| W6DPS |
Rating:      |
2010-07-09 | |
| Great, simple radio! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I bought this radio to use in my Jeep for camping, mountain topping, and the occasional contest. I used it for Field Day with my club, and it performed amazingly well.
I mainly wanted a lower cost rig to save bouncing around on my main, but this radio is so easy to use and performs so well, it has gotten to be the only HF rig I use.
I like the built in keyer, and have found the performance on SSB to outstanding.
Without all the knobs on the face, I find myself not making many adjustments, and not needing to.
I definately recommend this radio, especially paired with an AH-4 tuner. |
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| KC9YZR |
Rating:     |
2010-05-27 | |
| The IC-718 is OK (for the most part) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I was a Ham from 1986, until 2000, when I decided to stop being a Ham because of how I was treated on the air between 1995 and 2000.
I even had people using (Pirating) my Call Sign on the air causing trouble for me.
In any case, my best friend, who's a Ham, wants me to get back into Ham Radio and give it a second try.
In any case, after my grandmother(My Mom's mother)died in 2005, she left me just enough money to buy an HF rig with.
I really wanted to get a SW receiver, like the used R5000's I saw on the shelf at AES, or like the R1000 I used to have, or maybe the Icom R75 SW receiver, but I saw that the IC-718 was only $50.00 more, brand new, so I picked it up.
The receiver of the IC-718 seems sensitive enough, almost too sensitive as it picks up noise along with the received signals.
The audio through the internal speaker isn't the best, so I use my Minimus 3.5 speaker I picked up at Radio Shack years ago in the external speaker jack.
I purchased the IC-718 in February of 2006 or so, so I have had it about 4 years now.
The IC-718 was supposed to come with the UT-106 DSP unit installed, but it didn't come that way, and I hadn't thought about DSP in time to go back to them and ask for it, so I guess that you need to know everything and stay on your toes when dealing with these places.
Either that or maybe they gave me a slightly older unit, still new in the box, but back in the store room, maybe back when the UT-106 didn't come with the rig.
I have noticed one problem that has started to occur, and that is the external speaker jack is loosening up on the circuit board, so the audio sometimes cuts out, so I then need to wiggle or move the plug in the back once in a great while to get the audio to work again.
I did open the case to take a look at what it would take to get to the circuit board where I could re-solder the external speaker jack to the circuit board, but it looks like I'd have to take it half-way apart to get to it.
I have never had the Icom IC-718 in a mobile installation and only have had it set up as a base station in my room here connected to a Samlec SEC 1223 Power Supply, which I had found that I did receive a little bit of noise on the HF bands from the supply itself, which I also have found that if I added an RF choke in the power supply, that the noise was reduced in strength, but it also moved the frequencies a little bit of where the noise was heard.
I then ran a wire from one of the case screws of the SEC 1223 to my station ground, and that has reduced, almost eliminated, the noise caused by the power supply on the HF bands on the IC-718.
Overall I am satisfied with the Icom IC-718 transceiver, and I like it as much as any other rig I have had, like my first HF rig, which was a Drake TR-4, which I used for a number of years, until there wasn't any support for it anymore, and it did get 150 watts out on 75/80 meters, and 100 watts out on 10 meters, and I also had a Yaesu FT-757GX, which I also liked, but it had one slight "flaw" that I didn't care for, and that was that the frequency readout was always off.
In order to be on 3985.0 kHz for example, I'd have to set the dial to 3984.8 or I'd always be off frequency. My best friend also had one, but I think that his may have been a GX-II, and his was off frequency on the dial also, but he had to have his set to 3985.2 to be on frequency on 3985.0 kHz.
Anyway the only problem I am dealing with so far is the rare occasion of the audio dropping out because of the loosening up of the external speaker jack.
The only things that I don't really care for with the IC-718 is the quality or the way the audio sounds through the internal speaker and the fact that you can't add 10 meter FM to it, although that's no big deal.
I may give Ham Radio a second try since my best friend wants me to get back into Ham Radio, but I have been undecided about that for about 7 years now, since 2003 in other words, 3 years after I had quit Ham Radio, but because my best friend keeps wanting me to get back into it, I may just do so.
It took me 5 years to decide to get out of Ham Radio, and now I have been thinking about getting back into it for 7 years now. |
|
| PA3EMY |
Rating:     |
2010-05-10 | |
| nice radio with a few problems |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
This is a decent basic radio.
I have compared it with a ic-730 a ts-140 and a ft-950.
Some points that need improvement.
-Noise blanker is not as good as the ic-730
-It suffers from broadcast breakthrough when no transmatch (filter) is used.My antenna is just a 2x13 meter long dipole.
-Sometimes the PA seems to oscillate while tuning the antenna.
-Reception on frequencies <1.5 MHz was not possible withhout external attenuator. An strong signal blocked the entire band.
When a shorter antenna is used the reception on those frequencies is actually pretty good.
Trying to repair it yourself is almost imposibble as very small smd components are used.
The ic-718 beats the ts-140. However the ic730 is a better radio.
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| VE2ITZ |
Rating:      |
2010-05-03 | |
| Awsome little package that fits the bill! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I began HF amateur radio with an old Hallicrafters FPM300 MKll. I then decided to upgrade to a used Kenwood TS130. A couple of months ago i decided it was time to upgrade so i bought a mint but used ICOM 707. I used it for a couple of weeks and then I realized this rig does not have many of the features my old kenwood had.
Last week i decided to jump into the Wagon and ordered a new ICOM 718 from Radio world over in Toronto.
To my surprise the next morning it was being delivered at my doorsteps!
I quickly set it up and tried it.
Wow!!!!
What a difference in reception these new rigs are!
