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write your own review of the ICOM IC-706 - All flavors.
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K3PA
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 13, 2012 16:55
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Nice
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Its a nice little radio that does a lot. For many, it will be just the thing. It isn't perfect.
If you are a portable CW nut, buy a K2. If you need performance at home, get something larger with a little better receiver and easier control layout. For VHFies, get something dedicated.
But when you want a taste of everything, mobile, this is the ticket.
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WZ3O
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 29, 2011 12:12
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Had MKiiG for a while..here's my 2 ¢s,...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Can't give it a 5 "out of the box", since it doesn't have IF DSP, but with 1.9 SSB filter & a DSP speaker it's very good, not a 7000, 7200, 746 Pro, etc.
Sure it's no "contest rig" but quite good for basic DX, FM, Digital, easily can be used as a primary rig for someone on a budget or that's not very active...... Easy menus, good screen, great TX/RX, it DOES "do it all"...some things better than others....
(Would love to give it a 4.6, come one eHam how 'bout 1-10 rating system, way more accurate???)!
All band, all mode workhorse. Had it mobile 3 times, used in shack as back up HF rig & primary 2/440 bands. Mine was included in a trade deal with other rigs, etc......everything else is long gone. So I suppose that speaks volumes for the rig...
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AA5JG
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 24, 2011 11:59
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706 original-great for a budget
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I picked up one of the Icom 706 original models back in March 2011. Traded a Yaesu FT8900 for it. I paid $300 for the 8900, so I have about $300 invested in the 706, and it came with a SSB filter (which I replaced with a CW filter). The filter is worth around $60, so that makes my price for the rig alone around $240. If you look around, you should be able to find a 706 original for around $300 to $350.
Now what other used rigs are you going to find in the $300 price range? Not many, maybe a Kenwood TS120 or 130, or some older, tube rigs, or an Icom 701. A Kenwood TS140, Yaesu FT840 or FT707 and an Icom 730 will generally go for more than that, and the 706 original will run rings around those rigs.
The 706 original will give you general coverage receive, extra bands (100 watts on 6m and 10 watts on 2m), a built in keyer, dual VFOs, IF shift, adjustable CW offset with tracking sidetone, easy to install filters (no soldering required), lots of memories, and has a built in tone encoder. Most of the aforementioned rigs lack most of these things.
In the past 7 months I have used my Icom 706 for everything. I have worked 115 countries using it and a G5RV type dipole. I have used it on 2 meter SSB including 2 Es openings to Arizona and Florida from Oklahoma. That netted me 5 new grid squares on 2m (and I already have 150 grids worked on 2). I did use a Mirage B108 amp with the rig (the amp does around 70 watts). I have used the rig on the satellites (Oscar 7, Mode A), 6 meter SSB, and contests. I have taken it mobile, and took it in my carry on luggage to California for the June VHF contest. I can't believe how much fun you can have with a $250 radio.
A couple of key points for this radio. You need to leave the preamp off on 20 meters and below. It is sensitive enough without it. Turning it on really adds band noise. The QST review shows that it is a little less sensitive than most rigs without its preamp on, but that is a good thing. It is still plenty sensitive enough, but the receiver is very quiet without the preamp on. You don't have to listen to the extra noise you get on rigs that are more sensitive. Also, leave the NB off if the band it crowded. Once you gets lots of loud signals on the band the NB makes the receiver generate lots of IMD products. The NB isn't that good overall.
I have used this rig in several HF contest with good results. Handled the loud signals pretty well. My antennas aren't the greatest, but with my dipoles I never really saw it overload.
Is it the greatest radio on the market? NO! Is it the greatest radio on the used market for $300? YES! If you are on a limited budget, try to find one of these rigs. They are great performers for the price, and lots of fun to use. I would take one over an Icom 718, Alinco SR8, and some of the newer entry level radios on the market. Don't let the fact that it has menus scare you, they are very easy to use.
I am sure glad I traded the FT8900 for this rig. Over the summer I found a Yaesu FT450 at a very good price. I compared the 2 side by side, and resold the FT450. The receiver on the 706 just sounded cleaner without the IF DSP artifacts on it, and having 2 meter SSB didn't hurt either!
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K7WHB
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 21, 2011 09:42
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Has Been A Great Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had a "G" since they first came out. Used as Base for about 18 months and has been mobile in my Pickup ever since. Use a LDG-100 tuner and Hamstick antennas with it. The only problems I've ever had were self inflicted -- poor coax connections etc. Radio does whatever I ask of it and I get good reports. Use it regularly on 40 meters, and occassionally on all the HF Bands except 160 and 6 meters. Use heavily on 2 meters. It just works every day.
