ICOM  IC-706MKIIG REVIEW BY JIM BAUDO, N0UQZ MY PERSONAL RADIO

THE MOST PERFECT ALL MODE HF - 6 METER, VHF - UHF, I HAVE USED. 
I RECOMMEND RADIOS TO PEOPLE EVERY DAY. THEY CALL ME, THEY E-MAIL ME. THEY COME TO MY SHACK. THEY ASK WHAT IS THE BEST COMBINATION FOR MOBILE AND BASE USE. MY ANSWER IS THE ICOM 706MIIG. IT FILLS THE NEEDS OF 99 % OF THE HAMS.  THEY ASK IF I HAVE EVER TRIED A YAESU FT 100 AND HOW THEY COMPARE AND MY ANSWER IS I HAVE NOT USED ONE AND I STILL KNOW OF NO ONE IN NEBRASKA THAT HAS ONE. I HAVE INFLUENCED AT LEAST 100 PLUS HAMS IN PURCHASING THE ICOM 706. I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE COME BACK AND SAY I TOLD THEM WRONG. I HAVE ALWAYS TOLD THE HAM THAT LIVES IN THE CITY THAT THEY WOULD NEED A DCI FILTER FOR SERIOUS 2 METER CW AND SSB USE. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE DCI FILTER WILL ADD 100 TO 150 MILES ON TO THE RECEIVE RANGE ON TO MOST ANY 2 METER RIG DOING SINGLE SIDEBAND. ON UHF 440 THE DCI FILTER IS ALSO A NECESSARY CHOICE, ESPECIALLY IN A METRO AREA. UPDATED INFORMATION 3/1/2002 NEW DUALBAND DCI FILTER NOW AVAILABLE.

IC-706MKIIG - Base/Mobile Transceiver

Ultra compact HF/6 meter/2 meter/440MHz transceiver. Built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processing) I RATE A10 too! The perfect rig for base OR mobile operations! This proven performer is the 3rd radio in our revolutionary 706 series. Click on the small image to get a large picture of the IC-706MKIIG. Specifications: Ultra Small: 6.6 (W) x 2.3 (H) x 7.9 (D), 5.5 lb Power output: HF + 6 Meter: 5-100 Watts (SSB/CW/FM/RTTY), 2-40 W (AM); 2 Meter: 2.5-50 Watts (SSB/CW/FM/RTTY), 2-20 W (AM); 440MHz - 2-20 Watts (SSB/CW/FM/RTTY), 2-8 W (AM) All Mode, including RTTY and PSK31 0.03 - 200 MHz Broadband All Mode Receive Detachable Control Panel/Display (optional equipment required for remote operation) I STILL NEED TO GET A REMOTE KIT AND WILL THEN ADD THAT TO THIS REVIEW. SSB/AM/CW Narrow Filter Options 2 Optional Crystal Filter Slots AF-DSP Tone Encode Tone Squelch GREAT FOR SIMPLEX OR FOR REPEATERS THAT HAVE A TONE ON THEM.  Tone Scan 102 Alphanumeric Memories (99 regular, 2 scan edges, 1 call) Access to RIT / Second VFO Individual Band Change Key Crossband Split Large Built-In Speaker Quiet Cooling Fan Noise Blanker IF Shift Interference Rejection Preamp/Attenuator THIS IS FANTASTIC I ESPECIALLY LIKE IT ON SSB. RATED 10 CW Keyer CW Pitch Control/Reverse Full Break-in (QSK) Speech Processor VOX I USE IT A LOT AND IT WORKS GREAT. RATED 10 SWR graphic sweep display (plot measurement) The IC-706MKIIG can measure SWR in 2 ways: spot measurement or plot measurement Graph the measurement on the display in bandwidths of 10 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, or 500 kHz. Plot measurement usable on ANT 1, HF/6 meter bands only Transmit Frequency Check LCD Display with 1 Hz Readout Easy-to-Use Scroll Menu System 2 Antenna Connectors (HF/VHF)  HF AND 6 METERS,  VHF AND UHF Durable, Continuous Duty Cycle Transmitter One Button Duplex and Auto Repeater Functions Backlit Keys for Better Nighttime Operation Voice Synthesizer (optional) VERY GOOD I LOVE IT. RATED 10 Matching Antenna Tuner (optional) 0.5 ppm Stability with High Stability Crystal (optional) CT-17 level converter for PC programming (optional) NEW! Optional RMK-706 remote mounting kit now available. Includes: I STILL NEED TO GET A REMOTE KIT AND WILL THEN ADD THAT TO THIS REVIEW. MB-62 mobile mounting bracket for the main unit MB-63 mobile mounting bracket for the detached front panel OPC-581 separation cable (11 ft)

 

IC-706MKIIG Specifications

This information is taken directly off of the ICOM IC-706MKIIG brochure.

