I've owned a 718 and never thought it was a great rig, ok, but pretty basic now and a noisy receiver.  I sold it after about 3 years and don't miss it at all.  I just bought a used Yaesu FT-450, this radio, for the money ($500.00 used) is the best bang for the buck going right now.  It is light years ahead of the IC-718 in all aspects, especially the receiver.  Lots of high end features too, including IF stage DSP.  Just no comparison to the Icom 718.  TS-480 certainly a good radio from what I can gather, but I have not owned one.  The above comments are just my own opinions.  Hope they help.  cheers.

Have you checked with the Yahoo ts-520 group?  If not, I'm sure they could help.  Lots of info in their files too.  cheers.

I've had my 817-ND version for 7 years.  No it's not perfect, but it has been a reliable performer and never has given me even one problem.  Still has full output on all bands.  Personally I find the RX fine and actually fairly quiet even on full size di-poles and such.  Either way you go I think you will be fine with either radio.  I just happen to like the complete capability of the 817, including 60 meters.  Not sure if the 703 covers that band or not.  cheers.

A good way to go used is to buy a pre-owned transceiver from one of the big dealers such as Amateur Electronic Supply.  They only take clean used gear in to resell and they come with 10 day complete refund and then 30 day parts and labor warranty.  They fully check the functions and output as well before they sell it.  I do that quite often and I don't take the initial depreciation as you do on a new radio.  I just bought a FT-450, came with original box, manual and all the accessories.  Can't tell it from new and I saved almost $300.00 over new.  good luck on your exams.  cheers.

I don't know why it won't fit, if you crimp it can't get wider.  Is the contact still flat where it connects to the wire?  It should be.  Don't solder and buy the proper type crimper and you should be good to go.  If you continue to have trouble I would seek out a Power Pole elmer.  They are fabulous connectors and I have never had a problem on 15, 25, or 45 amp applications.  Good luck and post your results if you can. 

I've owned and used both extensively and sold the Icom 718 and still have the Yaesu ft-450.  The 450 is a runs circles around the ic-718.  I'm not at all brand loyal, I just look for the best bang for the buck and IMO the 450 delivers big time.  cheers.

I have one too.  I dug it out of storage, and into a dummy load on 10 meters it showed 100 watts out with 4 watts of drive.  By the looks of it I'd say it was from the very late 60's or early 70's.  Has a plug on the back as well as the SO-230's, for some kind of interface maybe.  It was given to me about 10 years ago and been in storage since.  No manual and not much info on the Internet, Says good 3 through 30 Mhz and has a SSB position.  I would appreciate any info as well if anyone has any.  cheers.

MFJ-989B
Anyone have a line on a drive belt for the counter?  Mine came without one and I would like to replace it, so the counter will work.  Since it was not there I'm not sure what it looked like, maybe a rubber band type of belt?  Any info is appreciated, source of a replacement or otherwise. If you can help,please post here or e-mail. thanks. scott.

swduncan57@yahoo.com

I seldom get into these kind of discussions, it's kind of a Ford / Chevy thing.  No right or wrong answer.  But I agree that both are good radios, and it comes down to which one suits you best.  I own currently 6 six HF radios, some incl 6M and vhf/uhf as well.  If I only could have one radio I would choose the FT-817ND.  I love it still, after owning it for 4 years.  I would choose it over my 1 year old IC-706MKIIG.  I find the Yaesu menu a "intuitive breeze".  I don't care for the menu system in the Icom radios.  There is a lot of after market support specifically for the 817, such as THP's new 5 watts in 45 watts out linear amplifier (HL-45B) and LDG qrp auto tuner (Z-817).  Good luck on your decision.  

Greetings, this may be hard to describe, but I'll try.  I was given a TS-440S by an elderly ham.  It was somewhat disassembled but all the parts were there.  He does not know why it was taken apart.  I reassembled the radio and powered it up and all seems well.  So far that is, and it seems to have potential, the display is good and all the controls seem to work and it has a good receive and full output.  My problem is the main VFO tuning knob.  It has been drilled out, I assume there WAS a set screw retaining the knob?  Now there is an approximate 1/4 inch hole about half the way through the knob.  I don't see any brass shaft or brass cuttings in the hole, just aluminum cuttings.  The knob won't come off and I would, obviously like to remove and replace it.  I guess the question is , should it slide off a shaft as other VFO knobs do?? Or is there something I'm missing??  I can't find a diagram of this area or a description of the removal procedure.  If you have removed them (VFO knobs) in the past, perhaps you can let me know if it should come off in this way.  I really appreciate any info you can provide.  Thanks for reading.  

Scott,  KG6BRG.

Thanks for the conformation of my theory, and yes running a random wire into the shack is always bit of a tight rope as far as stray RF.  That being said, I've been running this current set up (with tuned counterpoise wires and a good earth ground) without any trouble before.  I was working on, and keying a TS-520 with the top off, perhaps that may have been the difference.  Since the radios connected to the Astron were off, I don't really know when it crowbared.  Well thanks again and I wonder if a capacitor across the SCR may help prevent this, or not.  cheers, scott.

My 35 amp astron supply went into over voltage protection today (crowbar).  It was on, and connected to an HF and VHF rig that were (the radios) off.  I was transmitting on my ts-520s and when I looked over at the astron's meters I thought I was seeing things, the voltage was showing 2 volts or so.  I shut it down and it reset and all seems to be well now, but I am wondering why the crowbar circuit triggered?  My only thoughts are a spike of some kind on the mains or possibly stray RF from my random wire, although I've never have a problem before with the same set up.  Any thoughts will be welcome. cheers, scott.

Seems some of the earlier 706's suffered from this problem, easy fix though apparently.  Switch out 1 resistor.  It's detailed here.  good luck.

http://www.icomamerica.com/en/support/kb/Article.aspx?ArticleNumber=5ATF692714