|
IC-706MKIIG Comments ??
It is the best deal going for the money. I love mine.
I haven't had any problems with this rig and I have owned a couple. Long story. Ed, NM2K "Martin" wrote in message .net... I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR |
If you have not done so yet, check out the user reviews for the 706 and
other rigs at http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/14 73 Paul AB0SI "Martin" wrote in message .net... I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR |
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003, Martin wrote:
I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR -- The XYL and I run one in the mobile rig. Performs very well in all manners. Using a hustler fold over with the resonators we have worked a lot of states and counties from the pickup. It has a good noise reduction system and a fair to good noise blanker. Fred KE8TQ Lorraine KC8HWV (the dyed in the wool county hunter) |
I own one of them & also a Yaesu FT 857. I think with the combination of
the 857 & the ATAS 120 antenna my choice would definately go that way. Charles In article , "Martin" Marge wrote: I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR |
I've had both the original 706 and have had the MKIIG since 2001 and the
MKIIG is a great radio. I use it as my base radio. I love the radio, but the only thing it doesn't have going is the ability to be programmed by PC. At least I have yet to find a decent program for it. There is much better software available for the Yaesu radio's. It makes it a lot easier to program all the channels, if you're using for other than HF. I use it for all the bands, so PC programming would be nice. But like it just the same. That's my 2 cents worth. Lou |
|
In rec.radio.amateur.equipment Martin wrote:
I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. I got one a couple of months ago--they've dropped the price and I couldn't resist. I got it really to work 6 meters but wound up putting it in the car instead. I am REALLY impressed with it. The DSP/auto-noise-reduction stuff seems to work remarkably well (I've never had it before so I'm not a very serious judge, though.) The menu system is pretty easy to use even in the car, and the memories are darned nice--they store power level among other parameters, so I can switch between the local repeater and low power, and 70 watts on 20 meters, just with the flip of the knob. VERY nice. I've only owned 4 HF rigs in my entire 14 years as a ham, so I'm not very experienced with rigs in general. But I've been DELIGHTED with the 706 MkIIG. If I ever get bored with HF mobile I'll probably bring it inside for my main SSB rig and use my FT-840 for PSK and CW. Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions .. GOOD LUCK! _______________________________________________ Ken Kuzenski AC4RD kuzen001 at acpub .duke .edu _______________________________________________ All disclaimers apply, see? www.duke.edu/~kuzen001 |
|
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 17:55:35 GMT, "Martin"
wrote: I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR hi, marty. i've got a MKIIG in my camper and use it when camping...not as often as i'd like. no problems with it at all. it performs well. i guess the only "complaint' i'd have is trying to remember all of the functions. but that's a problem with most moden rigs. 73, rich, n9dko |
Well, Martin, I use mine in my Semi truck, getting beat up by the
Arkansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Arizona, and California roads all the time as I roll on delivering freight. It's never let me down once. One comment, though, if you plan on using it while rolling, the narrow SSB filter is almost a MUST. Makes listening through the "tire static" (yes, it really does exist. I have proof.) much easier. 73 de AI8W, Chris Martin wrote: I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR |
sideband wrote in message Makes listening through the
"tire static" (yes, it really does exist. I have proof.) much easier. 73 de AI8W, Chris Yes it does exist. I bet the greater bulk of the noise I get at road speeds is tire static. If I stop, even with the engine running, it's pretty quiet. But at highway speeds, my noise will jump up a good bit. I've heard of various cures, ranging from anti-static powder in the tires, to springs you insert in the wheel bearing caps to make a better electrical connection across the bearings I presume. I've never bothered trying any of them yet. I just turn on the NB... MK |
Re 20 meter hamstick and AH-4:
Do you mean you are using an AH-4 to tune the 20 m hamstick to other bands? If so, to which bands and what kind of SWR's? Bob K9KKY |
Thanks for all of the comments and references. Obviously it's a well
thought of rig. I think it will suit my needs nicely. After 41 years of hamming I decided give it up and recently sold, gave away and junked a 50+ year accumulation of stuff. Made the xyl deliriously happy. Here we go again! Marty K1FHR "Martin" wrote in message .net... I'd appreciate any comments, pro and con, from actual users of the IC-706MKIIG. Performance, reliability, service problems, etc. As it's described it seems to have features I'd like and need: small size, both HF and VHF, and a reasonable power level. Any suggestions as to other rigs with similar features would be appreciated also. Marty K1FHR |
