On 1/8/11 18:08 , Steve wrote:
I'm not a contester either and I personally wouldn't spring for a
rig as pricey as the Yaesu FTDX-5000. At one time I might have
been convinced to take the plunge, but I've played with high end
rigs and the real world difference in performance between a 5K
rig and a $1500 rig is not what the price difference might lead
you to expect.

I say this not to disparage the high end rigs, but to celebrate
the lower end rigs and what they're capable of!

Once you reach a certain level, the difference is going to be a
function of your antenna performance.

But then, that's always true at any level.

During the heyday, Zenith T/Os were known for their exceptional
sensitivity and deep reach on crowded bands. With the built-in whip.

Truth is, that T/0's were good, but nothing special. With a hand
alignment, they could be made to be reasonably selective, but that
legendary sensitivity was merely a perception, and artifically
contrived, at that.

With Zenith's lowered threshold, increasing the operating range,
of the AGC, and reduced recovery time, T/O's would seem to be more
sensitive than the average receiver, when sitting side by side. The
deeper reach made quieter signals pop more lively on the T/O than
rigs in the same class. And most owners didn't realize that increase
in noise along with the signal was not a sign of increased sensitivity.

Even so, T/O's were often $75-100 more than similar radios in the
same class.

Real world...they were usually more radio than most listeners
would ever need.

Today, a modern rig can easily reach within striking distance of
that $5k rig for far less. The difference is often at the very
limits of performance, if not the limits of credibility. And the
number of features most users will never touch.

For a few thousand, you can improve your radio and improve your
performance by a few percent.

For a few hundred you can improve your antenna and improve your
performance tenfold.