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Re: What type of radio do you use for contesting?
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Heathkit DX-60
Homebrew DDS VFO
Drake 2-B/2-BQ
B&W 381C T/R switch
With this rig have made DXCC CW now working to DXCC 40 Meters with it. Thanks LOTS to all who have answered my call in the contests!
Posted by
k6ctw
on February 7, 2018
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Type of Rig
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Over the past 20 years, have used, with my
personal IMD rating:
IC-765-10
FT-1000-10
FT-1000MP-7
TS-950SDX-6
TS-940S-6
IC-756ProIII-7
IC-7600-8
Orion I-9
IC-7700-10
IC-7800-10
K3-10
K2/100-8
FT-2000-6
FT-100D-6
FT-857D-6
IC-781-no opinion
IC-7000-7
IC-706-0
TS-50S-5
Argonaut V-7
I currently use the IC-7800, IC-7600 backup,
IC-7000 DXpedition.
I did not like the K2 and K3 due to
ergonomics, and lack of ease of menu
operation, as well as poor S meter and SWR
meter. Receiver was good. The Orion I kept
muting itself.
IC-7600 is very easy to use and ergonomics
are similar to the IC-7800. The receiver on
the IC-7600 is fine for everything except 40
CW in the ARRL DX and CQWW DX. Even so, with
an IC-7800 or K3 you are only going to make
10 percent more QSO's at best. The guys in
the contest club are buying the FTDX-5000.
I like the DSP in Icom better than Yaesu or
Elecraft. There is no need for beverages any
more.
Posted by
K3MD
on November 16, 2012
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IC-765
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Main: pair of IC-765
Spare: pair of IC-751A, IC-740
Posted by
dj7ww
on September 11, 2012
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FT-1000MP
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Flawed survey. I'm pretty sure the most used contest radio(s) ever are the FT-1000MP, MK-V, and Field. They are hidden away in "other."
Posted by
N4GG
on September 8, 2012
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IC-746 PRO x 2
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Pair of 746 PRO SO2R
Posted by
VU2PTT
on April 6, 2012
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Kenwood TS-870
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Excellent filters and audio !
Posted by
TF8GX
on April 6, 2012
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TS-850
Posted by
VO1MX
on March 23, 2012
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K3/P3/KPA500
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K3 Still handles crowded bands better than any other radio I've owned and I've had good radios from all the major manufacturers.
P3 Panadapter best op-aid for finding signals and now I have the new big screen adapter so less eye-strain.
When I use it, the KPA500 (500 watt matching amp) is seamless with the K3. Auto bandswitching, no tune and 500 watts out is MORE than enough power. I vote to limit all contests to 100 watts though. That would certainly help level the playing field. Skill over brute force any day!
Posted by
W0EB
on March 23, 2012
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FT-1000MP
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Early nineties vintage MP with 250Hz CW and 2.1kHz SSB plus roofing filter from INRAD, click mod.
Posted by
VE3CV
on March 22, 2012
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FT1kMP forever
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I still prefere my modified FT1000MP.
Final modification list:
------------------------
- custom internal AC/DC power supply instead of original Yaesu
- roofing filters for main and second RX, for main RX with reduced gain
- wide SSB INRAD 2.8k line filters instead of Yaesu 2.4k on both IF
- narrow INRAD 1.8k at 2nd IF and Yaesu 1.9k at 3rd IF
- 400+500Hz wide CW combo INRAD/Yaesu
- 250+250Hz narrow CW combo INRAD/Yaesu
- Collins 526-8739-020 2.4k SSB filter instead of original Murata at 2nd RX board
- 400Hz INRAD CW in 2nd RX optional slot
- modified RX AGC loop delay
Posted by
OK1VWK
on March 18, 2012
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FT817
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My contest rig is the 817, especially good on RTTY
Posted by
KM7Q
on March 14, 2012
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Omni VII
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I use a Ten-Tec Omni VII both at home and at a contest station with other guys (who also use multiple Omni VII, Orion II, and a couple K3s.) Omni VII holds its own - very quiet receiver, clean audio on transmit, good radio for the money.
/// James - K8JHR ///
Posted by
k8jhr
on March 10, 2012
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IC 756 Pro 3
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Best radio I've ever owned.