I can only imagine what those 10,000 dollar rigs can do. But from my point of view, quality, performance, price range and overall satisfaction it is a 5.
A great package that fits the bill!
But what a diference in reception! I can hear stations that i only dreamt about on my older radios!
The DSP filter unit is awsome! I get 9 unit of some QRM comming in at night on 20 meters. It really hurts on the ears after a while.
I have tried using the MFJ1026 to some degree of success on some but not all bands.
The DSP filter helps enourmously even under these conditions. I still get to hear many stations and work them (Brazil, Argentina, Cuba).
When there is no QRM, the reception on this thing is a blast. Also, i do a lot of shortawve listening and this radio has a really beautiful sound on AM wide.
Many features of these radio are a combination of what i was looking for when i wanted to replace my old Kenwood R1000 and the Kenwood TS130.
I am currently using the Japanese version of the HM36 hand mic and am getting awsome audio reports.
With a CW filter (which i have but cannot install it since it might void the warranty) this thing will last me a lifetime.
This is no DX competition machine, but For the price, this is a jewell and a keeper.
Way to go ICOM!
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| NI5Y |
Rating:     |
2010-05-02 | |
| Great Starter Rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have read my share of good and bad reviews on the Icom IC-718 radio. First off the radio is not a Kenwood TS-2000 or is it a Yaesu FT-950, this radio is in a class all by itself. This is a beginner radio. The menu system is not difficult to figure out. The transmitt is 100 watts and the receive is the Icom standard which is very hot. I have owned the following rigs in the last year. Kenwood TS-2000,Kenwood TS-570DG,Yessu FT897D,Yessu FT-857D,and the Icom 706 M II G. This radio's receive is the same as the radios I mentioned above. I have putt each radio on a calibrated HP service monitor and I have tested the transmit and receive. Each radio's receive test were the same. So the differnece is how the DSP circuit works on each radio in the receive mode. The DSP on the Kenwood and Yaesu radios listed are way better than the DSP on the Icom 706 and 718. The 718 is a entry level radio. The radio is very easy to setup and use. I find setting the NR To level 4 and the NB to Level 50 and turning on the ANF and using the IF shift as needed the radio will work just fine. I agree the AGC circuit will pump a little hard at times and the receive will sound a little grable on some strong stations at times. Over all this is an excellent beginner radio to start with for the price. If you need a radio with a better AGC and DSP circuit then get ready to spend more money. Face it the radio transmitts and receives well on SSB,CW,RTTY,PSK31. It is what it is and if you need more features pay more money. |
|
| A22EW |
Rating:    |
2010-05-01 | |
| average |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I got this ic-718 with DSP as a backup rig to ts-570dg. Several items of note. Menus are not obvious. LSB/USB switch over is tedious. Receiver is noisy, prone to noise (NB is barely adequate) and not good in terms of sensitivity/selectivity. Filters are definitely needed on both SSB and CW.
I cannot comment on digital modes/rtty at present.
Overall, it is a mediocre rig; the difference between 570 and 718 side by side becomes very apparent in terms of egronmonics.
Recommend folks look at ft-450 instead. |
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| SQ1K |
Rating:     |
2010-03-31 | |
| Simple |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I had opportunity to use this radio in Spetember 2009. I have been working view contests, RTTY as well as Phone or CW. Radio was barefoot, without any options as crystal filters nor DSP. What can I say, it was hard to work with this set up in conets, due to strong signals nearby. However this radio is good base for digi mode as RTTY, during all contest radio wasn`t even hot, it worked with 100w all the time and I think it is strong point of this radio. Probably it could be better with optional filter and if you are working from time to time it could be good radio for you. With optional filter even better. |
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| WB5KJE |
Rating:      |
2010-03-30 | |
| No complaints |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I just purchased a 718 off of Ebay. The pictures showed a very clean rig with PS 125. After receiving it things just got better. It had the DSP (some didn't), the Voice Unit and three filters. None of these features were mentioned, or reflected in the rigs price ($815).It alsocame with a MFJ 969 (mint). The rig looked as if it had just came out of the box (PS 125 also). I really improved the audio output by running it through a Tivoli Model One desk top AM/FM radio. It has a AUX in jack for IPods and such. The rich sound the Tivoli radio puts out is great. I must say that the two radios together gives audio that will amaze many. |
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| N2UGB |
Rating:      |
2010-03-30 | |
| One of my QRP rigs |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I purchased the IC-718 used several months ago. No complaints at all. Like other reviewers, I recognize it is not a $2000/$3000 transceiver.
I have a cw filter installed and used, and the DSP unit, rarely used.
I am 100% QRP and this is one of my QRP radios. It is permanently set to five-watts output using a 7 amp power supply.
QSK is quite good and selectivity more than acceptable. The "noisy" receiver can be regulated to more acceptable levels.
I do find it annoying that the power must be cut in order to change from keyer to straight key operation. If I am missing something, somebody advise me...please.
The size is just right, especially the display. I sold a perfectly good FT-817 in order to help finance the purchase of the IC-718. Too much difficulty reading the 817 tiny display.
So my rating is really 4/5 because of the key/keyer issue. If that is resolved, it will be a 5. |
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| WZ3O |
Rating:     |
2010-03-13 | |
| Nice basic "backup" rig.. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
My TS-2000 was "in Hospital" and I bought an IC-718 w/W4rt filters & High Stability crystal with low usage from a local ham. I like the rig & as many say it's an "intro" / "backup" rig, but that's what it's marketed as.....
When TS-2000 came back from the "recovery room" the IC-718 went on the shelf... Wouldn't hesitate to use it occasionally and might even install @ my business...have a ham working there with me...we can play radio & work...What a concept...HiHi.... |
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