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Message |
    
Stogie
Member
Username: Stogie
Post Number: 55
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 3:07 pm: | 
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Getting my TECH soon, which radio would be best as both seem to run about the same price used?Thanks,
Richard
CEF 345 Stogie |
Nobodyknows
Intermediate Member
Username: Nobodyknows
Post Number: 163
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 11:51 pm: |
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Might check out user reviews on Eham before you choose one. I haven't owned either brand but what i've heard is Yeasu isn't what it used to be. Users give ICOM praises.
I'm looking for a rig something like what you have your eye on, Or a older Kenwood. Not 100% sure yet on if I can muster up the money for a new rig. ICOM or Kenwood is how i plan on going. No on a Yaesu, i've read too much negative. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4149
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 6:42 am: |
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OK I OWN A BUNCH OF HAM RADIOS ......
IC-706 mk2g LOVE MINE ..... DRAWBACK high price
FT-897 I have the INFAMOUS FT-100d how ever I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THE 897 VERY GOOD RADIO AND $200 less than 706.
RIGS TO AVOID THE FT-100. FT-817 and some YAESU and ICOM high end radios have been problems...
ATLAS ( out of production ), CLEGG ANY CLEGG !!!, So called " vintage sets " like SX-101, HT-37 and most tube boat ankers.
And any other pre 1980 like FT-101 sets because they have no WARC bands ( 17 and 12 meters )and parts are hard to get.
RIGS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME ....
The ALINCO DX-77 ( hf only ) DX-70 and 70 TH ( they have no DSP ), other wise nice radios and cover 6 meters.
FT-840 ( FT-747 ), ft-620 ( 6 ONLY ), IC-706 later ones MK( **) not IC-706 since early 706's are getting OLD
Most Kenwoods ( older ones are good radios but may not have WARC BANDS ) I'm not a kenwood fan but I just bought a TS-2000 and have owned a TS-830,TS-700 and TS-520 years ago.....
HT'S ... MOST HT's are fine .....
( EVEN USED OLD ONES BUT MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A CTCSS BOARD )
ICOM's IC2-" sporter " sell for under 100 bucks but are discontinued Yaesu has a VX-2 very small 1 watt 2/440 ALINCO DJ-195, 196 and 190 are common. ICOM and Kenwood also have simular radios and ALL seem to stand up just fine... Take your pick!
DRAWBACK ..... COST OF BATTERYS ....... short range. |
Chad
Senior Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 1194
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 9:23 am: |
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The 857D is the same radio but only in a smaller more condensed chassis, The display is smaller too...... So is the price tag  The 857D is missing the TXCO which can be purchased as an option for about 100 bucks. (stocking stuffer, Hint, Hint)
I love my 857D, Several on here have them so if you have questions, fire away.
If you don't mind small, don't need to go with batteries then I would save a few bucks and get the 857D and a decent power supply. The MH59 remote mic is handy to have too!
Chad |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4150
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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Your correct I was thinking of a 857 is 700 bucks |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3341
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 6:21 pm: |
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i just bought a used ic706mkIIg from a ham store, even after reading the reviews of both the 706 & 897 on e-ham. i had the (dis)pleasure of using an alinco dx70th, so that was out, the ft100, well....out, too. i figured the 706 has been around so long, i've heard plenty of them, & the 897 has NOT been around so long, so....i went 706. have made a few Es contacts to SC & Fl, & all local reports give it an excellent signal/audio report-all on a single ku4ab loop. receive is far better then my rci5054, & noticeably better then my ic551d as well. is the 897 'better'? not a clue, but i doubt there could be THAT MUCH of a difference. i LOVE my mkIIg  |
Chad
Senior Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 1196
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 2:22 am: |
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I looked VERY closely at The 706IIG and decided on the 857D. Price was one factor (I bought new) Then I used both. The 857 seemed more fluid for me although it has a LESS informative display. I also have an analog meter on mine (x-tra 50 bucks)
So far so good. The learning curve is ot that bad and it sounds great from the reports. there are mods. And lots of options.
