I've had one for several years. Used it as the primary radio on AO-40 RUDAK and several other digital birds. It had better UHF receive performance than two other radios I had at the time. I currently use it on 2M EME. It has the 1.2 GHz module which I used on the AO-40 uplink - about 6 W from it drove an 80W amp at the dish nicely. I'll use that module if any 1.2 uplink birds get to orbit. I've never had a need to computer control it but should probably look into that.
Mine did stop working a while back. The AC supply died. For a time I kept using it because it still ran from a 12VDC supply. The usual problem with these is the electrolytics dry out - more prevalent in our dry climate. But in my case the PS had gotten a bit fried probably from nearby lightening on the AC. There is a guy who fixes these and he replaced my supply and it's been working fine since, although I don't use it all that much now.
On 5/20/2016 6:49 AM, Comcast wrote:
FYI: During the 10 years when I worked in VP2E land I had an FT-736 and found it to be very robust. Operated flawlessly on generator power most of the time including power dips and fluctuations. I sure wish I had kept it but donated it when I was posted elsewhere.
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On May 20, 2016, at 07:29, Christopher Maness christopher.maness@gmail.com wrote:
On May 18, 2016, at 10:35 AM, Edward R Cole kl7uw@acsalaska.net wrote:
Chris,
Any progress in your decision making? If not then I am disposed to purchase the FT736R presently listed on e-bay before someone else grabs it.
73, Ed - KL7UW
I took the radio in to repair the 23cm module, and for a general tune/aline. I am going to get it on the air when it is done, and make a decision after I have played with it a little.
Regards, Chris Maness KQ6UP
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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb