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Reviews For: ICOM IC-706 - All flavors

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-706 - All flavors
Reviews: 425MSRP: IC-706MKIIG
Description:
Ultra Compact HF/6 Meter/2 Meter/440MHz Transceiver
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/hf/#IC-706MKIIG
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
154254.4
KM3DR Rating: 2008-05-27
MK2G great for portable use. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Some years ago, I had a 706mk2 that was used for portable ops. It was ran on a battery or various power supplies in all sorts of environments on many bands except 160M without any problems on loops for VHF and HF, yagi's, verticals, and various verticals or wires with tuners. I sold the rig thinking that what I purchased would be smaller and better. After issuse with RF feedback, distorted audio,and failures with ferrite cores, bypass caps, and various grounding methods in an attempt to solve the issues, I've decided to give the Mark2G a try. So far, I'm pleased that I went back to the 706 series as a portable rig. It seems to hold up well on HF as well as 6 Meters at low power levels (10 to 50 watt range) with a 7AH SLA with various methods to recharge. Right out the box, the 706 series has been a great rig for backpack,portable ops, or travel.(I've owned 2 mark2's, but never had the original)
73's de Lee / KM3DR
KG8JF Rating: 2008-05-11
great little radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am now one of the great number of hams who own the mkiig in one iteration or another. I love the little radio and it is very easy to use, intuitive is the term, I think they call it

My radio is set up in a backup role and it also functions as my digital station

Ilove the radio and woulde definitely buy it again
HB9ECV Rating: 2008-05-11
Better than a FT-857D Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own a (damaged) Icom IC-706MkII and a Yaesu FT-857D. I purchased the Ft-857D after my IC-706's VOX and CAT functionality was fried when I had a shortcut on the socket for the wire antenna tuner (AH-3). I decided to purchase the Yaesu because it is cheaper and smaller than an IC-706MkIIG, but meanwhile I regret this decision. The IC-706MkIIG receiver is slightly better than the FT-857D if you believe the ARRL QST reviews. But the main reason why I am not so content with the FT-857D is the fact, that the IC-706 is much easier to operate! The disadvantage of a Transceiver as small as the FT-857D is the lack of space for buttons! I need the FT-857D's manual often because it is hard to find what you need to set in a menu with almost 100 entries!
Ok, back to the IC-706MkII. The AF DSP is not that usefull in my opinion, but the 500Hz IF filter is a must. Just make the rig believe that the 500Hz filter is the 2.4kHz SSB Filter in the initial set menu and you can use it not only for CW but for PSK31 operation as well. Together with the easy to handle IF shift, this is a big plus for PSK31. I also like the ability to build a small adapter (check www.mods.dk) for the AH-3/4 tuner socket, that reduces the output power and sends cw for some time every time the tune button is hit - perfect for manually tuning an antenna.
If you want an all-band all-mode rig and the budget is too limited for an IC-7000, take a IC-706MkIIG. Don't touch the FT-897/FT-857, they are less fun to operate.
KG6BRG Rating: 2008-04-22
solid radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After wanting a 706MKIIG for many years, I finally bought one because I was afraid that with introduction of the IC-7000 the 706 might be discontinued. I'm very pleased so far.

My cons:
1)No VSWR display on VHF or UHF, silly IMO.
2)Purely subjective, for me the menu system is ponderous and make no logical sense, why is the NR and NB not on the same row? What's with "S", "G", and "M" rows? Why not just numbered rows and A, B, C buttons, like Yaesu does. I like their way of doing the menu, but again, this is subjective.
3)The price is too high compared to the Yaesu like radios, 857/897.

My Pros:
1)Large display.
2)Effective NR and NB.
3)Very respectable RX audio from the internal speaker.
4)Good TX audio from the stock mic.
5)Runs on less than 13.8 volts when portable without degrading the audio as some other radios will do.
6)Time tested radio with a good reputation.

Overall I'm very pleased and consider this along with my TS-520S and FT-817ND a definite keeper and don't regret the purchase. cheers.
G4EDR Rating: 2008-03-30
Good performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my 2nd MK2G. Got the first in 1999 as a standby HF rig and to use on 6/2 meters. Worked 29 countries and 95 grid squares on 6M just with a vertical from home QTH.

Started to use it portable but found it a little on the heavy side. So after 5 years sold it and got a FT-817. I missed the extra power, larger display and tuning knob and as I don't operate portable as much I decided to get another 706.

The new price here in UK has just dropped to less than half of what I paid in 1999. I wonder if this is a sign that Icom are about to dis-continue the 706? If so get one while you can!
KC9KOW Rating: 2008-03-01
Testdrive Summary Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Upon a test drive of this rig used in harsh conditions, I was impressed! While hooked up to a 102 foot G5RV at more than a wavelength above ground and an antenna tuner, this radio performed great!

SWR was flat with maximum output power, and great audio and signal reports on all bands. This includes VHF and UHF. This is on my list for sure!
VK5LRC Rating: 2008-01-14
Tough little Fella Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
IC 706 Mk2G bought from new, and it has been worked hard with HF and UHF work and recently it has had to put up with me feeding 'audio' into its innards with a home built interface for PSK31. I have received good signal reports. If it broke would be on the phone in an instant to get another even though have another HF rig on order.
G3PSR Rating: 2008-01-08
Compact and Reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased my 706MkII second hand some 5 years ago and it has never let me down. I use it as my main station rig on all bands through an ATU. No TVI problems and easy to use. DSP not as good as some later rigs and perhaps it's a little deaf on 2 metres, but a pre-amp cured that problem. Icom UK have always been helpful with info and advice. They still seem to hold their price here in the UK and would make an excellent starter rig.
KT5T Rating: 2007-12-23
A very good mobile rig. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two of these rigs and they make a good mobile rig. I also own a IC-7000 which is also a good rig however for the money the 706 is a better value. I have had no problems with any of the Icom rigs.
A92HB Rating: 2007-11-25
Good mobile rig. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My Mk2G is around two years old now, I travelled the UK in a mobile home and worked some great d/x running 100watts and Watson single band helical whips, managed to work VK and ZL a number of times. It arrived safely here in Bahrain on my last return from the UK, having great fun with it here, great signal reports, receive could be better, but hey, its only a baby rig, don't expect base station performance, it can't happen. The following dilema is more common than you may think. Had a problem loading up on 15 and 17mtrs for a short while, anyone else with that problem? Contact me, I will have you back on the air in minutes!!! For such a tiny rig with such coverage, it gets full marks from me despite the 'not as good as it could be' front end. I will bring out my PRO3 and 7400 next journey, also have a 950SDX, tempted to haul that along too. Wonder if the 747 can accommodate an 80' mast etc, etc????
Hey, listen out for me next year, may try to bring along my Acom 2000A, its going to be a mighty big haulage bill!!!

Best 73's,

John www.johnblack.org