| WB0OAF |
Rating:  |
2021-11-27 | |
| TOP SHELF even TODAY! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Better sounding audio than the 7300 I sold, or even the ICOM 7600 I still have!
Slow SCOPE really is no big deal, actually it's better with a Slower Scope, it's not so distracting.
Receive Audio is for some reason, SUPERB- even to my 7600. I suppose ANALOG Audio, Digital Audio is noisy audio, it crackles and not smooth. I have a receiver Audio Equalizer on the ICOM 7600, and STILL will not come close to this PRO-3 Audio, there's presence on the PRO-3 receiver, TOP SHELF Audio design for communications on any Receiver Bandwidth!.
I installed the INRAD 2.4 KHZ ROOFING Filter in this radio, beats anything out there now......What a Radio.
If you have one of these, you better not sell it!! Mine is MINT.
There's also an LED UPGRADE if your Display should Fail, run your Display FULL, 10-10 brightness and 10-Contrast, there's less Current draw on the SCREEN circuits for lighting- it should go a long time...
73 "OLD APPLE FARMER" WB0OAF |
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| VE7BGP |
Rating: |
2020-10-23 | |
| The Greatest thing since Sliced Bread! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I agree with Icom's Slogan 20 years ago. Happy 20th Birthday to a great rig now a 20 year old Classic! I got myself a used Original IC-756Pro a year ago. I friend locally upgraded to a IC-7300 and I got a great deal in his used 756Pro. I wanted the Dual Watch feature not on the 7300 you have to get the IC-7610 in a New Radio for that feature. That radio sits next to my Venerable old now Vintage IC-751A. I also wanted to move up to IF DSP Filtering and the Spectrum Scope I feel Icom got it right in the 756 Pro Series I like it better than the current 7300. I am looking forward to CW SS next weekend again. I christened the 756 Pro on last years CW Sweepstakes Contest. I got to love the Memory Keyer and DSP Filtering quickly in Last years SS contest! I compared filtering in the Dual Filtered IC-751A and IC-75 Pro in later Contests and perfer the Pro IF DSP Filtering but it's Close. My IC-751A has Dual 500 HZ filters and PBT to Fight the QRM. In summing up I am happier with my used IC-756Pro than I think I would be with a new IC-7300. 73 Gerry |
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| N4UE |
Rating: |
2020-02-18 | |
| review # 3 |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Being a true Icom 'fanboy' since I purchased my Icom IC-22A back in the 70s, I've had a lot of Icoms come through my grubby paws. I've purchased most new, 745, 761, R7000, R71A, 271A, 471A, etc. I still own them all. In addition, I've acquired radios from almost every company, past and present. From Allied to Collins.
Today (in 2020) I can give my latest 'opinion' of the old PRO.
(as mentioned below, I have probably the first PRO ever to come into the USA. I bought it in Tokyo while on business, the week it was announced.)
Since then, I have added a 7300, a 7610 and a Kenwood TS-890 to the main position.
The 756PRO does NOT have a waterfall. BUT, it has a MUCH better band scope than any of the 3 newer radios. Just higher vertical resolution.
However, the ONLY negative is it's LOUSY Noise Blanker!
It is non-adjustable and does NOTHING for the power line RFI I've had in the past.
I was told this was fixed in the PROII and PROIII.
Both my old 745 and 761 NB were MUCH better.
In addition, using the preamp ! and 2 (only needed on 6M) will increase the S-Meter reading. The newer Icoms use a downstream gain reduction when using the preamps. So it's not an apples to apples comparison. If you expect a big jump is s-meter level, you will be disappointed, but the newer radios WILL hear weak signals better.
However, in my low noise, rural location, the 7610 and 7300 with Pre 1 are almost identical to the PRO with Pre 2 engaged. If you can find one in good shape, for cheap, grab it. The screens can be 'enhanced' with a kit from a VE3. Mine is still perfect. For a few more $, perhaps the PROIII would be a better choice. They have the same display.
ron
N4UE
bought my 756 PRO in Tokyo just after they were announced. I hand carried mine back in Business Class and it has been the best radio I have ever owned in 55 years as a ham. It took a lightning strike (as did all the other DISCONNECTED items in my home). It was an easy repair.
It just amuses me to read about the 'old school operators' that muse about not want wanting a TV or FISH FINDER on their radios (mostly old TT fans) but when the TT radios came out with a bandscope, it was now the 'best thing ever'. Such BS. I have several TTs and they feel just like using old Heathkit radios. JUNK!
