I currently have/use the old FT-726R for satellite and weak-signal work. I have brick amps and mast-mounted preamps for each band. My question is: I have been considering upgrading to something more current--the usual list of suspects like the FT-736, IC-821H, IC-910H, or TS-790A (probably not the IC-970H because of $, but that depends on the findings from this msg..). At least according to the various QST reviews, I don't see a lot of separation in basic RF performance between this whole group of radios. It's clear that if I want any sort of computer control of the rig that any of the list would do, and the most recent ones have options like AF DSP, but purely from an RF perspective...the QST reviews were not much improved from the FT-726R for any radio. Particularly appalling to me was the published TX IMD of both the FT-736 and the IC-910H... So, if computer control isn't a big deal, is there really a compelling reason to change? Are the reviews flawed/overly pessimistic? The older radios were pre-phase noise testing, but none of the current rigs seem all that great in that respect anyway. What am I missing? TIA,
Scott Townley NX7U Gilbert, AZ DM43di http://members.cox.net/nx7u