[Icom] For Sale: 756PROII

Sat, 05 Jul 2003 01:30:44 -0400

GM Mac,
 Hey, OM, don't sell the rig.  I do believe that you are slightly 
overwhelmed by the numerous front panel controls.  Well, I'm 56, and 
have always used good ol boatanchors for my comm requirements. That 
being said, however, I gotta admit that I am a retired disabled 
Electrical/Electronic/Aeronautical Engineer, as well as one of the last 
of the finest LOL, as a maritime radio op in the the Navy, who really 
used CW....

    I happen to own a 746PRO, and just like you, I was kind of daunted 
when I first saw the front panel.  I found, however, to my suprise that 
the rig was really simple to use, and one heck of a lot easier to work 
than any boatanchor, and about 1000% more stable, considering I 
installed the high stability crystal timebase, with the built in oven. 
 It has been modified for MARS out of band operation, and is probably 
the most enjoyable rig I have operated.  Sure, there is a lot of info 
being thrown at you by the 756, like the panoramic display, a couple of 
S meters, one analog and one digital, DSPs out the wazoo, and all the 
different controls for split operation, memories, modes, and all that 
good stuff.  

    This being said, the rig is a tranceiver like any other tranceiver, 
and you can operate it as simply or as complex as you so desire. It 
still has mode buttons for all the standard modes that you are already 
accustomed to, CW/RTTY, USB, LSB, AM and FM.  It is factory ready with 
an e keyer, or you can use your friendly J-38, the Icom doesn't mind. 
 One doesn't have to worry about peaking and dipping either, for the 
extremely intelligent Icom does all that for you....all you have to do 
is operate, and enjoy the bands.  It is accurate darn near to less than 
1Hz, and will always null with WWV right on the numbers, no drift, no 
problems.  

If you are into digital modes, you are in luck, for the tranceiver has 
the DIN jacks all ready for the feed from your TNC, and, with an 
interface, and preferably a mic jack switch, one can use one's computer 
soundcard for 99% of all the digital modes, and still have the 
microphone ready when you so desire.  You can have a paddle for the 
e-keyer and a straight key hooked up at the same time. In other words, 
all the stuff you ever wanted is there and waiting.

As far as I am concerned, the PRO series is about the best going. I 
operate MARS (60+ hrs/month) and can go from recieving or transmitting 
Amtor FEC, to USB voice, with one click of the frequency memory knob.  I 
can tune to any new frequency in less than 30 seconds, and that includes 
tuning the antenna when operating on the MARS out of band freqs. CW? 
well, the standard filters are outstanding, but that's not all, you can 
infinitely vary the center freq and bandpass width to cull the weakest 
DX signal out of a pileup.  SSB? well, hold on, you can keep your xmit 
bandwidth wide for good ol ragchewing, or narrow that sucker down to cut 
thru QRM/N and reach that rare station right through any pileup I have 
ever seen.  This is only part of the stuff that the 746PRO has, not to 
even mention the 756PRO. I wish I could make you an offer, but I happen 
to own one of both (746PRO and 7565PRO (I didn't spend the bucks on the 
"razzle dazzle speaker" with all the inputs and filters, because, 
frankly, it isn't necessary. I use one speaker for each unit, of course 
one power supply for each unit, and have a homebrew switch for the keys, 
TNC's, soundcard interfaces, and so forth.  The antennas are all able to 
be switched between the  units, so I  can switch from a vertical to a 
couple of dipoles, to the 6/2 meter discone without even getting up from 
the chair.

    Don't think you are too old to run this wonderful rig, hell, the rig 
runs itself, all you have to do is tune across the band until you find 
what you are looking for, listen, and then transmit.  Ya want split ops, 
well, just push a button, and you got split ops, with both the XMIT and 
RCV freq right there, in living black and white  (color on the 756) with 
no confusion.  You want to keep a net schedule every day? Fine, program 
the freqs into the 99 memory slots (you will never use them up), and 
just click to the freq and you are in like Flint.

    I was amazed when I opened the boxes, I was amazed when I first 
operated the unit, and I am still amazed.  I simply can't believe the 
sensitivity, or the stability, not to mention the built in sidetone, 
infinitely variable power output, a REAL ALC display wich is invaluable 
for setting levels for such modes as PSK 31, or 62, or 128, or (my 
favorite, at least on MARS souncard nets, where I don't have to worry 
about wide bandwidth LOL) MT-63.  RTTY, stable as a rock, and if you 
don't have your computer booted, you can at least recieve RTTY, real 
time, as long as it's 60wpm and 170Hz shift.  If you want other shifts, 
then you have to use the back panel DIN connector for RTTY loop out, 
sure you need a converter for level changes, but  its there, all thrown 
in for one price.

I spent a lot of years with boatanchors, and although I will NEVER give 
up hollow state, and tuning, I am dead sold on the 7x6Pro Line from 
Icom.  Once you practice a little, you will see that it's really simple 
to operate, I only wish I had the bucks to get the PW1 amp to go with 
them, but that is a little pricey for what I think it's usability is 
worth, even though that, too, is kind of point and click operation, and 
it looks neat as well ;-). Alas, the amp is kind of out of my price 
bracket right about now, but someday!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyhow, don't give up the Icom. A little practice and reading the manual 
(Hey, it's not hard) and you too, will become addicted to this wonderful 
radio (NO I don't get any financial incentive for this praise, I just 
bought them, and am amazed everytime I push the "power" button.  In my 
mind, it's the best on the market, sounds the best on air, and with just 
a little practice will do everything except talk to you, and if you put 
the optional "voice module" into the unit, it will do that as well --hi--.  

    Questions? feel free to email me anytime and I will walk you thru 
the process.  you only have to learn once, it's really simple to 
operate. If the panoramic display is daunting, well, heck, cover it with 
masking tape.  Don't give up the ship (Icom), it's worth every penny 
which you paid to acquire said unit, and will continue to repay you 
every time you turn it on, tune in some rare DX, and get the QSO, or 
simply tune up and ragchew with your friend a block away. It doesn't 
matter, the Icom Produces...

Hey, Have Fun, you are never too old to try new things, and this 
tranceiver does exactly what every other rig you have ever owned does, 
and that is communicate.. The bells and whistles are fun too, but if you 
don't feel comfortable using them, the rig won't care, it still will 
send crisp cw and outstanding SSB, not to mention the VHF bands, and FM 
all with one push of a button..

73 es tnx es contact me if you want assistance!
de Greg WA3IVX/ NNN0BVN (turning electricity into RF for over 35 years, 
in every corner of the world, including all of the oceans LOL)

[email protected] wrote:

>Have one month old Icom 756PROII with PS-125 power supply
>for sale at $2095.  Price includes shipping within USA excluding
>Alaska or Hawaii.  Rig is in like-new condition.  Reason for selling
>is complexity of operation.  Just too much to learn for an old guy
>like me.  Payment by USPS money orders or certified check
>only.  If you'd like to "see" who you are dealing with go to the KC
>DX Club web site <www.qsl.net/kcdxc/> and go to the photo page.
>The photo is several years old now :>)  Please email direct.
>
>73, Mac, KR0I
>Kansas City, MO
>----
>Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
>Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.315 MHz
>Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>
>  
>

-- 
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
                                                   --Edmund Burke

Greg Moore NNN0BVN PA
U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS)
Official Pennsylvania Area Website:
http://pages.prodigy.net/nnn0fbk/mars.htm
Official Northeast Area Website: 
http://www.navymars.org/northeast/index.htm
Navy-Marine Corps MARS: Proudly Serving Those Who Serve."
E-Mail (MARS) [email protected]
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