multiband base choices...

[KingCobra_CDX882]

Well ..

I hear you regarding having only your tech license
(a bit limiting but still quite useful )

When i bought the 706 MKIIG i had no such license..
(i bought it originally for 11 meters & it worked extremely well)
The thing is i wanted a superior radio
(to go beyond quality of export radios )
However having all those not just out of band channels but all those extra bands...well it got me to upgrade to ham.

So my point to you is..
If you are not limited by what you can or are willing to spend.
You would likely be doing a in-justice in not taking better advantage
of a more superior radio (not talking power here )

As such in your case..
I would upgrade your license and get the 756 Pro III
(maybe a IC-7000 that is not quite as good but quite close to but with VHF/UHF bands)

Although you mentioned the TS2000 & even though it is indeed a decent radio.I have seen many prefer the IC-7000 over the TS2000 but the 756 Po III is indeed better then the IC-7000
(except the IC 7000 also has VHF/UHF bands)

Myself.. I am considering getting the IC7600 or IC7700
(i dis-like how the IC 7600 can not hook to an external monitor but other then that it is indeed a sweet radio )

Anyways if you were able to pass your tech ticket fairly easily.. It is not any harder really to obtain your general ( or the extra for that matter )

 

[n0zna]

I had a hard

discion on what new radio to get,it was between ts590 and the ft45od...i took the ft450d and very happy with it...you would be also...73 de JW

 

[Se7en]

I aced the tech and im sure I would ace the general. I am in no hurry to take a test. I still am learning each day on 10m and vhf.

 

[packrat]

Make a list of radios you are interested in, spend some time on e-ham reading reviews, winnowing out the chaff, and take your time making a decision. I dont think there is a bad choice out there, just different choices. Just remember that some of the older rigs, like the 706, have parts that are no longer available( ask me how I know .
Good luck.

PR

 

[Whiplash-265]

i bought my ft-950 before writing...gave me the incentive

i wrote and got basic (6m and up), and having no interest in vhf i re-wrote and got my basic w/honours. If i ever do acquire an interest for the higher bands i'll get a second rig but until then the 950 is serving me very well 160-6

 

[Se7en]

The ic 706 models need to be set aside i have had all three. currently have a ic-7000. right now its war between this two rigs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxFmajZ1dkw&feature=related

 

[ahamoperator]

Really VanillaSky, there is no magic light...I was just kidding...

It's up to you what you get, of those mentioned I think I would
get one of the 756pro models. Super nice rig.

One thing about the other all-in-one rigs though, make sure you have another
vhf or uhf rig in the shack. Some of the most fun I've had is getting
a bunch of friends on HF and spotting DX for each other on 2 meters..

Back a few years ago I had the IC821H sat rig. Even though you could
work the birds on it, I always thought it was more fun to fire up the
IC745 and listen to the downlink on it...lol Lot of buttons on that old rig,
I always liked buttons and dials...hi...make it more fun

I put my back-up rig on the air the other day (IC706MK2G) and thought
to myself "boy if this was my only rig, I think I would find a new hobby"
Just something about a "big-ole" radio in front of you makes a difference..
Others might think differently..

73, Keith

 

[Mudfoot]

The ic 706 models need to be set aside i have had all three. currently have a ic-7000. right now its war between this two rigs

TS-590 u TS-480 - YouTube

590 is light years ahead of the 480.

 

[Robb]

What's not to like with the IC-7000?
Seems like you have what you need already.
What other features did you want or need?

 

[Se7en]

What's not to like with the IC-7000?
Seems like you have what you need already.
What other features did you want or need?

After owning it for serveral years its getting boring to operate everything is menus menus menus.

Time for a base radio with pure hf capabilitys.

Yes the 590 is newer then the 480, but I am a fan of remote face use and the fact I can use the 480 mobile. I refuse to lug around a 590 when camping or field day.
If I see a deal on a used 754proII Ill jump on that too.
As for uhf vhf its time for an allmode or a dual bander ftm350,2820h.