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1-10 of 11 messages
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ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by ONLYON6METERS on September 3, 2006
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i want to branch out into 2m & 70cm, especially SSB, for the next Es season. (base only, loops & 6'-boom or smaller beams ONLY! no mobile/portable use, 857d is too small). HF at the moment is an afterthought(tech license). so...having upgraded from an rci5054dx100 to an ic551d, where do i go next? & why? i've read the reviews on my 2 choices, but very few comparisons between the 2. price is not the problem-i can't afford either. but WILL purchase 1 of them, soon. can anybody offer CONCRETE reasons for 1 being better then the other???
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by W2KRP on September 6, 2006
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I use the FT897d and like it because of it's portability. With the 2 batteries Or 1 if you wish) I can operate a few hours outsite with a Buddipole when the 6m band opens. Try that with the 706! :)
73,
Mark / W2KRP
SMIRK #6524 / 6MWW #2159 / AMSAT #35620
http://www.w2krp.com
(Sign the Guestbook!)
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by N3JBH on September 6, 2006
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i would recomend looking for a good yaesu ft 847. why??? there not that big. have great receivers. on vhf/uhf. kinda suck on hf i am told. there just a nice rig.
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by N3AWS on September 9, 2006
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If you can afford it, I'd recommend the IC-7000. With the IF DSP it outperforms either of the other rigs as well as the FT-847. The color display is awesome. Voice keyer, ability to record incoming audio, etc.
I have a 706MKIIG and love it, but someday I'll get either the IC-7000 or it's successor.
73 and good luck no matter what you choose.
Jim N3AWS
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by ONLYON6METERS on September 10, 2006
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i suppose an ic7800 would outperform the ic7000 as well as the ft847, but as i said, i'd have to sell at least 1 child to get either an ic706mkIIg or ft897d. the others you guys have mentioned are cost prohibitive. i don't want to buy used(someone elses problems), and realize my price range is not allowing the absolute best of all worlds. i was just curious if anybody had USED & COMPARED an ft897d vs an ic706mkIIg, and which they preferred & why. (how about a magazine comparison even???)
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by XE1VE3OQC on September 15, 2006
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Well,no one has given you a direct answer to this question,if you want a comparison I can give you some information.
I had the MKIIG and on 6 mtrs with my yagi pointed at the ch 2 TV station the receiver was overloaded with intermod to the point I could not hear incoming DX.
I have since bought a FT-897D and it is worldīs apart in receiver performance,since living in Mexico they donīt have the cleanest broadcast systems here.
My yagi produces 12dBd and using single conversion radios on 6 meters is not a good idea (both the MKII and the 897 are double conversion),hence the 897 is a good choice for what ever type of operating you may do.
I suggest buying the 2.3Khz ssb filter as this would be a good idea for crowded band conditions.
Iīm a casual operater and have had the 746PRO but for my needs the 897 is just fine, I plan on buying a 857D for my car since the receivers are virtually the same.
If you decide on a 7000 wait for the 5th generation.
73īs
Glenn
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by N5EAT on September 15, 2006
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The 857 is actually not too small. It has nice sized buttons for the major functions, and a nice tuning dial.
However, to answer your question as to which is better, the 706 or 897d. I have both and my impression is that the 897 is a better rig as it has slots for 2 batteries or internal power supply, 2 filter slots, and is built like a tank. With a cw and ssb filter installed - the receiver is very good.
My 706 is a good radio and has been very reliable. If you get the 706 I don't think you'll be blowing this rig's final transmitter parts as appears common with newer Icoms.
I like the 897 better than the 706. I like my 857 better as well. You will probably be happy any way you go. Oh...and the 897 has a slot for a "bolt on" tuner which I also have.
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by KO1D on October 3, 2006
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I have to agree with those saying the 857D is NOT too small. I have recently bought one after struggling over that or saving for the IC 7000. I do not regret my choice. I would suggest a few points:
Multiband rigs tend to be a bit deaf. When you try and make a square into a circle you tend to get some very rough curves. Same with radios. When you try and do everything DC to Daylight there are sacrifices in performance. Plan on getting a good amp and pre-amp for 432.
The 706MKIIG has a very wide transmitter. We have had to stop using them for the digital stations on FD because nothing short of a TenTec Orion can block out the hash (even when properly set up!)
Plan a purchace that will grow with you. I am not advocating the 7000 (someone said waid 5 generations and I must say I agree) but think about where you might like to go in the hobby and invest that way.
Used rigs are not all evil. A used FT736r with modules is like finding the holy grail. They are great exciters and have good receivers. They will run all mode 6 to 432 with the proper modules (and yes that includes 220) at about 25w out. This is a perfect drive level for any amps you may get. The rig may not break the bank if you are looking at rigs between 500 and 1000 USD (which it appears you are.)
Most importantly try them out at field day or borrow one to see if you like it before you buy it. We can pontificate about how much we like a rig but its your money we are spending here. A little research goes a long way.
As I told someone today: I bought an FT 857d and I love it. Its not the highest end rig but its a good rig. That being said with all the 706MKIIgs on the market there must be a reason for it.
Good Luck and hope to work you on weak signal!
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by ONLYON6METERS on October 7, 2006
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as ko1d states 'That being said with all the 706MKIIgs on the market there must be a reason for it'. i think i've been waiting for someone to tell me that THAT radio outperforms the yaesus. but it hasn't happened yet. would i, me, personally, see or EVEN REALIZE any performance(receive) differences in the 706mkIIg vs the 897d? that may have been a better question. i'm familiar with both yaesu & icoms' older products. years ago (gasp) i used the 101's, 757, 767, 735 & 745 where they shouldn't be used. i still have a 735(that i felt was 'better' then the 757 & 767) that is used for SWL & awaiting the dropping of the code requirement, so it may LEGALLY be transmitted on. for the past few years i've used an ic551d for my 6 meter communications. it DOES outperform a swan 250 & rci5054 that i've had-to MY ears at least. a friend LOVES his ft1000...my ic735 sounds better in MY ears though. in ehams review section, the 897 outrates the 706 by 1/10th of a point, with 1/2 the amount of reviews. is that percentage enough to say that the 897 is THAT MUCH BETTER then the 706? or, will i be just as happy keeping my station 'all-icom'?
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RE: ic706mkIIg vs ft897d
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by KO1D on October 8, 2006
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Again the oter thing you should note in my post is try a rig. I have a friend with a 706MKIIg in his car. I have an 857D in my car. Problem in comparing them is we have different cars (Him: Jeep; me: Sedan), different installations(I have HF and V/UHF antennas and he has umpteen V/UHF antennas), etc. A scientific side by side comparison is tough. Best thing for that is the QST reviews. You can access those through ARRL.org if you are a member.
I won't say the 706 is a bad rig. I will say those who have it have had issues with menu organization and 432 being deaf. I have found the 857D menu not bad (not great either but I figured it out and its better than the VX7r menu by leaps and bounds!) I have not been able to find enough playmates on 432SSB to really determine how good it hears. I would wager its a bit hard of hearing as most DC to Daylight rigs tend to be.
In the end it comes down to your preference. So go to a ham store, hamfest or other place you can play and fiddle with a radio for a bit and see which feels better to you. Then A/B test the receiver with the same cox/antenna set up and see if you can hear anything. This isn't what you wanted to hear but honestly its probably the best way to decide an investment decision.
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