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M0PZT > TECH 02.06.09 01:02l 67 Lines 2759 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 997_M0PZT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Icom 706 or Yaesu 857 ?
Path: IZ3LSV<IK2XDE<DB0RES<ON0AR<HS1LMV<CX2SA<VK7AX<VK6HGR<GB7ESX<M0PZT
Sent: 090601/1758 @:M0PZT.GB7ESX.#31.GBR.EU $:997_M0PZT Sally 4.1.231 Essex
In preparation of putting the "PZTMobile" together, I'd appreciate your
opinion if you've owned either (or both!) of these radios... Icom 706 MK2G
and the Yaesu FT-857D.
I've recently been on the look-out for a radio to use not only in the shack
(until something bigger is purchased) but to take out and about with me.
Until recently, the main contender was the delightful FT-817 but 5w just
really wasn't enough despite the radio's tiny size and convenience.
Similarly, the IC-703 was discounted (despite the handy auto-ATU) for not
having 2m/70cm as I'd want to have a play during the VHF contests.
Like a fool, I sold my FT-847 some year's back - so I'm used to a big radio
with a variety of features and a decent front-end. Being of the "younger
generation" the menus of either the 706 or the 857 are not too important as
I can grasp those fairly easily...
My main concern is "what are they like in use?"
Spec-wise, they appear identical - Roughly equal coverage and RF output
although the current draw (on RX) from the 706 is quite shocking: 1.8-
2amps over the the 857's 0.6-1amp draw. The stability of the 706 also
looks a bit grim. Weight-wise, they're 350grams apart which isn't too bad
- The radio (plus extras) will be transported to the local village green by
mountain bike.
The main advantage of the 706 from my point of view, is that the
mic+speaker are available at the front panel so I can bring the head upto a
decent angle/position whilst the main body remains inside the pannier.
Ventilation will be taken care of, as will some sort of "skeleton" inside
the pannier to protect the radio should Mr (or Mrs) Car Driver try and make
me go QRT permanently ;)
The head could also be mounted onto the handle-bars although this is not a
critical feature - more of a "nice to have".
Local FM QSOs are taken care of via the VX-7R and an SO239 on the rear of
the metal luggage holder. APRS will be from a TinyTrak 8000FA. Power-
source will be 12v lead-acid batteries: a pair of 7Ah units or possibly a
17Ah jobby depending up how I mount it.
So, back to the 706 vs 857 - The Yaesu's front-panel is a little small
where as the 706 offers a fair-sized one. I also have the FTBBasic
programming software so putting some memories into the 857 would be a
doddle. Memories would need to be programmed in for some of the repeaters
as there are several 1.6MHz UHF boxes plus a few 7.6MHz ones and I don't
want to faff about with offset options when a simple flick from VFO to MR
mode would do the trick ;)
If you've owned (or used) both of these radios - I'd like to know your
thoughts on which one you prefer.
--
Charlie - M0PZT @ GB7ESX.#31.GBR.EU
http://www.m0pzt.net
Sent: 17:43 on 01 Jun 2009
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