General

Frequency Coverage: Receive: 0.030 - 199.999 MHz*, 400 - 470 MHz* Transmit: 1.8 - 1.999 MHz* 3.5 - 3.999 MHz* 7.0 - 7.300 MHz* 10.1 - 10.150 MHz 14.0 - 14.350 MHz 18.068 - 18.168 MHz 21.0 - 21.450 MHz 24.89 - 24.990 MHz 28.0 - 29.700 MHz 50.0 - 54.000 MHz* 144.0 - 148.000 MHz* 430.0 - 450.000 MHz* * Varies according to version Mode: USB, LSB, CW, RTTY (FSK), AM, FM, WFM (Rx only) Number of memory channels. : 107 (99 regular, 6 scan edges, 2 call channels) Antenna connector : SO-239x2 (for HF/50 MHz and 144/430 MHz)/50 ohms Power supply requirement: 13.8 V ± 15% (negative ground) Frequency stability: Less than ± 7ppm from 1 min. to 60 min. after power ON. After that rate of stability less than ± 1 ppm/hr. at +25 °C (+77°F). Temperature fluctuations 0°C to +50°C (+32°F to +122°F) less than ±5 ppm. Current drain: Transmit max. power 20 A; Receive standby 1.8 A, max. audio 2.0 A Usable temperature range : -10°C to 60°C (14°F to140°F) Dimensions (projections not included): 167(W) X 58(H) X 200(D) mm 6-9/16(W) X 2-9/32(H) X 7-7/8(D) in Weight: 2.45 kg (5 lb 6 oz) CI-V connector: 2 conductor, 3.5 (d) mm (1/8") ACC connector: 13 pin

Transmitter

Output power:   SSB/CW/RTTY/FM AM HF/50 MHz 5 - 100 W 2 - 40 W 144 MHz 2.5 - 50 W 2 - 20 W 440 MHz 2 - 20 W 2 - 8 W   Modulation system: SSB Balanced modulation AM Low level modulation FM Variable reactance modulation   Spurious emissions: Less than -60 dB (below 47.5 MHz: -50dB; 47.5 - 50 MHz: -50 to -60 dB; above 50 MHz: -60 dB) Carrier suppression: More than 40 dB Unwanted sideband: More than 50 dB Microphone connector: 8 pin modular jack (600 ohm KEY connector: 3-conductor 6.35 (d) mm (1/4") RTTY connector: 3-conductor 3.5 (d) mm (1/8")

Receiver

Receive system: SSB/CW/AM/WFM: Double superheterodyne FM : Triple superheterodyne Intermediate frequencies   1st 2nd 3rd SSB/AM-N/FM 69.0115 MHz 9.0115 MHz 0.455 kHz (FM only) CW 69.0106 9.0106 - RTTY 69.0105 MHz 9.0105 MHz - AM/FM-N 69.0100 MHz 9.0100 MHz 0.455 kHz (FM only) WFM 70.7000 MHz 10.7000 MHz -   Receive sensitivity (preamp on, except 4- - 4.5 and 8 - 9 MHz)   SSB/CW 10 dB S/N AM 10 dB S/N FM 12 dB SINAD WFM 12 dB SINAD 0.5 - 1.8 MHz - 13 µV - - 1.8 - 28 MHz 0.15 µV 2.0 µV - - 28 - 29.7 MHz 0.15 µV 2.0 µV 0.5 µV - 50 MHz band 0.12 µV 1.0 µV 0.25 µV - 76 - 108 MHz - - - 10.0 µV 144/440 MHz band 0.11 µV 1.0 µV 0.18 µV -   Squelch Sensitivity (threshold) SSB Less than 5.6 µV FM Less than 0.3 µV   Selectivity (normal setting) SSB, CW, RTTY More than 2.4 kHz/- 6 dB   Less than 4.8 kHz/ -60 dB AM/FM-N More than 8.0 kHz/-6 dB   Less than 30 kHz/-36 dB FM More than 12 kHz/-6 dB   Less than 30 kHz/-60 dB   Spurious and image rejection ratio: SSB/CW/AM - More than 70 dB Audio output power (at 13.8 V DC): More than 2.0 W at 10% distortion with an 8-ohm load RIT variable range +/-9.99 kHz PHONES connector: 3-conductor, 3.5 (d) mm (1/8")/8 ohms EXT SP connector: 2-conductor, 3.5 (d) mm (1/8")/8 ohms All stated specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

