In article
,
Stuart Longland VK4MSL wrote:

I think the real questions a
(1) How often are you going to use it portable/mobile? (For me, I'd
was using my '897D portable at least once a week... and when my
handheld died -- I was using it mobile daily -- even on public
transport.)
(2) What bands are you likely to use? The K3 offers up to 6m with a
2m option, the '897D offers up to 70cm as standard. (I use 2m a _lot_)

I agree that we have to try to anticipate our needs.

The all-in-one rigs offer *so* many great features that it is
downright befuddling trying to take advantage of all the features,
in one lifetime.


In the end, emotions and expectations affect a lot of us when it
comes to these purchases, rather than hard facts.


However, I *will* say that rig performance in a crowded band
can reveal a lot about the quality of one rig versus another.

That is why I have an emotional attachment to QRP rigs,
particularly CW QRP rigs, using exotic methods to fish out very
weak signals in a crowded environment. Fun, fun, fun.


I expect it is a lot more difficult to fish out a weak SSB signal. g

Wonder if any hams are experimenting with liquid nitrogen cooled
RF front ends to their rigs, to reduce thermal noise.



Getting back to reality for a moment, I have almost decided to base
my personal choice on whatever rig has the best receiver for weak
CW signals, in a crowded band.

If all rigs are essentially equal in this respect, then I get to
consider _other_ aspects of their performance.


If one rig stands out head and shoulders above others for CW work,
then I would be strongly tempted to favor that rig.

(assuming of course diversity antennas to minimize fading)

Playing with CW is just a personal choice, in my case.

Mark