[RTTY] 751A

[Don Hill AA5AU]

Yes, I said that and yes, I still say that but with the addition "in it's time".

It's still a great FSK radio and the 250 hz CW filter does work in the FSK
mode great.  However, it's very difficult to do computer control with this radio.
You need a UX-14 installed inside the radio before it will interface to the "other"
interface (forget what it's called for Icom) and then to the computer.  Even then,
you may not get all the functions of computer control with a program like
WriteLog.  The UX-14 is no longer available but someone makes a clone board
for more than what one would want to pay for it.

However, if you were not concerned about computer control, you can't go
wrong with the '751A.  I would categorize it as being a great 2nd radio.  It has
no bells or whistles.  It strictly a transceiver with a fine transmitter and receiver
that is made even better with the 250 hz filter.

I still own two of them.  They are retired (probably permanently) now that I
own three TS-870's.  I am thinking of selling them.  If I do sell them, I think I would
ask for $400 for the one without the 250 hz filter and $500 for the one with the
250 hz filter.  I don't know if that is high or low but I personally think that is what
they are worth.  The filter is still available for about $150 I think.

You have to beware of one problem.  Occasionally everything
(TX and RX) will go distorted.  It has something to do with some capacitors and I
don't remember which circuit.  One of mine has this problem.  Clif at AVVID knows
of this problem with the 751A and knows how to fix it "for about $100".

These are rugged radios.  At least one of mine has made trips to P4 and HK0.  I won
lots of contests with these radios.  What makes them special is the 250 hz filter.  I
particular liked the manual notch filter, especially on CW, but works well on RTTY too.
My Kenwoods do not have a notch filter in CW or RTTY mode.  It's amazing what
you can notch out with that filter on the 751A.

But like I said, it's a great 2nd radio.  If you are looking for a main radio, do yourself
a favor and buy yourself an early Christmas present like an IC-756 PRO II (?) or
FT-1000.  I personally like the Kenwood TS-870 but they are hard to find these days.
AES still had them in stock this past August when I bought my third one.

Don AA5AU

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew J O'Brien" <obrienaj@netsync.net>
To: <rtty@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: [RTTY] 751A


> Some bloke called Don, AA5AU says ...
> 
> (IC-751A - "one of the best FSK radios
> ever made "
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Osborne" <w7why@harborside.com>
> To: "RTTY Contesting" <rtty@contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 8:00 PM
> Subject: [RTTY] 751A
> 
> 
> > 
> > I'm considering picking up a 751A and have a couple of questions
> > to anyone who has used one.
> > 
> > 1.  Does it work in FSK?
> > 2.  Does the narrow CW filter work in RTTY?
> > 
> > I need something better here than I'm using now.  Thanks and 73
> > Tom W7WHY
> > _______________________________________________
> > RTTY mailing list
> > RTTY@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty
> > 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> RTTY mailing list
> RTTY@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty