[-] [ICOM] Opinions wanted

[we1x at comcast.net]

Paul,

I like your analogy.  I used the bass boat-trailer example to "convince" the xyl that an Icom 7800 wasn't all that expensive, plus I would use it more frequently, and as a bonus she would know where I was most of the time.  It worked.

Harry WE1X

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Paul Playford" <paul at w8aef.com> 

> 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" 
> To: "ICOM Reflector" 
> 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 
> 
> 
> ---- 
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