[Icom] RE: IC-910H

[Ed Cienki]

Bill

I have and continue to use all of the following, a 756PRO, a 746 
(non-pro), 2 of the 820H's and a 910H.  Can't and don't want to give ANY 
of them up for the following reasons.  Whether a 756PRO (or PROII), the 
audio is just great (tx or rx) - therefore, I use it for my general RC 
rig,  The 746 is a great value but I have made it a "digital station" 
and as a back up to the 756PRO.  Why 2 of the 820H's?? For the cost of 
them today, I use one exclusively on 2m FM and one exclusively on 70cm 
FM.  Now the 910H.  It's a great radio, it has the AF DSP option (you 
should need only one board) and 100w on 2 out of the box.  The big 
distinction as to whether you are gong towards a 910H is based upon the 
(1) dual receive, (2) 100w on 2m & 75w on 70cm, and (3) satellites. 
 That is why I bought the 910H and not a 706MkIIG.  I concur with Barry 
(K6IXF) that if you are only wishing to dabble in 2m ssb, then a 
transverter may be a reasonable choice.  However, for the price 820H's 
are being sold ($500 without UT-50 tone boards which you don't need if 
you are only working SSB to $650 with one or 2 tone boards). If you 
don't like 2m/70cm ssb or get bored, you will recover your out of pocket 
because someone else will buy the 820H from you.  Remember that the 820H 
does not put out alot of power (35w on 2m & 30w on 70cm), but neither do 
most transverters on 2m (i.e. the new Elecraft 2m transverter only puts 
out 20 to 25w), so if you wanted to get serious, you'll need a brick 
either way.

Additional words of caution, (1) I have read many negative reviews on 
the 821H and I personally decided to stay away from the rig, (2) I 
understand based upon looking at some reviews that there were some 
problems with the first release of 910H's and would also keep that in 
mind if you are looking for a used 910H, and (3) while I don't own a 
706MkIIG, I have a close friend who does and he took it out of his shack 
and installed it in his truck and went with a KW 790A for 2m/70cm for SSB.

73, ed, n2eac