|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the ICOM IC-738.
|
K8BZ
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Apr 9, 2012 13:59
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Dependable radio with good features
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I bought my ic-738 new about 12 years ago. It was my primary HF radio up until about 2 years ago, and now it is in use as a back up and primary 24/7 packet radio on HF. I bought one CW crystal filter and no other options.
This radio has been heavily used for over 10 years. Uses include:
1. Contesting SSB,CW,RTTY
2. DXing
3. Digital modes with soundcard and TNC
4. Rig control with logging software by N3FJP
5. Rig control with HRD
6. Use with AL-80B amp
This radio does not have the multi leves of menus found on modern rigs today. Each control has it's own function that is not switched to some other function via menus or other means. It has adequate memory capacity, sounds great with a modified D-104 mic, interfaces easily with a Kam + TNC for use on digital modes via the accessory jack in the rear, it's easy to adjust ALC settings for use with an amp. Has an amber display that shows no sign of fading, weakening or other failures. Has 2 vfo's and can quickly be set up for split opertation. It works well with MixW and a sound card interface for most popular sound card digital modes including SSTV which I forgot to put on the above list.
The IF shift and notch filter don't do much for this rig. The notch is so broad that it attenuates the desired signal nearly as much as the undesired, but it's not digital signal processing.
But here's the skinny on this radio. The only days this radio was not put to hard use over the 10 to 12 years it was my primary radio were the days I wasn't home. I have used this radio every way it could possibly be used, and although I didn't abuse it intentionally, there were those times when I changed bands and forgot to change antennas and realized that I was transmitting into a near infinant SWR for several calls and other such Tom Foolery. And for all the hard use this radio is performing as if it was just taken out of the box and put on the air. Output is still a solid 100w, reception is still clear as a bell, everyting is as tight and functional as when the radio was brand new. No controls generate static when adjusted. Nothing appears to have declined on this radio since the day I bought it.
I wouldn't part with this radio for twice the money I could expect to get at a swap, considering it's age and lack of digital features. But I'm at work now and the IC-738 is at home digipeating packets all day long and will continue to do so as long as the lights come on when I push the button.
|
|
KE7SZC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 13, 2012 09:19
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
An incredible find, I'll never look back!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
So, I picked my IC-738 up at a fest over a year ago, I paid $400 cash for it, like new in the box, it hadn't even had any of the service bulletins performed, I don't think it's been used as there wasn't so much as a scratch on it..
After performing said bulletins (which was necessary as it's vfo was unstable), it has served me incredibly well, it is not necessarily a simple radio, but it is easy to use, and works extremely well, it was purchased as an HF rig, so the lack of a tone board wasn't an issue, and I don't really feel any desire to add anything to this radio.
I am happy with my purchase, it is one that I don't regret...
|
|
KJ6LOZ
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Aug 5, 2011 23:16
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Works well without a menu driven system.
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
I like it. It is a back up at our church, and works well. I really like the non-menu driven system. Big buttons and knobs are sweet! Nice large display, two antenna inputs on the rear, and a decent DSP system. No this is not as sophisticated as my Yaesu FT-450AT, but it works well. The onboard tuner works pretty good.
|
|
K7LN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 25, 2009 10:39
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great rig
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Great rig and not much to add that hasn't been covered before. I never could afford anything beyond a starter rig, so this was my second mid-grade unit. (I had a 736, but it had problems as mentioned in my review of that radio.) I was really surprised at how much better this receiver was over radios that I had used in my ham career. I only sold it to combine HF and VHF into one rig, the IC-746.
|
|
KI4VJI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 25, 2009 19:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good looking rig simple to use
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Well so far it has worked flawlessly,the tuner works very fast and will tune pretty much anything,
i'm using a HM36 with the heil icm element on it with great audio reports,the reciever is very quite and sensitive,i like the big meter and display,
makes it nice for us seeing impared folks,the only fault ive had with it so far is on am,i dont use am much but it swings backwards on my external watt meter and ive had other people tell me it swings backwards on there end also,havent figured out how to cure that yet,but other than that its a very nice well built and great ssb rig for the money.73s Larry
|
|
K8YZK
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Sep 4, 2009 07:36
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Nice Older Radio
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I picked up a nice IC-738. For a older radio it does a nice job. I read with some that they thought the tuner was slow. This one, once it finds a match it is quick, but I think that is with all tuners. It finds a match for 40-10 meters with no problem and my antenna is a AD DX-EE, 75 meters well my antenna is just to short but I expected that.
