[Icom] 706 MkII or TS-50 for Mobile HF?

[Ray V.]

It's all in how you use the radio mobile. First off, I don't operate 
serious contests from the mobile (meaning I don't intend to work so hard 
at it that I try to win) so I don't have a need for 90% of the bells and 
whistles. For the other 10%, I preset 8% for the best mobile operating 
conditions and just leave them alone. The last 2% represent the noise 
blanker and DSP/NR functions. These are set up as the current menu and 
the simple pushbuttons and dial allow me to tailor them as needed 
without extra menu manipulation. Yes, I suppose it would drive an 
appliance operator menu freak to distraction if they are constantly 
tailoring their radio for the PERFECT signal. But since I started HF 
mobile in the 50's with all home brew, then went to an SR-500 (first 
factory bought mobile rig) then on to a KWM-2, I'm used to only having a 
few controls to work with and tailor my IC-706MkII so it is just as easy 
to use.

73. Ray  W2EC

George, W5YR wrote:

> With any mobile rig, I have found that a key parameter is how easy it
> is to operate the radio with a minimum of attention away from the
> road. Lots of little button and stacks of clever menus are acceptable
> in a fixed station setup, perhaps, but for mobile operation, they can
> be deadly.
>