Icom HF Rigs (was: RE: [ICOM] PBT Mod and questions)

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

I believe at one time, the 735 was the world's
most popular radio.  I have three of them.

I've had 720A and 730; liked 'em all.  Now
have a 746, 706 Mk II, 703+, and as of last
Saturday, a 7000 that's still in the box.


Mac - K2GKK/5
Oklahoma City



----Original Message Follows----
From: Adam Farson <farson at shaw.ca>
Reply-To: ICOM Reflector <icom at mailman.qth.net>
To: 'ICOM Reflector' <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: RE: [ICOM] PBT Mod and questions
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 13:02:37 -0800

Hi John,

Well...the IC-735 was an amazingly full-featured radio for its size. It had
a built-in keyer, VOX (if I am not mistaken), and even an excellent IF notch
filter. By comparison, the 728 was an upgrade in base technology but a
downgrade in features. The 728 used the same DDS chipset as the 725/726; its
synthesiser was much quieter than the 735's "classic" PLL, even though its
composite noise at 2 kHz offset on 14 MHz was as high as -85 dBc/Hz.

For an entry-level Icom HF radio nowadays, I would choose the IC-718 over
the IC-707. The 718 is excellent value for money.

It is interesting to browse through all the ARRL Lab test reports on these
radios; this is a good way to arrive at a comparison.

Cheers for now, 73,
Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