| N6TDG |
Rating:  |
2021-02-23 | |
| A Good 'Ol Workhorse |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The Icom 751 was gifted to me as a new general from a gent that is now SK. I was thankful to have a radio, any radio, to get on the air.
The first thing I did was replace the memory board with one from Piexx(?). Followed the simple directions and once in place I turned on the radio and voila! The world of radio was before me.
I tuned around the dials sampling the shortwave stations. Too bad the internet has killed off that mode of communication. But there are plenty of Chinese, Holy Rollers and what not to boom through the speaker.
I didn't have any instruction on how to use the radio, so it was more of twist this and push that to see what would happen. I finally got a handle on how to get a decent receive sound, but there were nights the static was bad. We live in the country--so RF interference is low. I managed to talk to the western states and then Canada and a cat fro Slovenia, another from Ukraine and finally a station in Japan! Thrown in the mix was a lot of Mid West and some East Coast, depending upon conditions.
For a first radio it could not be beat. Now I am looking to get it up to snuff so that it can either serve as a decent back up to the newer DX 3000, or, more in likely, be gifted to another ham that needs a radio. It was given to me and I would like to make sure that tradition continues, I think Ed would like that--knowing his radio is still burning the wires. |
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| KC0EKQ |
Rating: |
2017-01-06 | |
| Classic simplicity |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've used a 751 for many years, I am thinking almost 22 years, and it has been a fine rig throughout.
Like so many transceivers made in its time, it's very nicely laid out, and has a lot of useful features which are directly usable, not hidden in dozens of menus/submenus.
I'm with the previous reviewer that the onboard audio leaves a bit to be desired but it's not terrible, just pedestrian. External speakers fix that of course.
It does bear some imminent *and* eminent repair issues, again like so many rigs made in those days, as they all get older (unlike the people using them... ahem!)...
You will find all you need to know about the handful of aging issues in the 751 here at eham, as well as via your good friend Google, but essentially there are capacitors which need replacing over time, as well as an issue which requires a replacement memory board and battery/ies modification to get the rig operating once more, if the original circuit gives up the ghost. There are kits and boards and schematics for other circuits available for all of it online.
I had to eventually replace some capacitors on the RF board when it stopped TXing below 10MHz, and while I had the rig open, I decided to do all the work I knew I'd be needing to do at some point anyway.
It is not at all difficult, especially if you have been doing such things for decades, as I am sure so many of you have. In my case, I purchased a replacement/upgrade memory board and it was basically plug and play to install. The caps were more tedious but certainly not difficult for anyone skilled in electronics.
That was 14 years ago, and I have not encountered a single aging/repair issue since... and I use it at least an hour or so every few days.
I have never gotten any bad/distorted audio remarks with its stock mic or any other mics I've used over the years.
It works well and reliably when you do a little maintenance (preventative, preferably), and has served me well for a long time. It's a classic and a well-respected radio for good reason.
But with the likely repair issues it bears, I can't give it a full 5 here. I will give it a 4, because even with all of that it continues to be a workhorse, simple, direct, and just a damned good radio for daily use. |
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| ZL1BAK |
Rating: |
2014-12-02 | |
| Easy to use |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought this radio recently and I have been using it for 10m dx. It performs very well and is easy to operate.Mine has an aftermarket memory board in it, so no worries about losing the memories and settings if battery goes flat. The only thing I don't like about it is the receive audio from the internal speaker, plug it into an external speaker and it sounds fine.
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| AF6AU |
Rating: |
2014-10-14 | |
| What a solid black rock |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought my 751 off a ham auctioning his from E-bay for $400, 1996 I think. Had the trimmers replaced by John Klewer (N6AX), about 7 years ago. This is my most reliable and most powerful rig. It lives in my Garage shack, dust, heat, cold, humidity, always powers up, always performs. I use either a Lambda or OLD Alinco linear/transformer power supply to feed it, as it likes a solid 14.2 volts and unwavering 20 amps to work well, as it will output 135 watts on 20 SSB or CW into a good 50 ohm load (I back it down..). I have used it to drive an old updated Gonset GS101B quad 811A amp, and a Henry 2K amplifier, both with ease. Receive is great, as these are legendary. The receive side rear panel jumper is handy for noise phasers and pre-amps for low signal work. Icom used similar receive circuits in the later rigs based on these. I compare it to a Yaesu FT-101ZD, Kenwood TS-820S (with a 500hz cw filter), and it's sister IC-735, it out powers them all, out receives them all, handles nasty SWR's better, and is easier and quicker to QSY or mode change. I installed an IKR2ND board to solve the volatile issue, but still have the OEM board with a new batery attached just in case. For my sad efforts at CW, I use an old heathkit 2 paddle keyer. For keyboard work I adapted a MFJ code box to it. Tunes and works great. I will be sad when the "Cost of repair exceeds the equipment value" day comes. Bang for the buck these are unbeatable workhorse rigs that people keep, and thus why Piexx and Inrad still carries goodies for them. If you are a Ham Gear Hoarder like me, and find a decent one, don't wait for a 751A, you cannot go wrong. AF6AU |
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| KK4AXX |
Rating: |
2012-06-03 | |
| Who can complain? |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Granted, my experience is limited with newer radios. That said, the fourth-hand IC-751 in my possession, (a gift from a Brother in my Lodge), has been a most excellent radio getting me fine reports - barefoot, mind you - from as far away as India on my home-brewed copper pipe vertical!