I love my PRO and it can 'hear' as well as any other radio in my inventory of 150 radios and growing on a daily basis.
If you think you need a 'better' radio, get real......
ron
N4ue |
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| WA0ZWZ |
Rating: |
2019-04-03 | |
| An excellent transciever |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my IC756PRO new maybe about ten years ago and was very satisfied with it. Owners Manual and radio user friendly. The internal speaker a bit cheapy sounding so added an external one which helped. I retired five years ago and decided to buy a-"fancy upgraded and pretty"-
better transceiver and settled on a Yeasu FTDX 5000, a fine choice for MARS and amateur use. About a month ago the ICOM IC-7300 was tempting for something new to play with, but did not care for the touch screen control features. I put the
Pro back in use with a high end speaker and was pleased with the receive audio, plus had some nice signal/audio reports and has fewer knobs and menues than the Yaesu. I'll keep the Yaesu but will probably use the ICOM more. I did not purchase the 7300 leaving me 1K$ better off. Gary Moore, WA0ZWZ
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|
| PJ2SM |
Rating: |
2018-11-05 | |
| Great Radio |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I always wanted an Icom 756-PRO,a friend of my told me that someone on the Island of Bonaire Carbbean see, was selling one for $500. So in January 2018 I buy the radio I paid about $175 trasport and customs, when it ararrived ther was many problems with the radio. The screen was broken. The front panel circuit boards has all corrosion. So many of the controls did't work, I was so sad. I contacted Icom for parts multiple Times, they never answer me. So I start to look for parts on ebay and other places. I find a place with new screens that has the same serial but it was the volvo navigation system screen, the cost for the screen was $250, transport and customs aboud $120, I get the boards nearly new in UK for about $200 with transport and customs, I have desarmed the radio fully clean everything and renew al the parts and I had to fix the tuner too. Believe me it looks LIKE NEW, nice audio very cleare receiver, nice filters. I get always good reports from other hams about my nice audio. All by all,I will never change this radio for an other one. I love it and it will stay in my shack. The only thing that I miss, is the response of ICOM company, its a pitty.
If I recomend this radio? Yes if you get one in good condition TAKE IT. You will not regret.
73 de PJ2SM
P.S search for my callsign on yout... you can see how the radio looks and performs. |
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| W0RDX |
Rating: |
2017-02-10 | |
| Great Radio even today! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned in the past, the PRO, PRO2 and PRO3, and the PRO/PRO2 are my favorites. I never really saw a big improvement in the PRO3 to warrant the price.
PRO's are really affordable now, picked mine up for under $700 and really enjoy it. Won't go into all the great points or cons about the radio, suffice it to say, anyone in the hobby would enjoy using this radio on HF/6 anytime. Great performance, easy to understand ergonomics. For what I paid, no brainer.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N9CM on 2012-12-15
Won't go into the pros and cons. Radio plays very well and reasonably priced these days (1000-1200). easy to figure out how to use, no buried menu stuff. Only gripe for me is I wish teh Mic and RF Power controls were larger. Radio hears well, decent receiver, perhaps not contest grade but good enough. PRO2 a slight bit better (can be had for 1200-1300), and PRO3 not that much of any improvement over the PRO2. So, save your money, get a PRO and enjoy. Band scope is nicer then most others, easy to use and understand. Not a minature scope like on the FT-5000 and 30000. Solid performer.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N9CM on 2002-05-03
Is there a "6" category to rate it under ?
Seriously, I love my PRO. Would I buy a PRO 2? Doubt it, when you consider the cost difference and what you get for the extra $.
I have compared it to my TS-850 which hears very well also, but the PRO has more features.
I have compared it to my IC-746, much tighter front end, and again, more features.
I have compared it to my friend's TT Jupiter. Night and day. When you consider the price TT is selling the Jupiter for, you can get a PRO for a couple hundred more and get numerou features that aren't even standard on the TT radio.
All in all, I love operating and using the radio. It is easy to us, hears very well, and I still have to learn the filtering schemes that work the best. Scope is a good operation too.
Gripes? Only the small recessed knobs bottom left could be a tad larger.
