[INRAD] FT1000 MP Mk5

Sun Dec 25 18:08:25 CST 2005

Hi Ray and other inrad list members,

First, let me wish everyone Season's Greetings.

As far as the differences between the amplifier mod and the roofing filter, I can only offer an opinion, and it is based on not having installed the amplifier mod, because by the time I got my MK5, the Roofing filter was available.

The first hint I got that i should go straight to the roofing filter mod, was the fact that it seemed everyone had one for sale on the various lists I frequent. They were going at reasonable prices, $20 or $25 as I recall, but there seemed to be few takers, as everyone had either traded "up" to the roofing filter or planned to do so, but were on the at that time looooong waiting list.

Secondly, once I read the literature on the inrad site and here and there that explained the roofing filter concept, it was also clear that this is what was probably required.

I would characterise it this way. Maybe the roofing filter does not have as much gain as the amp mod, but because of the sharp selectivity, the amp can afford not to have as much gain -- there's just less crud in there anyway. Nearly every ham that has visited my shack since then has remarked at two things, first, how quiet the bands are compared to their set-ups, including one ham who lives a hundred yards away from me. Secondly, they are amazed at what I actually hear at my noise floor. What one of them has described as S-2 (as in S minus 2) because yes the signal is S0, but it is also very very light, but also perfectly readable either at the 2.4KHz or the 2.1KHz bandpass filter settings.

As far as I am aware, the gain of the roofing filter, at least in units after the initial batch --  seems to be on par with the amplifier mod, so I am not even convinced that this is an issue.

Finally my own assessment of the issue: First get rid of everything you don't need. ie Get the best selectivity you can possibly get. Then, get as much gain as possible... Hence I'm extremely happy with the roofing filter and would readily enter any duel against anyone with just the amp. mod.

You'll note that I didn't quote dB's and IMD's and stuff like that. I'm not an engineer, and I doubt my ears could cetect most of this anyway. What I do know is that I have already gotten accustomed to the roofing filter, and it's only when using any rig without a similar filter that i realise how muchI'm missing out on -- and gladly so, since we all want to get rid of all that extra noise...

A key issue here is also the size of your antenna system or your location and their influence on the strength of signal entering the rig. If you get lots of loud S9+ signals like I tend to from three major land masses -- NA, SA and EU (plus most of AF when they're on) then I'd say roofing filter all the way. If you're not likely to have these huge signals hammering the front end, but can leisurely pull that rare one out of a quiet band, and hardly get involved in contests, then I'd say you won't notice much difference with or without roofing filter.

I hope in some small way, this may have helped to put it all into perspective, or at least make you a little more confused hi hi.

Bottomline: The FT1000xx is a great rig, so with or without roofing or any other filter enjoy it!!!!!

Regards,

Dean - 8P6SH

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ray Lewis 
  To: list at inrad.net 
  Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2005 1:37 PM
  Subject: Re: [INRAD] FT1000 MP Mk5

  Dean,

  Thanks for the post.  I also use the Mark 5 with the Inrad filters and really like it. 

  I installed the Inrad 70 MHz amplifier mod and really like the lowered noise figure when using narrow CW filtering. I was wondering if you noticed an increase in the receiver noise figure when you installed the roofing filter?  The roofing filter does not have quite as much gain as the 70 MHz amp mod, of course only one mod can be installed.  At times I could use the added front end selectivity (rx overload) but I don't want to give up sensitivity.

  What are your (and others?) thoughts on this?

  Thanks

  Ray 

  WA4DCL

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    From: "Dean St. Hill" <dsthill at cbcbarbados.bb>
    Reply-To: dsthill at cbcbarbados.bb
    To: <List-bounces at inrad.net>,<list at inrad.net>
    Subject: Re: [INRAD] FT1000 MP Mk5 Field
    Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2005 16:17:48 -0400

    Hi Doug,

    I can only tell you what has worked for me, and it's likely to work for you, but only if you're the contesting and dxer type. If you're more into ragchewing, you'd be inclined to try a different setup.

    First, take the time to visit the International radio Website. they have an excellent document that explains what the various options are in terms of filters. This is available at the following url: http://www.qth.com/inrad/MP-Filter-Selection.pdf 

    In a perfect world, here's how I'd outfit my Mk5 if I had to do it all over again.

    First, in my situation most bang for the buck comes from the roofing filter - check out these url's for reviews: http://www.qth.com/inrad/QSTReview.pdf and also http://www.qth.com/inrad/RadComReview.pdf. 

    Next the two 2.1KHz filters - 709B and 702C. These provide excellent balance between strong QRM fighting and readability. The other option is possibly the two 1.8KHz filters, but they are too narrow for my own preference.

    Thirdly, the two 250hz filters - the 704C and 708B. I use these for RTTY contesting almost exclusively and they really really work!!!

    Next, I'd desolder the SSB filter in the second RX and install the 2.1KHz filter in its place. Instructions at the following url: http://www.remeeus.nl/english/hamradio/ft1000subrxfiltering.htm. In my opinion, this turns the sub receiver into a very very capable receiver.

    Next, I desolder the stock 500 and replace it with a 400Hz filter, and add the 3rd IF 400Hz filter. That's the 701B and 703C.

    Finally, I'd add a 400Hz to the Sub receiver - that's a 703C. 

    As an option, I'd also remove the stock SSB filters and replace them with the 2.8KHz filters - that is: 715C and 716B. 

    I have actually performed all these mods on my rigs except the final option, which I've only performed on one rig. Was it worth it? I'm still not sure. I do A/B checks between the rig with 2.8 and the standard rig, and while most people say the 2.8 sounds better, quite a few people come out in favour of the other stock rig (in terms of transmit) - while on RX I think the 2.8 sounds a lot better for rag-chewing and net operations. I am likely therefore not to do this on both my rigs.

    Hope that helps and best of luck. You have a good rig, and with these filters, it's difficult for any rig to match it... IMHO.

    As far as disclaimers go... I have no connection to any of the companies involved except being a very satisfied customer of both Yaesu and International Radio.

    Happy Holidays and Good DX!!!

    Regards,

    Dean - 8P6SH

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Doug Graham 
      To: list at inrad.net 
      Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 9:48 PM
      Subject: [INRAD] FT1000 MP Mk5 Field

      I am at a loss to determine what would be the best for this radio.

      I did not get your list with model numbers, the response I did receive related to a filter with a setting of 2.1, I we did not address the "roofing filter issue", please give me an idea what I will be purchasing.

      Thanks Doug WD6CWE

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