Info on ICOM IC-740
Bruce Pea
me a few weeks ago. I've been looking at some old issues of
73 Mag, QST, and Amateur Radio and I don't see it advertised
in any of the ads. Must not be looking far enough back...
Anyway, whats the low down on this rig? Is it a good one, did
people have problems with it, how do you like yours???
Thanks -
Bruce
joseph m. grib, jr
Bruce,
The Icom 740 was one of the last "ham bands only" rigs that Icom offered during
the mid 70's. It was the predicessor to the IC-745 (which was the same basic
rig but with a general coverage receiver installed). The rig I have is loaded
with all the options, and I like it a lot, especially the filtering and the
PBT/IF shift. The rig I have also has the internal power supply installed which
makes it one neat package. I've had a lot of the other rigs on the market on
and off, and think that it's a good one, the only thing(s) that it doesn't have
available are AM operation, and memories, but overall, I think it's a real good
rig for general operating, DX'ing and contesting. One other thing you should
know is that the SWR protection circuit does roll back the power pretty quickly
if the SWR gets much above 1:5/1, so you may want to keep a tuner in line with
the rig.
Good Luck,
Joe
Rajiv Dewan
>Can anyone tell me about the ICOM IC-740? One was given to
>me a few weeks ago. I've been looking at some old issues of
>73 Mag, QST, and Amateur Radio and I don't see it advertised
>in any of the ads. Must not be looking far enough back...
Sold for a brief period in 1982-1983. It was reviewed in QST 9/83.
>
>Anyway, whats the low down on this rig? Is it a good one, did
>people have problems with it, how do you like yours???
>
It is a very nice radio. It has a good receiver with MDS of -141dbm
and DR of 125db on the 20m band. It is a very compact rig.
I think that it is a better buy at $450 than some of the low end hf rigs
on the market now. Many options such as 270Hz filter, keyer etc
(other than 500Hz filter and internal ps) are still available from dealers.
I owned one for a few months. I upgraded to a Kenwood TS850s. I know of
few hams who still use one and like it.
Rajiv
aa9ch
r-d...@nwu.edu
Ted Morris
Mine has both of the CW filters which makes even field day manageable
(!). The only thing other IC-740 owners and I have complained about is
the receive audio--a bit bassy w/not enough highs. We usually listen
with the PBT/IF Shift tweaked just a -smidge- off center to make the
audio a little more readable (It can't be my aging ears...).
I've just picked up the electronic keyer for it but haven't installed
it; next shopping trip to the candy store (R&L in Hamilton, OH) will be
for the FM unit for 10M. The only other thing I could want would be a
narrower filter for SSB, but I have the impression (if wrong, netters,
please correct me!) that if you have both CW filters you only get one
SSB filter, and vice versa--so I've opted for the 2 CW filters vs. 2 SSB
filters.
I miss my TenTec Triton 2 but I really enjoy the additional flexibility
of the IC-740 (notch, pbt/if shift, two VFOs, etc.). Oh yeah, mine has
the internal pwr supply option already installed, too, for 110V
operation.
Enjoy!
Theodore Allan (Ted) Morris, University of Cincinnati Medical Center,
513-558-0177V, -2682F, MOR...@UCUNIX.SAN.UC.EDU, MORR...@UC.EDU, WB8VNV
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