I guess "about as much" is relative. Right now, based on sale prices, there is right at $300 difference in the Flex V/U module and a TS-2000. I don';t know about you but $300 is a decent chunk of change to me. Besides that, we are comparing apples to oranges. The V/U module with take advantage of all of the advantages that the Flex has over the TS-2000 to start with. Not only will it be satellite capable, it will also make the Flex 5000 a hot contender for other VHF/UHF weak signal work. I've owned a TS-2000X before and while I thought it was a fine all around general purpose rig, I never disillusioned myself into thinking that it was anything more. From everything I've seen of the Flex it is much more and will continue to evolve into much more given time. I've owned my Flex 5000A a little over a month and I don't want any other radio, satellite or otherwise cluttering up my operating desk. It might take me awhile to afford to put the V/U module in my rig and I may have lots more money in things than any other rig I've owned when I do but IMO it will be worth it. 73, Michael, W4HIJ On 5/16/2010 2:59 PM, 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 Also one that isn't outdated a day after I walk out of the store with it.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.
I agree with you. Yes there is a $300 difference, and thats why I said it was "about as much". For me, $300 is $300, I was just saying the prices were similar; as opposed to the huge price difference between the TS-2000 and the IC-9100. But again we don't have the technical specifications of the 9100.
You and I are probably not the "average ham". I spend a considerable amount of time on the air, whether it be on the birds, on 6 meters, or chasing DX. I too am seriously considering the Flex 5000 as it does appear to be, overall, the best HF/6 meter radio in the ham radio market today. I have to consider whether my current HF setup of a Yaesu FT-950, along with the RFSPACE SDR-IQ used as a pan adaptor, is dramatically inferior to the Flex 5000. I would appreciate thoughts about this (via direct email) from someone such as yourself, or others who own the Flex.
What I am on the fence about, is spending that much money in a module that will give me access to the existing fleet of ham radio satellites. Perhaps one day I'll revive my interest in weak signal VHF/UHF capabilities, but not at this time. For me it looks like making an investment in the Flex purely for HF work, is looking like it's the direction I may go to; and later on, decide on the direction of the world above 50 Mhz.
Which is why I believe that we could very well have options in the future, other than the Flex module. And for now, my TS-2000 works great for me on the birds, but don't get me started about 436.795!
73 de W4AS
On May 16, 2010, at 5:46 PM, Michael Tondee wrote:
I guess "about as much" is relative. Right now, based on sale prices, there is right at $300 difference in the Flex V/U module and a TS-2000. I don';t know about you but $300 is a decent chunk of change to me. Besides that, we are comparing apples to oranges. The V/U module with take advantage of all of the advantages that the Flex has over the TS-2000 to start with. Not only will it be satellite capable, it will also make the Flex 5000 a hot contender for other VHF/UHF weak signal work. I've owned a TS-2000X before and while I thought it was a fine all around general purpose rig, I never disillusioned myself into thinking that it was anything more. From everything I've seen of the Flex it is much more and will continue to evolve into much more given time. I've owned my Flex 5000A a little over a month and I don't want any other radio, satellite or otherwise cluttering up my operating desk. It might take me awhile to afford to put the V/U module in my rig and I may have lots more money in things than any other rig I've owned when I do but IMO it will be worth it. 73, Michael, W4HIJ On 5/16/2010 2:59 PM, 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.
participants (2)
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Michael Tondee -
Sebastian