Lou,
You won't need the QSY-er since the R75 has its own keyboard. I thought
about getting the 706 because of its size, but changed my mind when I found
out how the menus were set up. I don't like having to dig through menus to
do simple things like setting the mic gain or adjusting the power level.
While it's true that the 480 does both of these things with menus, they're
very easy to get to, and the speech speaks the values.
I think I'd opt for the 3.8KHz filter, and get the sync mod at the same
time. I might even get the audio mod, but I don't think I'd want the mod
that compromises the wide-band FM. I'm not even totally sure about the sync
mod because I understand there's a Rado kit which may actually have a more
complete modification. Then again, if you can't get anyone to install the
kit, you might have to go with the Kiwa mods. If you decide to get the R75,
you might consider running it unmodified to see if you like it. No sense in
spending money if you don't have to. I've had mine for two years, and I
still haven't sent it out to be modified, even though I don't like the way
the sync detection works (or rather doesn't work). You're right, though,
nothing is simple.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 17:38
Subject: Re: Question on Icom R75 Receiver
> Hi Steve.
>
> It does seem like Icom has a way to go on the software control of their
> radios, at least based on my experiences with the IC706MKIIG.
>
> I don't know if you are familiar with how the menus are set up on the
'706,
> but I'm wondering if the interface is similar. I also wonder if the
> Millenium QSYer can be made to do frequency entry on that radio. Of
> course, I say that without having ever seen the radio, so maybe it already
> has that capability and adding the QSYer is unnecessary.
>
> Definitely, controlling the filters is one of the things I would
absolutely
> want to do. My thinking is to get a wide SSB filter to use both on SSB
> when band conditions aren't crowded and when trying to do DXing in the AM
> band. I am debating between getting the Icom 3.3 kHz filter for that
> purpose, and sending the radio to Washington for the 3.8 kHz filter and
> mods that Russ told me about.
>
> Nothing is ever simple these days...
>
> 73, de Lou K2LKK
>
>
>
> At 10:12 AM 12/22/2006 -0500, you wrote:
> >Lou,
> >
> >Actually, there are two sets of menus. I don't remember all the
functions
> >of the main menu, but one of them was the ability to control the behavior
of
> >the squelch/RF gain control. You can also change the language of the
voice
> >chip, as well as its speed, although the speed can only be slowed down,
and
> >it's already pretty slow. You can also choose which items are read, but
> >you'll probably want to hear them all. I think you can also set various
> >communication parameters, including the CIV address of the radio.
> >
> >The other menu is more important because it controls the various
> >permutations of filter and PBT settings. I've played around with it, and
> >come up with some acceptable combinations, but I don't really have a good
> >handle on what can be changed. I would probably set it and forget it if
I
> >could get someone to help me figure out exactly what I'm doing.
> >
> >I don't know if software will let you set menu options, but it would
> >certainly be nice if it did. I think Icom has some software for
controlling
> >the radio, and there are differing opinions on how good it is. Some
people
> >seem to like Ham Radio Deluxe, which seems to have more features than I
> >think I'd use, but I still don't know if it will allow you to set menu
> >options.
> >
> >Steve
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 00:53
> >Subject: Re: Question on Icom R75 Receiver
> >
> >
> > > Hi Steve.
> > >
> > > What types of things would you need to go into the menus for? If it
is a
> > > "set and forget" situation, I can probably live with it. Or, if there
is
> > > software that allows one to set it up, then it would probably be ok.
> > >
> > > 73, de Lou K2LKK
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > At 10:46 AM 12/21/2006 -0500, you wrote:
> > > >Lou,
> > > >
> > > >You can also use the 2.4KHz filter for AM. In addition to the
filters,
> >you
> > > >can also use the two PBT controls to get rid of unwanted QRM.
> > > >
> > > >With the voice chip installed, you can hear frequency readout, mode,
> >signal
> > > >strength, and the clock. Unfortunately, none of the menus speak, and
> >unlike
> > > >Kenwood equipment, there is no indication of where you are in the
menus.
> >On
> > > >the bright side, you start at the first menu item each time you enter
the
> > > >menus, so you can count. It's not ideal, but the receiver is so good
> >that
> > > >I'm willing to live with the inconveniences. The synchronous
detection
> >is a
> > > >disappointment, although I understand that there are mods from Kiwa
> > > >Electronics and others to make it much better. I haven't done the
mods
> >yet,
> > > >but I still think about it.
> > > >
> > > >Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll be happy to
answer
> > > >them if I can.
> > > >
> > > >Steve
> > > >
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 22:27
> > > >Subject: Question on Icom R75 Receiver
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hi.
> > > > >
> > > > > I am contemplating possibly buying the Icom R75 receiver and
selling
> >my
> > > >old
> > > > > Drake R8A receiver. My question is "does Icom make any provisions
to
> >use
> > > > > any other filter on AM than the stock 6kHz filter? I often like
to
> >stick
> > > >a
> > > > > tighter filter in when I am doing medium wave DXing. Also, what
are
> >your
> > > > > impressions of the noise blanker. Is the level adjustable?
> > > > >
> > > > > The write up on Universal's web site looked pretty nice but then
> > > > > advertisements often tell a very different story than actual
> >experience
> > > > > does. I'm looking for some good critical feedback on how good or
bad
> >this
> > > > > receiver is.
> > > > >
> > > > > Is it reasonably blind friendly? Has anyone done computer control
> >with
> > > >it?
> > > > >
> > > > > 73, de Lou K2LKK
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Louis Kim Kline
> > > > > A.R.S. K2LKK
> > > > > Home e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > > > > Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > > > > Work Telephone: (585) 697-5753
> > > > >
> > >
> > > Louis Kim Kline
> > > A.R.S. K2LKK
> > > Home e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > > Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > > Work Telephone: (585) 697-5753
> > >
>
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone: (585) 697-5753
>
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