| WD5IWN |
Rating:      |
2002-10-28 | |
| No sliced bread, this is the whole loaf. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After going through two 746PROs (which see), this rig is the the greatest! The DSP capabilities can only be described as fantastic. I work PSK 31 and Hellschreiber, and LOVE the continuously adjustable bandwidth and passband tuning. Makes RTTY transmitters desensing the receiver a thing of the past!
Display is very helpful. An added benefit is the analog meter. Don't know why they have fallen out of some designs. Having the same functionality digitally on the display simultaneously is only icing on the cake.
100+ watts output on all bands. Automatic antenna switching not new but can be a lifesaver, as it remembers the frequency breakpoints, not just the band, to switch antennas.
This is the first rig I have owned that I have gotten reports on good transmit audio, from several stations (admittedly subjective), since my Tempo 2020, which had the best audio of any transceiver or transmitter I have ever owned.
The noise reduction and automatic notches actually work ( I am 150 yards from a cross-country power transmission line). I can engage the automatic notch function and can still hear a contact, even with the tuner-upper (LID) almost directly on top of the desired signal. Great!
With no additional amplifier, have worked most of the world with a 46 ft high 160-10M folded dipole (inverted-V), in clear conditions and heavy QRM (this is where the DSP really shines).
My utmost thanks to HRO Phoenix for their great customer service!
Bottom Line: I can actually recommend this Rig as a keeper. |
|
| VA7OJ |
Rating:      |
2002-10-16 | |
| The best HF rig I have ever owned |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I have written a short review of the IC-756Pro II on my website.
http://www.qsl.net/ab4oj/icom/ic756pro_notes.html#756PRO2
Recently, I ran a 3rd-order intermod test on the Pro II, barefoot and driving my Yaesu Quadra amplifier. Using 1500 Hz and 1950 Hz test tones, I obtained the following readings on an HP853A/8558B spectrum analyser:
At 100W (barefoot) on 14100 kHz: -32 dBc
At 1 kW (via Quadra) on 14100 kHz: -33 dBc
(0 dBc = composite 2-tone PEP)
These results are in spec for the Pro II as well as the Quadra.
Best 73, Adam, VA7OJ/AB4OJ
http://www.qsl.net/ab4oj/ |
|
| N1LQ |
Rating:      |
2002-09-17 | |
| Simply the Best |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I have owned a bunch of HF rigs over the years.
Simply the best so far.
Awesome and lots of fun to use.
And everytings works as advertsied.
ICOM got one right! |
|
| KC1MK |
Rating:      |
2002-09-04 | |
| Exceeds my expectations |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
A couple of months ago, a friend asked me what I thought of the IC-756ProII, as he was thinkning of buying one. I was highly skeptical and set out intially to find the ProII's shortcomings and steer him to another, more traditional rig. I was particularly leery of the possible performance tradeoffs from relying on DSP for the tight filtering.
As I researched the ProII, I became a convert. I tried one out, and was very impressed with the performance, bells and whistles aside. I ended up buying one about a month ago to replace my trusty TS-850.
I was quite happy with my TS-850, but I must say that the ProII is significantly better in all respects but one (more on that later). The ProII's receiver holds up very well under adverse conditions, including contesting and DXing, better than the TS-850, which I considered virtually bulletproof. The selectivity is great, and there is no problem with AGC pumping, etc., even with very strong nearby signals. This includes the ham two blocks away who runs full legal power. The receive audio quality is great, and I have had nothing but excellent audio reports, even with the stock hand mic. I am using a Heil Classic mic with the ProII now, and it's a great combo for any operating conditions.
The bandscope is actually very useful, and I wouldn't want to operate without it now. The ProII is actually very intuitive to use. In my first few hours of operation, I only had to refer to the manual three times.
I operate SSB, CW, PSK31, Hellschreiber, and RTTY. Sometimes QRP, sometimes 100 watts, and with a Collins 30L-1 amp when necessary. The ProII works great for all of these.
There are a few things I would like to see on the ProII, but none of them are showstoppers. Having the dual receive output separately on stereo headphones would be nice. The AF gain can be a bit awkward as it is located next to the mic, key, and headphone jacks. The one thing I miss from the TS-850 is the weighted flywheel tuning knob. The tuning knob on the ProII is very smooth and works well, but it's not weighted. I am going to order an extra tuning knob for the ProII and experiment with weighting it (I don't want to risk the original with my experiment).
If I needed a base HF rig now, I would go for the ProII without a second thought, and I'm sure it will be my main rig for several years. |
|
| K6HJM |
Rating:      |
2002-08-11 | |
| Fantastic! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This receiver is really "better than sliced bread"! It is easy to use, has great reception, and is all the good things others have said. If you can beg, borrow or ?? the money, go out and buy one!