Remember, this is a 4th hand radio. The tuning knob is whacky and a couple of potentiometers are dirty, but no matter what, it gets out there. I'd LOVE to have one in "good" condition! |
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| KJ4VEM |
Rating: |
2012-02-22 | |
| From Shelve to Main Rig!! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I had a chance to pick up a pristine used 751 I have always wanted as a back up rig for $500. All options including voice synthesizer. I pulled off the shrlve when my Kenwood 2000 started acting up. (receive audio would go from normal to almost no output) I was working OMISS 20m Net and started hearing stations I couldn't hear on 2000. I did not hook up amp because I did not take time to see what cable was needed for buffer relay. I heard a station calling CQ DX and got a solid 5/9 from Spain! Barefoot! I am getting cable for Amp and it is staying on the bench! GREAT RIG! |
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| VE3CUI |
Rating: |
2011-03-12 | |
| A Nice Rig, Bar None!!! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've been using a friend's 751 on 10-meters here that he recently did some work on, and man-o-man, what a fantastic outfit...!
In truth, I never really knew WHAT to expect, because others have called this predecessor to the later "A" model everything from "lame", to "a dog"...but it's NEITHER lame, NOR a dog, believe me!
This is a nice piece of hardware that is SHEER JOY to use...and they're priced right, too, on the used Ham market. It'd make a great stand-alone rig in any shack of to-day, never-mind a back-up station...
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ |
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| K2JF |
Rating: |
2009-11-02 | |
| Love it! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I owned a 751A some years ago and have always kind of regretted letting it go. Recently I bought a 718 and have enjoyed operating it, but when I sent it to have the cw/ssb filter installed I picked up a really nice 751 just to be my back-up until the 718 returned. Well, while waiting for the 718 I spent quite a bit of time with the 751. Long story short - the 718 is now my back-up! I love the receiver, low noise floor, up front simplicity and enjoyment in operating. I hooked up the MFJ 410D keyer and it works great. One of these days I'll get that PIEXX CI-V rig control board installed - but don't miss it all that much anyway. |
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| VE3AZQ |
Rating: |
2009-10-25 | |
| VG Transceiver |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
What a great piece of vintage technology from Icom.
Outstanding receiver.I live in a noisy environment and was about to quit the hobby when I got my hands on this gem.Cut trough noise like a knife in butter.If it ever fail,I'll pay the money for the repair because it worth it.
Will I buy another one ? Absolutely!! |
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| F6EFM |
Rating: |
2009-07-11 | |
| Good Transceiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have own many and many TRX during my electronician life , the IC-751 is solid , stable and perform well without problems.
IC-PS15 supply very solid also , the twin do not heat even light morning to evening.
Audio is great TX and RX with external large loudspeaker .
Any dynamic , crystal or ceramic microphone work WELL with only one FET transistor and one resistor into source about 1000 ohms to adjust for +5V at drain (+//5 microfarad if low Z as HC5 for exemple to increase gain) , no more needed , drain directly to hot wire "mic" and cartridge directly to gate.
Long life RAM battry , (firs 12 years .!.) and no problem to replace it.
Some units have had drift into last cristal mixer (pass band) but very easy to replace .
If curious problem occur do not forget to verify securely all screws to have good ground contacts at all PCB boards including PA , most problems are there so add one small drop fuel or motor oil at each screw (no more !)
73 F6EFM@YAHOO.FR
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Earlier 5-star review posted by F6EFM on 2009-04-07
All in tittle ...not so easy to operate that moderns rigs but very solid and perform well , I own one since long time .
Small problem into last series and IC751A : the cristal not very stable at 4th mixer but it is synthetic cristal genuine mount. Replaced by good cristal from DELOOR/DELCOM : no problem.
Battry RAM 10 years and easy to replace , if battry fail just return small card to reprogram , not expensive , or replace by non volatile RAM also not expensive.
Good audio receive and transmit and still better if adjust 3rd mixer cristal , very easy to make !
No difference with IC751A witch have just one filter more on main board , the rest is same.
I regret stupid RIGPIX comments about battry replacement , there is really no problem .!.
Long lasting Radio .
73 F6EFM@YAHOO.FR . |
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