MY THOUGHTS ON THE IC-7000

One of the other big changes is the microphone.  It has a whole lot of controls on it that make mobiling a breeze.  Curiously, Icom left off DTMF functionality which at first seems like a major oversight.  However, I bought the optional DTMF mic for my 706 and never used it.  Not once.  In the past, auto-patch was the main need, but today, control of internet-linked repeaters is probably more popular.  In any case, they did provide a way to store commands in memory, but it's a cumbersome task at best to use it regularly.  The optional HM-154T DTMF mic can be used with the 7000 if you're a user that needs it.  I think they know that a vast majority of users don't use DTMF and the ones that do will be willing to part with the $60 for the optional mic (even though you lose the remote control functionality).  Also, there have been random instances of poor audio quality (too low, muffled, etc.).  When I first got mine, people knew that I had changed radios (I used a 706MKIIG previously) -- this was on 2m FM.  On HF, I got good reports.  From what I can tell, mine sounds different, not bad.  I have plenty of audio and the reports have been along the lines of "So THAT'S the IC-7000 I've been hearing about -- sounds good!".  I have no complaints, but there is a gentleman (Bob Nagy, AB5N) that offers to modify the 7000 mic for a reasonable fee if you care to indulge.  People that have had it done say it works well, but I have yet to hear a before & after audio clip.  If anyone has some audio clips of their 7000 before & after, I'd love to hear them!  Drop me an email if you have any.

You can't get into a discussion of this radio without talking about its dual-DSP capability.  It shares technology with Icom's "big" radios, and it shows.  While not a top of the line contest rig, it will hold its own when the going gets tough.  The RX filtering scheme is directly related to the 756PROs, and it even has customizable transmit BW settings like the PROs, including soft & sharp filter shaping.  It's really a pleasure to have big-rig filtering capabilities in a mobile.  Of course, it has all the DSP capabilities you'd expect, auto-notch, noise reduction, and I already mentioned the variable receive bandwidth.  It also includes dual-manual-notches -- nice touch.

The color display is absolutely stunning.  It's extremely crisp & clear to the point you almost forget you're looking at a digital display.  As I mentioned, the display does more than just look pretty.  It allows subtle things to be shown that really aid in visibility over a standard LCD.  All that helps you comprehend what's going on maybe a bit more quickly.  The color display also allows for full-color video, which when the TV mod is done (see below), allows for VHF TV reception.  I originally thought it would just be cool to have TV reception, but we had some severe weather right after I got the rig, and the ability to watch the local weather live while out & about was very handy.  I imagine a storm spotter would find that very valuable.  There is also a video output jack on the back of the rig which can drive an external LCD.

IC-7000 LINKS