I ran my FT-980 through the recent ARRL DX CW Contest. No sweat, Primary fan never came on, no issues. Love that. Used a K1EL keyer, drove it with my ACLog contest software (logger was the keyer memory, not the K1EL) via USB. I used a signalink USB to capture the audio out and ran it into MRP40 as a decoder. With most of the contestors running at 35-35 wpm, I was in over my head without it. I could get the exchanges, but the MRP40 really helped with the call signs.
I have the optional 300Hz 8-pole xtal filter (XF-455.8MCN) in the FT980 as well as the 600Hz filter. The300 Hz filter makes all the difference in a contest: I can switch that on and listen to everything else fade out.
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-Mat Breton, N8TW
Mat Breton N8TW