WW4DX dot RADIO

After selling my Yaesu FTDX5000MP last year, and focusing on my Yaesu FTDX101MP, I now have a better grasp on how much superior the FTDX101MP is, as compared to the FTDX5000MP.

For a conventional transceiver, the FTDX5000MP is very good. However what Yaesu has developed with the FTDX101MP, well there is no comparison the FTDX5000MP. The receiver of the FTDX101MP is leaps and bounds ahead of the FTDX5000MP. The filtering, and noise reduction is vastly superior as well. Ergonomically it took a little getting used to the front panel of the FTDX101MP, however after using the FTDX101MP exclusively, I now prefer the layout over the FTDX5000MP. I work a lot of DX, and often the DX station I’m working is using the split frequency method. Accessing the second VFO, and getting it up for either receiving, or transmitting is breeze. The controls that Yaesu is offering on the FTDX101MP, are the ones you are really going to use on a daily basis. The FTDX5000MP, did have more knobs and switches on the front panel, however many were seldom used. Yaesu really cleaned up the front panel controls on the FTDX101MP, over the FTDX5000MP.

The display of the FTDX101MP is fantastic. I have found I prefer the 3DSS band scope, over the traditional waterfall configuration. However, it does take a little getting used to. Another great feature of the FTDX101MP is that the display is also a touch screen, with access to several often used controls. If you take in consideration of the number of controls available on the display in addition to the standard mechanical controls, the FTDX101MP has basically the same amount of front panel control options as the FTDX5000MP.

In conclusion, do I miss the FTDX5000MP? Well yes. It was with me for quite a while, and I enjoyed operating it. Would I purchase another one? No. Outdated technology. Glad I moved on to bigger and better things.

WW4DX

First licensed in 1984 as KB4QLZ. Novice, Tech, General. Upgraded to Extra at the 2005 Dayton Hamvention. Received vanity call WZ4I in 2006. Received vanity call WW4DX in 2019. Active on most HF bands. Avid motorcyclist. Prefer Harley Davidson. Enjoy riding curvy mountain roads. Favorite roads are the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foothills Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway, the Skyland Drive, and several roads in northwestern Georgia. Honorable mention to the curvy mountain roads in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Also enjoy motorcycle camping with family and friends. You can email me by clicking the envelope icon below.

WW4DX stations

Main HF stations are a Yaesu FTDX101MP and a Yaesu FTDX10. Recently added a Kenwood TS-530SP just to have a hybrid transceiver in the mix. Mobile HF rig is a Kenwood TS-480HX. Main Shortwave receiver is a classic Yaesu FRG-7. As you can tell, I prefer Yaesu gear, with a couple pieces of Kenwood gear mixed in. I prefer Heil mics, PR40, PR77D, Pro 7 Headset, HM-12, and the Heil Goldline Elite.

HF amplifiers are a OM Power OM2500HF and a Palstar LA-1K. Dummy load is a Palstar DL5K. Station monitors are a TelePost LP-100A, and a Array Solution Power Master II.

The VHF/UHF gear consist of 2 ICOM ID-51A’s (D-Star), Yaesu FT3D (C4FM/Fusion), and a ICOM ID-4100A (D-Star). RF Shark OpenSpot.

Antenna systems consist of a Palstar AT4K transmatch, a Palstar HF AUTO transmatch, a 120ft Rohn 25G tower, Force12 C19XR 11 element multi-band Yagi, multiple open wire fed doublets, and a ½ wavelength 60 meter dipole. Antenna switching is performed by a Array Solution RATPAK remote antenna switch. The Force12 C19XR is rotated with a Hy-Gain Tail Twister II. The second tower is a 50ft Rohn 25G with a Diamond X300A VHF/UHF vertical at 55ft. Feedline is CommScope 1/2 inch 50 ohm hardline.

ARRL Awards. DXCC MIXED, DXCC PHONE, DXCC 10 METERS, DXCC 15 METERS, DXCC 20 METERS