Posted by
AB5XZ
on March 9, 2012
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IC-735
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It's paid for!
Posted by
KX7L
on March 7, 2012
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TS-870
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Main Radio Kenwood TS-870
V/UHF Yaesu FT-847
Posted by
w5jbo
on March 7, 2012
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IC-707
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Not high end by any stretch, but I know this rig like the back of my hand and it does what I need it to do. Perhaps as I get better I will graduate to a rig with more bells and whistles, but I can control the rig through N1MM and it performs fine for my level of experience in contesting!
Posted by
K7FLI
on March 6, 2012
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FT-920
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I use an FT-920 with YAESU 500Hz and INRAD
250Hz IF filters for CW. It has got also an
INRAD 1,8KHz SSB...
Posted by
iv3ynb
on March 5, 2012
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K3
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Have PRO2, Orion, FT-1000MP, FT-2000.
K3 blows them all away. Better RX than Orion (second best).
When I can get multiple K3s we put them in as many OP positions as I can.
Best reason yet, made in US and by me no less.
Posted by
k0tv
on March 4, 2012
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IC7000
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I can pack the entire 100w station into one
rolling carryon, including antennas. Good rx,
easy controls (once you get used to them).
It's not a K3, but it's 25% of the size! And it
functions well enough for me. :)
Posted by
NQ3X
on March 4, 2012
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K3
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In 45 years of contesting, I've tried lots of radios from every manufacturer, especially on CW. Over the past year I have used a K3 at home as well as in a serious multi op environment. For my money, it is the top of the pack in every category. It is easily adaptable to each operator and the receiver front end is the current state of the art.
Posted by
n3xf
on March 2, 2012
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K2/5
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My primary contest radio (so far only CW) has been the Elecraft K2 (QRP) since I built it in 1999. Even though I have fairly simple antennas (wire dipole fed w/ladder line) it always gets the signal out and more importantly, the receiver is superb.
Posted by
k6ctw
on March 2, 2012
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A dinosaur but solid rig
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Right now my main rig is a TS-940S. Even though she's old, old, old, she still manages to turn a head or two at the 'ball'. Soon I hope to let her live out the remaining years in a less stressful rag chewing role and bring in a workhorse of a newer rig. I've been looking at many of the new rigs but haven't made up my mind. I am an old Kenwood guy and only wish Kenwood had a contender in the FT-2000/5000 arena. I'm in no hurry to spend $3K to $5K on a new rig.
Gene W5DQ
Posted by
W5DQ
on February 28, 2012
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IC 7600
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Great radio / Love it.
Posted by
KV5Q
on February 28, 2012
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TS-480hx
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For the money.. cant be beat!
fully loaded with 500 and 250 hz cw filters that you can use in digital modes also... the extra 100 watts is a plus.. can run all day long at 100 watts and stays cool.
I run mine a s SDR radio. I dont touch it. Under desk. Keeps right up with a 100 watt contester radio for a third of the price!
Posted by
n7uvh
on February 26, 2012
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Yaesu FT-897D
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I also use a Yaesu FT-897D successfully in
contests with a 250 Hz Collins IF filter.
73,
Steve - AA5TB
Posted by
AA5TB
on February 25, 2012
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80m sosb arrldx 2012
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SX71/BC453 Q5er
ARC5 VFO AF67 keyed exciter 3x 805 PA 600w
half wave vertical
Posted by
w7dra
on February 25, 2012
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IC-9100
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Posted by
NM3G
on February 24, 2012
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FT-2000
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In conjunction with the VL-1000 its a push and go setup. Quick and easy. Contesting and dxing, great radio.
Posted by
K4ZS
on February 23, 2012
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Yaesuicom
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Run Radio Yaesu FT-1000MP MK V
S&P Radio Icon 756 Pro 3
Field Day/Rt 66 Radio Yaesu FT 897D
Posted by
AD6WL
on February 22, 2012
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Kenwood TS590S
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For contesting, we sold our Pro III for a TS590S. I don't miss the thumping (clicking) of nearby QRM in a contest on the Pro III. Amazed at the performance of the TS590S for keeping an awesome clean frequency!
