Hi Alan,

I deleted your original post, but I think your friend has been unlucky with
his internal PSUs.  I have been on the 7800 reflector for years and never
heard of the 7800 having this problem, and I deduce it must be fairly
uncommon.   But there have certainly been several cases of the IC-PW1 having
PSU problems requiring a replacement.

I believe the K3LR contest station uses 7800s exclusively, and despite the
numbers of different operators and the many 7800s in use, I recall reading a
post last year on their bullet proof reliability.

On the radio itself, although first released in 2004, there have been many
updates, and the 7800 should certainly not be considered an old radio.
Since the Mark 2 version which replaced the RX boards, there have been other
refinements, with the most recent in 2012.  If you think you would be buying
a 9 year old radio design, you could not be further from the truth.

I've had both the 7800 and Kenwood TS990 on the bench side by side, and
whilst the 990 has many more accessible features, in my opinion the 7800 is
as easy to use for DX, and I would venture to say I personally find the
layout is better.

I would be very happy with either radio.  Now the 990 has gone, I don't miss
it at all, which is perhaps all I can say <smile>.  Would I be happy with a
new 990, you bet!  If my 7800 went bad and I needed to buy a new rig, it
would have to be a dual RX radio, and like you, I would have a tricky and
expensive decision to make.  I suspect that many owners trading in their
7800s are after the improved graphics, the reliability that comes with a new
radio, and perhaps fancy a change!  The kenwood has more bells and whistles
and costs less, but I personally find the 7800 is  almost operating
perfection <big smile>.

Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID

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