Another Icom 746 vs a 706

[KI4LFG]

Ok, I have a serious budget (as I am only 17 without a job) for my first HF rig, and my few choices I have been looking at are the Icom 706MKIIG and 746.

I am looking to upgrade to my general within a few months and would love to have a HF transceiver ready to go before or just after I get my upgraded ticket. I am looking for a rig with very good 6m capability and acceptable 2m for local use. I am looking at using a true talk G5RV as a less expensive wide coverage antenna, and possibly a separate 6m antenna. I already have an existing 2m / 70cm arrow Jpole for 2m. To cut down on costs I most likely will buy this used of ebay.

My thoughts:


Icom 706MKIIG:

Pros:
Looks to be less expensive of the two, ($500 - $800) on ebay) and has 70cm coverage, which I have an antenna for but most likely will be the least used. my existing 23 continuous amp power supply will be able to the max 20 amps this draws. Portable.

Cons: 2 antenna jacks, HF & 2m / 70cm, no dedicated 6m antenna possible without coax switch. Smaller display and form. Less filleting options. Requires external tuner.


Icom 746

Pros: Large display and big knobs for easy operation. Built in auto-tuner, reviews say this can tune a true talk G5RV without problems. Triple antenna jacks, allowing a HF, 6m and 2m antennas. Tons of filtering options included. Room for upgrade and advanced operation. Widely compatible microphone / headset interfaces. Built in SWR meter.

Cons: More expensive option new HOWEVER the only 2 "sold" on ebay went for just over $800 shipped. Does not come with mic.

Other notes:

706MKIIG: although small, this unit can be very useful during a field day setup.


Icom 746: Questionable power draw, my FP-1023 power supply is rated at 23 amps continuous and 25amp max, the icom listing says this draws 23 amps max, can someone confirm this? Since this has a built in swr meter, I can sell my VHF-UHF meter to pay for the missing mic or a headset. Whats the difference between the pro and non-pro versions?

I am looking for additional input of which to choose based on durability and functionality from existing users along with extra information on the questions listed above.

[W0LPQ]

You are going to filet the 706?

Bill, W0LPQ

[KI4LFG]

Quote[/b] (W0LPQ @ July 08 2006,12:27)]You are going to filet the 706?

Bill, W0LPQ
Um whats that mean? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[W0LPQ]

LFG: "Cons: 2 antenna jacks, HF & 2m / 70cm, no dedicated 6m antenna possible without coax switch. Smaller display and form. Less fileting options. Requires external tuner."

Bill, W0LPQ

[KI4LFG]

Doh! Spelling errors fixed, man I guess I never spell checked. What I wanted to say was the 706 has a lot less filtering options then the 746, making it easier to clean out the audio and pick out contacts from the noise.

[KC2njb]

Looking for a deal on a fairly new 746http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[W0LPQ]

LFG no problem, I thought it was funny ..!

Bill, W0LPQ

[w8ob]

First of all I would stay away from any e-bay deals on these rigs or you can get burned big time. The 706 is a reliable rig although I would take a yaesu ft-857d over it anyday. If you don't need the tuner or dsp filters grab the 706.

[kf4vgx]

Two nice rigs .

As a owner of the 746 , I must say the rig is outstanding. However the display light on the 746's will give way over the years . May be a bug fix etc . http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Still one outstanding rig .

Welcome to Amateur Radio http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Good topic .

[KC2PFV]

Get a 746 PRO!

I love this rig. I'm also 17 and I am going to upgrade to General in August hopefully.

Different antenna connectors. 1 for HF, 1 for 6m, 1 for 2m. It's great for working 6 meters. My 6 meter yagi came today and I'm going to mount it on the roof and have some fun making more contacts than with my attic dipole...

-KC2PFV

[n9vo]

Quote[/b] (kf4vgx @ July 16 2006,23:10)]Two nice rigs .

