My FT-890 is once again on the shack bench for more distinguished service. 3 years ago I foolishly boxed the radio for an early retirement, well it’s now back in service. I have to say the ‘warm’ audio quality on receive is better than my IC-7300 and the combined IF Notch & IF Shift deals with adjacent interference while the VFO controller is rock solid.
I purchased the FT-890 new from a Dick Smith electronics store in the early 90s for $1999.00, I think from the Ringwood, Vic store.
The FT-890 is a 100 watt HF all band transceiver with a general coverage receiver covering 100 kHz to 30 MHz. With the right antenna VLF reception is excellent, I have spent many hours chasing NDB beacons operating between 150 kHz and 500 kHz.
The FT-890 was way ahead of it’s time, almost cavalier with it’s 16bit CPU. As you can see all controls are on the front panel.
I will once again enjoy chasing SOTA and VKFF (Parks) and I may even take the 5.6 kg beast on a drive-up mountain SOTA activation this coming weekend at Webbs Ridge VK2/ST-005 🙂
Features:
- Tx Bands – 160 to 10m
- 100 watts output in CW, SSB and FM modes. 25 watts output on AM.
- Adjustable power output control
- Speech Compressor
- Mic Gain
- VOX
- Break-in CW
- Electronic Keyer
- Dual VFOs
- Switchable Pre-amplifier
- 30 dual VFO memories and 2 band edge memories
- IF Notch
- IF Shift
- Noise Blanker
- Attenuator
- Integrated SWR, Power and ALC meter
- 10m FM repeater programmable offset and tones
Get out of the Radio Shack and Live Life 