tom wrote:
Thanks, that's usefull info --- but what about the swr issue? If a half
wave dipole is tuned to a certain frequency and has an swr of 1.05, say, for
the swr to rise to 2 (at VHF wavelengths) you have to go roughly 6mhz up or
5mhz down from that tuned frequency. The 2m band is only 4mhz wide in
total, anyway, so if you measure carefully, are you risking damage to the
rig (also assuming the rig has no swr protective circuitry) if you don't
check the swr with a swr meter? I don't have one, that's why I'm asking.

Hello, tom. I may be coming in to the discussion a little late.

My IC-V8000 and IC-2720 both have SWR protection circuitry that folds
back the power output if the SWR is too high. The '8000 folds back to
25 Watts and the '2720 goes to 15 on both bands.

If you want the operator's manual for your pending IC-2200 you can
download it from either www.icomamerica.com or www.icom.co.jp (and
probably Icom Canada's web site too, though my first stab at the name
didn't find the site -- icomcanada.com maybe?) and read all about its
features before you get the radio in your hands. I wouldn't be at all
surprised to find it'll fold back to a usable power level if the antenna
is less than perfect.

HTH