Icom IC-718 Station Setup
- Thread starter lpt423
- Start date
- Status
sloop
Member
I used the following, you will have to look up current prices.
SEC1223 power supply
LDG Z-11 Pro tuner
Carolina window from BUXCOMM.com
I did use a random length long wire with a AH-4 tuner
The IC-718 is a great radio, I am getting ready to pass mine on to my son when he gets his license.
SEC1223 power supply
LDG Z-11 Pro tuner
Carolina window from BUXCOMM.com
I did use a random length long wire with a AH-4 tuner
The IC-718 is a great radio, I am getting ready to pass mine on to my son when he gets his license.
There are numerous resources available, including the ARRL Antenna Book, that will help you make the right decision. Those that have spent hours digesting the published material know that likely your best option for a multiband antenna will be a ladder line (or open wire line) dipole 1/2 wavelength high or higher on the lowest band you intend to work. Spend the trivial amount of money on the Antenna Book. The information is invaluable. There's a user here, KJ3N, who uses a ladder line fed dipole and works some outrageous entities that I have to use a beam to catch. Yes, location and height is a factor, but such antennas work well.
I've used SEC power supplies. They're small and lightweight and work well. I'm going on five years using one with meters. I think I spent $125.00 for it.
If you feel 100 watts is going to be your max for a while, MFJ, which may be of dubious quality, has plenty of tuner options for you to choose from which are relatively cheap. I spent $150.00 for a used MFJ 962C. Later, I spent $550.00 on a Palstar AT2K. The Palstar's quality is obvious over the MFJ, but they both do the same thing.
In terms of coax, I like to use DXEngineering RG213 or 400 max. It's not cheap, but it's quality.
Finally, ask yourself what you hope to achieve. If DX is your ambition and if you're location will permit it, a small 2 element beam will easily outperform any dipole or vertical you can erect. There are five band beams available for under $500.00.
You also may want to save for a while longer and look at something along the lines of a Yaesu FTDX 1200, Icom 7410, or even a Kenwood 480SAT over the Icom 718. I believe the 718 is getting a little long in the tooh.
I've used SEC power supplies. They're small and lightweight and work well. I'm going on five years using one with meters. I think I spent $125.00 for it.
If you feel 100 watts is going to be your max for a while, MFJ, which may be of dubious quality, has plenty of tuner options for you to choose from which are relatively cheap. I spent $150.00 for a used MFJ 962C. Later, I spent $550.00 on a Palstar AT2K. The Palstar's quality is obvious over the MFJ, but they both do the same thing.
In terms of coax, I like to use DXEngineering RG213 or 400 max. It's not cheap, but it's quality.
Finally, ask yourself what you hope to achieve. If DX is your ambition and if you're location will permit it, a small 2 element beam will easily outperform any dipole or vertical you can erect. There are five band beams available for under $500.00.
You also may want to save for a while longer and look at something along the lines of a Yaesu FTDX 1200, Icom 7410, or even a Kenwood 480SAT over the Icom 718. I believe the 718 is getting a little long in the tooh.
For wire antennas, you can save considerably by building your own. The G5RV is a good old standby. There's also the ZS6BKW which is supposed to be a improvement on the G5RV. You can find plans for these all over the internet. And, like chrissm points out, the ARRL antenna book is a valuable resource too.
I've never used SEC power supplies, but I've never heard anything bad about them. I've been using an Alinco DM-330MVT switching supply for the last 5 years. It has performed well and I've never had any problems with switching supply noise. It's been replaced with the DM-330FXT model. I think they go for about $160
For HF, I just use good old RG8/U foam. I got a deal on a several hundred foot roll about 15 years ago and I drag it out when I want to add or change antennas. I don't have any runs more than 60 feet so loss isn't that big a concern at HF frequencies.
I've never used SEC power supplies, but I've never heard anything bad about them. I've been using an Alinco DM-330MVT switching supply for the last 5 years. It has performed well and I've never had any problems with switching supply noise. It's been replaced with the DM-330FXT model. I think they go for about $160
For HF, I just use good old RG8/U foam. I got a deal on a several hundred foot roll about 15 years ago and I drag it out when I want to add or change antennas. I don't have any runs more than 60 feet so loss isn't that big a concern at HF frequencies.
WB3GRC
Member
Icom 718
I currently run ( 2 ) 718's .. one dedicated for digital, and the other for cw, and voice.. I run a G5RV dipole, with an mfj-945e tuner, but as always, individually cut dipoles are much better IF you have the room to hang them. plus they are very inexpensive to make yourself. If you buy a switching power supply, they are much cheaper, and I have tried many with no problems, make sure it will go to minimum 20 amps. I also run Icom 746 and a 746 PRO, with 2 butternut verticals, 6 meter and 2 meter beams for sideband, and a home made 436 for satellite work, along with various other vertical antennas for 6 and 2/440. $ 800 is more than enough to get you started with a 718..
I currently run ( 2 ) 718's .. one dedicated for digital, and the other for cw, and voice.. I run a G5RV dipole, with an mfj-945e tuner, but as always, individually cut dipoles are much better IF you have the room to hang them. plus they are very inexpensive to make yourself. If you buy a switching power supply, they are much cheaper, and I have tried many with no problems, make sure it will go to minimum 20 amps. I also run Icom 746 and a 746 PRO, with 2 butternut verticals, 6 meter and 2 meter beams for sideband, and a home made 436 for satellite work, along with various other vertical antennas for 6 and 2/440. $ 800 is more than enough to get you started with a 718..
TheSpaceMann
Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 1,336
- Reaction score
- 36
I agree! Get a Jetstream or an MFJ switching power supply for under $100, an LDG IT-100 tuner for around $170, and just build your own wire antennas!!! 
I agree! Get a Jetstream or an MFJ switching power supply for under $100, an LDG IT-100 tuner for around $170, and just build your own wire antennas!!!
Definitely getting an MFJ power supply, no doubt about that. And the LDG IT-100 seems simple enough to operate. You literally press a button lol
TheSpaceMann
Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
- Messages
- 1,336
- Reaction score
- 36
Very simple! If you've got some room you can put up some really inexpensive wire antennas, and you'll be on the air in no time! That 718 is a heck of a rig for the money, and many hams swear by them. Just check the reviews for the IC-718 on eHam.net Home - Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Community Site
- Status
Similar threads
