IC718 Questions

I have a question on the IC718. Since I seem to always ask my questions over on the other forum, I thought I'd give this one a shot this time. A friend of mine has an IC718, so I thought I'd give the manual a going over just to familiarize myself with this rig. One of the options is an SSB filter that costs about $220. It's the 1.8kHz FL222. What I am wondering is what advantage would someone have in paying that kind of money for this filter. The radio itself only runs $650, so, adding a $220 filter would jack the price up considerably. I know that the purpose of the filter is to zero in on signals better, but how much better would the radio perform than it does with whatever filtering it comes with standard? I couldn't find any information on how wide the standard filtering is, so I don't have anything to compare this FL222 with. Any information y'all could provide would be greatly appreciated. My friend doesn't really know the answer, and I'd like to know just in case I decide to get one of these 718s. Thanks.

I believe you'll find that the standard filter width for that radio is around 2.4-2.7 Khz. Probably the latter.

The reason the filter is so expensive is that it's in the 455 Khz IF, instead of the 9 Mhz IF.

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Originally Posted by KJ3N

I believe you'll find that the standard filter width for that radio is around 2.4-2.7 Khz. Probably the latter.

The reason the filter is so expensive is that it's in the 455 Khz IF, instead of the 9 Mhz IF.

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Thanks. Will the performance be that much better with the optional filter than without it? He's just a ragchewer like me. No contests or anything like that.

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Originally Posted by W9PSK

Thanks. Will the performance be that much better with the optional filter than without it? He's just a ragchewer like me. No contests or anything like that.

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The filter would help under crowded band conditions. Contests are usually the cause of this, but you will find that if you tend to hang out in the General portion on 75m, things get a little tight at times. It might help with that situation.

If it were me (and it's not, because I own a K3), I'd have a good look at the IC-7200. You're going to be spending over $800 on an IC-718 and one filter. The IC-7200 has DSP IF filtering that can be constantly adjusted to suit your needs. It's about $1050 and you get the added bonus (at least it's a bonus IMO) of 6m all-mode. There's been a lot of 6m SSB and CW activity this season.

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Originally Posted by KJ3N

The filter would help under crowded band conditions. Contests are usually the cause of this, but you will find that if you tend to hang out in the General portion on 75m, things get a little tight at times. It might help with that situation.

If it were me (and it's not, because I own a K3), I'd have a good look at the IC-7200. You're going to be spending over $800 on an IC-718 and one filter. The IC-7200 has DSP IF filtering that can be constantly adjusted to suit your needs. It's about $1050 and you get the added bonus (at least it's a bonus IMO) of 6m all-mode. There's been a lot of 6m SSB and CW activity this season.

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He already has the 718, and I don't know that actually want one, to be honest with you. I know this sounds petty, but that 7200 is as ugly as home made sin! LOL! BTW, the 718 comes with DSP now. It used to be an option, but now it's standard.

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Originally Posted by W9PSK

I know this sounds petty, but that 7200 is as ugly as home made sin!

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That may be, but it's a "sleeper" radio. Not many people know just how much better it is compared to the IC-718. The IF DSP is almost as good as the IC-756ProII.

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BTW, the 718 comes with DSP now. It used to be an option, but now it's standard.

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It's audio DSP and it's rudimentary at best, compared to today's IF DSP. There's simply no comparison.

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Originally Posted by KJ3N

That may be, but it's a "sleeper" radio. Not many people know just how much better it is compared to the IC-718. The IF DSP is almost as good as the IC-756ProII.



It's audio DSP and it's rudimentary at best, compared to today's IF DSP. There's simply no comparison.

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You have a point there. IF DSP is much better than AF DSP. I agree with you that it's probly a "sleeper". It's ugly enough that one look at it is enough to not want to find out more about it. I am looking at the manual now, and it seems like it would be good option for someone considering a 718 with the added filter. Someone who isn't good at soldering would also have to pay someone to solder that 222 in, which would add even more to the cost.

Hmmmm. I see the 7200 does not offer FM. That pretty much leaves a portion of 10 meters out. It definitely has a sensitive receiver though. That's an important consideration.

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Originally Posted by W9PSK

Hmmmm. I see the 7200 does not offer FM. That pretty much leaves a portion of 10 meters out. It definitely has a sensitive receiver though. That's an important consideration.

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Having just about sworn off of VHF and UHF repeaters many years ago, I don't see the absence of FM as a bad thing. YMMV :-P

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Originally Posted by KJ3N

Having just about sworn off of VHF and UHF repeaters many years ago, I don't see the absence of FM as a bad thing. YMMV :-P

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I guess ICOM is fine with turning the 10 meter FM business over to other companies. Well, after looking over the manual, it seems the 7200 does everything the Yaesu FT450 does. It's more than the 450, but that 450 would simply be too small for my tastes. I don't know anyone that has a 7200 that I could see in person. I was able to determine that it's the same width as my 735 though. I can't help but wonder how small the display is in it. With the speaker in front, a feature I do like, there doesn't seem to be much room left for the display. Maybe I will look on Ebay for some videos of the 7200.