[ICOM] PRO/PRO2 vs. 775DSP

[Adam Farson]

Hi Hans,

Yes, this comparison of different radios is fascinating - especially when
one is fortunate enough to try out several different high-end transceivers
over a period of time which is sufficiently short to ensure that one can
still remember the differences!

Since I got back into HF in 1989, my operating environment has never been
particularly favourable. I have always had to erect antennas under space
constraints. This has led to my having to settle on a multi-band vertical or
dipoles which were less than a quarter-wave above the deck. The impact of
this is that an amplifier (initially 500W, now 1kW) is a must, and that my
receiver needs to be equipped with the tools required to restore a severely
compromised signal to the point where I can copy it. This issue became
especially acute as we approached the bottom of the sunspot cycle.

The DSP architecture of the 756Pro series, the 7400 (746Pro) and 7800 offer
these tools. I am usually able to adjust the DSP IF filtering, Twin PBT, NR,
NB, manual notch etc. to recover intelligible audio from a severely-degraded
SSB or CW signal. At times, there was some signal-quality degradation - but
at least we "got the message through".

On the transmit side, the DSP audio-management tools (bass/treble
equalisation, occcupied-bandwith selection and compression) enable me to set
up the transmitter to produce an SSB  signal which "gets through", conserves
transmitter power and sounds pleasant to the listener.

Ultimately, the radio purchaser will have to make his own decision according
to what he prefers and values most. From my perspective, the
signal-management power which DSP technology places in my hands has settled
the debate (at least for me) in favour of a 100% DSP-based radio
architecture.

Cheers for now, 73,
Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ


-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Hans Remeeus
Sent: 19 August 2005 23:10
To: ICOM Reflector
Subject: Re: [ICOM] PRO/PRO2 vs. 775DSP

Comparing rigs IMHO seems to be a very interesting discussion for most of
us. I think we must be very happy persons to be in the opportunity to
compare!

Times have been changed in the right direction the last couple of years. 
When I started this ultimate hobby, I could afford only one rig. BTW; in
that time I did'nt feel not less happy than I feel now...

Comparing rigs always is a very personal matter. The most perfect rig still
must be invented; there is always something to "complain". Rigs in that way
are very human...

For a few years I used the 756ProII. Excellent rig, with very innovating
features. However... (and I must agree with Jan) when I put one of the last
available European IC-775DSP's next to the ProII, it did'nt take a very long
time to convince me about the quality of the receiver of the 775DSP. What a
thrill! The receiver of the 775DSP is só quite, has such an excellent
S/N-ratio and such a terrific (analoge) sound. Such a beauty of an audio
coming from the 775DSP; actually SSB sounds like FM.

Excactly the same experience I have with the comparance between the FT-1000D
and the FT-1000MP Mark-V (200 and Field). I tried almost everything (e.g. 
Inrad (Roofing) Filters installed in both rigs) but the Mark-V never
got/gets that same overwelming receiver quality as the 1000D.

It's always the (hard) decision what you want: the latest, finest and most
innovating technology or the "older" (finest?) analoge receiver quality.

In many ways the IC-775DSP still is my unsurpassed Number 1!

That's the reason why I will not easily part from rigs like the 775DSP and
1000D, even when I'm planning to buy a rig like the IC-7800 or FT-DX9000. 
The receiver quality has to convince me, because the receiver IMHO is the
most used and most important part of a rig.


73,
Hans Remeeus (PA1HR)
http://www.remeeus.nl
Communication is about people, the rest is technology.


---- Original Message ----
From: "Jan Robbins" <swanman at cfu.net>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 4:00 AM
Subject: Re: [ICOM] PRO vs PRO2

> It is difficult to imagine why anyone would want to purchase a Pro, 
> ProII or ProIII when you can have an IC-775 these days at almost the 
> same price. Why would you spend money on a radio with a pretty display 
> and terribly weak receiver, such as all the "pro's" have, when for 
> just about the same money you can have a 775 with a receiver second 
> only to the  very  best (Orion and Yaesu FT-9000) for almost exactly 
> the same price.  If you have compared the Pro's with the 775 face to 
> face on your operating desk, you'd NEVER buy a "Pro". Or so it seems 
> to one who has done that test, and therefore has only 775's in his 
> arsenal.  Vy 73 to all!  Jan N 0JR
> ----

----
Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net Icom Users
Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/


Scanned by WinProxy
http://www.Ositis.com/