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N5IOS
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Rating: 2/5
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Aug 30, 2011 14:25
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instability on 17 and 15
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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A couple years ago I bought a used 706 MKIIG in excellent condition. It had been used very little, and never been mobile. Unfortunately, the particular unit I bought had the instability problem on 17 and 15 meters that causes the rig to go into self-oscillation on those bands. Interestingly enough, the problem did not show up right away. But when it did, the radio was rendered useless on those 2 bands. I spoke to Icom about it, and got the impression that this was not a problem they were familiar with. (Only much later did I find out it was a very well known problem and there was a service bulletin issued about it.) Anyway, I sent it in, and for a hundred bucks or so, they fixed it.
I had not used the rig on 17 or 15 lately, but today I tried it out on those bands. The problem is back - exactly as it was before they fixed it. Any antenna will appear to have infinite SWR on 17 or 15 due to the self-oscillation of the radio on those bands.
Other than this problem the radio is okay. I added a wider SSB filter to make it more pleasant to listen to for rag chewing. The 2.8 kc filter does "mellow it out" a bit. If I could get a lasting fix for the instability problem I would be satisfied with the radio.
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19ND005
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 17, 2011 09:28
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Icom 706MKIIG great!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Last time I was truckmobile in Vallet France and during 3 hours maken contact at 11 meterband also at FM mostly with no problems.
Works like a block!
I have 2 off this radio's.
Only a GOOD mic what will be not damage after some time is not to buy for this Radio.
Also the HM-154 have problem later with the top DN (Down) button.
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KG5VW
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 16, 2011 11:26
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Pretty good radio
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have the IC-706 MKIIG with an LDG IT100 tuner and a G5RV Lite wire antenna. I'm using RG-58 cable and don't have the antenna very high yet but it does work OK. As soon as weather cools I plan on changing feedline to RG8/U and should help some with signal loss and noise. Noise is pretty bad below 20 meters, prefer to use it on 20 and above. I do get good signal reports, can't always break thru the pile ups and make the QSO, but antenna/feedline might be holding me back.
I like the features and the compact size, menus not too hard to learn, you just have to do things a few times to remember where everything is.
Radio is stock, bought it used, second owner, and not a scratch on it. No filters installed. Primary complaint is the radio gets extremly warm, almost hot when powered on. I may have to do the fan mod to see if this helps. And, I wish memory mode was a separate function. Seems as though memory mode is an extension of VFO mode since you can rotate the VFO and end up off frequency. Not real handy if you are working an FM repeater!
Overall, I like the radio. I may move this to the mobile and get me a real fixed radio with all the bells and whistles.
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K4AXF
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 21, 2011 07:37
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Just what I was looking for
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I got my IC-706MkIIG a few months ago, used. Following advise received, I got one with the latest PA board (SN15nnnn+). The fan-on-low-all-the-time mod had been done by a previous owner. This seems like a good mod; the rig becomes only warm to the touch even operating CW at full power. I think it's also a good idea to operate it with its tilt-up bail extended to allow maximum air-flow.
I immediately purchased and installed two CW filters for it, FL-100 and FL-101, 500- and 250 Hz, respectively. Set up this way, the 706 makes a dandy little CW rig.
I really enjoy using the 706 for CW ragchewing and DXing as well as occasional SSB QSOs and nets.
I recently installed a 2m/70cm whip antenna and made SSB contacts on 6m, 2m, and 70cm during the recent VHF contest. I'm also able to participate in a local 2m net.
I can even listen to NOAA weather broadcasts and the local airport's Unicom channel.
While the receiver in the 706 isn't quite as quiet as the one in my IC-703 Plus, the IC-706 is nevertheless a very competent do-it-all rig generally available at a good price, used.
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N1FDX
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Rating: 5/5
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May 21, 2011 06:10
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Does it all.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned the MK2G for a long time. It had to be repaired once. Trimmer cap issue and added the fan mod to run all the time. It lives under the seat of my car year round in New England. A few years ago I bought a second one for the shack as a all around backup, travel / field day. Most of the time it's monitoring 6 meters
I rated it a 5 because I think its well made, very simple to operate and always performs well. I also am sad to see it go. The only thing I might add would be DCS.
Jay
http://home.comcast.net/~n1fdx
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KG4COQ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 21, 2011 03:12
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Great radio, sorry to see them go.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Fantastic Radios !!!
I own two Original 706 rigs. Bought first one in 2007 from a unknown ham at a small hamfest for $400.00 USD and I use it in my truck.The other rig I recieved from the estate of a former ham roomate of mine and I use that one in the shack.
Being medically retired funds are very limited,Had thought of selling both radios and buying a 706mk2g but figured I might not get the quality out of the one that I get in the two so I did not sell.
With the rig in the 2006 Ford Ranger I use a AH-3 tuner with the SO-239 conversion and a High Serria 1500 screwdriver on the back of the topper. I talk more HF with this rig than I do the rig in the house.
Both IC-706 rigs are great radios and would advise anyone just upgrading to General to find one of these radios and enjoy it. There is a reason the IC-706 radios had been in production for so many years...QUALITY !!!
73,
KG4COQ
Tampa Bay
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