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

[Daniel Holmes]

I went down to HRO today to play with both the FT and the IC. I liked the usage of the Icom better, although as you point out the Yaesu was much lighter.

However, there was one thing with the IC-7100 I couldn’t figure out—I got it setup into split mode VFOs, but couldn’t figure out how to tune VFO B on receive when I finished transmitting on VFO A. Anyone have any advice, or is it something that’s going to require using a computer? I’d like to use VOX to key the rig of possible, and then either use a computer or manually adjust VFO B for Doppler (none of the staff knew how to do what I was trying to accomplish).

I tried to do the same thing on the FT units, and that appeared to me more steps than is practical—almost requiring my SDR or a second FT. Or did I miss something there too?

Thanks,
Dan

--
Sent from my iPhone. Please pardon any mispelings or errors.


> On Aug 30, 2018, at 3:42 PM, Don KB2YSI <kb2ysi at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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> _______________________________________________
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