[ICOM] Icom 718 (or other used Icom) question

[Alex]

Hi John,

For the money, you can't go wrong with the 718. I also have the FT-897, and
really I can't say that the 897 is any better. In fact I think the 718 has
the edge over the 897. See the 718 does not have FM, so they did not have to
design various stages of the radio to pass FM signals. I have used both rigs
very heavily in contests.

Someone said that the DSP in the 897 is better. You cannot make such a
statement without some explanation as to why you think that. The DSP band
filter is great in the FT, and the (non-digital) noise blanker is very good.
I use noise reduction very rarely on any radio including the PIII. One thing
the 718 DSP does much MUCH better is the DSP auto notch filter. The one
Yaesu programmed for the FT-897/857 is simply a joke and they should be
ashamed for even calling it a notch filter. You tune to a heterodyne and hit
the ANF on the 718 and the tone is gone. On the FT-897 it's just slightly
reduced and stays annoying. I always meant to put a audio comparison on my
web site between the two.

Also check out the ergonomics of the 718. It's great. Direct entry keypad,
LARGE display you can see from across the room. Built like a tank, heavy
full size tuning knob, excellent layout of all the buttons. 

If it were me, I'd get the 718 simply because it's a pleasure to operate. It
will not outperform the 857, but it will certainly not underperform. If you
need noise interference reduction, nothing will beat an outboard noise
canceller like the MFJ-1026.  In fact I just made a bunch of recordings and
picture for a new web page that will show you the effects on a ProIII and
compares to the NB in the ProIII.

Good luck with your choice.

73,
--Alex KR1ST
http://www.kr1st.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Geiger
> Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 12:05 AM
> To: ICOM Reflector
> Subject: [ICOM] Icom 718 (or other used Icom) question
> 
> I just picked up a Yaesu FT857D to use on VHF/UHF/satellites, and HF
> until I find a stand alone HF rig.  Is the 718 a significant
> improvement over the FT857D receiverwise?  Or what would be a good used
> Icom HF rig to get for $500 or so?
> 
> 73s John AA5JG
> (ex: W5TD, NE0P, N0EEN, KA0IFG)
> Confirmed 6M addict: 6M WAS #1275, 6m VUCC #1260