On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 10:28:49 -0400, Dave Hall wrote:

I also run an ICOM 706 (the older MK1) in the mobile. I'm not
especially happy with the performance though. For one thing the
squelch is not a true FM noise gate type of squelch, and it pops open
on the slightest static or hash noise on FM. The other major sore spot
is the noise blanker. For some reason the fine folks at Icom cannot
make a noise blanker which works effectively on all modes. On SSB it
works so-so. On AM and FM it does absolutely nothing. I'd hate to have
to use this rig on CB, as the noise and hash are far worse than on my
old Uniden radio.

I also have a 706 on the base. Without the noise issues of a mobile,
it's a far better performing radio.

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj

They might have fixed those problems with the newer generations - MKII
and MKIIg because I don't have any complaints about mine. Funny about the noise
blanker, I notice a big difference with it on mine. The squelch is a little
funny and hard to get used to with it being the RF gain control in some modes,
and squelch in others. That is weird.

Do you have any filters in it? I have SSB and CW filters installed and
the SSB filter works wonders and combined with the IF shift, you can do some
amazing things with it. I've been able to isolate one person out of a virtual
zoo fest at times using the combination of the two. Yup, I'm really happy with
mine. I know that Icom made a lot of changes to the 706MKII that resolved a lot
of issues with the first one. And the price has plummeted too. I paid over $1300
for mine brand new, and now you can get the MKIIg with a DSP and 440MHz for less
than $800 without the filters or speech module. That's one hell of a price drop.
I've been kicking myself in the ass a long time over that!

Steve