[ICOM] Opinions wanted

[Tom Crawford]

I own both a 706mk2g and a 746pro.
Everything you have said about your operating tells me you should give 
serious consideration to the 746pro.
No filters to buy, all bands.

best of luck to you and 73
Tom, W3TMC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gareth Gammon" <ghgammon at telus.net>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 11:21 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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