

On Thu, Aug 30, 2018, 14:33 Dave . <kdcarlso at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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