IC-706MKIIG Supplied Accessories

Hand microphone DC power cable Spare fuses RTTY key plug Electronic keyer plug ACC cable

IC-706MKIIG Options

IC-PW1 HF + 50 MHz 1 kW HF LINEAR AMPLIFIER Covers all HF and 50 MHz bands, provides clean, stable 1 kW output. Automatic antenna tuner and compact detachable controller are standard. 2 exciter inputs are available. (An optional OPC-599 is required.) AH-2b HF ANTENNA ELEMENT For mobile operation with the AH-4. All bands between 7 - 54 MHz can be matched. AH-4 HF+50 MHz AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER Covers 3.5 - 54 MHz with a 7 m (23 ft) or longer wire antenna. AT-180 HF +50 MHz AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER Style and size are matched to the IC-706MKIIG. PS-85 DC POWER SUPPLY Output: 13.8 V DC (20 A max.). MB-62 MOBILE MOUNTING BRACKET For mounting the IC-706MKIIG main unit or the AT-180 MB-63 MOBILE MOUNTING BRACKET For mounting the detached front panel. MB-65 MOUNTING BASE For mounting the detached front panel in a vehicle. The MB-63 is required. MB-72 CARRYING HANDLE Convenient for DX'peditions, operating in the field, etc. OPC-581/OPC-587 SEPARATION CABLES Provides separate operation. OPC-581: 3.5 m (11 ft); OPC-587: 5 m (16 ft) SM-8 DESKTOP MICROPHONE I USE THIS MIKE AT THE HAM SHACK.  SEE BELOW Equipped with 2 connection cables. (an optional OPC-599 is required.) SM-20 DESKTOP MICROPHONE High quality desktop microphone. (an optional OPC-599 is required.) SP-7 EXTERNAL SPEAKER Compact speaker for base station use. SP-10 EXTERNAL SPEAKER Heavy duty speaker for mobile use. SP-12 EXTERNAL SPEAKER Thin type speaker for mobile use. UT-106: Provides AF DSP functions such as noise reduction and auto notch. Built in to some versions [like USA and Canada].  STANDARD ON MY USA VERSION MKIIG. Filters: FL-100: 500 Hz/-6 dB (CW/RTTY nar.) FL-101: 250 Hz/-6 dB (CW nar.) FL-103: 2.8 kHz/-6 dB (SSB wide) FL-223: 1.9 kHz/-6 dB (SSB nar) FL-232: 350 Hz/-6 dB (RTTY/CW nar.) CR-282 HIGH STABILITY CRYSTAL UNIT CT-16 SATELLITE INTERFACE UNIT CT-17 CI-V LEVEL CONVERTER UT-102 VOICE SYNTHESIZER UNIT OPC-599 MODULAR 8-PIN CABLE ADAPTER I USE THIS WITH MY OPTIONAL SM-8 DESK MIKE SO I CAN RUN MY ICOM 736 WITH THE SAME MIKE AS THE SM-8 HANDLES 2 RADIO WITH JUST A FLIP OF THE SWITCH AND HAS INDIVIDUAL MIKE CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS FOR EACH RADIO. OPC-598 ACC 13 PIN CABLE FOR AT-180 OPC-599 ACC 13 PIN CABLE ADAPTER  REQUIRED FOR, IC-PW1 HF + 50 MHz 1 kW HF LINEAR AMPLIFIER. OPC-742 ACC 13 PIN CABLE  I NEED ONE OF THESE. ICOM FORGOT TO MENTION THE OPTIONAL HAND MIKE WITH KEYPAD, ITS IS A GREAT OPTION I LOVE MINE.

73  JIM, N0UQZ