I'd read the reviews and look at YOUR future use of the radio, it's a good chunk of change |
Stogie
Member
Username: Stogie
Post Number: 57
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 3:17 pm: |
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Thanks for all the advice, I guess both are very similar in performance with the IC being less menu driven. Guess it will boil down to what I can find used at what price, though I'm leaning towards the 706 |
Starface
Advanced Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 863
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 5:13 pm: |
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good choice Stogie and can't wait to work you on 2m as we are close enough to hit a few repeater's in the area
Starface
CEF476
KI4NBE |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4153
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 9:55 pm: |
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when you get set up look for me on 6 and 2 meters |
Stogie
Member
Username: Stogie
Post Number: 58
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:32 pm: |
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Well, I bit the bullet and purchase the following today: ICOM 1C-706MKIIG TRANSCEIVER, MB-62 MOBILE MOUNTING BRACKET, MB-63 MOUNTING BRACKET, OPC-581 SEPARATION CABLE, DIAMOND MX-62M DUPLEXER, CQ5M QUICK DISCONNECT TRUNK MOUNT, YEASU ATAS-100 ACTIVE TUNING ANTENNA SYSTEM, AM-COM ATAS-100 CONTROLLER, BETTER RF 706 TUNE CONTROL, HEIL HS-706 HEADSET
Hopeit matches up well. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3353
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
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there were at least a couple rci5054dx's on auction over the weekend, steve....as well as an ic551 & 551d, an ft690, etc.... |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 611
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006 - 7:11 pm: |
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Well I miss the 706 I sold to pay Immigration Fees. |
Phineas
Member
Username: Phineas
Post Number: 51
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 12:02 pm: |
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Here is MY rule of thumb.
Yeasu is a good radio brand, but is geared toward channelized operation. In other words, it is easier to use if you have pre-programmed frequencies in it, or use it with a computer interface like HamRadio Express. However, if you like to tweek this radio while driving, it can give oyu a little trouble. Unless you are familiar with Yeasu radios. The up side is that the Yeasu is a superior radio over all to most Icoms
Icoms are definitely more user friendly, and easier to operate. The 706 has a nice size display, everything is easy to see and operate while driving. All of the ICOM HTs have a trade mark of being able to do every function with one hand!
In my opinion, the Yeasu 897 is a better overall radio, with WAY more features than the Icom 706. However the Icom 706 WAY is easier to operate. In the end, both will make contacts, so it is really down to a matter of preference!. I have owned both.
Phineas
K0KMA |
Chad
Senior Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 1202
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
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I think my 857 is pretty easy to work. I had it down in just a couple sessions with it. This can also be attributed to Yaesu's EXCELLENT manual writing! And possibly the fact that it's my first radio of this caliber.
Chad |
Mikefromms
Senior Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 1018
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 11:02 pm: |
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Chad, I bought a 857d about a month ago, and all I can say is why haven't I bought one sooner? What a great radio! Got mine for $689 with no shipping charges nor taxes! I don't think it needs a thing. I should have bought one of these 5 years ago (if they were around) did the mars/cap and it could have been my everything radio. I can't say enough about this fine little radio. Also own 897d. Fine radio as well, but would have been as well off with the 857d even in the house
Mikefromms |
Mikefromms
Senior Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 1020
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 9:15 pm: |
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I still say the 857d is the best thing going. Who needs to buy a cb radio when you can buy this radio and have it opened up and have it all? How about get your ham license later on? You can get the analog meter that plugged in to it. It can be the everything radio for under $700. IF I had it all to do over, this is what I would do.
Mikefromms |
Allagator
Advanced Member
Username: Allagator
Post Number: 790
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 4:40 pm: |
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Hey Bruce i like my FT-100 the only thing im having problems is my power supply is not big enough to run it full power ! on 6 meter (100watts) but other than that no problems at all !!!!!! oh i forgot about one ! my wife dont like it on all night ! LOL
Allagator
CEF115
CEF Ham 250
KC9OKX |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4908
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 8:03 pm: |
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Allagator
The ft-100 is a GREAT radio however with a 90% failure rate of the VHF/UHF finals is not a good buy for most people
IF YOU USE IT ON 2 OR 440 HOLD THE POWER DOWN TO NO MORE THAN 50% !
On 6 since 66
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