FT100D or IC-706MkIIG?

[AI3W]

Hi all,

Uncle sam is buying me a moble radio (Income tax refund) and I need some advice. I've read the manuals and brochures on both and seem to like some features on the 100D over the 706, but when I compare apples to apples, they are both in a dead heat in my book (except for DSP, which the 100D seems to have the upper hand).

Has anyone else done any research on these two rigs? They are comparable in price, however the 706 is offering the RMK where I'd have to buy it for the 100d.

Thanks for any advice.

73 DE AI3W, Rick

[K3UD]

The Ft-100D has been discontinued and replaced by the Ft-857.

I looked very hard at both the 706 and the 100 this past summer and ended up with the FT-100. I chose it because it had a slightly better receiver than the 706 in terms of dynamic range but the bigger reasons were a much better noise blanker (it was purchased as a mobile rig) and DSP implementation that I thought was quite superior to the 706. The FT 100 also comes with a 500hz CW filter as standard.

On the other hand, The 706 is initally easier to set up and use and has a better display. (to my eyes) It is also much quieter than the 100. Fan noise in the 100 can be distracting as well as tireing.

These rigs are very close in terms of basic performance and I would guess that you have looked at the QST reviews of both. The FT-100 is now on closeout with HRO and AES clearing the last ones. The FT-857 does not have as good receiver performance as the 100 or the 706 (based on the specs) and the DSP is optional.

73
George
K3UD

And every one that is looking for an FT-897 will have to wait till the middle of March to get one all the places I called were out of them.
But I was able to get the last one from a small shop south of me.
There is one other thing the FT-857 uses the same board as the FT-897 so theres another idea . Both are small in size and both canbe used as a mobile...
Hope that helps a little

[N9VO]

I just wonder though, if the FT100 was so much superior to the 706, then why are they discontinuing it? The 706/706MKII/706MKIIG has been a booming success story for mobile and fixed operation. Seems like the FT100 should have been more competetive? I believe the 706 is a bit simpler to operate on the whole and priced much better.

[KC7PAD]

Owned both radios and now own the 897. I found the 100D to be much more stable on 432 mhz than the 706. The 100d comes with a high stability oscillator installed, Icom wants $100 +/- for theirs. Even my 897 without the High stability oscillator is better than the 706 was. Just my 2 cents. 73 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[AB8CD]

I have owned the FT100D for over two years (with the matching Atas-100 antenna). #It has operated well in a harsh Michigan mobile environment with no complaints. #I believe the death knell for the FT100 series was the lack of programing (via computer download) or alphanumerics available in the otherwise impressive memory capabilities of this radio.