We asked:
What's the best rig you've ever had?
'I like it so much that I have now added a second one'
​I purchased the IC-7610 nearly 4 years ago, I decided to upgrade from the IC-7300 that I owned because it had better support for transverters. I approached ICOM UK to see if I could loan one? They loaned me one for three months. At the hamfest where I purchased it, I had the choice of the following:
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Flex 6400M: Discounted because of the issues with firmware lockups and Brexit. Service is not UK based.
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TS-890S: Discounted mainly because of its size, it really does not fit in my shack.
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Yaesu FTDX101: Discounted after playing with one for 20 minutes in the Cambridge Repeater Groups van. I just did not like the economics and the menus.
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All four were around the same price at £3K. The extra two-year warranty – one year from Icom UK, and one from Lam – and the free extension speaker was a sweetener on the deal. No regrets, I like it so much that I have now added a second one to my shack that I use with a 70cm transverter and as a second HF receiver.
'If it broke beyond repair, I’d replace it with the same'
David Simmons
M0RIU
Yaesu FT-3000
The best rig I ever had was – and still is – my current one, a Yaesu FT DX 3000. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of HF operating. Paired with an SDR on the RX out gives it a second receiver and makes it fantastic for contesting. USB connectivity is another plus, not only for the sound, but also rig control. If it broke beyond repair, I’d replace it with the same.
'A brilliant HF performer for portable operation'
Richard Blandford
M0RBG
Kenwood TS-480SAT
Whilst this radio might be getting on in years, it is still a brilliant HF performer for portable operation. I have the display mounted on the back of the front seat headrest with the radio in the boot, mounted on a battery box. Fitted with the additional voice recorder and CW filter, it is simple to operate as it has all the main controls on the front panel. So no delving into menus to change bands or modes.
