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 We asked:
What's the best rig you've ever had?

'I like it so much that I have now added a second one'

Robin, G1MHU

Robin Moseley

G1MHU

ICOM IC-7610

The IC-7610 set up of Robin Moseley

​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.    

  • TS-890S: Discounted mainly because of its size, it really does not fit in my shack. 

  • 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 Simmon's favourite rig, the FT 3000

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

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. 

A Kenwood TS-590 transceiver
An amateur radio transceiver

...finally, a warning to all radio amateurs

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