[ICOM] RE: Icom 706 MKIIG pros & cons

[joel hallas]

Gary, et al;

One minor correction. The 706G has two, not one, optional filter slots. 
I use one mobile with the 1.9 kHz narrow SSB and 250 Hz narrow CW and am 
very happy with it.

The IC-718, and perhaps IC-703, use the larger filters and have a single 
slot - a serious limitation, in my view.

73, Joel, W1ZR

Gary Pearce KN4AQ wrote:

> 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
>
>
> ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News
> Gary Pearce KN4AQ
> 508 Spencer Crest Ct.
> Cary, NC 27513
> kn4aq at arvidnews.com
> 919-380-9944
> www.ARVidNews.com 
>
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