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| Reviews Summary for Icom IC-746PRO |
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Reviews: 255
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Average rating: 4.1/5
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MSRP: $1,870 (Street)
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Description: All mode HF+SIX+TWO base tranceiver, 32 bit if DSP, 100 watts all bands,digital if filter (51 types),SSB/CW Synchronous Tuning, Lots more....
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More info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/hf/index.html
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You can
write your own review of the Icom IC-746PRO.
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PLRC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2008 09:30
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Excellent Rig.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased this rig used two years ago and have compared it with my Yaesu MkV and it is definitely in the same league on receive. Overall, a great radio. I have not experienced any problems with it. I have used it on Field Day on two occasions, using the optional AH-4 external tuner and long long wire (1000 feet). The first year on 80M SSB we made 500 contacts and this year on 40M SSB we logged 763 contacts, and could have made 1000 if we had worked at it harder. Receive/filters sort out the noise/QRM and pulls out the weak ones. Am looking now for 746 Pro III to complement my Yaesu.
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AA1ZO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2008 01:49
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Best value out there!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have owned this radio for about 9 months. I have used it often without any problems. Where are you going to get a 100 watt radio that operates 160-2 meters and all mode with a power supply thrown in to boot? The antenna tuner works great as well. All of the menus are intuitive and the display is very clear and easy to understand. I have had good audio reports with this one as well. My favorite mode is AM on 75 meters. Although this radio will never sound like a broadcash station, I'm told that the audio on AM is still good. The receiver is also excellent. I would buy this radio again in a heart beat.
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KD4NYC
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 23, 2008 13:49
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Dead transmitter
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The Radio stopped transmitting after 4 months. I guess I'm one of the suckers that thought the problem was fixed.
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K2VI
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Rating: 0/5
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Jun 7, 2008 15:06
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engineering defect
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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my 746 pro lost transmit and is not in warranty,I was one of the suckers who thought they had this problem corrected.Now its sitting here collecting dust. Im eventually going to have it rapaired and sell it. I love all icom equipment except for this lemon. I guess it would be to costly to redesign the radio so they use a big heat sink on the drivers but it's a band aid at best.I would avoid this radio at all cost even though there throwing in a free power supply.
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K2ID
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 7, 2008 14:45
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Beware
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I always thought that the negative reveiws about problems that others also reported were just normal problems with a small percentage of radios.
Well, I bought a new 746 Pro at Hamvention and within three weeks I no longer have transmit power. Icom refuses to acknowledge the problem other than say it is caused by static and that the new units have three extra diodes to prevent that and yet the problem still exists.
My new radio lost transmit power the first day I used it. I reset the CPU and it fixed the problem. Two weeks later the same problem occured but this time the CPU reset did not fix it. Now I have to send it back at my expense and the Hamvention discount I got is going towards shipping. This is the third Icom radio that has had problems and that is it for me. No more Icom radios for me. I have bought 6 of their rigs in the last 18 months but will no longer do so.
If they want to continue with poor desing and quality control and keep the position that there is no problem despite so many posts telling of the same exact problem; well, they do not deserve my hard earned money and hopefully other manufacturers who offer better quality goods will surpass them.
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K0KS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2008 11:06
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Excellent Radio with good DSP
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The IF DSP is a great pleasure after using the IC-706 with post-detection DSP. Two minor complaints:
Power output varies a lot with the 12V input which is a problem when running from batteries.
The buttons are not backlit like the IC-706 are.
DO program your callsign into the memory keyer even if you're a phone-only op. Thieves don't know about this but fellow Hams do and it could help locate stolen equipment.
73 de Ken, K0KS
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N4IJS
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Rating: 5/5
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May 26, 2008 11:49
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Great radio!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Hi,
After looking at a number of radios on the market in the 746's price range, the 746Pro simply beat the competition - hands down. Excellent receiver, great transmit, wonderful CW options, FB 6 & 2-meter coverage - just a great radio overall.
It works well with Ham Radio Deluxe, the antenna tuner works well (although, it works significantly better with a solid earth ground), and has a solid set of features for the money.
I highly recommend this radio to anyone looking for a new rig.
BEST PARTS OF THE RIG:
1) FB receiver - first in its’ class
2) Great DSP
3) Excellent feature set
4) Great digital features
5) Great CW features
6) Great voice (TX & RX) options
7) The Noise Blanker, DSP, twin PBT, adjustable filter width, and auto-notch. Amazing!
8) Two HF/6 Meter antenna connections
ITEMS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMPROVED:
1) Better antenna tuner
2) Antenna tuner for 2-meters
3) A true meter
4) Bigger and more substantial control knobs (on bottom of radio).
Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions.
73,
Robert - N4IJS
n4ijs@insightbb.com
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AI4QT
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Rating: 3/5
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May 19, 2008 17:34
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Not Happy
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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My Icom746pro had issues—fortunately, the radio was under warranty. My (new) Icom746 stopped transmitting less than three months upon its arrival to my QTH.
Icom had to replace the RF pre-driver and resistors on the PA board. I also had problems with the CI-V port on the radio. It stopped communicating with Ham Radio Deluxe.
The Icom 746pro should not have gone dead within three months. No one enjoys putting out 1400+ dollars for a radio that may fail in short order. AND-- I resent having to pay 50 bucks for shipping my radio to the Icom Service Center in Washington state. Icom should reimburse the shipping charges. I guess its customary for companies not to reimburse for shipping for warranty work.
I do have to say two positive things about Icom. I do have to commend Icom service for repairing my radio in a timely manor and their service reps were professional in addressing my issue.
However, my experience with the 746pro only allows me to give it a 3 out of 5 rating.
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K1NW
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Rating: 5/5
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May 16, 2008 07:09
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Five year report
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this radio seemingly forever - though I have also owned Yaesu (FT-767GX and 857D) and Kenwood (TS-570D) and used many others. I love my 746Pro! I did have the failed transmitter chip issue - which ICOM repaired for free three years after my purchase. Otherwise it is dependable, I get good audio reports almost daily, and it has a great receiver (I installed two INRAD filters). For a radio that cost me only $1,400 after the rebate, I think the ICOM 746Pro is a great deal. It is much more fun to use than either of the Yaesus or the Kenwood. I now have it driving an AL-811H, controlling my SteppIR yagi and hooked up to my computer as well. Fun!
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KM5ON
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Rating: 3/5
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May 16, 2008 03:41
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Dead transmitter
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It is with deep regrets that I cannot give this radio a 5. I have used it for psk31, cw, and ssb qso's and its performance was great for all modes. In my opinion the notch filter and pass band tuning capabilities is one of the best that I have used. The problem with reliability needs to be addressed though. I purchased this radio new at the end of January 2008 and by the end of April 2008 I experienced the dreaded dead transmitter issue. The radio is still in for repairs so I don't know the story behind the failure yet. I seldom operated the rig at full output and always tuned with minimal power. PSK31 operation was always at 25 watts or less, and most SSB operation was at 75 watts or less. The rig was well grounded and always used with good operating practices. In a nut shell, I really love the radio, but no one expects a new rig to fail for any reason after just 3 months of operation. If ICOM can solve the reliability issues with this rig it would certainly be the best rig for the money out there in my opinion.
73's to all........
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