IC-706 and noise level
 

I recently purchased a second hand Icom IC-706 transceiver (original
version, not MkII or MkIIG) after a long absence from amateur radio. I
have noticed that I hear a lot of noise with my doublet at 20 feet. In
particular, when I turn the preamp on, the noise level is S9 on all HF
bands. Is this normal for this rig? With the preamp off, the noise
level is usually down near S1-3. I know the S-meter is not well
calibrated in the IC-706, but has anyone observed this behavior?
Obviously, this makes the preamp useless, as only stronger signals are
above the noise level.

Thanks.

Steve, KI8AA

I HAD a mark 2G, notice I said HAD. It seems icom never learned
how to make a decent noise blanker. I have had several ICOMS and it seems
they all had sucky noise blankers. I don't know about the HIGH end ICOMs as
I could never afford those. I do know that I am much more satisfied with my
FT-897 and FT-817 rigs.

WB7FFI


"Zibs" wrote in message
oups.com...
I recently purchased a second hand Icom IC-706 transceiver (original
version, not MkII or MkIIG) after a long absence from amateur radio. I
have noticed that I hear a lot of noise with my doublet at 20 feet. In
particular, when I turn the preamp on, the noise level is S9 on all HF
bands. Is this normal for this rig? With the preamp off, the noise
level is usually down near S1-3. I know the S-meter is not well
calibrated in the IC-706, but has anyone observed this behavior?
Obviously, this makes the preamp useless, as only stronger signals are
above the noise level.

Thanks.

Steve, KI8AA