[ICOM] RE: Icom 706 MKIIG pros & cons

[Gary Pearce KN4AQ]

At 09:59 AM 4/7/2007, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I am contemplating getting a 706G, I will be making the MARS mod on it, as 
>I am in MARS.


>Any issues with the radio in various parts of the spectrum?

Like spurs, harmonics and junk?  None that I've heard of.  Other issues, 
like sensitivity, selectivity?  It's not the best radio ever built, but 
it's fine for most of us.

>Is it a good rig for portable use?

Depends on what you mean by "portable".  Backpack with 8 D 
Cells?  Nope.  Draws too much power and too heavy (try the 703, or head on 
to the Yeasu 817).  Field-Day with a generator or big, deep-cycle 
battery?  No problem.  It's small and easy to transport.

>What in general do you all think about it?  Good points vs. bad points?

I like mine enough to have started with the "original" and then bought a 
MKIIG.  I use it exclusively mobile.

Good points:  small, 100 watts, wide coverage (160m - 70cm, less the 220 
band), all the modes (SSB, AM, FM, RTTY/Packet, encode-decode CTCSS), big 
display for a small radio, good enough performance.  Even has wide FM so 
you can tune FM broadcast and some TV audio channels.

Bad points:  Limited front-panel "real estate" (squeezed even more by that 
big display) means that almost every knob and button has to do multiple 
duty.  That means menus that go three or more layers deep.  It can take 
some serious button-pushing to change bands and modes.  Memorys help.

To think about:  Single passband tuning (dual would be nice).  Just one 
optional filter, so you have to choose a single bandwidth.  So-so audio 
DSP.  Noise blanker good on impulse (ignition noise), but does nothing for 
more continuous noise, and DSP only helps some.  Noise Blanker not too good 
on AM.

I've never operated the competition - would like to some time.

73,
Gary KN4AQ


>Thanks,
>Dave
>NK7Z/NNN0RDO
>http://www.nk7z.net

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Gary Pearce KN4AQ
508 Spencer Crest Ct.
Cary, NC 27513
kn4aq at arvidnews.com
919-380-9944
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