[ICOM] How do the Receivers and DSP compare between the 7600, 7700, and 7800?

[K8RI]

I'm looking at getting one of the above to replace my old 756 Pro which 
I am using SO2R with a Yaesu FTDX5000MP.  I've intentionally left out 
the 7410 as the band scope on that one is a deal breaker for me.  I have 
been spoiled by the real time scope on the 756 Pro and find the band 
scope on my FTDX5000MP to be only slightly better than useless so the 
same also goes for the 9100 and 7410.

I have both the Icom 7000 and the Yaesu 897D and it didn't take long to 
realize I dislike menu driven rigs with a passion. They make good mobile 
rigs and "go kit" rigs, but I find them highly inconvenient for base 
station use where I change modes a lot. The menu system in the 756 Pro, 
7600, 7700, 7800 and Yaesu FTDX5000MP are tolerable because I do not 
have to keep going back to them after the initial set up. With the 7000 
and 897D you best keep the manuals at hand unless you use one of them a 
lot and do not do a lot of mode changes.

I like the abilities of the 9100 but have found that my operation on VHF 
and UHF parallels my HF operation and although the 9100 "for me" would 
make a great rig for a "go kit", I've decided to keep HF separate from 
the higher frequencies in both the station in the shop and in the den.  
Depending on what I'm doing I either listen split on one band, second 
VFO on another band, or leave the second VFO on 6-meter calling frequency.

I had planned on purchasing a 9100, but unfortunately the 9100 suffers 
from lack of a real time band scope just like the 7410.  It would be 
nice to have a does all, VHF/UHF rig with a real time band scope though 
without having to use an adapter to my computer.  OTOH CAT control and 
SO2R go well together as does the band scope on the computer.

Also I understand that the 7800 is the only Icom with true dual 
receivers while the newer 7600 and 7410 have newer technology giving 
faster DSP and higher dynamic range.  They have the so called dual watch 
like my 756 Pro, but not dual receivers like the 7800 and FTDX5000MP.

I've only looked into the Flex 5000 superficially.

What ever I end up with will be operating SO2R with the FTDX5000MP and 
running QRO with either an Emtron DX-2sp or modified Alpha 76A using a 
pair of 3CPX800A7s at the legal limit.

My CW skills have atrophied a bit but the FTDX5000MP recovers fast 
enough for QSK at 20 to 25 WPM where I'm currently running. Its recovery 
time is listed as the slowest of any of the current top end rigs while 
the Icoms have a much quicker recovery time.

Once I finish up the second tower  and antennas (hopefully in a couple 
of weeks) I'll be able to tell more, but it's going to be difficult 
making a decision without being able to test the rigs set up in the SO2R 
operation.  Also with increased operation this Fall and Winter I hope to 
get my CW speed back up at least part way to where it used to be.  Who 
knows, I might even get on digital<:-))

73

Roger (K8RI)