One thing I really want to mention is the excellent customer service at Kenwood at taking the time to answer questions. I was an IC Pro series op from 1998-2011 so making this change was major and they really have pride in this rig- On CW contesting, on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, out of the box, before any mods, my experience has been:
TS-140- 2
TS-940- 7
FT-950- 7
FT-900- 5
IC 756- 7
IC 7000- 7
IC 756 Pro- 0.1 (awful DSP)
MP-2000- 6 (too complicated for me)
Mark-V- 7
FT-857-0.8 (HF) 9.0 (VHF, hot rx!)
IC Pro III-8 if we only could stay young forever, I would have gotten the Inrad mod-
TS590S-8.5 and improving...It is a dream CW contesting rig and I finally can figure out most of the CAT stuff thrown at me now-
I just wonder how much different life would be if I had gotten the K-3.....
Posted by
n0ah
on February 19, 2012
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IC-765
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I see no need for another radio
Posted by
dj7ww
on February 17, 2012
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Refreshing Diversity
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I like the fact that a lot of different rigs are mentioned in the comments, proving that one "great" rig has yet to emerge. I suspect that in ten years or less the rig of choice will be 100% DSP.
Posted by
W3ULS
on February 17, 2012
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K3TN
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TS-850 as secondary rig. Love that K3.
Posted by
k3tn
on February 16, 2012
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Kenwood
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TS-850 for many years.
now TS-590 since a couple of months
Both radios have excellent receivers.
Superior to any MP or recent ICOM rigs, in my opinion.
Posted by
DJ2QV
on February 15, 2012
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Kenwood
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TS950SDX and a TS940S
Posted by
WB9B
on February 13, 2012
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Icom 7600
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Icom 7600
RTTY
PSK
SSB
Posted by
k6ele
on February 12, 2012
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Omni VII
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So far no one is contesting with an Omni VII. If I want to get involved in contesting does this mean I need to unload my Omni VII?
Posted by
K7NSW
on February 12, 2012
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With the INRAD roofing filter inside, the pro3 is the way to go... This roofing filter can help reduce the third order Intermodulation from multiple strong signals in the 2 to 20 kHz region either side of the tuned frequency. The IMD dynamic range will be improved up to 15 dB for signal spacings from 2 to 20 kHz. Also, the blocking dynamic range will be improved for close in signals. Note that the A-side of the receiver has the narrow roofing filter installed. The B-side still uses only the original Icom filter. Thus a direct comparison can be made by synchronizing the two sides and switching back and forth with the balance control.
GO ICOM GO ICOM
Posted by
W2NTV
on February 11, 2012
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K3
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I left my pair of Orion II's after operating 160 meters in the recent CQWW CW 2011 test. Didn't want to carry the Orion to C6 (Bahamas) so I used a K3 brought down by another Team Vertical member. After the contest I went home and ordered a new K3 and have not regretted it one bit. The K3 has everything I ever wanted, and it has features I didn't know I needed!
Posted by
W6XR
on February 11, 2012
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ICOM IC-765
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I love this radio. Installing roofing filter soon.
Posted by
KX2S
on February 11, 2012
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K3/100
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Best radio ever. Use a US Navigator interface with
HRD/DM780 software, also Scotts' logging software
with some other contests. This radio rocks !! Customer
service is like nothing else, and they all speak
American lol.
Posted by
K1DPE
on February 10, 2012
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Icom 756 Pro II and III
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I love the Icoms for Contesting. Plus the similarity of the Pro II and III make SO2R a breeze. The Pro II is the S&P and the Pro III is the run radio. Varible filters work well for different activity times.
Posted by
w6rtw
on February 8, 2012
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FT1000MP & FT990
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Solid rigs loaded with Inrad filters and mods.
Posted by
K2YR
on February 8, 2012
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FT1000MP - not at all last millennium performance !
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FT1000MP the original.
Key click mod, AGC mod.
Preselectors/band filters for front end.
Some preamps where needed.
INRAD roofing for the 1st IF.
For internal IF stages, all IF filter slots filled with appropriate units.
73,
Jukka OH6LI
Posted by
OH6LI
on February 7, 2012
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Flex-5000
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Brick wall filters, superb strong signal handling and total
ease of station/computer integration.
This is a VISUAL radio - operating a conventional radio loses
one of your senses. Seeing IS believing!
