Here is a wish list for the "perfect" receiver.

My IC-706 coupled with a laptop can do many of those...

1. specialized search functions- be able to define the search band.
(like a VHF scanner)

I have 4 scan modes...Better scanner, than some scanners...
The receiver itself is better than most scanners for sure....

2. build in audio recorder with squelch- an hour recording time would
be nice. make it uploadable to PC.

Have this as long as I have the laptop..

3. upload/download freqs/text-

Yaaaaaa, as they would say in Fargo...

4. solar/crank recharger-

Not this, but I never run solar yet...

5. dc to daylight range-

pert near...I can receive from .30 to 200 mhz straight line,
and then from 400-470 mhz straight line. It's not total
coverage, but I can listen to about anything I want. The
exception being the military aircraft band on VHF..

6. video reception-

Yaaaaaaa, but what type? I can do SSTV, FAX, etc, etc on
HF. Can run full blown ATV on uhf...

7. morse code translator- hey that's a good idea!

Thats built into my brain... :/ Option not needed..

8. foreign language translator-

If they don't talk no english, I don't need to listen...

9. GPS postioner-

Yaaaa, if I couple a GPS with the laptop...

10. phone jack for remote use-

Yaaaaaa... Can be rigged up...Not that I
have much use for it...
11. the whole thing the size of a paperback

Not too far off... It's bigger than a paperback,
but smaller than many books. It's about half
the size of my ARRL antenna handbook as an
example.

What would your radio do?

What it does...

http://www.icomamerica.com/products/amateur/706mkIIg/

They make ones even better, if you wanna cough the cashflow...
IE: the kenwood TS-2000 is a good do-it-all radio with wide
coverage. But...It's a bit bigger than the 706...
Also, the 706 has a detachable faceplate. I've been
eyeballing the IC-7000 that is supposed to be coming out.
It's like a 706 on steroids...Color "pro" style readout, more
lights, blinky things, etc... Will probably trade to one of those
for a mobile if the price drops down...Although a TS-2000
is tempting...The 2000 is a handy radio. Can crossband
repeat, work sat's full duplex, etc, etc.. I've talked on 160m
before by talking across town on UHF, using the 706, to
a TS-2000 that received me on UHF, and then retransmitted
on 160m.. Being he had a big amp on the ts-2000, I was
actually louder on 160m going to his radio, than actually using
mine on 160m, being I don't have a amp on 160m.. :/
The day will be soon when you can get all that in a radio I bet..
If...., there is a large enough market for them... Radio in general
is kinda dropping off vs the internet, etc, etc...
MK