Tag Archives: Yaesu FT-450

Covid-19: Popular Yaesu and Alinco rigs meet early demise

 

No doubt, the Covid-19 global pandemic has had a mostly negative impact on our daily lives. 

Surprisingly, I found that the impact on the amateur radio world, at first, was quite minimal. Not only did sheltering at home seem to increase the number of operators on the air, but I found that most of the radio items I needed to purchase were largely available.

Since mid-May, however, radio retailers have struggled to maintain inventory on certain items mainly due to shipping issues from manufacturers (especially when international shipping was involved). Covid-19 issues have also delayed the introduction of a number of transceivers and portable shortwave radios we should have seen in production already.

Most recently, however, I learned from a trusted source that Covid-19 has lead to the early demise of at least two popular radio models.

Alinco DX-R8T: Discontinued

The Alinco DX-R8T has enjoyed a long product life. I recall reviewing this fine tabletop receiver back in 2011. It has been a very popular radio because it’s been one of the only “legacy” tabletop receivers still in production.

I recently learned that Alinco will no longer produce the DX-R8T due to “parts issues.” One would have to assume that this will also affect the DX-R8E (EU version) and eventually the DX-SR8T which is the transceiver version of this model.

Retailers may still have some inventory of these models, but once those models have been purchased, there will be no more. I would certainly suggest purchasing the DX-SR8T transceiver as an alternative since the price difference is modest and it’s built on the same receiver as the DX-R8T.

Yaesu FT-450D: Discontinued

Like the Alinco above, Yaesu has announced that they are discontinuing production of the popular Yaesu FT-450D general coverage transceiver due to “parts issues.”

Yaesu FT-DX1200

It’s worth noting the venerable Yaesu FT-DX1200 recently met the same fate.

To be clear: parts obsolescence happens in the best of times.  Covid-19 has simply accelerated the issue.

If you’ve been considering the purchase of one of these models, you might bite the bullet now if you can find a retailer with inventory.

If I learn of any other radios being discontinued, I’ll publish updates here on the SWLing Post.

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Field Day 2017 with the Club Radio Amateur de Québec

Gaétan Trépanier (VE2GHO) making final adjustments to the club’s HF Yagi

For the second year in a row, I had the pleasure of hanging out with the Club Radio Amateur de Québec (C.R.A.Q.) on Field Day. Members number well over 150 and the club has a history dating back to 1926.

Last year, I found myself in Québec during my favorite on-air event, so I reached out to the club’s Field Day organizer and found myself welcomed with open arms; I was especially honored to discover that the group even reserved a time slot at the radio for me.

When I reached the site Saturday morning (June 24), I felt like I was coming back to a radio reunion. The folks at the club were incredibly hospitable, and once again, I enjoyed operating as VE2CQ.

Here are a few photos I took of the site and some of the club’s members in action:

I snapped the following shot as I started my 18:00-20:00 shift:

Shortly before my radio shift ended at 20:00, Sébastien Le Galle (VA2SLW) sat down with me to listen as I worked stations across the band. As I was about to hang up the microphone, instead, I offered it to him. Sébastien, I learned, is a newly-minted ham and, turns out, had never made contact on the radio. I encouraged him to take the mic, which he did without hesitation. After a very brief intro on the Field Day exchange, Sébastien worked two stations in succession. Moreover, as I learned the next day, he worked an additional four stations after I left the site. Bravo, Sébastien! And welcome!

Sébastien (VA2SLW) operating VE2CQ. (Photo courtesy of C.R.A.Q)

As I finally left the site around 20:45 (local), I snapped a few photos of the Field Day house and antennas at the Base de plein air de Sainte-Foy.  A beautiful evening at a great site––and a fine finish to a thoroughly enjoyable Field Day, once again.

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