Just wanted to comment and say this thread is very helpful to me. I'm looking at a mobile HF rig and specifically had my eye on the FT-857, but after reading some candid and down-to-earth reviews, I'm now considering the 897 and 7000. To be frank, the 7000 looks awesome, just having a hard time justifying the expense of a top-of-the-line HF mobile as my first rig. Are there any 'classic' HF mobiles you recommend that I might be able to pick up as used?
I'm also trying to make this decision. Here's the radios I'm considering and my thoughts on each.
FT-817 - I'm not into QRP so this is just too low power for me.
FT-857d - Keeps fighting for the top slot due to price (new or used) and features. My biggest concerns have been the complaints about menus and how small the screen is. I have found info to
make a bluetooth control interface for tall three of these FT-8xx radios that would allow me to use Ham Radio Deluxe software to control the radio itself making the menus and screen size issue moot, especially if I use a touchscreen tablet to run the HRD software. Hmmm....
FT-897d - Kinda chunky. Not sure how that'll work mounted in a vehicle as the radio is a bit bigger. Not sure I like the proprietary battery pack. I'd much prefer if I could throw in some good rechargable AA cells instead.
IC-7000 - Wow, nice big screen, menus easier to navigate (according to reviews) and good filters already built in. A LOT more expensive (about $300 more than 857d new).
IC-7100 - Okay, this one gets me excited. Not only a nice big screen, big filters, and built in digital modes, but it has a touch screen making menu navigation even easier than the 7000. Problem with this radio is it is another $400 over the 7000. Almost twice the price of a new 857d.
Why doesn't Baofeng make an All-Mode/All-Band radio? Then I could get one for $100.
I'm still making my choice, but wanted to throw out what I thought were high/low points. I'm still leaning toward the 857d, but if I suddenly get enough funds to afford it that 7100 is sexy, baby.
-Brian