[ICOM] Icom 751/751A question

[EP Swynar]

Hi John,

In a side-by-side comparison with the FT-980, I liked:

-The smaller size (physically) of the 751A, despite the separate a.c. power
supply, and,

-Its transmitting performance on CW relative to the 980 (there is NO initial
character "build up" of RF output with the 751A, like there is with the
'980);

What I DIS-LIKED about the 751A:

-Phase noise on receive;

-Poorer-sounding transmitted SSB, as compared to the 980;

-No second digit after the decimal point on the digital frequency read-out
like on the '980;

-Worrying about the RAM battery crapping-out on me;

-Getting used to the function of all the buttons on receive, some of which
seemingly "over-ride" themselves dependent upon the mode / selectivity
chosen.

Overall, I prefer the 751A for CW...but for SSB /AM, the FT-980 wins hands
down, IMHO.

What I absolutely, positively HATE about both rigs, though, is the fact that
due to their complexity, I am severely restricted as to what kind of
trouble-shooting & repair work I can do on either one. I recently bought a
pair of late 60's Drake "Twins", i.e. an R-4 receiver, & a T-4X transmitter.
Had I known how wonderful these old hollowstate set-ups really were back in
'83 (when I got the '980 new), I would NEVER have taken the "rice box"
route.

Indeed, prior to my buying the Yaesu, my mainstay station consisted of a
Heathkit SB-400 transmitter, & a Hallicrafters S-77A receiver: it was a real
crisis of faith & conscience on my part when I effectively joined the
"appliance operator" brigade by buying digital solidstate computerized suff.
I pondered the notion of picking-up a good, used Collins S-line, but it
never had 160-meters...

Had I known then what I do now about the flexibility & performance --- AND
AT-HOME "REPAIRABILITY"! --- of the Drake Twins, I would never have taken
the rice-rocket route. Never, ever.

Anyway, that's just one Ham's experience of some 37 years' worth of
seniority...user results may vary!

~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ

PS: I have NO CLUE as to what major differences there were between the 751,
& the 751A...sorry!


*****************************************


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John AA5JG" <aa5jg at lcisp.com>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: [ICOM] Icom 751/751A question


> How did it compare to the FT980?
>
> Also, besides the internal keyer, what were the major differences between
the 751A and 751?
>
> 73s John AA5JG
>
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> From: "EP Swynar" <gswynar at durham.net>
> Reply-To: ICOM Reflector <icom at mailman.qth.net>
> Date:  Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:54:48 -0400
>
> >On 15th July, John wrote...
> >
> >"...About what year did the Icom 751A replace the Icom 751?"
> >
> >***********************************
> >
> >Hi John,
> >
> >I bought a brand new IC-751A as a back-up for my Yaesu FT-980 in either
> >1989, or '90...
> >
> >~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
> >
> >
> >----
> >Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> >Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> >Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> >
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
>
>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/