It doesn't have dsp but I use an external dsp(RS) and does help out. I also am using it for digital modes.
Why not a 5, well you have to add on the tone board for 10fm repeaters if they require it, should have been standard. Using digital modes it does not disconnect the front mic, so the mic gain has to be turned down, minor problem.
Overall a nice first radio or a good standby.
|
|
KG5I
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 13, 2007 06:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Rig for the Price
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
This is my current backup rig. I have only owned it for a few months now. My favorite feature is that very large display. I can even see the frequency from across the room. This receiver is super-quiet. I have no extra filters, but plan on installing that 500hz CW filter later on.
There are only about 4 menu item programming options. To some hams that is more than enough. This is a perfect Field Day, Camping or portable use rig. The built-in tuner is a very nice plus too. I use an Alpha-Delta multi-band dipole and it tunes anywhere and everywhere I go. This unit is mainly used for receiving. I can quickly jump around the HF band without having to bother my FT-2K. I also use it to check my TX audio with my main rig. I recomend it for any new ham or anyone who wants a in-expensive radio full of functions. Another big plus is this rig is fairly large (as compared to the newest Icom rigs). I can easily get my fingers on the buttons without accidently pressing the wrong one.
I give this a 5 out of 5 because of what I use it for. If you are a hardcore DX'er or Contestor, perhaps this is not the rig for you. But if you enjoy casual rag-chewing without a lot of fancy settings, then you should take a look at this rig...You can find them used in the $500 range which is an excellent value.
|
|
K3SUI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 8, 2007 20:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Little Radio
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I bought this radio in the summer of 1995. I used it for a few years as my main rig. Later I moved it to a secondary position, but decided to keep it. In that last 17 years I've had this radio, mobile portable, and at numerous field day locations. It has performed wonderfully for me. As everyone says, it is a simple radio but very functional. I like the receiver. It is quite sensitive and I can really narrow it down with cascaded 500Hz filters and the passband tuning. I've really gotten my money from this rig, but I still won't sell it. It's just too nice.
|
|
VK2TLG
|
Rating: 4/5
|
May 8, 2007 15:57
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
a good entry level radio
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I purchased the IC-738 in December 2006. At first it took me a while to get used to the receiver tone and the feel of the radio. The IC-738 is a very basic simple radio to use and operate. I have now had the radio for about 5 months now and have grown to like the radio, the receiver is pleasant to the ear and the controls are simple. I practically like the fast and slow AGC and the PBT. The radio is very stable, no drift at all regardless of ambient temperature unlike the previous radio I had. The preamp I find to be a little gutless and the NB is completely useless does nothing.
The built in ATU is average but does perform ok unlike my previous radio TS-450SAT that would tune a bit of wet string.
The radio on TX is excellent and performs very well and the compressor also works very well. The radio only has the standard hand held mike and that seems to be good to. On air reports say that the tone and quality is great nice crisp and sharp if anything a little high.
In summary This is a great little radio, reliable, simple to use, good receiver, above average TX and would make an excellent first radio. In Australia the going price is about $600.00 ($486USD) to $800.00AUD ($648USD). If you find a radio at the lower price value then its a great buy and a good investment.
|
|
SM5USK
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 12, 2002 02:26
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent radio
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I have owned this transceiver for about one year and like it very much. It is very quite and works smoothly. It has the double band-stacking register that makes it to use very easy. I.e., you can store two frequences on each band (e.g.on CW and SBB side).I have loaded it with filters, Two cascade 500 Hz CW filters and I am just now improving the SSB filter set-up. I will replace the FL-30 with FL 80 on 9.0 MHz side and replace the ceramic filter with FL-44A. Then I have equal set-up that is used in IC-751A. So, the only drawback that I have found is the standard SBB filter set-up. But as I said, it can be cured. I owned previously IC-751A and like this radio much more. 751A is old radio and IC-738 is big improvement. This rig must be very underestimated. It is very well built (alumina chassis) and the workmanship is excellent and robust inside. It is easy to use considering the bandstack register and memory pad and quick split function. It is even very quite when transmitting and the full break-in works very smooth. Finally, I would recommend this radio to everyone. The price you are paying for it on the used market gives you best value for money. Godd Luck!
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
