Icom 756 Pro III ?

[K4AVL]

I've been using an ICOM 718 for 2 years, before that tube rigs, and have already worked over 100 DX entities (in just 2 years after getting back into the hobby) in this worst spot of the solar cycle, my antennas are all homebrew, and my latest is a 260' inverted V, 56' in the center, and my main band is 20 meters. I've done some PSK, RTTY & CW, but mainly focus on SSB, and use a Heathkit SB-200 as an amp.
Looking at transceivers, especially on eham reviews, there are always a lot of bad egg reports, even on the 756 Pro III (loses xmit power, cheap knobs, etc.).
If I were to invest in a new rig, to go all out & max the credit, etc, I could go for a Pro III, but the reviews are mixed on if it's worth the price.
I was looking at some other suggestions, the Yaesu FT-450 popped up, but I'm trying to go for an improvement on receive audio mostly, adjacent interference rejection and weak signal SSB advantage, for the most part. If I can hear them they usually hear me in the absence of a huge pileup.
Looking for some RX advantage a bigger step above the 718, and not just marginal.
So what other models & reviews should I look at, maybe $2500 max, I don't need 6 & 2 (as I rarely use them and have 2 other rigs that cover them), but an autotuner may be nice (bear in mind I run through an amp too, and use a Drake MN-2000 as the final tuner)
I've already got the DSP and narrow filter in the 718, but sometimes I still have trouble pulling out weaker stations and especially get blown off when someone in the US a few kc away starts to rag chew.

[KB3LAZ]

I've been using an ICOM 718 for 2 years, before that tube rigs, and have already worked over 100 DX entities (in just 2 years after getting back into the hobby) in this worst spot of the solar cycle, my antennas are all homebrew, and my latest is a 260' inverted V, 56' in the center, and my main band is 20 meters. I've done some PSK, RTTY & CW, but mainly focus on SSB, and use a Heathkit SB-200 as an amp.
Looking at transceivers, especially on eham reviews, there are always a lot of bad egg reports, even on the 756 Pro III (loses xmit power, cheap knobs, etc.).
If I were to invest in a new rig, to go all out & max the credit, etc, I could go for a Pro III, but the reviews are mixed on if it's worth the price.
I was looking at some other suggestions, the Yaesu FT-450 popped up, but I'm trying to go for an improvement on receive audio mostly, adjacent interference rejection and weak signal SSB advantage, for the most part. If I can hear them they usually hear me in the absence of a huge pileup.
Looking for some RX advantage a bigger step above the 718, and not just marginal.
So what other models & reviews should I look at, maybe $2500 max, I don't need 6 & 2 (as I rarely use them and have 2 other rigs that cover them), but an autotuner may be nice (bear in mind I run through an amp too, and use a Drake MN-2000 as the final tuner)
I've already got the DSP and narrow filter in the 718, but sometimes I still have trouble pulling out weaker stations and especially get blown off when someone in the US a few kc away starts to rag chew.

Antenna....is the difference. The radio is 95% preference. But compare the following. ProIII, Orion II, OmniVII, and the K3. These may be a bit above your price range but hey.....

It would seem that user testimonials are not your thing, so have a look at the numbers and decide for yourself.

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

Personally, I love my proIII. On top of being a cutie, she is a real performer.:p

[KU5Q]

If I were to invest in a new rig, to go all out & max the credit, etc, I could go for a Pro III, but the reviews are mixed on if it's worth the price.
I was looking at some other suggestions, the Yaesu FT-450 popped up, but I'm trying to go for an improvement on receive audio mostly, adjacent interference rejection and weak signal SSB advantage, for the most part. If I can hear them they usually hear me in the absence of a huge pileup.
Looking for some RX advantage a bigger step above the 718, and not just marginal.
So what other models & reviews should I look at, maybe $2500 max, I don't need 6 & 2

Frank, have you considered Ten Tec? Used Orions (the original) are selling for fair prices used ($1,600-$2,000). I've tried the first model Orions, and have the Orion II. From using the PROIII (which I also have) along side either model Orion, rcvr close in dymanic range of the either Orions are better than the PROIII. But you'd have to use them on a crowded band to see and appreciate that. Especially CW. The Ten Tec technical people are great deal with. If you have a problem with their equipment, and want to fix it yourself, they will bend over backwards to help you.

If you want some idea of what the Orion voice audio sounds like, check out my Orion II. These aren't the greatest by any means, but hopefully it will give you an idea of what they sound like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIekFCwYP7Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whL_1RhLSOw

If you want solid raw dependable performance, good support, and aren't concerned with superficial aesthetics, consider Ten Tec. I tried the Elecraft K3, it had an outstanding receiver, I couldn't deal with the tin can voice receiver audio. Remember when you were a kid what talking/listening with two soup cans with a string between them sounded like? That doesn't bother a lot of other people though. The K3 is selling well. Great CW radio.

I'm still very fond of my remaining PROIII though (and the other Icoms here at home 7600/7700/7800 ). For general purpose, everday use, it's still one of my favorites, and I'll probably hang on to it for a long time. This one is over a year old, and no problems at all.

If you are set on a PROIII, the prices on used PROIII's may begin to come down even further since the 7600 is out. I believe production on the PROIII ceased late last year, and there will be no more made.

Hopefully you know someone close by that will let you try out a PROII, or PROIII.

Good luck.

W3VR

[WA9UAA]

Good Day,
Unless you need the "fish finder", take a look at the Kenwood TS-480. It has pretty good receiver specs and space for two IF filters with 3 choices, 1 for SSB and 2 for CW.
73,
Rob WA9UAA :)

[WR8D]

I have a doctor buddy that has them all. For me it's all about the receive because we can make them all sound exactly alike on tx. Doc says the receive in the proIII is right there with the 7800...and he added that the 775dsp was as good as them all. I bought the 775dsp back ten years ago just because of its low noise floor on xceive and there hadn't been anything to perk my interest before the proIII came out. The proII was really nice but just not there completely in the receive department.

Well...i bought that proIII new then traded around and ended up with a proII later, and i swear i love it. There's little knobs yes that you set and more or less forget so they don't have to be as big as the tire on a tractor trailer.

There's nothing at all wrong with a proII i play one of those here everyday and yes i love the proIII. I have them setup on each end of this table here in my shack...you certainly won't go wrong with either but keep in mind the proII can be had now at not to bad a price for such a fine rig.

Good luck in your decision!

73, John WR8D;)

[K4AVL]

Thanks for the replies, guys, I did finally decide on a 756 Pro III, and they still had a couple left at HRO for $2499, hopefully will get a lot of enjoyment out of the rig when it comes in a few days. :)

[KU5Q]

Thanks for the replies, guys, I did finally decide on a 756 Pro III, and they still had a couple left at HRO for $2499, hopefully will get a lot of enjoyment out of the rig when it comes in a few days. :)

Congrats. Too bad you missed out on the Dayton prices. But, great that you you were able to get one before they are all gone.

Take care and enjoy.

W3VR

[PH5E]

The PRO-756 III is still listed on http://www.icomamerica.com , can anyone confirm that production ceased?

[KU5Q]

The PRO-756 III is still listed on http://www.icomamerica.com , can anyone confirm that production ceased?


Contact Ray Novak N9JA. I believe he is the current ICOM Amateur Radio Divisional Manager. He should be able to confirm.

Also contact Adam Farson AB4OJ/VA7OJ. Adams yahoo groups are among the best information groups for the PROIII, & 7700. He will also be able to confirm.

Also check Adams website http://www.ab4oj.com/ for more information on the 7600, PRO series, and 7700. His unofficial Icom website is among the finest.

Good luck.

W3VR