Icom IC 736 ...?

[kd-5-bgt]

What do ya all think of this radio?

I have a chance to pick one of these up at what seems to be a fair price $600 ....built in power supply and tuner ,narrow ssb filter, manual, mic
just plug and play

And the radio is just down the road from me ..... is that rig worth what he is asking?I have known the seller for a few years now and everything that I have known him to sell is in good shape

I have spied a few of thses rigs for sale here and there for as much as $750 ......

your thoughts ,suggestions

 

[Sonwatcher]

I have not used one but looking at the Eham reviews out of 33 they gave it a 4.8 out of 5 for ratings.

 

[Wire Weasel]

Hi LA, I think that is a bit too high. Probably top dollar for that rig. If you have any interest in operating AM on it, I would definitely want to talk on it first and get over the air reports as to how it sounds. That would be a deciding factor for me.

A little bit more money and you could get a used 746 and have a considerably better and more capable radio (adds VHF, 108~174mhz and other features) and those sound really good on AM.

If primarily a SSB rig for you, I'd only go $500 on that one.

Good luck

 

[kd-5-bgt]

No intrest in AM .I plan on SSB and FM work on ham bands only.

I have a 2 meter rig at this time that is in really good shape ( Icom 2200H )

I have also been looking at other rigs ..Icom 706 mark 2 G and other similar radios ..they all are right at the price of this radio or more... but I would have to come up with a 20 amp power supply and a tuner,....

also... this will be my first HF rig,so for me personally simple to use is a good thing

thanks for the replies and I am looking forward to more

 

[IMD262]

I would say 600 bones for the 736 is a decent buy, plus if the guy is that close you can try before you buy.I got a chance to use one at Field Day about 10-12 years ago on 6 meters.I was fairly new to amateur radio at the time but to me it seemed to work flawlessly.

 

[kd-5-bgt]

I am going to head over to that persons house and have a hands on session at it one afternoon this week.I will post my thoughts on this radio after my play time with it

If this radio is in as good of shape as I think it will be chances are really good I will be bringing it home as soon as my nickles and dimes are right ..that should be in the next couple of weeks

 

[kd-5-bgt]

Well I went for the hands on time today ...That radio is all but flawless..I give it a 9.9 / 10 ...
checked it on 80 40 and 20 meters for output and it is putting out 90 watts or better on each band,according to the meter on radio and on a good quality external meter as well ,checked with a couple of guys on 80 meter for audio quality and reports came back 5 by 9

soooo I told the guy to hang a sold sign on it ...looks like I will be the proud owner of a 736 in a couple of weeks