Hello Amateur Allies,

Site under reconstruction:

Kenwood TS-590S, Heil Pro Elite HC6, MC-60A.

Icom IC-751A, SM-20; IC-7200, SM-30; IC-718, IC-375A, IC-290H. 

Tuners: MFJ-969, MFJ-962D, MFJ-949E, LDG IT-100.

Yaesu FT-857D, Heil Pro Micro Single, Yaesu ATAS-120A Screwdriver, HamSticks.

Yaesu FT-8800R

PSU's: Astron VS-70M Linear, 2 Daiwa SS-330W Switchers, MFJ-4035MV (POS).

Base Antenna Stuff: Comet CX-333, Elk 2m/70cm log periodic, Cushcraft 1.25m 4-element yagi (224WB Boomer), 6m double Bazooka dipole, HF verticals, and other dipoles and 14AWG MTW insulated stranded wire for HF, and, of course, assortment of Baluns, Ununs, and other wire antenna possibilites. Always short on coax, rope, et cetera, Lol. 

SW: HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe). CW Keying: Ameco Black K1, Ameco Brass K4, Kent Twin Paddle. 

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I have to say that my breath wasn't initially taken away by DSP, but there are some major convenience perks. There may be operator convenience features and manufacturing issues in favor of digital circuitry in general, but there's nothing quite as alluring (IMHO) as quality analog components and design. Unfortunately, the proliferation of "digital" ASIC circuits in electronic equipment has eroded the quality of requisite analog circuitry in communications equipment, due to the obsoleting of components and compromised analog circuitry, by reducing parts counts and integrating functions all in the quest for the almighty buck, perceiving the less is more concept in a very short sighted way.

On the flip side, buying any expensive accessory filters for the 7200 wasn't necessary, and the performance from this rig is very reasonable considering its modest cost, compared to other current Icom offerings. The 7200 also has high frequency stability standard, a nice plus that's especially useful and convenient to me for digital operation, especially for the very efficient BPSK in the 31.5 Hz BW (PSK31). Not a suitablebox for CW contesting, full bandwidth Tx audio for low band ragchewing, or fancy color displays, but hey, they had to keep the cost down somehow.

I like the Kenwood 590 transceiver better in general, which also can work for digital, but... The HRD setup is a little different, but I do like the 7200 better for the digital modes, with the 7200 having the portability thing working for it, too. The 7200 just does digital mode operation better than the 590. With the Kenwood, you must use data mode in SSB to get the IF BW down to 50 Hz, but the 7200's selectivity in such a narrow IF has the 590 beat. That said, the Kenwood 590 has much better general all around tranceiver flexibility (features) and performance (user experience) than the Icom 7200, but it does cost more and requires more attention, but it is worth it, as far as the less expensive new offerings go. I recommend the SO-3 TXCO and the VGS-1 VR options to round out the 590, although it's almost another $200, and they should have been standard, not "options" IMHO. In any case, every radio has its picks and pans, irrespective of their price point; cost is just another adjustment into the final analysis.

For mobile operation, I am working a Yaesu FT-857D (and sometimes a Heil Pro Micro Single) with an ATAS-120A barefoot for 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, and 6m. It is ok on all these bands, a pleasant surprise, although I still use the Diamond SG7900A for 2m and 70cm, since the ATAS-120A kind of stinks on VHF and UHF. 

For 1.25m band, I've been using a TYT TH-9000 and a Hustler SF-220 lately. Also, using cheap Shark & Hustler ham sticks for the HF & 6m bands other than 160m, 30m, and 12m. The ATAS-120A screwdriver antenna is currently undergoing repair !

HT's include a Kenwood TH-F6A 5W tribander with a Diamond SRH-320A antennna, and an Icom IC-92AD with a Diamond SRH-77CA antenna for accessing D-Star DV mode, which is useless to me without my DV dongle access point (DVAP) for the computer, and the downloadable software, but yet another toy to play with lol, essentially a DV mode echolink using RF, and of course, occasional echolink usage on the smartphone or laptop when appropriate.

Initially licensed in 1992, I lost my original "tech with code" N2SCL call in 2004 due to an extended period of inactivity from the hobby. I got so wrapped up in life's other stuff, that I actually forgot to renew. After coming back into the hobby as KC2UTV, I converted my General to an Extra, and promptIy applied to the FCC to bring the N2SCL call back to its rightful owner. Luckily, the call was never formally requested and my application was quickly(?) accepted. So much more to say, but then there's the ragchew QSO !!

Catch you down the wire [log]! .... 73.