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Reviews For: ICOM IC-740

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-740
Reviews: 37MSRP: 1099.00
Description:
160-10 meter 200-watts input HF transceiver, circa 1984
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15374.7
AJ4UY Rating: 2023-02-07
Preamp Switch Noise Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
ICOM model IC-740 Transceiver.

Overall I like the performance of this radio.

However,
Pre-amp Switch May Cause Audio Distortion.

I was expecting this fault to have been posted, since this is approximately a 25 -30 year old transceiver.
I have not located a similar post with the searches I have performed.

When the Pre-amp switch is selected ON, the Pre-amp function does operate - however, if you wiggle the pushbutton switch
it will create a small amount of Audio distortion. Easily noticed operating and receiving on any band in SSB mode.
The Pre-amp switch only closes to 0.4 to 0.5 ohms. I suspect an Icom or Switch manufacturer defect within the Pre-amp
Pushbutton switch assembly.

I Purchased a OEM switch / wire harness assembly from a parts unit IC-740 on eBay. The switch found on this purchase was the same ( 0.5 ohm ) contact resistance. Therefore, several units may have this slightly defective switch - ( " ALPS/Alpine p/n 234 " ) stamped /marked on side of the switch.
LU1LS Rating: 2020-05-25
Excelente equipo Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Leí todas las reseñas de los colegas, coincido totalmente con todo lo dicho. El único defecto, no se si es de fabrica, es que para modos digitales, a la interface no admite conmutar el ptt con un transistor, únicamente con relay.
Igual trabaje con el en todos los modos digitales, RTTY , psk, Hell, sstv, FT8 , packet, etc.
Otro equipo que tengo es el Alinco dx70, me gusta pero el 740 le supera ampliamente.

Otro tema es el preamplificador de micrófono.
73 de lu1ls
K9UR Rating: 2019-06-11
Very solid mid 1980's radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had several over the years. As others note, very good receiver. Has all the WARC bands. Lacks 60 meters. No general coverage receiver. No funny lithium battery backup for everything. Very dependable. Only made for 3 years, so they are a bit rare. Nice CW radio.

Help Help: My only issue is that I have installed the 9Mhz IF CW filter and one must set jumpers to get the filter to engage. Yet, the service manual is WRONG on how to set the internal jumpers to activate that 9Mzh cw filter. SO, the radio has the filter installed but does not switch in when CW is selected. The radio came out pre-internet era, so am sure there was addendum to the service manual but can not find the info. Maybe someone can post the updated jumper settings here.

The radio also requires a special microphone. A simple modification these days is to add a small audio pre-amp board into the radio on the internal side of the mic plug (pins 1 and 7 are audio). One can buy a simple audio preamp board for under $10 and install. Then can use with any mic. WARNING: These very early "zero series" Icom radios DO still have phantom voltage on the audio line (pin 1) of the mic connector, so, there is a need to add a 4.7 uF or a 10 uF blocking capacitor to the mic audio line if you use a separate pre-amp board, or use an amplified dynamic or other non-electret condensor style microphone. Blocking cap of 4.7uF or 10uF (value not critical) prevents the micrphone element from getting damaged or damaging the 8V regulator in the radio as a dynamic mic element would put that 8V DC directly to ground through the mic coil.

Would be perfect if I could figure out how to get the cw 9 mhz cw filter to engage.

Another common SSB mod is to remove the ceramic SSB filter in the 455 IF and replace with the mechanical filter that is found in the IC-730. A swap-transplant is all that's required.

The final mod that I did is to install an internal keyer board. The one I use is not the EX243 as I couldnt find one. Instead, I found a $25 board made by MFJ that's small and actually sold as accessory / used on their QRP radios 90XX series - It's an easy install/ requires modifying the board (speed pot removal) and then soldering it into the 740. Now it uses power from the 740, connects internally to the 740, and speed is controlled from the front panel VOX GAIN/ELE-KEY SPEED pot. Neato - for $25 bucks .
W0BKR Rating: 2016-04-24
Great Radio even today! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
THe 740 has a very sensitive and quiet receiver. Quite a good radio for weak signal and DX work. Dual VFOs, filter options, PBT, really makes this old girl a good investment. Compressor switch problem? Simple fix, the addition of a resistor across the backside.

