[Icom] Icom 781 vs Icom 756PRO II

George, W5YR [email protected]
Sat, 12 Jul 2003 12:35:42 -0500


Charlie, I fully agree with you. It takes some dedicated, serious time and
study to learn how to adapt the PROs to *you*.

That is the difference between the PRO series and other non-IF-DSP radios.
With them you must adapt your operating to whatever they offer - like your
friend did in the radio store.

With the PROs, however, you have to learn how to set up the many variables
of the system to fit *your* operating style and desires.

But, it IS NOT that hard to do, once you understand the basic concept of the
radio architecture. One does not just sit down and push the POWER button and
start talking. Well, you *can*, but as your friend found out, you probably
won't find that the default setup is really what you want and you won't know
how to use its arsenal of tools to fight QRM, QRN, etc., which it does in
spades.

It is arguable that ARRL Labs standard tests are really applicable to these
newer radios. I tend to think that they are informative, but I sure wouldn't
base a buying decision on any one or several "numbers" that their report
produces.

For example the IMD tests based on strong signal separation. I can work S1
signals 100 Hz away from an S9+30 dB signal with my PRO2. Yet, the ARRL test
would show its TOI to be so low at that spacing as to be laughable.

No radio is "best" because of any single number or group of numbers. It has
to fit and suit YOU the operator and your applications. The PRO2 and 746PRO
go further toward allowing this custom fit than any other radios I have used
in nearly 58 years, and with a professional background in communications, I
sorta know what to look for!   <:}

I think that the single thing that turns most experienced hams off on the
PROs is the sound of really sharp filters. They are accustomed to the
relatively broad and shallow-sloped sides of analog crystal filters which
provide an altogether different sound for any signal. When one has 20-30
years of experience working with sets like that and then hears a PRO for the
first time, the initial reaction is likely to be negative. That is why it
takes TIME and effort to learn the radio and get it tuned to YOU.

Believe me, it is worth it!

Sorry for the sermon, but you pushed a button!   <:}

73/72, George
Amateur Radio W5YR -  the Yellow Rose of Texas
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13QE
"In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better!"
<mailto:[email protected]>





----- Original Message -----
From: "W0YG Charlie Summers" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: [Icom] Icom 781 vs Icom 756PRO II


> After receiving a number of comments on the IC-781 vs the IC-756 PRO II, I
> suspicion that the learning curve on the 756 PRO II is quite steep and
> unless one is thoroughly familiar with this radio, a fair comparison is
hard
> to come by.  Let me give you an example.
>
> I have a friend who went by HRO and told me he played with the radio for
an
> hour and didn't like it (the 756 PRO II).  My comment was did you change
> filters, etc.  He said no that the store had them all set up and all he
did
> was switch from SSB to CW and play around.  This is not a proper session
> with the 756 PRO II in my opinion.  His comments don't register on my
scale
> of relevant recommendations for sure.
>
> I am not sure what it takes to properly evaluate this competition.
> Certainly the ARRL web site doesn't do what I think is a proper real world
> test as their two tone receiver TOI reports indicate they use points 20
and
> 50 kHz away from your listening frequency.  This isn't a real world test.
> Give me one with 2 Hz separation and then I will believe it.  Some of
these
> tests are on Adam's web site and on W5YR's web and they are certainly more
> favorable for the 756 PRO II than what many report including the ARRL lab.
>
> The Icom 781 is a fantastic rig, the best in my book.  If the PRO II can
> beat it, well that says a heck of a lot!
>
> 73,
>
> Charlie, W0YG..>>
>
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