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write your own review of the ICOM IC-720.
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AB8RN
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 16, 2005 19:06
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Good first radio but old now
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the 720 two years ago (for $150) right after I passed the code test. When it arrived, I found it had almost no sensitivity on some bands, including 20. This I traced to poor contacts on the notorious rotary bandswitch relay (radio probably had been in storage). I opened the radio and cleaned the contacts and that solved the problem. I also replaced the meter light. Since then, I've used it mainly for CW and RTTY (40m upwards mostly), WEFAX RX and SW listening. I find the radio quite good for CW and RTTY, except no QSK. Sensitivity is good but RX is a bit noisy. Passband tuning is nice. Stock AM filter perhaps too wide for crowded SWL bands. Noise blanker does not seem to make any difference. Attenuator is too strong, IMO. No AGC off setting.
This was my first HF radio and I made many many DX contacts with it on CW and RTTY, usually running <25 W into a compromise antenna. This would have been a 4 when newer, but now a 3. Still a good budget radio for the beginner, if you can verify operation before buying.
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SM6XIN
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 28, 2004 14:16
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Klonk!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Quite OK rig, but with a really loud stepping relay for band selection. If the shack is next door to the bedroom, don't operate at night, hi!
I have worked SSB, RTTY and PSK31 with the rig without problems. Drifts a little in frequency though. It operates all 9 bands AM, SSB, CW, RTTY. The cooling fan is reasonably quiet.
If you will be using the original power supply pay good attention to the internal wiring inside the rig. The power switch can be worn out if heavily used through the years. The S-meter calibration can be a little different through the bands (Happiest on 3.5 MHz or so).
Overall rating 4, and a keeper if the rotary stepping relay is in good condition and the loud "clonk" while changing bands doesn't matter for you.
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WB4BFO
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 23, 2004 15:43
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RX Sensitivity
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Rx sensitivity was poor. I corrected it by installing a wide band preamp in series with the one that is already in the swr box. Now it works as well as as any other rig! A wide band preamp like the one for sale at Ramsey electronics would be all you need.
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KG8DV
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 5, 2003 02:25
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A real good radio!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had mine for three years. I gave $47.00 for it and matching power supply in original boxes. All I have had to do to it is clean the wafers in the tuner. I use it daily and have used it mobile also. For a bare-foot system I have worked the world and am very happy with the IC-720.
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KA5YOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2002 19:33
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great radio as long as it works. parts & service are rare
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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this is a good radio when it is working. if something breaks you will probably have a hard time finding parts and service.
the mechanical band switching is very loud. makes it hard to operate if people are sleeping.
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KF5JQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 1, 2002 13:39
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Good first radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I owned a 720A for 14 years. It was a great a radio that did a lot and contained many features in current radios.
The rotor relays never gave me a problem and the dual VFOs were a great feature. It was extremely easy to work split operation in band.
I also used this radio while mobile. It does not perform well in a noisy RF environment like a car. There was much interference from ignition noise that got in the way of the QSO but I was able to work over 300 stations in a single summer while commuting to and from school.
If you can find one, they make a great first radio or a back up radio.
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W9DEW
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 7, 2000 11:43
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Very Good Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I owned a IC-720 for about 8 years. Never had a problem. Worked great for me. Very good receiver. It uses a mechanical motor driven rotor to change bands (similar to the old "click stop" TV chanel selectors.). From what I can learn, if it goes out, you are done. New parts are no longer available. Of course you could look for another, but they are kind of rare. I would not hesitate to by another, especially if you don't change bands every 2 minutes.
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