-- o ICOM

Continued from page 14
The priority watch function can sample any
memory channel. It can also step through the
memory channels, incrementing once each
sample. It'll even do all this while you're scanning
through the band!
All in all, the memory management features
of the FT-411 are the most flexible I've ever
seen , and the operations are surprisingly easy
to do,
Transmitter: Audio reports indicate that the
Kenwood is "oassrer" but more natural, while
the Yaesu is punchier and more "communications"
styled. Output power in the HIGH position
is the same, but the Kenwood seems a bit
stronger in the LOW position. There is no mention
in the Yaesu specs of the output in the LOW
position.
Receiver: The Yaesu has wider cove rage,
and selectivity is better. The Kenwood, with
one of the " hottest" receivers I've ever seen,
makes clear audio fro m signals th e 41 1
doesn't even hear. But comparisons with
other rigs show the Yaesu to be about aver-
"This radio has a ten-number
DTMF autodialer!"
Autodialer
This radio has a ten-number DTMF autodialer!
It stores numbers of up to 15 digits each,
sending them at the touch of a button. If you're
a control op or use an autopatch, it's just
great. The procedure lor entering numbers is
a bit cryptic and could have been done better,
but it's worth getting the hang of it. Especially
for portable operation, this is one feature that
will make you wonder how you ever got along
without it. Of course, OTMF may also be manually
senl.
Documentation
With all these features, some good instructions
are in order, and they are provided. The
book is written in clear English and takes you
easily through the operations. Also, a walletsized
"crib card " set is provided.
Comparisons
I couldn 't help but compare the 411 to my
Kenwood TH-25AT, a rig I just recently reviewed
. Here are some observations:
Mechanical: The Yaesu is slightly smaller
and noticeably lighter than the Kenwood, I find
the front-mounted LCD easier 10 use, though
the top-mounted one on the Kenwood is better
protected from scratches. Both rigs feel good
and solid.
Features: The Yaesu does everything the
25AT does, and lots more. Unique 411 features
include 49 memories, direct frequency
entry, and autodialer.
18 73 Amateur Radio • June, 1989
age, and certainly adequate-any
you can hit, you can receive.
The Kaboom Audio Enh ancer
My principal complaint about this radio is
that the audio output power is just too small , In
addition, the FT-411's speaker has a tinny,
fUZZy quality. There's an easy way, however,
to improve this.
A big part of the audio problem is acoustical.
The interaction of the speaker with the size
and depth of the grille greatly affects the volume
and sound quality. Deliberately blocking
part of the speaker causes a significant increase
in volume, along with a reduction in
fuzziness. The improvement is caused by the
creation of a resonant chamber between the
speaker and the grille front.
Go to an art store and gel a clear adhesive
plastic film with paper backing. If you can't
find this, substitute with wide adhesive tape,
as long as il is fairly thick. Cut out a piece 1"
wide by 13116" long. Cut out from the 1 ~ wide
piece a cen ter piece 3/16" wide by 5/ 1 6~ long.
If you hold the rig so thai you're looking into
the grille from the bottom, you can see the slot
for the microphone in the upper left corner,
and also the vertical center post in front of the
speaker. Wipe the grille with a tissue, peel off
the paper backing from Ihe back of the plastic
film, and paste the film onto the rig with the top
edge centered over the top horizontal sial,
and the hole centered over the vertical post.
The left edge of the film should just clear the
right side of the mike slot. Exact placement
isn't critical. Finally, using your fingernai l,
bend the edges of the film Into the top and
bottom slots.
That's it-the radio will now sound a whole
lot better and you haven't even voided your
warrantyl
Nit-Picks
The manual, while easy to read, omi ts a
great deal. Although a full schematic is provided,
audio output and TX current drain specs
are given at 12 volts, so I have no idea what
they are with normaI7.2-volt battery use (they
should be a lot less). No mention is made of
the lithium battery, nor of how to wire a microphone
for the rig. You can review the contents
Conclusion
This is the most advanced single-band HT
available today. Despite the list of nit-picks,
its bevy of features makes the FT-41 1 an
outstanding value. If you want a powerhouse
of features in your pocket and can live with
the low audio output, this is the rig 01 your
dreams. FJ1