2Greedy
Freebander
Registered: 05-2015
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 37
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ICOM IC718
Hi guy's just a quick review of the ICOM IC718 that i have just bought.
I have found the radio to be quiet pleasant to look at and nicely sized, while i have heard rumors that they tend to have low power issues iv'e yet to get the gear to confirm this.
The first thing i did notice is the NB...which it's level can be adjusted via the VFO Dial, i currently have mine set at 30 but if you go any higher it starts to garble the received audio, and sounds quiet horrible really.
Another downfall is it's only the Americans that can buy this unit with DSP unit fitted, anywhere else and it's about $120 AUD which i think is a bit bloody rude.
The radio is controlled by internal menu's which can be a pain at times if you need those settings quickly, RF power/Mic gain etc...and there is another menu system that can only be accessed by holding ch up/dwn buttons at start up.
I have had good on air reports but really havn't had the chance to put it fully through it's paces as i only have a carolina windom antenna about 10 feet above the ground.
The sensitivity of the radio seems really good, what on air audio reports i have had have been good.
All in all quiet a good little radio with the price tag of $670 AUD, a good starter for someone on a tight budget, the MARS or extended TX mod is quiet easy as it's only a matter or removing a diode behind the front face plate, which will then give 1.8 - 30MHZ.
I hope my early review will help you in choosing the radio and as i learn more about this rig i will update the post as needed.
73' 43FB288 
Last edited by 2Greedy, 24/Jun/2015, 2:16 am
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43~FB~288
FREE BANDING! where limitations take a back seat!
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24/Jun/2015, 2:09 am
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mikecharlie
Freebander
Registered: 03-2015
Posts: 34
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Re: ICOM IC718
This was my first ever proper hf rig.
ive always liked them and have always recomended them to people coming into the hobby.
i used mine for a time with an mfj atu, up until i got a radio with an auto atu.
I like how the speaker is in the front, directing the audio towards the operator and not the desk or the ceiling.
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25/Jun/2015, 10:23 pm
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porky69
DX-pert
Registered: 04-2008
Location: usb & lsb
Posts: 774
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Re: ICOM IC718
fantastic radio for a newbie to the world of ham radio 
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4/Nov/2015, 8:29 pm
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mslisaj
New Kid On The Block
Registered: 11-2015
Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Posts: 6
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Re: ICOM IC718
My first HF rig too. Found the diode to open in up but scared to remove it as I have heard pro's and con's on how it effects the radio. But ti's certainly a talker and I am very pleased and it worked good right out of the box.
Lisa
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13/Jan/2016, 5:09 am
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