Two useful (I hope) comments:
1) ICOM strongly recommends an isolation relay between the 756 and any non-ICOM linear amp (this is not in the manual but was told to me by ICOM tech support). ICOM suggested either a MFJ or a SultanTronics unit. The SultanTronics unit is only $25, does not need a separate 12 volt source, and works great. Web site is Bruce@SultanTronics.com
2) Since my previous radio used a Heil HMM dual element hand-held mike, I wanted the same for the 756. Called Heil and was told that the 756 does not "need" an "ICOM" mike, but that they could modify their standard 2-element HMM by adding a blocking cap to eliminate voltage ICOM has on one of the mike pins. They did it at no cost and it arrived via priority mail 2 days after I ordered it. Works great PLUS...will allow tuning of the amp by setting the 756 in RTTY mode, then merely pushing the mike switch. WOW!
I'm one happy camper! (and I do not work for SultanTronics or Heil). |
|
| K8JK |
Rating:      |
2002-08-05 | |
| A great state of the art rig! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
It's hard to be happier, with of course, a couple of little things I would like in a rig.
In general, if I can hear it, I can be heard! Transmit audio controls seem to work exceptional well for me, and DSP works its magic on incoming signals.
This radio was worth the wait!
I would have liked to have seen:
- 2 meters included in the radio
- Better use of the display for other digital modes
I'm sure these and many other features will make it to the NEXT Icom rig! |
|
| K3VR |
Rating:      |
2002-07-13 | |
| Excellent Radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I've had many radios including a few Yaesu FT-1000D's; two FT-990's; a few FT-890's; a Kenwood TS-570; TS-520; TS-830; several Collins S-lines; KWM-2A's; two Ten-Tec Omni 6 Plus's; and the original IC-756. I enjoy my new Pro II more than any of the foregoing rigs.
The Yaesu FT-1000D *possibly* does a little better with ultimate selectivity on SSB. However, the Icom is MUCH quieter on 40 and 80 meters and the Icom service department actually provides service. For my daily needs it outperforms all the others in all areas. It has beautiful transmit and receive audio, a sensitive receiver, an informative and easy to use interface, a gorgeous color screen, and it is a beautiful sounding SWL radio in its own right, where the bandscope really shines, and it has many features other rigs simply don't possess.
I added a Ten-Tec model 1210 transverter to my ProII and I now have HF/6/and all mode 2 meters in one box. I use it with an Alpha 99 amplifier and a tri-band beam on HF and I get consistently excellent reports from all over the world. Icom definitely did it right with the ProII. It's a keeper. |
|
| WB0E |
Rating:      |
2002-07-13 | |
| It's Everything They Say |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've had this radio a week now and wow! It's easily the best radio I've ever owned -- not that I'm that experienced. The filters are incredible. The noise reduction and noise blanker are amazing.! On top of that all the multiple IF DSP filters, the tuneable notch and twin passband filters and you can hear a mesquito buzz in New Zealand! The built in keyer and auto tuner, multiple antenna selections (automatically), the bandscope.... I could go on, but I won't. If you've got the money to spend for this one, go for it, you won't regret it!
KAC
WB0E |
|
| KK9H |
Rating:      |
2002-06-25 | |
| I absolutely love it! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I bought an Icom 756PRO II at the Dayton Hamvention and now that I have had a chance to get completely familiar with it, all I can say is that I absolutely love it. Being able to set the filter widths and bandpass center to be whatever you want it to be is just great. I use it for rag chewing and chasing DX on both SSB and CW. This last weekend I also used it for Field Day and had no problem hearing any weak stations that found themselves next to much stronger ones. I guess that is what great receiver capability is all about. The only thing I would have done differently in the design of the receiver is to have the SSB bandpass center on 1300 Hz rather than 1500 Hz, but that's the beauty of this radio; you can set it up that way simply by turning both "Twin PBT" knobs together. The flexibility is tremendous. Transmit audio with the SM-20 desk mike is excellent and receive audio is also great, especially with an external speaker. As QST says, the display fabulous. This radio is truly a winner, especially if you take the time to really learn all it has to offer. |
|
| N3FN |
Rating:      |
2002-05-27 | |
| Awesome Radio! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This is one superior rig! ICOM has certainly come a long way! I've owned a Kenwood TS-440 since 7/89, but it doesn't compare to the PROII. The PROII is extremely easy to use right out of the box. The receiver on this rig is unbelievable! Configuring filters is a snap! The audo is excellent. I've added a Heil Goldline microphone and W2IHY 8 band equalizer for superior audio. I can't tell you how many times I've had shining comments on this combination! I'm an ICOM fan for life! |
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