Product Review and Short Takes from QST Magazine February, 2005 Product Reviews: Yaesu FT-60R Dual-band Handheld Transceiver International Radio Roofing Filters for Yaesu FT-1000MP Series Transceivers West Mountain Radio PWRgate and Computerized Battery Analyzer Short Takes: Heil Classic and Heritage Microphones Copyright © 2005 by the American Radio Relay League Inc. All rights reserved.
PRODUCT REVIEW Yaesu FT-60R Dual-band Handheld Transceiver Reviewed by Dan Henderson, N1ND Contest Branch Manager Ready to replace the old handheld transceiver with one of the dual-band models? If so you’ll want to check out the latest offering from Vertex Standard, the Yaesu FT-60R. This lightweight (13 ounce) transceiver packs good “bang for the buck” with many extra features that will appeal to most Amateur Radio operators.
Table 1 Yaesu FT-60R, Serial Number 4K050350 Manufacturer’s Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab Frequency coverage: Receive, 108-137 MHz (AM), 137-520 MHz (AM/FM), 700-999 MHz (cell blocked); transmit, 144-148, 430-450 MHz. Receive and transmit, as specified. Power requirements: 6.0-16.0 V dc1; receive, 0.13 A; transmit, 1.6 A max, high power. Receive, 0.17 A (max volume, no signal); Transmit, 1.7 A. Tested at 7.2 V. Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing Sensitivity: AM, 10 dB S/N, 108-137; 0.
Wide-Coverage Internet Repeater Enhanced System (WIRES). Also new to me with this radio was its automatic range transponder system (ARTS), a system that allows you and another ARTS-equipped station to determine if you are within range for radio communications. Again, I could see this feature being useful for groups on an outdoor outing and the like, but it is one of the bells and whistles that I would probably not be inclined to utilize.
Table 2 Comparison of Two FT-1000MP Series Transceivers With and Without International Radio Roofing Filter Modification Yaesu Mark V FT-1000MP, serial number 0K120017 Data taken on 20 meters with pre-amp off Parameter Unmodified Noise Floor –123 dBm Audio/IF Bandwidth 600 Hz Blocking Dynamic Range, 20 kHz 130 dB 5 kHz 105 dB 2 kHz 102 dB 1 kHz 104 dB1 IMD Dynamic Range, 20 kHz 88 dB 5 kHz 76 dB 2 kHz 69 dB 1 kHz 68 dB *Measurement was noise limited at the value indicated.
terfering signals may be audible at all, until the second one shows up and the 3OIMD signal appears within the listening bandwidth. Enter International Radio International Radio (InRad) has been providing high quality selectivity setting filters for years, and has now responded to the need for roofing filters as well. They have designed a (almost) plug and play roofing filter for the Yaesu FT-1000MP series transceivers with a bandwidth of 4 kHz instead of the stock 12 kHz unit.
mertime Scout operations—not good for winter months. While looking through a recent issue of QST, I noticed an ad for the West Mountain Radio PWRgate PG40. The PWRgate can handle up to 40 A continuously, either from a power supply or battery. That makes it a perfect match for my 40 A switching supply, and will handle the current requirements of my Elecraft K2/100 HF rig, KAT100 antenna tuner and a VHF FM transceiver and other station accessories.
Figure 6—The results of testing my pulled 100 Ah gel cell. I set this test to draw 7 A from the battery. Notice that the test stopped when the battery voltage dropped to 10.4 V. This battery appears to have a capacity of about 88 Ah, rather than the rated 100 Ah. setup. The graph automatically adjusts the vertical voltage scale and the horizontal capacity scale to suit your test. The CBA continues to draw the specified current until the battery voltage drops to the end voltage.
SHORT TAKES Heil Classic and Heritage Microphones Mike Gruber, W1MG ARRL Laboratory Engineer w1mg@arrl.org The Heil Classic The Heil Classic is a replica of a 1930 RCA 74B broadcast microphone. A few of its more notable features include: • Two mic elements easily selected by a miniature backpanel toggle switch. The elements are partially selectable at the time of purchase. More about this later. • Switchable high and low im1pedance is set by a tiny bottom-panel slide switch.
