Ham Radio Forum

Hello:

I am preparing to do some serious bicycle mobile and portable operation.

I am looking at both the IC 7000 versus the FT 857D radios.

I am leaning heavily toward the FT 857D for the following reasons that I found while surfing the net.
1. The IC 7000 has problems with connectors breaking off the surface mount of the board on the rear of the radio.
2. The receive current is around 1.5 amps for the IC 7000 versus about .5 amps for the FT 857D.
3. The FT 857-D is smaller and lighter.

I am concerned, however, at some of the negative (and rather viscously stated) points regarding the
FT 857D;
1. The receiver is 'poor'; much inferior to that in the IC 7000
2. The radio is not 'weaterproofed' at all. I will be wanted to mount the radio in a home-made bracket on the handlebars of the bike. It will have a clear vinyl cover the folds down over it and snaps in place in the event of rain. However some water is bound to get on it.
3. The radio is notorious for 'birdies'.

My operation will be strictly bicycle mobile and camping. I do not have a car and I plan no base operation with this radio at all.

I would like to do some HF as well as 2 and 440.

I am looking at the 857 rather than the 817 because I feel that I may want to have a little more power than the 5 watts for the 817D.

I plan to use a 13 amp hour 13 vold NIMH battery with a solar panel for charging.

Is the 857D a reasonable choice for this operation or shall I spring the extra bucks (and weight/power) for the IC 7000?

Thank you

Mark Allyn
WA1SEY
Portland, Oregon