[ICOM] Mic gain on the 706 MKIIG

[Jack - K4WSB]

I have read with interest all the comments.  This is not the first radio I 
have owned that (for some unknown reason) offered both a deviation setting 
and a mic gain setting.
I especially enjoyed the comment:
>"Whether the mic gain control has any affect or not, my personal 
>experience (three newby Techs who bought 706's because of the "all rigs in 
>one box"
>factor) ALL had to be told to back off the mic on the 2m repeaters.  All 
>were using stock mics, and all were excessively overdeviating unless they 
>held the mic about a foot away. "

It's been my experience even those of us who have been licensed for over 45 
years and have been on 2 meters for over 30 years have the same problem 
with the 706!

Maybe I took comment wrong but the fact remains the mic gain must be 
changed every time I switch from SSB to FM.  This happened using the stock 
mic, the DTMF mic and my Heil Traveler.

My friend also has the problem with his 910H.  I have not had my radio on a 
bench and that will be the next step to check out the deviation setting.  I 
do not have the equipment or it would have been done already.

For a radio to have this issue seems to me as a design flaw.  The 706 was 
designed as a mobile and to have to change settings while driving is 
inconvenient to say the least  (note to the peanut gallery: YES, I know you 
should pull off the road first!)

No one mentioned if this is also an issue with the 7000.  I just heard the 
control mic on the 7000 does NOT send DTMF and that yet another mic has to 
be used if you want to access IRLP or echolink nodes.  If this is true that 
really is a stupid design.



At 05:42 AM 6/1/2006 -0400, David Aukamp wrote:
>Jack, what is your take on this topic now that we've heard a bunch of 
>responses?
>
>73, Dave K4QT

Jack Hartley
K4WSB
ARRL - QCWA - OOTC
DXCC Honor Roll