[Icom] Decision time and request for advice (long)

Tue, 30 Apr 2002 19:08:18 -0400

Hans...you need to find a good ear doctor and good gosh...with all the
filters and stuff you have to buy...I would hope that the Mark V would sound
a little decent. Even with all that you did to make the MP sound better...it
still does not stack up. Why do you think so many of them are for
sale.....Hmmmm

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Icom] Decision time and request for advice (long)

> Hello Ed,
>
> Some weeks ago I placed a review of both the ProII and the Mark V:
>
> Here is my impression of a comparison between the Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V
and
> the Icom IC-756ProII.
>
> This is a very personal opinion. When you want a more objective
comparison,
> then please gather more of such field tests or try the rigs yourself and
> make your own opinion.
>
> In the Mark V I installed INRAD filters (250, 400, 2.1 and 2.8 kHz) and
the
> INRAD IF-modification.
> Menu 5-9 on 6.0, 7-7 all off and 8-9 all 0.000.
>
> In The Netherlands and Germany (countries where I buy my HAM-equipment)
the
> price of the Mark V is about $ 3500 and the ProII about $ 3000. The Mark V
> includes Power Supply.
>
> Both transceivers are excellent, but very different!
>
> Strong points of the Mark V:
> - 200 Watt output
> - Class A
> - Ergonomics (solid knobs, some of them are rubberized)
> - IF-monitor (also in CW!)
> - VRF (Variable RF Front-End Filter)
> - Shuttle Jog
> - Front Panel Connections
> - Front and Top Panel Controls
> - FH-1 Remote Control Panel as option, with Tune in every mode
>
> Strong points of the ProII:
> - 5-inch TFT color LDS display (8 display types and 7 fonts)
> - >100 choices of filters (between 50 Hz and 15 kHz) including the choice
of
> two different shape factors
> - Twin Pass Band Tuning (you'll find graphic adjustments on the display)
> - Variable Noise Reduction
> - 50 MHz
> - Spectrum Scope
> - Triple Band Stacking Register
> - User friendly menu
> - Standard Digital Voice Recorder
> - Standard 0.5 ppm TCXO
> - RTTY Decoder on the display
>
> Things which could be better on the Mark V:
> - Display (e.g. LCD)
> - Adjustment of IF-filters (was much better on the MP)
> - Visible (graphic) adjustment of the IDBT (Shift and Width)
>
> Things which could be better on the ProII:
> - Some of the knobs (too tiny)
> - The place of the AF/RF knob (should have been at the place of the
> NR/balance)
> - Tune
> - Rear connections; e.g. for keyer
> - PS-125 and SP-21 (bad quality for huge price)
>
> They both make too much fan noise. The ProII starts immediately when you
> PTT.
>
> The audio!
> The Mark V sounds (really noticeable) much more natural, more analogue.
> The ProII sounds clear, flat, more digital.
> Both ways; receive and transmit!
> I tried this with various fellow stations under different conditions and
> with different adjustments. They all told me the same. I can't tell you
that
> one of the audio sounds better, but they are noticeable different!
> Not very surprising, because the ProII is all-DSP.
> By the way; I use the Yaesu SP-8 for both rigs. With the Mark V I use the
> MD-200 deskmic and with the ProII the standard handmic.
>
> Sensitivity: Both excellent. I did'nt use a radiocommunication service
> monitor or spectrum analyzer for this comparison... I just listened to
> various signals on different bands under different conditions.
>
> Signal/noise ratio (more important then sensitivity): both excellent. On
the
> lower frequencies (1,8 - 7 MHz) I don't use pre-amps.
>
> Third Order Intercept Point: both very good. Even in Europe on 7 MHz.
>
> Dynamic range: could be better on both.
>
> I did not meet any serious quality problems with both the rigs.
>
> Conclusion:
> I prefer the sound, the ergonomics and the look of the Mark V. It is a
very
> good rig for contests. It is more solid.
> The ProII is very advanced with innovative features, like the display and
> the filtering. Very suitable for digital modes.
> For SSB and CW and with the linear (TL-922) I use the Mark V.
> For digital modes, for 50 MHz and as second receiver I use the ProII.
>
> 73, Hans PA1HR.
>
> e-mail: [email protected]
> site: www.remeeus.nl
> Ham Radio call: PA1HR
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ed Gaitley" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 8:49 PM
> Subject: [Icom] Decision time and request for advice (long)
>
>
> >
> > Fellow listers,
> >
> > I'm getting ready to purchase my very first HF radio and I'm
> > looking for some advice.  This is a big decision for me and it
> > involves a big chunk of hard-earned cash.
> >
> > So far, I've narrowed my choice to the either the new 756ProII
> > or the the Yaesu FT-1000MP MkV. After spending many hours over
> > the past several weekends at the local ham store using, comparing,
> > playing with, and listening to both radios, my decision is to
> > go with the 756ProII. It wins over the Yaesu hands down. I won't
> > get into all the reasons why I
> > chose it but I just like the ProII all around. It seems to be
> > an evolution in HF radio design. Sure, it doesn't put out 200
> > watts or have a 75watt Class A transmitter like the FT-1000MP
> > MkV does but I can live with that. I live in an apartment and
> > also very near some power lines so I want the most modern and
> > best DSP and noise management capabilities that I can get.
> >
> > For Icom owners in general and any 756Pro or ProII users specifically,
> > have you had any serious quality problems with your radios? If
> > so, how has the Icom service been? Are you still glad you bought
> > the radio?  Any concerns, problems or issues I should be aware
> > of? I haven't found any seriously negative press on this radio
> > so far so that's good news to me. Of course it's still fairly
> > new radio too.
> >
> > I plan to go buy the radio this weekend but it will be a few
> > weeks until I'm on the air because I have to get an antenna mast
> > holder made for my apartment balcony. I plan on using a *ham
> > stick" dipole on a telescoping mast. The antenna has to be put
> > up before each use taken down when I'm not on the air to avoid
> > the wrath of the apartment manager (my lease says absolutely
> > no antennas of any kind so I have to operate in stealth mode
> > - when I put up a DirecTV dish, I got an eviction notice - yes
> > I know I should move but that can't happen until next year).
> >
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any comments or help.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Ed, N6EG
> >
> >
> > ----
> > Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
> > Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> >
>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>