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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