[ICOM] Icom 740 initial impressions

[John Geiger]

I recently picked up an Icom 740 and after having
Scott at MTS perform an alignment and couple of fixes,
have spent the last couple of weeks trying this radio
out.  All I can say is "Wow!  The people on this
reflector were right in recommending this one."

So far, the receiver has been performing
outstandingly.  Very quiet, as was recommended, and
handles strong signals very well.  

The passband tuning does pretty good at eliminating
QRM, except in very crowded conditions.  I wish it
narrowed the passband from both directions (as in the
720A), but it still does a good job.  I have a 270HZ
filter coming in the mail to help in the really rough
conditions.

The manual notch filter is also super.  Modern rigs
need to go back to this.  It works in both SSB and CW,
and actually is good at reducing background noise. 
You can also use it to peak CW signals above the
noise.  It would be hard to go back to a radio without
this feature.  Between the quiet receiver and the
notch, I don't miss DSP one bit.

This receiver is also very sensitive.  It can be run
with the preamp off and still hear very well.  It is
insanely quiet on the high bands under that condition.
 Turning the preamp off really makes the signals
appear, without affecting the noise level too much,
except on the lower bands.  

The NB also does a great job, and cranking up the NB
level to the highest setting still doesn't distort
signals at all.  The best I have seen in this regard.

I must say, this rig is a classic.  Really glad you
guys turned me on to this.  Here I have a top notch
receiver, with a built in PS, keyer, and FM, in a
radio smaller than a 746.  Too bad Icom discontinued
this one.

73s John NE0P



		
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