I traded in my larger radios( IC746/older non-PRO version) & the 1st transceiver I bought brand new (a Kenwood TS-450at)
for an ICOM 7000.
I liked it's compact size, the DSP filtering features, receiver specs., the fact I could use HAM Radio Deluxe to
control it and the control display features.
A side on the 'display features' my eyesight is not to good when it comes to small lettering. The IC-7000 has
the ability to output a standard NTSC video that any newer TV with the yellow RCA video input female connector can display
a rather impressive copy of the frequency and control display. This is a big plus for us 'coke bottle' eyeglass
users...Hi!
This is a menu driven radio. I read alot of negative comments about menu driven radios, which now adays most transceivers
have become with the marriage of the micrprocessor and Ham-radio.
I, also own an older Yeasu FT857, another compact radio. I found the ICOM-7000's menu easier to use than
the Yeasu. there was a little bit of a learning curve. But, with the help of a quick reference chart, that was included & nicely
printed on some durable paper stock , I found in a couple days of operation the menu operations were
a breeze. It seemed that Yeasu's menus didn't quite stick in the 'old bean' as easily.
Some problems have been noted by other users that can be refered to at the YAHOO GROUPS sites for the IC-7000.
The most disturbing was that the driver board's FETs would get extreemly hot and smoke the board. Apparently this has
happenened to several operators, as documented at the group sites I mentioned above. The common problem that is causing this
id the lack of "HEAT SINK COMPOUND" between the FET's and their heatsink. So, heat transfer can't keep up with component heat
output during transmit. There is a handi temperature guage graphic at the lower right hand cornor of the LCD display. I have
no problem wth heat but after reading about this problem I did put the tranceiver near a fan that blows directly on to the
chassis. I use a seperation kit with the display on my desk and the chassis down near the floor with the fan blowing toward
it. So far, problem solved. I haven't heard any remarks that ICOM was going to fix this or recall any of their product.
If your interested in my setup check out the NW3N HAMSHACK WEBPAGE!
More comments later...73!!
