FTdx-5000 - UPDATED Information!!

All -

There is a new pamphlet out on the FTdx-5000 series radios. It looks like there will be a D model, an MP model and a base FTdx-5000.

Click here for the full PDF to read more.

One BIG feature I see is an optional 300Hz filter!! YAY!! It looks like I was incorrect in the 5 roofing filter selections. They and will be - 15kHz, 6kHz, 3kHz, and now 600Hz and 300Hz! SWEET!!!!! There is no mention of an "auto" feature, though. This really is a non-issue, I don't know how much it is used on the FT-950, FT-2000, and FTdx-9000. I would much rather have manual control over them anyway.

A few things that I am dissapointed about are:

Use of DMU-2000. I think Yaesu could have made an improvement over the operation of the DMU-2000, even after the PEP.

The lack of ability to run the rig off 13.8v. I would like to have the ability to run the rig on this voltage for Field Day and emergency power. Though, not necessary I suppose. Since the MosFET's need 50v it isn't practical to run on a 13.8v supply.

A DB9 serial port instead of a USB jack. It is surprising that rigs today are still being made with serial ports and not USB ports. My computer doesn't even have a serial port on it anymore... I have to use an adapter (of which not all the adapters work with everything - different computers and different applications).

Things I want to know more about:

Where is the dynamic range of 112dB coming from? Is that wide spaced or close in?

Does the radio have Diversity Receive capabilities? It looks like it does, but until they show us we can't be certain.

The SM-5000 station monitor looks cool, but it seems like it might be overlapping the spectrum scope feature with the DMU. The stereo speakers is a plus, but I don't know how big of a deal that is. If the spectrum scope is much improved over the DMU the SM-5000 would be well worth it alone, however.

I see there is a listed IF output for the main VFO at 9mHz. I wonder where this is located? If that is the front end first conversion it would be amazing. Based on the very narrow filter widths of 600Hz and 300Hz this leads me to believe the receiver may be a down conversion design, which a 9mHz first IF would confirm.

One of my complaints with nearly all manufacturers (minus Elecraft and Ten Tec) is that they are using up conversion designs. The filtering as part of that up conversion process, up to 60mHz or so, kills the feasibility of low bandwidth roofing filters. As in the FT-2000's case, the filter design presented a challenge and Yaesu corrected their "mistake" by altering the impedance with capacitors. I believe Sherwood Engineering did some tests and found the operational width of the 3kHz filter to be much wider, on the order of 11kHz if I have my numbers right.

In coming out with a radio that is underneath the FTdx-9000 and above the FT-2000 I think this rig fits. I think the improvements on the DMU and changing the receiver from an up conversion design to a down conversion design would push the rig over the FTdx-9000 in performance. If the receiver is a down conversion design it WILL push the FTdx-9000 under the rug. I think Yaesu has probably analyzed this from a marketing stand point quite thoroughly, so I am sure it has been thought through. Perhapps the FTdx-9000 is going to be replaced and therefore the FTdx-5000 is a testing platform for a new receiver approach (down conversion)?