No way of knowing but my wager would be that R&L probably sells more over the phone than walk in traffic. Just something to consider. I have always been pleased with the service I've received from them.

I think you may have it wrong. It was not the color screen models with display issues! I believe it was the original 756 (not a pro) with the monochrome display that was the problem. It would start with lines in the display and then ultimately go out. I believe that all of the pro series (pro, pro II and pro III) were safe from any display issues. Great rigs.


I h

I agree with this post. I also use electric fence wire for my quad. I recall about 14.00 for 1/4 mile spool. 1300 feet of wire for 14.00. Can't be beat. Purists will have a coronary but it works well. I have a tilt over antenna so if I should run into a problem, it's easy to restring. So far it's been up for 4 years with no broken wire. Now the ice storm last year broke a spreader but the wire held it all!!!! Cheap is for me (and if it works good, so much better).....

For what most of the online retailers charge for shipping, you would think they could hire better web designers!!!!

I.E. check out shipping costs for a "sma adapter" from HamCity......

Sure it works. Add on on the ten-a-tuner or like circuits to the rear plug and it will make your rig think any autotuner is connected and put out approx a 10 watt signal. Just like you want.

I agree with this post. Your limitations won't be the radio. Any of the ones mentioned will work just fine. I would be more concerned with antenna improvement. That would make a huge difference in your enjoyment.

So are you guys saying this is how the deal would go:

Here is the one you bid on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Icom-IC-R71A-Receiver-EXCEPTIONAL-Working-Condition-/230574020986?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af48597a


Here Is the one you receive:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Icom-IC-R71A-Communications-Receiver-parts-/180611841276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0d4dfcfc

Ouch.......

The following is quoted from this website: 

http://www.skysdaughter.com/icom746-faq/

Quote:

Q:3.2.6   Can I use the internal ATU along with an external ATU?

   Maybe.   Theory says yes, but Icom says no.  The results
   are mixed.  Use at your own risk.

   Many people use an external ATU along with their IC-746.
   Usually, they leave the external ATU switched to "bypass"
   and let the internal ATU do its thing.   For troublesome
   bands/antennas, they turn off the internal ATU and
   engage the external one.

   Others use an external ATU to match their antenna to
   the middle of the desired band and let the internal ATU
   handle the rest.  In theory, the ATU doesn't know or
   care what's hooked up to it; it simply tries to match
   up to the impedance it sees.

   In most cases, either of the above approaches work fine.
   Many hams have been applying both for years with no
   problems.

   However, some IC-746's have had their ATUs go out from
   fried detector diodes and driver transistors.  On many
   repairs, Icom has blamed the failure upon external
   tuners.  One ham was told that external tuners can
   cause problems even when they are switched to "bypass".

   Nobody has been able to adequately explain why an
   external tuner would cause such damage, particularly
   when bypassed.  Some speculate that tuning with low
   power is safer than tuning with high power (if nothing
   else, its at least more polite).

   We need more information on this, but at least you've
   been warned.

   The best procedure we can suggest at this point is:

   *  Turn off the internal ATU.

   *  Reduce power to about 1/4 (25w).

   *  Adjust the external ATU using the rig's SWR meter.
      (The two meters usually disagree.  It is what the
      rig sees that is important.)

   *  Restore full power.

   *  Turn on the internal ATU.

   Do not adjust the external ATU at full power.

   Do not adjust the external ATU while the ATU is on.

   Do not change frequency while the ATU is searching for
   a match.

------------------------------

Unquote

Now some agree with this and some do not. In laymans term, the interaction between the components with high voltages present could possible damage the smaller/lesser components of the internal tuner. It's up to you to make your own decision.

I do not think it's worth taking the chance.....I have seen too many fried internal tuners.

Well Layne, do you have a ham license?
If so, all you really need is a computer to get on E/L.

Personally I've never purchased anything from Radio Mart. After reading thru the few years I've been a ham, I was always afraid too.....Just too many stories for their not to be any truth to any of it. Never saw any rebuttal from him until on here recently. He certainly put up a good case and as he stated: threw down the gauntlet. Well I would say a couple of gents have kicked it right back into his driveway..........

Sure looks incriminating......

Any chance that rig ever had the golden screwdriver inside?

Not sure if they still use it but the military did use the prosign "de" in message formatting. Just like everone said, it means "from" or "this is" In telecom messages the message line would have the prosign "de" and then the routing indicator of the sender.

It also was used on rtty circuits once again indicating "this is" or "from"

Right out of ACP127........

I mean no offense to the poster but what I find sad is that here is an individual who has been licensed for at least five years but yet has to ask such questions on a website. Where are his elmers or other local hams. I know it's easy to just ask online, but someone with a license for five years sure should be able to do a little research; either on his/her own or with other hams. Anyone should be able to look at the band plan and figure out what is allowed.

You're experiencing a common issue. I would suggest you try some different usb/serial converters. They are not all the same.

Precisely the reason I keep an old computer around with serial port. I wish computers would either have a serial port or more rigs should have usb.

Good luck.