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| M0HDX |
Rating: |
2016-11-29 | |
| A joy to use |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I did my first review on the Icom 756pro three years ago and not much as changed since then. Still pulling the weak signals out,nice clear display,superb audio reports on the HM-36 stock microphone and no issues at all with reliability.The early 756pro is a keeper in my book and a joy to use. |
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| K2WH |
Rating: |
2016-10-21 | |
| Still Love The Radio and ICOM Service |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Well I purchased my 756pro when they first came out and I loved it especially the big screen, a big step in the right direction. Time passed and I started to notice some things happening that needed attention. I sent the rig to ICOM and unfortunately it came back in essentially the same if not worse condition. So, I rarely used the rig even put it on the shelf.
That was about 5 years ago. Anyway, I recently posted my displeasure with the service and was looking for a different repair service so I could get the rig up and running again.
Well, to my great surprise, ICOM service read my complaint and Mr. Matt Adrian KD8ZB of the ICOM Service Center in Michigan and called me at home and offered to take the rig back and fix it free of charge! I was overwhelmed to say the least. Anyway, I packed it up, sent it there and Matt repaired the rig in only a few days and sent it back to me.
I am listening to it right now, good as new and feels like a new rig. Thanks to Matt at ICOM for service above and beyond.
K2WH |
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| HL1ZIX |
Rating: |
2016-04-17 | |
| A better buy used than new low-end radios |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This is my third HF radio. The first is a used Yaesu FT950, which was a great first radio. I wanted to purchase a 2nd radio for the office, and bought a used Icom 7200, which was a pure headache due to board damage problems. Although that radio is a nicer size, I am far more impressed with this much older Icom 756 Pro, which I purchased for a bit more (return of 7200, plus cash to same shop).
This radio was build around 2000, but appears to have been fixed by Icom in the past few years -- if I am to believe the shipping stickers on the box. It works very well, and even though it's much older, I love some aspects of it more than the newer Yaesu FT-950 I own. The Icom 756 Pro is easier to learn and use, in most cases.
After so many years, and positive reviews, I don't have much else to say except that this radio is an excellent choice -- even in 2016. If you are a newer user who wants a great radio, and you find one in good shape, you'll like this FAR more than a low-end newer offering. The built-in antenna tuner works great (and fast). I hated not having one on the Icom 7200. The audio quality is also far, far superior to the Icom 7200. Not even a contest.
Lastly, although this is a mid-sized radio, like the Yaesu 950, I find the Icom 756 Pro much easier to carry around. The box is far smaller than the Yaesu, and the higher, and slightly less long form-factor makes it much easier to transport, if you ever plan to do so.
I really like this radio. I would have purchased a ProII, but the one I could find was demanding $200 more, and I just didn't have the money. Wasn't worth it, in my case. |
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| WA5UP |
Rating: |
2015-08-19 | |
| Hands down best used rig for the money |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned dozens and dozens of different radios in the 15 years since I was licensed (it's a sickness). I've had everything from bargain basement entry level stuff through mid-high end rigs (Pro 3 / Flex / 1000D / etc). For my money I can't think of a better rig than the 756 Pro, as they are going for well under $1K on the used market now. I have also owned the original 756, the Pro 2, and the Pro 3. I would stay away from the original, and the Pro 2 and Pro 3 are great rigs, but I'm not sure that the added cost is worth the improved performance and features (IMO). Here are my pros / cons for the Pro:
Pros:
- Great receiver and excellent filtering "out of the box" with no added options.
- Very functional real-time band scope. Dynamic range is a bit limited, but serves the intended purpose well.
- Extremely easy to setup and operate. Menus are super intuitive and rarely need to be accessed once initial setup is complete. Most commonly adjusted settings have real knobs or buttons on the front panel. Who buries RF power or Mic gain in the Menu? (I'm looking at you Kenwood).
- Easy to interface to third party gear such as amplifiers / sound card interfaces / etc. No weird stuff where signal is only routed to the TX in certain modes etc. (I'm looking at you Yaesu).
Cons (nitpicky):
- CI-V. What's wrong with a regular serial connection?? (unless you're in the business of selling over-priced accessories).
- Would have loved to see a built in PS instead of an external add-on option.
Summary:
I've bought and sold many rigs and every time I change I seem to come back to this one. I've never owned a really high-end rig such as the 7800 / 990 / 9000 / etc, but this rig has more than met my needs for rag chewing and casual contesting. If you have a bag of money burning a hole in your pocket go and buy one of the rigs I just mentioned, but if you want an outstanding radio for a reasonable price pickup a 756 Pro. |
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