[HCRA] Rig Shopping - list members opinions/experiences please.

[Rick Lindquist, N1RL]

My personal opinion, but read the reviews in QST (if you're an ARRL
member, you can access them from our Web site, although the site has
been very sluggish lately for some reason--even at HQ): 

The really critical numbers are the blocking dynamic range and the
two-tone third-order IMD dynamic range (the higher the better). The 5
kHz number is more definitive than the 20 kHz number. 

The IC-756PROII is a very very nice radio. I enjoyed reviewing it for
QST, and I enjoyed using Jim's over Field Day weekend.

The IC-746PRO also is a great radio, but w/o the beautiful color display
on the 756PROII. However, it does have 2 meters and a few features Icom
added that are not on the 756PROII (the 746PRO, which came out later,
has essentially the same DSP engine as the PROII). I used one in the
2002 CW Sweepstakes at VE2CUA. I also reviewed it for QST.

In either case, as noted, you will not need to buy any optional crystal
filters. Individual filters can cost up to $150 or more, so that's a big
deal--and you'll want filters if you plan to operate CW, although they
can come in handy on SSB too. 

I can't speak to the FT-897, but the numbers aren't as good as the
746/756PROs. Never used one and was not involved in the review. It's
head and shoulders over the IC-706MkIIG, however, which is really a
pretty low-end receiver when all is said and done. I own an original
706, and it's okay, but I wouldn't build my station around one unless I
were really really short on space. Of course, either the FT-897 or the
IC-706MkIIG will travel easily, while either of the larger Icoms would
be a bit to lug about.

You might want to check the Kenwood TS-2000 too, but I'm not familiar
with it.

Read the reviews! If you're serious about operating VHF and UHF,
consider buying transverters for the bands you want. The all-in-one
radios aren't going to give you the kind of performance you need, but
they'll make a suitable IF. 

73, Rick N1RL

-----Original Message-----
From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Kevin F. Berrien
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 8:12 PM
To: hcra at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [HCRA] Rig Shopping - list members opinions/experiences
please.

______________________________________________
-------Hampden County Radio Association-------
-----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
______________________________________________
Jim Mullen wrote:

>
>Also in that price range is the Icom IC746PRO. Excellent receiver, all
DSP,
>no filters required. Receiver is equal or better than the $2K 756PRO-II
-
>just doesn't have the fancy spectrum display or color. But... Only goes
up
>to 144 MHz - no 440.
>
>  
>
I believe I used the IC746 on 6 on FD, nice radio.  More the size I like

as well.  Besides the lack of 70cm, what is the difference between the 
746, and say the FT-897.  Given the size difference, and price (about 
$320 per HRO),  what are the real differences?

Kevin
------Hampden County Radio Association-------
An ARRL Special Services Club for over 50 years
------------http://www.hcra.org------------
________________________________________________________

To unsubscribe from the list please visit:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra

Address any comments to:
-Jim, KK1W  -  jmullen at rockys.com
_______________________________________________
HCRA mailing list
HCRA at mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra