[ICOM] Opinions wanted

[Gareth Gammon]

I am finally seriously thinking about my retirement present (and my birthday combined) I retired last June and said I wanted a new radio to celebrate my 32 years in the classroom. I don't want, can't afford a very expensive radio, so I was looking at an IC-718. It has all the capabilities and more than the one I am currently using, a TS520. I am the orginal owner of this old girl, which was my present to myself back in '75 for getting my Canadian Advanced ticket.

When I checked a few months ago the 718 came with the DSP installed for the same price as without, a gift from Icom I guess. Now when I look, the DSP unit is back to being an optional extra. I do a fair bit of CW so would like to have a narrow filter installed for that also. That puts the price up to pretty well $1100 or more plus taxes Cnd. That is almost the price of a 706MKIIG. So what to do? Which is the better buy? Which will give me the best bang for the buck in terms of performance, ease of use and trouble free operation? I will not have the opportunity of seeing or trying either radio before purchasing as the nearest ham radio shop is 1000km away so it will have to be a mail order purchase.

I will not be going HF mobile, at least I don't think so,  so the 718 is attractive but the 706 has three more bands to play with and all the extras already built in. The downside is the small size and the not-so-user-friendly menu system from what I have read. I am not interested in a used radio, even though I am sure there are some good bargains out there but I haven't had a new HF rig in 32 years and aim to get me a NEW one!

Any and all thoughts gladly accepted. Just think, If I were me buying a new, lower priced radio, I would ..............

73 and Happy New Year to all

Gareth VE7CGG