[600MRG] My quest for better LF/MF receiving "justifies" a new rig

[sbjohnston at aol.com]

 I've just not been satisfied with my receiver options for low frequency listening - none of my receivers really work very well there.  My Kenwood R-1000, Icom IC-7200, TenTec Paragon, and Alinco DX-70 all "work" there but not well enough.  Of those modern designs I would say the DX-70 is the best on 475 kHz, but not well enough not to be frustrating.  And the one I have that is sensitive and selective there, the BC-453, has a tuning rate that is way too fast.  I could modify it for better bandspread, but it isn't phase stable for digital modes, so that seems futile.  

For several days I was thinking about what to do.  The itch to buy something was getting really strong...  I brought together all my current interests and considered the receivers and transceivers out there now, looking at features and prices.  I also considered my growing frustration at a having a very crowded operating desk - I've got a lot of gear, each with its strengths for a band or a mode, but the stacks of rigs and the interconnection hassles have been irritating me lately. 

In the end I decided to order a do-all-in-one rig, the Kenwood TS-990S.  I did some negotiating and got it for several hundred dollars less that what the other dealers were been asking, but the total is still far beyond what I ever imagined I would pay for a rig.   Oh, man - I must be nuts.  

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/protected/Group/Members/ProductReview/PROD_REV_0214.pdf
http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/WebFiles/File/uk/download/Technologies/RadCom_June13-TS990S.pdf

 
The specs for LF/MF reception seemed good and were confirmed at 137 and 475 kHz in the QST and RadCom reviews.  I'll soon find out for myself if it satisfies my need in that one regard, and if it manages to displace my other rigs for other modes and activities (to justify such a cost).  If so I can sell some of my collection to partially offset the purchase - emphasis on the "partially".  



Steve WD8DAS

sbjohnston at aol.com
http://www.wd8das.net/
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