18 Sept 2012
Japan Ham Fair 2012
http://onjapan.net/2012/hamfair/icom-kenwood-yaesu.html
The recent Japanese ham fair in Tokyo showcased the latest products about to hit the market in the coming months. Included was the IC-7100 all-mode, all band (including 4m) 100W mobile. What was not there was the long awaited FT-817 replacement. A product I have not seen mentioned yet is the Yaesu FTM-400D digital VHF/UHF radio. I don't think this is a D-star radio, so what form of digital modulation does it use? Is this a Japan only product?
Frankly, I am not expecting a replacement for the FT-817 any time soon. It is selling well again after the long production delay. The Yahoo FT-817 users site is active with new owners. Plus, the several new QRP rigs on the market have taken up quite a bit of the market.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts, though I could be wrong.
I think the failure to bring out a replacement for the FT-817 is a huge lost opportunity for Yaesu. Even if the old design is still selling well, I suspect that Elecraft would not have sold quite as many KX3s if Yaesu had come out with a new model. There were thousands of FT-817 owners just waiting for a replacement.
ReplyDeleteYaesu is using a modified version of its C4FM digital mode.
ReplyDelete