Data collected from manufacturers brochures and ARRL's Product review. I would very much appreciate feedback helping me to improve this information.
A compiled list of various vendors are supplied here.
The following rigs are discussed:
Rig | QST Product review | |
Kenwood TS-790 | April 1991, p 39 | http://www.kenwoodcorp.com/i/products/hamindx.html |
Icom IC-821 | March 1997, p70 | http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/satellite/ |
Yaesu FT-760 | May 1990, p30 | http://www.yaesu.com/ft736.html |
Property | Detail | Unit | TS-790E | IC-821H | FT-736R |
Mode | CW/FM/LSB/USB | y/n | |||
TX/RX coverage | 2m | MHz | |||
70cm | MHz | ||||
23cm | MHz | ||||
Sensitivity (500 Hz filter) | 144 MHz | dBm | |||
432 MHz | dBm | ||||
1296 MHz | dBm | ||||
Sensitivity FM, 12 dB SINAD | 144 MHz | uV | |||
432 MHz | uV | ||||
1296 MHz | uV | ||||
Squelch sensitivity Min | 144 MHz | uV | |||
432 MHz | uV | ||||
1296 MHz | uV | ||||
Squelch sensitivity Max | 144 MHz | uV | |||
432 MHz | uV | ||||
1296 MHz | uV | ||||
Dynamic range, Blocking | 144 MHz | dB | |||
432 MHz | dB | ||||
1296 MHz | dB | ||||
Dynamic range, 2tone, 3order int.mod dist | 144 MHz | dB | |||
432 MHz | dB | ||||
1296 MHz | dB | ||||
Dynamic range, 3order inp intercept | 144 MHz | dBm | |||
432 MHz | dBm | ||||
1296 MHz | dBm | ||||
FM adjacent channel rejection | 144 MHz | dB | |||
432 MHz | dB | ||||
1296 MHz | dB | ||||
FM 2tone 3order IMD dynamic range | 144 MHz | dB | |||
432 MHz | dB | ||||
1296 MHz | dB | ||||
RIT range | CW/SSB | kHz | |||
FM | kHz | ||||
S-meter sensitivity (uV for S9 reading) | 144 MHz | uV | |||
432 MHz | uV | ||||
1296 MHz | uV | ||||
SSB squelch sensitivity | 144 MHz | uV | |||
432 MHz | uV | ||||
1296 MHz | uV | ||||
Transmitter output min CW | 144 MHz | W | |||
432 MHz | W | ||||
1296 MHz | W | ||||
Transmitter output max CW | 144 MHz | W | |||
432 MHz | W | ||||
1296 MHz | W | ||||
Transmitter output min FM | 144 MHz | W | |||
432 MHz | W | ||||
1296 MHz | W | ||||
Transmitter output max FM | 144 MHz | W | |||
432 MHz | W | ||||
1296 MHz | W | ||||
Transmitter output min SSB | 144 MHz | W | |||
432 MHz | W | ||||
1296 MHz | W | ||||
Transmitter output max SSB | 144 MHz | W | |||
432 MHz | W | ||||
1296 MHz | W | ||||
Spurious signal and harmonic suppression | 144 MHz | dBc | |||
432 MHz | dBc | ||||
1296 MHz | dBc | ||||
Third-order intermodulation distortion prod. | 144 MHz | dB | |||
432 MHz | dB | ||||
1296 MHz | dB | ||||
Fifth-order intermodulation distortion prod. | 144 MHz | dB | |||
432 MHz | dB | ||||
1296 MHz | dB | ||||
TX/RX turnaround (PTT release->90%audio) | S1 | ms | |||
S9 | ms | ||||
Power requirements, 13,8V | RX | A | |||
TX | A | ||||
Audio out into 8 Ohm load at 10% THD | Power | W | |||
IF/audio response at 6dB points | CW-N | Hz | |||
CW-W | Hz | ||||
USB | Hz | ||||
LSB | Hz | ||||
IF/audio bandwidth | CW-N | Hz | |||
CW-W | Hz | ||||
USB | Hz | ||||
LSB | Hz | ||||
Size | Width | mm | |||
Height | mm | ||||
Depth | mm | ||||
Weight | kg |
PROPERTY | DETAIL | UNIT | TS-790E | IC-821H | FT-736R |
Digital | 9k6 compatible | y/n/mod | |||
PC interface | y/n | ||||
Memory channels | |||||
DTMF TX | y/n | ||||
DTMF RX | y/n | ||||
PA control line | y/n | ||||
Preamp control line | y/n | ||||
Radio | Crossband duplex | y/n | |||
First manufactured | |||||
VFO's | |||||
Tuning steps SSB/CW | Hz | ||||
Tuning steps FM | kHz | ||||
Complimentary accessories | Mic | y/n | |||
Power cord | y/n |
+ | - | |
TS-790 A | Direct frequency entry | 100 Hz resolution display |
Automatic lock tuning on 23 cm | No RF gain on RX | |
HF-like operation | Sub-optimal on FM | |
Good CW & SSB RX | Change operating frequency when changing mode | |
CW VOX locked on | ||
IC-821H | Good 9k6 Baud packet performance | No 23 cm |
Switchable RF attenator | Missing automatic frequency tracking | |
IF shift control for main band RX | ||
FT 736R | Included AC supply | Complicated user interface |
Quiet receiver | RX offset not kept in memory | |
Poor blocking dynamic range | ||
Change operating frequency when changing mode |