Bob Cook wrote: Re 20 meter hamstick and AH-4: Do you mean you are using an AH-4 to tune the 20 m hamstick to other bands? If so, to which bands and what kind of SWR's? Bob K9KKY I have used it on 40 meters successfully and on 15 and 10. The SWR is perfect. The efficiency of the system is not so good. I can do the same thing with my Webster BandSpanner. My biggest problem is being mobile when there is a band opening. Havn't found that many on 15 & 10 recently....at least when I have been in the car. With the AH-4, it really doesn't matter what I put back on the antenna mount. It will find he L/C combination and match it to the radio (within reason of course...obviously can't use a 1/4 wave UHF spike on 40 meters). I have been looking around for a 102" CB whip. That would work as well as anything. |
Bah.. Forgot I'd moved the page to qsl.net
the correct URL is http://www.qsl.net/ai8w/TruckPics/ Sorry about that. 73 de AI8W, Chris sideband wrote: Try Radio Shack for the 102" whip.. they still sell em Oh, and for kicks, you might want to chuckle at my insanity while looking at a similar setup at http://www.csotbs.org/ai8w/TruckPics I sold that truck, and haven't had a chance to reconstruct that system on the new truck yet, but it's coming. 73 de AI8W, Chris Nitespark wrote: Bob Cook wrote: Re 20 meter hamstick and AH-4: Do you mean you are using an AH-4 to tune the 20 m hamstick to other bands? If so, to which bands and what kind of SWR's? Bob K9KKY I have used it on 40 meters successfully and on 15 and 10. The SWR is perfect. The efficiency of the system is not so good. I can do the same thing with my Webster BandSpanner. My biggest problem is being mobile when there is a band opening. Havn't found that many on 15 & 10 recently....at least when I have been in the car. With the AH-4, it really doesn't matter what I put back on the antenna mount. It will find he L/C combination and match it to the radio (within reason of course...obviously can't use a 1/4 wave UHF spike on 40 meters). I have been looking around for a 102" CB whip. That would work as well as anything. |
I am sure RS sells them. I was just looking for one at a flea market,
or hamfest or something for a few bucks. I am not in desperate need of one just looking to try it out for comparison purposes. Tried the link below and it does not work. sideband wrote: Try Radio Shack for the 102" whip.. they still sell em Oh, and for kicks, you might want to chuckle at my insanity while looking at a similar setup at http://www.csotbs.org/ai8w/TruckPics I sold that truck, and haven't had a chance to reconstruct that system on the new truck yet, but it's coming. 73 de AI8W, Chris Nitespark wrote: Bob Cook wrote: Re 20 meter hamstick and AH-4: Do you mean you are using an AH-4 to tune the 20 m hamstick to other bands? If so, to which bands and what kind of SWR's? Bob K9KKY I have used it on 40 meters successfully and on 15 and 10. The SWR is perfect. The efficiency of the system is not so good. I can do the same thing with my Webster BandSpanner. My biggest problem is being mobile when there is a band opening. Havn't found that many on 15 & 10 recently....at least when I have been in the car. With the AH-4, it really doesn't matter what I put back on the antenna mount. It will find he L/C combination and match it to the radio (within reason of course...obviously can't use a 1/4 wave UHF spike on 40 meters). I have been looking around for a 102" CB whip. That would work as well as anything. |
Yeah... I moved the page, and for some reason the old URL came flowing
out of my fingers... try http://www.qsl.net/ai8w/TruckPics/ 73 de AI8W, Chris Nitespark wrote: I am sure RS sells them. I was just looking for one at a flea market, or hamfest or something for a few bucks. I am not in desperate need of one just looking to try it out for comparison purposes. Tried the link below and it does not work. sideband wrote: Try Radio Shack for the 102" whip.. they still sell em Oh, and for kicks, you might want to chuckle at my insanity while looking at a similar setup at http://www.csotbs.org/ai8w/TruckPics I sold that truck, and haven't had a chance to reconstruct that system on the new truck yet, but it's coming. 73 de AI8W, Chris Nitespark wrote: Bob Cook wrote: Re 20 meter hamstick and AH-4: Do you mean you are using an AH-4 to tune the 20 m hamstick to other bands? If so, to which bands and what kind of SWR's? Bob K9KKY I have used it on 40 meters successfully and on 15 and 10. The SWR is perfect. The efficiency of the system is not so good. I can do the same thing with my Webster BandSpanner. My biggest problem is being mobile when there is a band opening. Havn't found that many on 15 & 10 recently....at least when I have been in the car. With the AH-4, it really doesn't matter what I put back on the antenna mount. It will find he L/C combination and match it to the radio (within reason of course...obviously can't use a 1/4 wave UHF spike on 40 meters). I have been looking around for a 102" CB whip. That would work as well as anything. |
I didn't even see the rest of the pics. When I scrolled down, I saw
