Yaesu FTdx-1200 Ownership Post-Mortem

Having traded in my FTdx-1200 (along with an FT-891) for the new hotness, I have to say a few words on its behalf.  It was a damn fine radio.  All the controls were right there on the front, no fiddling with menus while operating.  The triple-conversion superhet receiver was a solid rock on which lightning crash noise could break harmlessly.  The display was functional and a joy to work with, whether for two-way or for shortwave listening, especially with its easy-to-use frequency scan scope.  A fine radio.  So why trade it in?

• The big reason: the digital input port had been intermittently going deaf for some time.  If you read this blog, you'll know that I'm a big fan of modes such as PSK-31, Olivia, etc.  Never could sort this one out.
• The radio was always a tad big in my little shack, and too big to haul to the field.  Not exactly deal breakers, but not always a comfortable fit.  This is a radio for someone who has the space to spread out and install it – once.  Definitely not one for the grab-and-go kit, or for Winter Field Day car camping expeditions either.
• Could've added the FFT board upgrade and had a sort of horse-and-buggy continuous band scope, but for the trade-in plus the cost of the FFT board it came to about the same price as a new FT-710, which has the band scope all built-in and well-integrated with the UI.  Much better specs and newer everything too.
• Which brings me back to a final point.  Yes, as I have said, this is a damn fine radio, but only damn fine by 2014 standards.  The world has moved on.

So it was time, past time.  I still look back at my time with the FTdx-1200 with great fondness, but after six-plus years it was time to move on.  If you're interested, here's my review from 2018.