As a owner of the 746 , I must say the rig is outstanding. However the display light on the 746's will give way over the years . May be a bug fix etc . http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Still one outstanding rig .

Welcome to Amateur Radio http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Good topic .
746 is a great rig. Either the original or the pro. The only issue on the displays is from people that turn the backlight down. You need to keep it turned up is help dissipate the heat. That's the problem on most to be sure.

If you are going for base use, the 746 is a great rig. You won't be sorry. Even the pro's tx problem has pretty well been solved and Icom wil fix that issue. Lota radio for the money. Good luck. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KJ4GH]

As far as filtering goes... the 706mIIG has DSP and uses the same user installed filters as the 746 does. I am considering upgrading to the 746 from a 706 and confirmed that I could transfer my SSB filter to the 746. I would ignor personal preference for one brand over another because it usally is just a "personal preference" that is not based on use of either rigs. More likely, it's based on the fact they like the rig's display color, the sound of its name...etc.! It's just like some one that prefers a Ford over a Chevy. After 24 years of being a ham I found you sould go with the rig YOU like and not the one your buddy likes!

[yb0bp]

Why 706? Wait for some little time, get the 746. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[w4fid]

I have had a 706 Mk II in my SUV for about 5 years and love it. Best mobile I ever had -- going back about 20 years to an IC 730, TS 50, and a couple others. I use single band Hamsticks on a left rear fender mounted ball mount on HF and carry a few (40, 20, 17, 15, and 10 meters). I use a 1/4 wave mag mount in the middle of the roof for 2 meters. Work mobile, portable while camping and field day. Mine does have the DSP it came with but no optional filters. It's fine that way when mobile or with lesser antennas (where there isn't a big mess of strong signals). Extra filters are nice but not necessary and will cost you more. The 706 will be a lot cheaper than a 746.

I have had a 746 PRO in my shack since last fall and love it. Best home QTH rig I ever had -- going back over 45 years to Heath, Drake, Hallicrafters, TenTec, other Icom rigs, and even a KWM-2A. I have a 40 meter dipole in my attic -- about 10 feet high -- fed with a tuner. Works beatifully on 40, 30, 20, 17, and 15. Worked about 30 countries and have a lot of fun. Has real good DSP and built in filter/shape stuff so you don't need to add a thing. Operation and both receive/transmit qualities (audio, selectivity, ease of use) are great. But it cost about twice what the 706 did.

If you're on a limited budget (I started hamming at age 14 with an $11/month paper route ......... been there / done that) and heading to college soon find the best used or a new 706. It does well as a home rig, travels well, and can be a stealth or limited impact station. For home use if you have a good antenna brings in lots of strong signals get some optional filters. G5RV will work fine -- by good antenna I'm talking beam up in the clear. Up to that you wan't have a problem with the base rig's selectivity. If you plan to stay home a while, will have an antenna high and in the clear, and can swing it go for a 746PRO .......... it does great as a base rig.

Don't overlook CW. Both rigs have a built in keyer that's really nice and CW allows easier QSOs with lesser antennas. My 746 with the Bencher paddel sings on 30 meters.

For what it's worth I know of a couple FT 857D owners who wish they had 706s.

Either choice is a good one. Enjoy.
73 John W4FID

[WD8PTB]

Both are good radios. I have both. The 746 and 746pro have built in antenna tuners. For your 1st HF radio this would be convenient. The 746/pro have better receivers than the 706.
I think you said G5rv antenna. You will need a tuner for this antanna or your radio will not put out full power.
Consider making your own antenna. It is not hard, It is cheaper and will work as well or better. Don WD8PTB

[k0cwo]

I own an Icom 756 ProII, Icom 706MKIIG, Kenwood TS-2000, and a Yaesu FT-100. #If I could only keep one radio it would be the 706!

[YC0NHR]

you mention 17 witihout job or not yet get a job i think. for me buying a second radio its a luxury. don't think old radio can't work well. so buy you can afford to buy and by the time you can buy another by selling your present radio. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif