I agree with you. Yes there is a $300 difference, and thats why I said it was "about as much". For me, $300 is $300, I was just saying the prices were similar; as opposed to the huge price difference between the TS-2000 and the IC-9100. But again we don't have the technical specifications of the 9100.
You and I are probably not the "average ham". I spend a considerable amount of time on the air, whether it be on the birds, on 6 meters, or chasing DX. I too am seriously considering the Flex 5000 as it does appear to be, overall, the best HF/6 meter radio in the ham radio market today. I have to consider whether my current HF setup of a Yaesu FT-950, along with the RFSPACE SDR-IQ used as a pan adaptor, is dramatically inferior to the Flex 5000. I would appreciate thoughts about this (via direct email) from someone such as yourself, or others who own the Flex. What I am on the fence about, is spending that much money in a module that will give me access to the existing fleet of ham radio satellites. Perhaps one day I'll revive my interest in weak signal VHF/UHF capabilities, but not at this time. For me it looks like making an investment in the Flex purely for HF work, is looking like it's the direction I may go to; and later on, decide on the direction of the world above 50 Mhz. Which is why I believe that we could very well have options in the future, other than the Flex module. And for now, my TS-2000 works great for me on the birds, but don't get me started about 436.795! 73 de W4AS On May 16, 2010, at 5:46 PM, Michael Tondee wrote: > I guess "about as much" is relative. Right now, based on sale prices, > there is right at $300 difference in the Flex V/U module and a TS-2000. > I don';t know about you but $300 is a decent chunk of change to me. > Besides that, we are comparing apples to oranges. The V/U module with > take advantage of all of the advantages that the Flex has over the > TS-2000 to start with. Not only will it be satellite capable, it will > also make the Flex 5000 a hot contender for other VHF/UHF weak signal > work. I've owned a TS-2000X before and while I thought it was a fine all > around general purpose rig, I never disillusioned myself into thinking > that it was anything more. From everything I've seen of the Flex it is > much more and will continue to evolve into much more given time. > I've owned my Flex 5000A a little over a month and I don't want any > other radio, satellite or otherwise cluttering up my operating desk. It > might take me awhile to afford to put the V/U module in my rig and I may > have lots more money in things than any other rig I've owned when I do > but IMO it will be worth it. > 73, > Michael, W4HIJ > On 5/16/2010 2:59 PM, Sebastian wrote: >> I sold my IC-910H recently, as I had thoughts about going with the >> 9100. But at that price, I can't justify it. >> >> I agree that the Flex 5000 is probably a much better radio (since we >> don't yet know all the technical details on the 9100). However the >> cost of the V/U module for the Flex is about as much as you would pay >> for a brand new TS-2000. Sure the Flex offers more, but let's face >> it, with the current birds in orbit, it's overkill for the average ham >> who makes occasional satellite contacts. _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
