Icom: Multiple Transceiver Purchase Discount?

[MDScanFan]

I like your zeal, but let’s keep in mind the OP does not have a ham license. In this situation it seems extreme (to me) to go out and buy a 7610 and 9700, and 705. Sure it could be done but given the OP was talking about a discount then I assume money and value are important considerations.

Let’s step back for a second, what antennas does the OP have or plan to have? For instance, if he has a long wire for HF and a dual band whip in the attic for VHF/UHF, then those radios are likely complete overkill.

If you want the very best VHF/UHF ham transceiver ever produced get the Icom 9700. The 7300 is an entry level HF transceiver but its got really good performance and nobody would be unhappy with one. The 7610 is many steps up in features and improved performance putting it in the contest grade category. The 705 is a shack in a box QRP rig that has good performance but I don't think anyone is going to call it a contest radio.

So what do you want your shack to be, a top of the line station that you really deserve or a just a cute little station that works ok? You can always get, and should get a 705 at some point just to play with.

 

[K9DWB]

We should title @prcguy as an Icom showroom.
Just my opinion, but if the OP is going to get a ham license, I'd lean towards a transceiver. Then again, if you want to cover all bases, just buy one of each radio discussed. That way you don't have to labor over hard decisions, just get one of every one in stock.

 

[iMONITOR]

Now I'm really confused and indeciseve

I like your zeal, but let’s keep in mind the OP does not have a ham license. In this situation it seems extreme (to me) to go out and buy a 7610 and 9700, and 705. Sure it could be done but given the OP was talking about a discount then I assume money and value are important considerations.

Let’s step back for a second, what antennas does the OP have or plan to have? For instance, if he has a long wire for HF and a dual band whip in the attic for VHF/UHF, then those radios are likely complete overkill.

I've been using amateur transceivers for receivers since for about 40 years. They are typically much higher quailty with features not found in most receivers.

 

[MDScanFan]

I get that, and I do the same, but I am just trying to get across that the reception benefit of going to a 7610/9700 vs say a 7300, 705, or something similar is likely minimal for the average user with an average antenna setup. I don’t know what your situation is but for me I would not benefit from the 7610/9700 capabilities. They do have a high coolness factor though, I will give you that

I've been using amateur transceivers for receivers since for about 40 years. They are typically much higher quailty with features not found in most receivers.

 

[iMONITOR]

I ended up ordering a new IC-R8600 today! I think my interest will be best served by that. Thanks everyone for all the good advice and causing me to pause and think it over.

 

[KE5MC]

I had to look that model up on the Universal Radio website, very nice radio. So... what's keeping you company on the front porch while you wait for the delivery?

 

[N4KVE]

I had to look that model up on the Universal Radio website, very nice radio. So... what's keeping you company on the front porch while you wait for the delivery?

Hopefully a vicious pit bull, to take care of the porch pirates.

 

[spanky15805]

Whats wrong with the ICOM 7100?

 

[prcguy]

Was someone complaining about the 7100? Its a good little radio and a great value but its a shack in the box and not in the same league as the other radios being discussed. Mine are all wired up with RemoteRig boxes and two are spread across the country remote controlled. The 7100 is probably the best radio for this purpose but I like the big color displays and performance of the 7300, 7610 and 9700 for base station use plus the extreme portability of the new 705.

Whats wrong with the ICOM 7100?

 

[bearcatrp]

Congrats iMonitor on getting the 8600. If I had the bucks, would have purchased the 8600 instead of the 705. No regrets though. Am enjoying every minute on the 705. You will have to tell us how you like it after a few weeks of use.

 

[palmerjrusa]

The IC-7300 is good but I think you should get the IC-7610 instead. That would make for a bad a$$ HF through 23cm station and both radios can be remote controlled via the Icom RS-BA1 software without a host computer where the 7300 would need a dedicated computer to run through.

As for a discount just call a few dealers and throw the question out. I've had several dealers give a discount when I asked and some that said take a hike. The last radio I bought (IC-705) had no discount available from anyone so I called around and found a dealer that did not have to charge sales tax and they had free shipping (thanks Universal Radio!) If nobody will give you a discount at least find a dealer that does not have to charge you sales tax.

I thought they all had to charge sales tax now due to new legislation being passed.
A little while back I always tried to avoid sales tax but find that impossible now.

I know Icom set retail prices but just noticed the Icom LC-192 backpack for the IC-705 is selling for $119.95 at Gigaparts, $50 dollars lower than a few days ago and just too late to save me $50 bucks = mine arrived a few days ago.

 

[palmerjrusa]

I ended up ordering a new IC-R8600 today! I think my interest will be best served by that. Thanks everyone for all the good advice and causing me to pause and think it over.

You'll have a blast with your IC-R8600, its an incredible receiver.
Icom have really been hitting it out the ballpark these past few years.

 

[iMONITOR]

You'll have a blast with your IC-R8600, its an incredible receiver.
Icom have really been hitting it out the ballpark these past few years.

The fun already started! But I need to get at least three antennas on the roof in the spring! I'm too old to get on the roof but I have a fireman buddy who does roofing on the side and he offered to put them up for me. I'll preasemble every thing on the ground and he'll just have to pull them up with a rope and mount them. I was going to do it last summer but I just had a new roof installed and I didn't want to poke holes in it.

 

[MDScanFan]

I noticed you put the 8600 up for sale. Mind if I ask why you decided to part with it?

The fun already started! But I need to get at least three antennas on the roof in the spring! I'm too old to get on the roof but I have a fireman buddy who does roofing on the side and he offered to put them up for me. I'll preasemble every thing on the ground and he'll just have to pull them up with a rope and mount them. I was going to do it last summer but I just had a new roof installed and I didn't want to poke holes in it.

 

[iMONITOR]

I noticed you put the 8600 up for sale. Mind if I ask why you decided to part with it?

It was a little overwhelming for me right now.