Quoted:

Sorry man, it looks like a nice radio but I don't have one. I am too chickenshit to mod any of my HF radios, they cost too much to break.

After over 20 years with the Kenwood TS-430S, and having a great time with it, it was time for an upgrade. I went thru quite a few reviews, and tried several different radios, and settled on the FT-450D. I have to say, I love this little radio. It has a much better receiver than my TS-430S could have ever dreamed of, and the signal reports I am receiving are 1 to 2 units better than the 430 sitting side by side. The tuner is extremely quiet, although it will only tune a 3:1, does just fine for me. I run an MFJ 949D for tuning my long wires anyway. I did replace the stock hand mic with the MD-100 Desk mic, and can say, this FT-450D will be on this desk for a long long time to come. This radio has more features available on it than you can shake a stick at, and everything is just plain easy to use if you read the book! As far as cons, the only thing I could have liked to see is a changeable color display, but with that as the only con I have in the month I have used it, its not an issue. Overall, it is comparable with much more expensive radios, in a package that is small enough to take with me as a mobile if needed. Mars/CAP mod was easy enough also, taking less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

My final rating, is a 5 because there is no higher rating I can give this radio. 32 States towards my 20m WAS is less than a week is very impressive.