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

Wed, 1 May 2002 21:57:30 -0400

Hey John..not sure what your post meant or who it was too, but if you don't
like what I said to Hans...not you, hit the delete button...no what I mean!!
If I did not read it right please forgive me with no offense intended, 73,
Steve

----- Original Message -----
From: "John W. Morris" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Icom] Decision time and request for advice (long)

> YES, I AM HEARING MORE AND MORE OF THIS ...............  IT MAY BE TIME
FOR U TO
> MAKE THE CHANGE!!!!!
>
> Steve Jones wrote:
>
> > 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/
> > >
> >
> > ----
> > 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/
>