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

Sat, 25 Jan 2003 14:58:52 -0000

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
> Behalf Of John O. Newell
> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 1:43 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Icom] 706 MkII or TS-50 for Mobile HF?
>
>
> I am (again) looking into putting an HF rig into my
> Cherokee.  The principal choices appear to be a 706 MkII
> (not G, already have 2m/440 installed) or a TS-50.  The 2m
> band on the 706 is not a factor, although the detachable
> faceplate might be.  I'd be interested in any first- or
> second-hand reports or comparisons, especially on the
> MkII-not-G Icom, since there appear to have been some
> improvements in each generation of the 706s.

I will weigh in here, although I have an IC-706 MK-I.

I have operated mobile and portable for years.  Carried an ICOM IC-735
through Iraq in the first Gulf War.  While that radio has a special place in
my heart, and I cannot part with it, (it is a certified combat veteran) it
has not been on the air since I picked up my IC-706.  For mobile work, there
is no noticeable difference between the 706 and 735, except the 706 is much
more convenient to mount and use.

Although not owned, I have experience with the TS-50.  My neighbor across
the street (WB5GGB) has one.  It is a good enough radio, and I guess under
the right conditions I would own one.  Although while I think most of the
Kenwood radios are OK, I have one BIG issue with the Kenwood factory.  I
have pretty well written off ownership of Kenwood products and I refuse to
work on them for my friends.  Perhaps Kenwood will straighten themselves out
with the public one day.  One note - the TS-50 seemed to have a slightly
better noise blanker.  But then again, I did a lot of work on my mini-van,
and either radio is noise-free, except when someone with a noisy car is
stopped next to me.

In any case, The TS-50 I used was mounted in a Dodge Mini-van, with the
NGC-230 automatic antenna tuner and a 9ft whip, or a set of hustler
antennas.  In true function, and ignoring the differences of antenna
performance, the TS-50 worked as well as could be expected.  The one sore
spot was mounting.  The radio was finally located low on the drivers seat,
vertically oriented, between the seats.  It was not an optimal position, and
the display was up-side-down for the passengers.  Both radios have some
menus to dig through for full operation, so while it is a factor, it is only
in the difference between the menus rather than the function.  I don't know
that one is harder than the other, just different.

I got my IC-706 broke for $50.00.  For another $65.00 in parts, and about 2
hours in labor, I had an operational IC-706 MK-I.  Against my IC-781, the
receiver in the 706 has some minor issues.  Well, what would you expect?
Still, for mobile and portable, it is more than good enough.  Since I am
currently restoring a jeep, and I have an ICOM IC-901A to cover 28, 50, 144,
220, 440, 1200, and RX from .5 to 1000 MHz, it is unlikely I will put the
706 mobile again.  However, I mounted the front panel of the 706 on a small
aluminum T-bracket, and put that on a slightly larger block of wood, and
this is my current portable set.  I built a simple bracket to support the
radio main chassis an inch above the PS-55 power supply, and I use the front
panel as a remote control.  This is set up with an IC-AH3 tuner, and a 33
foot fiberglass vertical.  It is without a doubt the most versatile system I
have ever used portable.  The 33 foot vertical does have some issues while
mobile!

My opinion... which-ever radio you get, you will have satisfactory
operation.  I and many friends have had issues trying to get repairs and
parts from Kenwood.  Although I have not had much problem from ICOM, others
have.  In any case, if it don't break, this is not a factor.  If you can
find a good way to mount the TS-50, you will be as happy with it as the 706.
This is the ONE major difference for mobile ops.  The IC-706 is so much
easier to mount.  I also like it for portable ops.

Guess this doesn't give you a clear winner, but it does give you at least
one opinion.  My vote: IC-706 over TS-50 by a front panel.  Good luck on
your choice.

Mike.  KD9KC
El Paso, TX.