[-] [ICOM] Opinions wanted

[Paul Playford]

I consider amateur radio as a very inexpensive pass time.  I live in an area 
where I see $35,000 bass boats on $12,000 trailers pulled by $28,000 pick up 
trucks, just to catch a $3.00 fish (or is it to get away from the xyl?).

So I did not hesitate when I purchased my new PROII a couple years ago.

Another way of looking at it is your TS520 has served you well for 31 years. 
Assuming we are similar age your next (and last) radio will serve you the 
rest of your life.

If you really cannot justify a new PROIII then certainly a 'use tested' like 
new PROII should be considered.  Great radio and the only thing better than 
either of these is a second one.

de Paul, W8AEF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gareth Gammon" <ghgammon at telus.net>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 9:21 PM
Subject: [-] [ICOM] Opinions wanted


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