them. Guess you get a lot of comments at the truckstops from the other drivers???? Certainly not an antenna configuration for someone driving a Ford Focus. sideband wrote: Yes.. If you would read the description paragraphs, you would have found out that from the feedpoint of the one 102" whip, to the end of the other 102" whip (insulated from ground) is 40' of wire. it was all part of the radiating element. de AI8W, Chris Nitespark wrote: sideband wrote: Bah.. Forgot I'd moved the page to qsl.net the correct URL is http://www.qsl.net/ai8w/TruckPics/ Sorry about that. Got the correct URL. Interesting config. I notice the antenna is pinned over, looks like either wire or string. If its wire, is that part of the radiating element??? The pic made me think of my first computer/radio setup. It was a Commodore Vic 20 with a Kantronics TU. This was when interfacing computers to radios was the newest thing. I invited a friend to the shack showing him the RTTY and CW capabilities. I tuned into a 20 meter CW QSO. As we sat there watching the message on the screen at 20 wpm, the operator was in an 18-wheeler on the interstate (somewhere). A week later, my friend had a computer hooked to his system. |
Marty,
I had a '706 for about a year in the mobile. It did exactly what it claimed it would do and isn't a bad radio at all. I had a problem with the programming, etc., just too 'busy' a radio for ~me~ to use in the mobile. There were some things that if I wanted to change, I had to pull over and stop to do. I also didn't have much use for the VHF/UHF sections, just didn't do much up there. So, I swapped it for another radio (like I'd had before the '706). The '706 is a nice little radio with the emphasis being on little. I was really happy with some of it's features, but just too 'fat fingered' to keep it. 'Doc |
I have done side by side comparison of a 102" whip tuned by an AH-4
equivalent vs. a resonant style antenna such as the Hustler series. On 40m, There was a repeatable 1 "S"unit difference in rx signal and tx signal strength. I did not have the chance to check it on other bands, but the difference would probably decrease as you got closer to 10m, and increase as you went to 75/80m Bottom line is that if you want/need performance in a mobile environ, use some sort of resonant antenna, especially on the lower bands. However, a 102" whip will do for convenience. Or you can split the difference and get a screw-driver style antenna. 73 K1NR "sideband" wrote in message gy.com... Try Radio Shack for the 102" whip.. they still sell em Oh, and for kicks, you might want to chuckle at my insanity while looking at a similar setup at http://www.csotbs.org/ai8w/TruckPics I sold that truck, and haven't had a chance to reconstruct that system on the new truck yet, but it's coming. 73 de AI8W, Chris Nitespark wrote: Bob Cook wrote: Re 20 meter hamstick and AH-4: Do you mean you are using an AH-4 to tune the 20 m hamstick to other bands? If so, to which bands and what kind of SWR's? Bob K9KKY I have used it on 40 meters successfully and on 15 and 10. The SWR is perfect. The efficiency of the system is not so good. I can do the same thing with my Webster BandSpanner. My biggest problem is being mobile when there is a band opening. Havn't found that many on 15 & 10 recently....at least when I have been in the car. With the AH-4, it really doesn't matter what I put back on the antenna mount. It will find he L/C combination and match it to the radio (within reason of course...obviously can't use a 1/4 wave UHF spike on 40 meters). I have been looking around for a 102" CB whip. That would work as well as anything. |
G.Balinski wrote:
I have done side by side comparison of a 102" whip tuned by an AH-4 equivalent vs. a resonant style antenna such as the Hustler series. On 40m, There was a repeatable 1 "S"unit difference in rx signal and tx signal strength. I did not have the chance to check it on other bands, but the difference would probably decrease as you got closer to 10m, and increase as you went to 75/80m As a matter of fact, it was measured on 75m. My 11.5' whip with an SGC-230 tuner was 12dB down from my top-loaded junk box antenna. That's two (or more) S-units. A 9' whip would be even worse. Why spend all that money on a tuner that dissipates 94% more power than a tuned 75m mobile antenna that costs less than the tuner? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Hey Cecil
I have both the AT180 and the AH4. They're on a shelf. In a closet. I use a resonant Hustler with a toroidal matching transformer. I want a screwdriver-type antenna. 73 H. NQ5H OB 706 comment: Good radio. Great audio. Have one in the truck. "W5DXP" wrote in message ... G.Balinski wrote: I have done side by side comparison of a 102" whip tuned by an AH-4 equivalent vs. a resonant style antenna such as the Hustler series. On 40m, There was a repeatable 1 "S"unit difference in rx signal and tx signal strength. I did not have the chance to check it on other bands, but the difference would probably decrease as you got closer to 10m, and increase as you went to 75/80m As a matter of fact, it was measured on 75m. My 11.5' whip with an SGC-230 tuner was 12dB down from my top-loaded junk box antenna. That's two (or more) S-units. A 9' whip would be even worse. Why spend all that money on a tuner that dissipates 94% more power than a tuned 75m mobile antenna that costs less than the tuner? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
H. Adam Stevens wrote:
Hey Cecil I have both the AT180 and the AH4. They're on a shelf. In a closet. To be fair, if all anyone wants to cover mobile is 20m-10m, an 11.5' whip and an SGC-230 did a remarkable job for me. -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:55 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com