Posted by
k6tu
on February 6, 2012
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FT-950 / FT-450D/IC-735
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Workhorses
Posted by
wa3yur
on February 6, 2012
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The main rig is an old IC-746 with an all band dipole at 30' fed with open line.
Posted by
k0tk
on February 6, 2012
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Yaesu FT-950
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2 each @ KL2R. FT-847 for VHF and HF backup.
Posted by
N1TX
on February 6, 2012
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Orion
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11 Orion's in Multi-Multi environment...Radios are BULLET PROOF....one of the best receivers in the industry and one of the cleanest transmitters too...best move from Yaesu to TenTec for my station. de NQ4I
Posted by
nq4i
on February 6, 2012
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FT1000MK V
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You have to find "the zone" with this rig, but when you do, its as good as any out there. I have 2. Won many, low power, and when I don't, I sure can't blame the rig.
N1UR
Posted by
N1UR
on February 5, 2012
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FT-847
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The Yaesu FT-847 is my main HF, 2m/440MH satellites and CW rig. I also use a SignaLink USB for digital modes.
For VHF, UHF and 900MHz, I use Motorola Spectras.
For 2m packet, I use a Yaesu FT-1500M, TNC-X.
Posted by
KF5GTX
on February 4, 2012
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FT1000MKV FIELD
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Works just great for me.
Posted by
VE7ABC
on February 4, 2012
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IC-7600
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For CW and RTTY
Posted by
w7ry
on February 4, 2012
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FT-1000MP
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Ft-1000MP with Inrad roofing filter, 2x400hz cw, 2x1.8 ssb. I replaced the wide 2.6 ssb with an Icom FL-44a.
Posted by
K1XT
on February 4, 2012
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IC-765
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Using still good old IC-765 with Inrad roofing filter and sharper CW/SSB filters (replaced).
Rich OK8WW / OM2TW
Member of OL4A & C5A
Posted by
OM2TW
on February 4, 2012
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K3 Rocks!
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Absolutely THE BEST radio I have ever used in my life! Kudo's to ELECRAFT!
Posted by
k7xc
on February 4, 2012
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ic-765
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ic-765 w/ inrad roofing filter and inrad sharp if filters.
Posted by
k3jt
on February 3, 2012
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TT Orion I and II
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I'll stack either of my Orion's against ANY other radio in a contest, especially in an S02R configuration. Absolutely bulletproof front ends.
Posted by
w0pr
on February 3, 2012
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Quite limited list of radios mentioned on the survey. Mine are FT-1000MP and FT-1000MP Mark V Field both loaded with Inrad filters
Posted by
OH6XX
on February 2, 2012
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K3
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I wish I was as good as my K3 /10!
Posted by
N0OKS
on February 1, 2012
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Ten-Tec Omni VI+
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Great CW radio!
Posted by
N2UM
on February 1, 2012
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FT-1000MP MK 5
Posted by
K0PY
on February 1, 2012
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FT-1KMP, TS-930S
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Both have INRAD roofing filters & regular filters. 930 has PIEXX board. Both work quite well.
Posted by
N9CO
on February 1, 2012
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IC-7600
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2 IC 7600's Great radio
Posted by
N3MX
on February 1, 2012
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746 Pro
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746 Pro
Posted by
N8YA
on January 31, 2012
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FT2000
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I find this rig to be a very capable contest radio. I have used it in many contests and enjoy operating with it.
I have the matching VL1000 and it makes for a real "push button kilowatt" contest station.
Posted by
w1ctn
on January 30, 2012
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IC706MKIIG
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Not the greatest, but for all around contesting from an apartment it does fine.
Posted by
k3oq
on January 30, 2012
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Kenwood Ts-930s
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With filters and Piexx
Posted by
n1bnc
on January 29, 2012
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Yaesu FT-897D
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I use an FT 897D.
Not exactly a contest grade radio, but it works for me.
Posted by
KB3LIX
on January 29, 2012
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Re: What type of radio do you use for contesting?
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TS-440SAT RTTY
IC-738 SSB/CW
Posted by
KM4JA
on January 29, 2012
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IC 746Pro
IC 7000
Posted by
VE5ZX
on January 29, 2012
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K2/100
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The main HF rig: K2/100
The main VHF rig: IC-746
Posted by
K2QO
on January 28, 2012
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23% (105)