[ICOM] Nothing new soon?

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 4/10/2012 10:50 AM, Anders Janis SM4RNA wrote:
> Hi all!
>
> I think the three big reflectors are getting more and more quiet. Is
> there nothing new on the way or has people left the reflektors for other
> media?
>
> I think it's strange that Icom puts out new 2m och 70cm mobiles but no
> one with 6m. Exept for the monobander 681, 6m mobile has't been arount
> since IC-901.. And the 9100 fits bad into the modern cars. :)

There's the IC7000 which is probably the most popular and *relatively* 
inexpensive rig out there.
The 9100 fits fine in many of today's cars while virtually all of the HF 
rigs include 6-meters. Many of those are small enough for mobile and 
they run on 12VDC.  I'd like to have a loaded 9100, but something has to 
go, first!

For some cars it takes a bit of imagination to fit a mobile rig and 
particularly an HF rig. I'd even consider the 756 series, 9100, and 7410 
in my SUV.  The only thing it lacks is a good place to put an HF 
antenna.  Even the compact cars I've driven could take a pretty good 
size radio.  OTOH the Hybrids have a very small 12V battery and require 
some work for a mobile of any power. They do have plenty of room for 
antennas though and particularly one for HF.  I'd add a couple of heavy 
duty batteries in back and a larger alternator to keep them charged.

One thing to remember about 6-meters.  It's far more of a niche market 
than the VHF/UHF duobanders and was probably added to HF rigs as it is 
much more of a home station operation.  Those of us who operate six are 
ardent about the band, but we are relatively few compared to those 
operating 144, 440, or HF.  Percent wise 6-meters would add far less 
cost to an HF rig than a VHF duobander.

"To me" the 9100 is the ultimate go rig, but I dislike menu driven rigs 
and although larger than the 7000 the 9100 is far more complicated.  I 
have kept my 756 Pro for many years now and have little incentive to 
upgrade it. I do have a much more top of the line rig in the shop, but 
the band scope in the 756 Pro has spoiled me.

I looked at the 7600, 7700, 7800, and 9100 (all with six meters) before 
purchasing the rig for the shop.   I've had two 7000s along with a Yaesu 
897D. Although the 7000 is not a top end rig, comparing them side by 
side I found the 7000 to have a better receiver, better noise blanker, 
and to be more rugged than the 897D, but the 897D is notably less money. 
Unfortunately it too is menu driven although I did find "for me" the 
menu system was laid out more logically than the 7000.

73

Roger (K8RI)


>
> de Anders SM4RNA
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