On 11 Aug, 19:37, charlie wrote:

I looking to buy a used all mode base rig for two metres at the end
of year and am leaning towards an Icom IC820H. I have looked at the
comments on eHam and it looks as if this rig is a favourite. I
wonder if anyone has/had one and if they have any comments to make
on the rig.

I've owned most of the popular V/UHF all mode radios including; Icom
IC820, IC821, IC910, IC290D, IC271E, IC271H, IC275E, IC275H, IC251,
IC746, IC7400, IC706 Mk1, IC706 Mk2, IC706 Mk2G, Kenwood TS780,
TR751E, TM255E, TR9000, TR9130, TS711E, TS790E, TS2000E, Yaesu FT736R,
FT726R, FT221R, FT225R, FT847, FT290R, FT290R2, and an FDK Multi 750X.

The Icom 820H is a nice looking radio with a good receiver, but IMO,
without using a decent transverter, you'll probably not beat an Icom
IC275 in terms of receiver performance. I've had 3 x IC275H's (100w
output, ideal for GS35B linears), and I've yet to find anything
better. Icom IC275's also appear to have much better transmitted audio
quality than other Icom rigs of the same era.

Jack M0PRO