I have enjoyed this radio off and on for some time and any newbie, would be hard pressed to find a radio in the 300-400 dollar price range with the performance of this older ICOM.
PB0ANT Rating: 2014-03-16
great rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this transceiver in 1992 and used it without problems for 10 years. Then I lost interest in ham radio and it was unused for about 11 years.
Last December I started using it again but it had some problems. After cleaning the pots and contacts and replacing the pre amp relay it worked FB again.
I once compared it with a ft 757 because I wanted a general coverage receiver.Listening on the same antenna and switching between the receivers for 5 minutes was enough. The ft had much more noise and the weak stations I could hear on the 740 could not be heard on the ft. A good notch filter and PBT makes this rig a pleasure to work with. Another great thing about the 740 is his modulation. Always good reports with the standard
mic.It has some known weak points as all rigs have when they are 30 years old.But these problems are easily tof fix. I gave it a 5 because for its value its a great rig. If you can find one in good condition you won't be disappointed. In Holland they are rarely but sometimes one shows up in the price range of 350 euro.
OK1FIG Rating: 2013-11-19
It depends... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If you get a fright when something goes wrong with our RIG, don't purchase. If you need a bunch of bells and whistles to astonish someone, don't purchase.
If you have some technical background & skills, purchase. If you like to study the service manual, puchase. If you look for amazingly hot and quiet receiver, purchase.

Negatives:
o- Final AF amplifier a bit noisy. Can be easily replaced with TDA2003, though.
o- CW side tone slow - can be modified as well.
o- Side tone controled together with AF gain - not much convenient.
o- Slight audible "click" each 1kHz when you tune (can be minimized by a trimmer on MAIN board).
Pozitives:
o- Classical quiet and hot analog receiver. Amazing quiet paradise for people used to DSP only.
o- ACC connector. For example, supply 8V to a pin to switch completely off the PA to use it with a transverter.
o- Extra input/output for RX (behind the antenna relay). Usable for preselector, preamplifier, another antenna, etc.
o- Understandable and modifiable design.

My IC-740 will have finally 8 xtal filters (standard 2 on 39MHz, FL-30/FL-45 on 9MHz, FL-44A/FL-222, FL52A/FL53A on 455kHz).

I belive it does make sense to get/keep one. RX/TCVR without DSP is unmarketable these days. Nobody will return to this simple (but excelently working) analog design.
KA4DPO Rating: 2013-07-02
Much better than you think Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my IC-740 from Juns in 1985, one of the last in stock. Mine has the filters in it, I got rid of the ceramic filter, and the internal supply. I also got the FM mod for it since this rig did not come with FM installed. There was a roumor that the IC-740 was a flawed design but that is simply not true, At the time the radio was brought out all of the other manufacturers had general coverage receive, attenuators, and several other features that the IC-740 lacked so it was only produced for three years.

Since 1985 my IC-740 has operated flawlessly and the reciever is actually one of the best of that era but it required the filter upgrades to make it great. The fact that it did not have general coverage was a plus since being a down conversion receiver there were no spurs or birdies in the passband on any of the Ham bands. The noise blanker is one of the best ever produced and the IF notch really works under crowded band conditions on CW or SSB. The passband tuning is superb and once you learn how to use the notch and passband tuning there is almost no QRM that can not be dealt with, and remember this is an analog rig.

It was and still is, an excellent CW rig even by todays standards and while it would be difficult for an inexperienced operator to operate in a contest, I have done so many times over the years with good results. The IC-740 has withstood the test of time and is still one of the best deals out there on the used equipment market as long as you can do without general coverage receive. But if you are looking for a very good performing amateur transceiver don't pass this one up. They are a bit rare because of the short production run but they do show up on the used market. Even though I am several generations ahead with my latest rig being an IC-7600, I still have the IC-740 in my collection and plan to keep it because it is still a very competent radio.
KB9MRK Rating: 2011-02-09
Great Classic Amateur Band only Rig! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
What else can be said about this rig!!?? It is built like a tank, simple to operate, and has a great receive with a very quite noise floor. I bought my rig with every filter slot filled, so I cant say anything bad about the filtering, its quite good, as good as my Icom 751A. It does not offer AM, but it does has FM which I think is a bit strange, probably my only complaint. However The very good receiver and good audio reports make up for this. I rate this a great rig for someone looking for a dedicated Ham band only rig. That it does very well, however if you want the extra advantage of general coverage this rig does not offer it, it is strictly made for amateur bands only. This could be one of the reasons this radio performs so well. All and all a very good radio with awesome receive. The price on these rigs today is very reasonable, making it a good first time HF rig, or a very good addition to anyone's shack.
WL7BDO Rating: 2010-04-13
Work horse keep delivering Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned my ICOM-740 from the time it was on the market in the early 1980's. Used it living in J8 land for 6 years (salt spray rusted one top off), Israel and now back home in Alaska for 7 years. My unit has the FM unit. 7 years ago on returning to the US I purchased a new radio thinking my ICOM was on it's last leg. Have been abused by salt breeze, my using in a car trip bouncing around my vehile for 10,000 miles, tropical conditions, desert... Really show some wear. Well just before a contest last month my new radio lost 50% of it's power. So fired up this old rig and let it run for a day or so. I am falling back in love with this old radio. Has a better receiver, buttons on the front of the radio for all the controls you need. Always get great reports on the great transmit signal on SSB.
DJ5PJ Rating: 2009-02-11
fine old TRX Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got it 30 years ago - and I am very happy with it - troublefree - ok ! DJ 5 PJ