| K4CHC |
Rating:     |
2011-06-01 | |
| Great for new Generals |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I got my 718 after I upgraded to General. After 2 years I am very happy with it. It was easy to set up - after I read the manual. It does not have a lot of features like the newer radios but for a beginner this is a plus, in my opinion. Less whiz bang means less to mess up and that means you are on the air quicker.
I added a SignaLink for digital modes, downloaded Digipan, and was on PSK really quick.
I use the 718 almost 100% now for digital.
I now have a 7200 that I use for phone but I still use the 718 daily for digital. |
|
| KC8UIO |
Rating:     |
2011-05-06 | |
| Nice HF Transceiver |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I have had this transceiver for a while, so it's time to review it. I have my 718 connected to a loaded dipole (100 feet long) through an LDG IT-100 Tuner. With this set-up, I have worked a lot of DX stations and many US stations.
The audio is mostly clear, but I gey some local noise on 160 meters. I am going to try a preselector as this area (NE Ohio) has a lot of local broadcast AM radio stations. As far as I can tell, this is a good tranceiver for HF communications. |
|
| PY1XM |
Rating:      |
2011-04-28 | |
| GUD AND LOW COST |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
LOW COST, WITH SIMPLE MODS, BECAME A VY GUD ONE.FINE CW AND ALSO GUD IN PHONE. I OPENED IT, NOW WITH 150 WATTS OUT PUT POWER, AND IN CW WITH 150 WATTS U CAN PLAY EVERY PLACE AROUND THE WORLD.
I GAVE 5.0, DUE TO BE SO EASY TO MODIFY.
73, TOM PY1OW / PY4UM. |
|
| W7GSH |
Rating:      |
2011-04-27 | |
| I love this Radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I bought this radio after reading the reviews here.This is a great radio,I have made several DX contacts in the short time I have owned it.I work mostly 20 and 40 meter phone.I can't wait to set it up for digital modes.Highly recommended for the price. |
|
| G4FUT |
Rating:     |
2011-04-15 | |
| Not a bad rig at all |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've had this little rig for the last 15 months and used it SSB, CW and digital, the latter is what I really got it for. I do not understand the complaints about the RX as if a little trouble is taken with the various adjustments of RF, NB and Pre-Amp very good quality may be obtained. On JT65 mode, the RX can pick out and decode signals which are way below the noise threshold, in many cases, some 20dbs below. Certainly below the human ear threshold. I agree that the AM is rubbish, the filter as supplied is far too narrow for decent SWLing in that mode. Frequency stability is 100%. perfect for digital usage. Power is easily adjusted from 100 watts down to less than 5 watts, using one menu. There are 2 menus, but I have never had to use the second one. This rig sits alongside my TS830s, TS530sp and although its RX is not as good as those rigs, never-the-less it is perfectly acceptable....if as I said previously, a little trouble is taken to maximise it. I have never experienced the poor sensitivity or selectivity mentioned in one or two other reports.
Jon G4FUT |
|
| G4XTA |
Rating:  |
2011-04-08 | |
| Worse Every Day |
Time Owned: N.A. |
Well, a few weeks into owning the IC-718 now. It really is the worst quality ham radio set I've every owned, or used. However, it's also by far the cheapest, so I'm not sure if it's fair to criticize it?
But I strongly agree with KB9MRK's review (a few reviews back) - the receiver is way worse than I first thought. The white noise roars from the radio, even on SSB and CW on a silent, dead band. It sounds like an FM rig with the squelch left open!!
Like other reviewers, I find that the Noise Blanker does not work AT ALL, no matter what setting is used, and the pre-amp just lifts the noise floor even more, but doesn't lift the signal.
