Icom 736 Review: Unbiased and In-depth Evaluation
The icom 736 is a high-quality transceiver for amateur radio enthusiasts, providing excellent performance and features. This radio is perfect for those wanting a reliable and versatile model that offers exceptional audio quality, extensive receive coverage, and features such as dsp filtering and band stacking.
The icom 736 also comes with a range of accessories and options to enhance its functionality, making it a highly sought-after model for radio hobbyists. Whether you’re just starting in amateur radio or looking to upgrade your equipment, the icom 736 is a top-of-the-line choice worth considering.
In this review, we’ll explore the key features and benefits of the icom 736 to help you make an informed decision about this exceptional radio.
Icom 736 Review: Unbiased And In-Depth Evaluation
The icom 736 is a top-of-the-range transceiver designed for amateur radio enthusiasts. Its features and specs make it a popular choice amongst seasoned hams and newbies alike. In this review, we will take a closer look at this radio and provide an unbiased and in-depth evaluation of its capabilities.
Brief Introduction To The Radio’S Features And Specs
The icom 736 is a compact and sturdy transceiver with an impressive range of features. Here are some of its main specifications:
- Frequency range: 1.8 – 30 mhz and 50 – 54 mhz
- Modes: Ssb, cw, rtty, am, and fm
- Power output: 100 watts
- Number of channels: 99
- Dsp filtering
- Tft lcd display
- Built-in automatic antenna tuner
This is a brief overview of the radio’s features and specs. We will delve deeper into each of these aspects in the following sections.
Why Is The Icom 736 Radio Reviewed?
The icom 736 is a highly sought-after radio in the amateur radio community. Due to its advanced features and ease of use, it has gained a lot of popularity amongst radio enthusiasts. Therefore, it is essential to review and evaluate the capabilities of this radio to provide valuable information to users.
Comparison With Similar Products In The Market
When compared to similar radios on the market, the icom 736 stands out for its features and performance. Here are some key comparisons:
- Icom ic-7610: Both radios have similar features, but the 736 is more compact and portable.
- Yaesu ft-991a: The ft-991a has a wider frequency range and more power output, but it is more expensive and complex to use.
- Kenwood ts-590sg: Both radios have excellent dsp filtering, but the 736 has a more user-friendly interface.
Overall, the icom 736 is a reliable and efficient transceiver that provides exceptional performance and ease of use. Amateur radio enthusiasts of all levels can benefit from this radio’s advanced features and capabilities.
Design And Build Quality
Brief Explanation Of Radio’S Design Features
The icom 736 is a high-end transceiver that boasts exceptional performance. Its design features include:
- A sleek, compact design that is perfect for both portable and stationary use.
- Intuitive controls that are easy to use, even for beginners.
- A large, easy-to-read display that provides vital information at a glance.
- A detachable control head for added convenience and flexibility.
- Multiple filter options that allow you to customize your listening experience.
Physical Appearance And Aesthetics Of The Radio
The icom 736 is a visually appealing and attractive radio. Its physical appearance and aesthetics include:
- A glossy finish that gives it a professional look.
- A simple and elegant design with minimal buttons and controls.
- A customizable color scheme that allows you to choose from several colors.
- A small footprint that makes it easy to fit into any workspace.
The Quality Of Construction Materials
The icom 736 is built with high-quality materials that ensure durability and longevity. Some of its top-notch construction materials include:
- A sturdy, metal frame that can withstand accidental falls and bumps.
- A tough exterior coating that resists scratches and scuffs.
- Robust internal components that can withstand heavy use and last for years.
- Quality connectors that ensure strong, reliable connections between components.
The Radio’S Durability And Resistance To Some Harsh Weather Conditions
The icom 736 is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it ideal for outdoor use. Some of its features that ensure durability and resilience in harsh conditions include:
- Water-resistant components that can withstand exposure to splashes and rain.
- A rugged case that can withstand shocks, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
- Internal components that are sealed and protected from dust, making it ideal for use in dusty environments.
- A built-in cooling system that prevents overheating during extended use.
The icom 736 is a well-designed, aesthetically pleasing, and durable radio that is perfect for both beginner and expert radio enthusiasts. Its high-quality construction materials, intuitive controls, and customizable features make it a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable and long-lasting transceiver.
Performance And Functionality
The icom 736 is a powerful radio that offers impressive performance and functionality. With its advanced features, this radio can operate on multiple bands, providing crystal-clear audio quality, sensitivity, and selectivity that make it perfect for a wide range of applications.
Here is a closer look at the radio’s overall performance abilities, sensitivity and selectivity of the radio band, audio quality and loudness of the radio, and compatibility with digital transmission and other radio accessories.
