[ICOM] Re: Icom IC-718 Review

[Thomas Giella KN4LF]

Steve,

I had an IC-701 back in 1988-89 and that llittle rig was built like a tank! 
I bought my IC-718 for digital operations only and have the W4RT board 
installed in it that allows me to select filters for 1.8 kc and 500 hz, plus 
the normal 6.0 and 2.3 kc filters.

Weaknesses:

Without the W4RT board you can select 6 kc, 2.3 kc and either a narrow SSB 
filter or CW filter but not both. The RF processor is fixed and you have to 
pop the cover to adjust it. The AGC time constants are fixed too, with the 
AGC on SSB to fast but a mod will correct it. The transmit audio is a bit 
pinched too because of the 2.3 kc SSB filter. No DSP transmit audio 
tailoring. It has the one 13 pin DIN plug for all connections.

I wrote the following short review of the strengths of IC-718 back on 
10/8/05 and will repeat it here.


Strengths:

It puts out 150 watts PEP out of the box.

The rig is very small and light at approximately 8 lbs and would make an 
excellent mobile or field day rig.

The rig has allot of bells and whistles that the Yaesu FT-840 does not have; 
to include full break in on CW, adjustable CW keyer, RF gain control, 
preamp, tunes in 1 hz intervals and shows the 1 hz digit on the digital 
readout, that is very easy to read without glasses, adjustable AF DSP, DSP 
auto notch, VOX, direct frequency entry via keypad, adjustable wide/narrow 
noise blanker, built in SWR bridge, settings menu system similar to the 
IC-756 series, front firing speaker, stock 6 kc AM filter, plus lot's of 
other more common stuff like RIT, IF shift, split operation, 101 memories, 
frequency scanning, etc. It's amazing how cheap the rig is ($544.95 at 
Universal) considering all the useful bells and whistles built in.

On receive it's surprisingly good, very impressive actually. Yesterday 
evening on the longwave band I had easy copy of European and African 
longwave broadcast stations with no IMD. On the MF AM broadcast band it's 
also very sensitive but with no IMD. On SW broadcast it's very sensitive 
with no IMD, including the ham bands. Yesterday evening I listened on 20 and 
80 meters SSB where many strong signals existed and could detect no IMD.

The rig is considered only average on 160 meters due to MF AM broadcast band 
station breakthrough, because of high sensitivity on the AM broadcast band 
but I could not detect any IMD on 160. Of course I don't have allot of 
nearby high powered MF AM broadcast band stations either. I have one 5 kw 
daytimer on 1430 kc approximately 5.5 miles away but nothing greater than 1 
KW at night. A true 160 meter test will be the first SSB or CW contest this 
fall.

BTW I added the INRAD 1.8 kc SSB filter which has a real good shape factor. 
The stock AM filter is a little to wide at -60 db but the stock 2.3 kc SSB 
filter seems to have a pretty good shape factor too.

Comparing the Icom IC-718 to the Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V and FT-840.

On the LW band the IC-718 is better than the Mark V and FT-840 as far as 
sensitivity and IMD.
On the MF band the IC-718 is much better than the Mark V and better than 
FT-840 as far as sensitivity and IMD.
On SW including the ham bands it's tied with the FT-840 and down a smidge 
with the Mark V as far as sensitivity and IMD.

73 & Happy New Year,
Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF
Lakeland, FL, USA
Grid Square EL97AW
27 57 26.5 N 81 56 46.6 W
kn4lf at arrl.net

PODXS 070 PSK Club #349

KN4LF Amateur & SWL Radio History: http://www.kn4lf.com/index.htm

From: Steve Rodowicz <Stefan.Rodowicz at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [ICOM] IC-718 Memory Management Software Found

Hello Tom,

I've noticed your inquiries regarding the 718.

There are some here in New England that are suggesting that its a good 
choice
for emergency communications. Certainly the price is inviting!

I have no experience with the radio, have used various other Icoms tho, 
(ic-701,
746,756, 781 and the others)

What as your experience been with the 718?

How do you primarily use?

What strengths and weaknesses have you noted?

Hope I'm not too inquisitive, but I would appreciate your comments

Have a good New Year.

73,

Steve - N1SR 



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