IC-706MKIIG 
Product Details
Compact HF/6 meter/2 meter/440MHz transceiver with built-in DSP. Useful as base or mobile operations.
6.6 (W) x 2.3 (H) x 7.9 (D), 5.5 lb
Product Ratings
- Mechanical design and durability
- 80%
- Performance
- 80%
- User Interface
- 60%
- Overall Value
- 80%
Product Details
- Power rating in Watts
- 100
The Icom IC-706MKIIG has been a solid mobile rig for me for the past few years. I have worked a lot of DX on SSB using this rig and even occasionally some CW and RTTY. Virtually all of my operation with this radio was on HF, but I did use it a time or two on VHF FM.
It was installed first in my Dodge Intrepid and is now in my Toyota Camry. The remote head is small enough that you can work it into about any dash configuration. The rig is very reliable and mine has been bounced around and used at temperature extremes (in Iowa that means very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter).
About the only downside is the menu system that must be used is somewhat clumsy. While I am relatively technical, my dad also has the IC-706MKIIG and struggled with the menu system. He has resorted to buying a laminated mini-manual for the 706. The bottom line here is that if you do not need to do any complicated functions, you will not have any troubles with radio. If you are somewhat techie, like myself, you will pick up the menu system in very little time.
However, if you are not a techie and want to operate somewhat complicated functions frequently, you may be frustrated with the limitations of the user interface (menus) of this radio. For example, if you struggle with PCs at home and will want to use this radio to operate split, switch filters in and out, etc., this may not be the radio for you. It looks as if Icom has learned a lot over the years and the IC-7000 seems to have improved the user interface quite a bit.
The DSP is decent considering the time it was made (more advanced IF-DSP mobile rigs like the IC-7000 are now available). It's good to see that Icom used standard filter modules for the 706 series.
Overall though, for the money this is a very good ham radio transceiver.
It was installed first in my Dodge Intrepid and is now in my Toyota Camry. The remote head is small enough that you can work it into about any dash configuration. The rig is very reliable and mine has been bounced around and used at temperature extremes (in Iowa that means very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter).
About the only downside is the menu system that must be used is somewhat clumsy. While I am relatively technical, my dad also has the IC-706MKIIG and struggled with the menu system. He has resorted to buying a laminated mini-manual for the 706. The bottom line here is that if you do not need to do any complicated functions, you will not have any troubles with radio. If you are somewhat techie, like myself, you will pick up the menu system in very little time.
However, if you are not a techie and want to operate somewhat complicated functions frequently, you may be frustrated with the limitations of the user interface (menus) of this radio. For example, if you struggle with PCs at home and will want to use this radio to operate split, switch filters in and out, etc., this may not be the radio for you. It looks as if Icom has learned a lot over the years and the IC-7000 seems to have improved the user interface quite a bit.
The DSP is decent considering the time it was made (more advanced IF-DSP mobile rigs like the IC-7000 are now available). It's good to see that Icom used standard filter modules for the 706 series.
Overall though, for the money this is a very good ham radio transceiver.
Review Ratings
- Mechanical design and durability
-
- Performance
-
- User Interface
-
- Overall Value
-