746Pro or Ts-570SG

[KC0VDL]

Aside from 'one has 2m & the other doesn't' ( already have a 2m mobile & an HT anyway). I've just about given myself cranial vapor lock trying to decide on my first HF rig. And based on prior experiences am wanting to avoid a potential COSTLY mistake in buying used.

The 746Pro is about the top end of my budget, no space problems for antennas, ( 40 ac., out of town),I've really enjoyed building my own antennas so far., mainly going towards DX & CW for now, don't really know too much yet on other modes ( read: don't want to blow my radio funds on setting up ANOTHER comp. for IRLP,yet. lol)

So, what do you think?? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[WF6O]

I've been a Yaesu fan for many, many years. I have had an FT-757 and just unloaded an FT-847. Why? Well, the FT-847 was chock full of "birdies" on every band. I replaced it with a brand new Icom IC-746 Pro. Yes, I had the money for a 756 Pro III but wanted a more compact rig and I didn't want to give up 2M sideband. I coupled it with a new Ameritron AL-811 600W amplifier (beam is limited to 600W) and man, what a difference!!! My very first contact after getting it all set up and dialed in was with VP8LP in the Falkland Islands. He had a HUGE pileup going and I got him on the first call!!! Talk about jumping for joy... I was ecstatic! I never would have gotten him with the FT-847 because of the extremely poor receiver section in that rig. The 746 Pro hears everything!!! And I do mean everything! I was in the ARRL SSB DX contest a couple of weeks ago and managed 87 countries with limited operating time. The filtering on the 746 Pro was unbelieveable. You can dial out a signal right next to the the one you want... even in a contest!!! I was getting S-9 reports (Yeah, I know, everyone is S-9 in a contest!) but can say honestly I was hearing stations I could never have worked with the 847... and worked them easily!!! Trust me, you will be blown away with the 746 Pro! No, I don't work for ICOM!!!

Rick McCusker, WF6O

[KC0VDL]

Thanks for the input, Rick. How long have you had your Pro? Any negative issues at all?

[K3UD]

Both are nice rigs. The TS-570G is typical Kenwood, meant to be a workhorse. The IC-746PRO has more bells and whistles as well as the 2 meter band with 100 watts output. I have not owned a TS-570 but I did get to play with one. I think that the advantage the 746PRO has is that it has noticeably better DSP implementation working at the IF stage and you will not need to purchase crystal filters as you define your own filters. The 746PRO had some issues during early production runs which have been addressed and corrected.

I have a 746PRO and a Yaesu FT-100D. I like both of them, and If I had a TS-570 I would like it also.

If had had to pick one of the three it would be a tough choice, but the nod would go to the 746PRO largely because IMHO, it has the best overall receiver and flexibility of the three. Still a tough choice though.


73
George
K3UD

[KC0VDL]

Thank you, George. I've gone over the specs over & over again on several rigs, and with the filters, etc., for the Kenwood I would be right up there close to the Icom price anyway.

The way it looks, I'll have some kind of rig bought this weekend, I'm too tired to compare anymore- got to trust my research sometime!

Thanks,

Eric http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[AI4EP]

Definately the 746 PRO...more bands, high output on ALL bands ( 100 watts ).

Icom track record speaks for itself.

[W0LPQ]

The 746 display stinks. Not the color usefulness of the 756 Pro. But having had a 570SG, I can say that Kenwood audio is much better. If you do not need the 2/440 portion then the 570SG is the way to go. AF DSP is a drawback, yes, but never had to use it anyway. It performed quite well on 6M. After I got the 756 Pro, the 570SG pretty much stayed on 6M.

Bill, W0LPQ

[KB0FHP]

Personally - I would go with the 746Pro as it offers 2M all mode....2M SSB/CW is a lot of fun.....as well as 6M ssb/CW. 2M is not just repeaters....