The optima comes set in freeband mode. I would buy it direct from Yeticom, or the site survial systems.com or something along those lines. They are the dealer of the radio and only through them will you get the better mic. It may be noise cancelling idk. No specs available. I'm sure when you order you can ask. And yes with an Icom 8 pin to cobra 4 pin adapter you can get off eBay, you can use the 2018 extreme. And they work well with the radio as well. Have one I've used on it, but my Icom HM36 made in Japan mic seems to get the best audio reports all the way around. They are a grest mic. The hm36 and the hm12 can sometimes sound different. Ive a friend with 2 Icom 746's one is a pro and I also have one, non pro, and the hm12 mic works the best with that radio and my voice over the hm36. Put it on the optima, the hm12 that is and it doesn't sound as good as the hm36. It's weird I know. I would order the radio direct form the dealer. Cost is about $300 with shipping from New Zealand. But Mike will put the Yobbo touch on it and also you get the added mic. Should come ready to rock and roll. I got mine from a forum member here a while ago. Couple years almost, can't remember, but mine came with the small phantom mic which is what you'll get if you order off eBay. And no warranty from the eBay ones. But I won my Icom hm36 mic off eBay for like $25 shipped. So I was happy. The mic was slightly used but you couldn't tell.
At any rate I have seen and heard the Lincoln 2 on air as a local has one. They sound good. But I like my optima mk3 due to the simplicity of it and the way it performs. Has a fan that kicks on with ptt and stays on for 30 sec. You can't get one hot!! Not unless you have smoked it somehow!! They are rugged and well built radios. I like the Lincoln 2 as well, but for what it's worth I works spend a bit more coin and find a used kenwood ts480hx. 200 watts on SSB and they do well on am too for an HFradio. It might cost a bit more. But you're getting a whole lot more radio!!! Different league!!