The rig is absolutely useless mobile (which is what I bought it for) because the interference is end-stopping. I've tried an FT757GX mk1, an FT857D and FT890AT and an FT900 on the same aerial in the car, and the noise is nil, the blanker works fine, and all other problems that are so violently obvious on the IC-718 just disappear. How very sad that none of these traditionally built radios are available any more. I've parked next to two other mobiles in my club, and we compared listening to the same incoming station. Theirs were good, but mine was submerged in receiver noise. I had to turn off the IC-718 because the racket coming from my car was preventing the other guys from being able to hear the station on 20m.
Although it's the cheapest radio on the market, I can't recommend it's value for money. There's a level of quality that you just can't fall below, and the IC-718 has crossed that line. |
|
| ZL4AX |
Rating:    |
2011-03-29 | |
| Just Cheap |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought this rig because I HAD TO.
There wasn't anything else still on the market that I can operate! I bought other makes and models of far 'better' HF rigs, and found that I couldn't operate them any more. I'm an I.T.Manager and Radio Officer by trade, but these modern rigs are totally beyond me. Nothing but darned MENUs and multi-function buttons. If six-guns had been designed that way, there'd have been a lotta dead cowboys in the wild west! Radios should have one knob for each function, easy to reach - like the steering wheel on a car - instant access.
Anyhow, with a few thousand dollars in my pocket, I had no choice but to buy this cheap and very cut-price IC-718. It was listed at over $1000 in New Zealand, and you don't get the DSP unit that is included in the price everywhere else in the world.
Well, surprisingly, NO COMPLAINTS.
I got just what I paid-for: A cheap, cut price, cut quality, half-built radio with all the parts stripped out.
To get the DSP, the filters, or even a Mic Clip(!) or handle, you have pay extra. Without these things the radio is wide open, roaring and hissing RX, and sounds as good as a cheap CB rig from the 1970's. The TX is great, however!
Yessir, you get what you pay for. Some very inadequate design, ridiculous AGC characteristics, horrendous 'bleed-over' and overloading of the front end etc etc.
But at least I can work it. There's STILL not enough knobs on it, and things like mic gain, display mode and power output are all fighting to share the same multi-function button. But at least there's no damned menu's!
So here I sit. 30 years experience, top-of-honor-roll DX-er, having to use this second rate 'CB' set! I hope you're reading this in Japan, cos I'm one of thousands who are just sick of menu driven radios. Give us more like the IC-718's operating system, only in GOOD quality radios, not just your 'junk' model.
Please.........! |
|
| KD5UDE |
Rating:      |
2011-03-25 | |
| excellent |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| ran one of these for three years loved it. went up the ladder and really loved the kenwood ts-480sat its a fine rig too but had to sell due to lack of funds but got to get anouther 718 and its a very good radio easy to use and operate i highly recommend it! buy one you'll love it! |
|
| WA1UFO |
Rating:      |
2011-03-05 | |
| Good basic performance! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I gave this cute little bugger 5 stars because, in it's price class, it deserves it.People comment on how clean the transmit audio is with the included hand mike. I use it for SSB and CW but love the receive audio for MW dxing and SWLing. Use a good stereo speaker or a pair of cans and it belts out some nice bass! The dsp unit rolls off highs when engaged but adjust the IF control to compensate-weak BC or SW stations can be optimized in the SSB mode. When I want to QRP it on CW I just turn the power down. Usually operate it at 50 watts and it should last a very long time! |
|
| W4DLZ |
Rating:      |
2011-01-22 | |
| Outstanding Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've had my 718 for over 3 years and must say it's an awesome basic rig ..
Excellent weak signal reception and seemingly immune to overload..
My main Rig is an IC 7000 but every now and then I go back to the 718 and
use it again..for it's excellent audio and low noise reception..
In addition to all else on the 718 it's long wave reception is awesome
receiving WWVH on 60 khz better than any other rcvr I've heard..
I use the Inrad 400 cycle CW filter in mine..
I tell you this having been in Electronics service professionally for 40
years and operated and maintained many shipboard and coast station receivers
and transmitters..
The IC 718 is highly recommended by me..
Thanks Frank W4DLZ
Retired RCA Marine
Mackay Marine
Radio Holland USA |
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