The Radio’S Overall Performance Abilities
The icom 736 is a versatile radio that boasts exceptional performance and functionality. Here are some of the key features that make this radio stand out:
- Dual-conversion superheterodyne receiver
- Digital signal processing capabilities
- Stable 10 mhz reference oscillator for improved frequency accuracy
- High-resolution lcd display for easy viewing
- Advanced noise reduction features to improve audio quality
Sensitivity And Selectivity Of The Radio Band
When it comes to sensitivity and selectivity, the icom 736 is top-of-the-line. The radio offers excellent sensitivity with its 2nd if stage that has a -133dbm 3rd order intercept point. Additionally, the radio provides a selectivity of 2. 1 khz (-6 db) or 4.
5 khz (-60 db), allowing for accurate tuning and clarity.
Audio Quality And Loudness Of The Radio
The icom 736 offers excellent audio quality with impressive loudness. The radio comes with a built-in speaker that produces crystal-clear audio, and the audio output can be controlled with a front panel volume knob. Additionally, the radio features a speech compressor that can be used to enhance audio clarity even further.
Compatibility With Digital Transmission And Other Radio Accessories
The icom 736 is fully compatible with digital transmission, making it perfect for use with digital modes such as psk31 and rtty. Additionally, the radio features a built-in antenna tuner that can be used to match the radio to a wide range of antennas.
The radio is also compatible with a wide range of accessories, including external microphones, power supplies, and multi-function displays.
The icom 736 is a powerful radio that offers excellent performance and functionality. Whether you are a professional or amateur radio operator, this radio is sure to meet all of your needs.
User Interface And Ease Of Use
The Radio’S Interface Features And Layout
The icom 736 radio boasts an easy-to-use and straightforward interface. Not only is it visually pleasing with its black background and white letters, but it also provides easy access to all the necessary functions. The buttons are well-spaced and clearly labeled to avoid confusion.
The lcd is large enough to display all parameters, including s-meter readings, frequency, and signal strength. Here are a few key points regarding the radio’s interface features and layout:
- Buttons are adequately spaced apart and labeled for quick access.
- The lcd is large enough to display all needed parameters.
- The black background and white letters make it easy and comfortable to read.
Access To Its Features And Customization
The icom 736 radio offers a vast range of features and customization options. The user can choose to customize all aspects of the radio, including filter width, rf gain, and mic volume. Users also have the option of assigning specific settings to each memory channel to save time and ensure accurate settings.
Here are a few key points regarding access to the radio’s features and customization:
- The radio allows for the customization of a wide range of settings.
- Memory channels allow for personalized radio settings, saving time for frequent users.
- Filter width, rf gain, and mic volume are a few examples of customizable settings.
Overall Ease Of Use
The icom 736 radio is incredibly user-friendly. Its straightforward user interface and customizable settings make it easier for beginners to operate and enjoyable for experienced users. The radio’s design ensures that the user is not bogged down with unnecessary controls and buttons.
Here are a few key points regarding ease of use:
- The radio is simple and easy to operate.
- Its customizable settings can be personalized to the user’s preference.
- Beginners can quickly learn how to operate the radio with its simple, easy-to-use design.
Availability And Usefulness Of The User Manual
The user manual for the icom 736 radio is available online and provides comprehensive information regarding the radio’s features and functions. The manual is easy to follow and provides a comprehensive explanation of each feature. The manual also includes troubleshooting tips to help users resolve issues quickly.
Here are a few key points regarding the user manual:
- The user manual for the icom 736 radio is available online.
- The manual is easy to follow and provides a comprehensive explanation of each feature.
- Troubleshooting tips are included in the manual, making it easier for users to resolve issues on their own.
Overall, the icom 736 radio’s interface and ease of use make it a great choice for both beginner and experienced operators. Its customizable settings and comprehensive user manual provide an excellent radio experience.
Pricing And Value
The Price Range Of The Radio
The icom 736 is a top-performing amateur radio with a mid-range price. The price range of this radio falls under the category of affordability for most amateur radio enthusiasts. The cost of the radio varies based on the version and accessories purchased.
The average price range of the icom 736 falls in the $1500-$1700 range.
Competitiveness With Similar Products In The Market
The icom 736 is a competitively priced radio when compared to similar products in the market. The icom 7300 and the yaesu ftdx3000 are two products comparable to the icom 736 in terms of features, performance, and price. Comparatively, the icom 736 stands out in terms of performance and pricing in comparison with the yaesu ftdx3000.
On the other hand, the icom 7300 radio has advanced features such as a built-in antenna tuner, a touch screen display, and better noise reduction.
Overall Value For The Price
The icom 736 is a great value for the price when looking at its features and capabilities. The radio has exceptional features such as dsp filtering, an improved receiver, and great user interface. Compared to other radios within its price range, the icom 736 offers a wider range of features and is highly customizable.
For those who want to get a well-performing radio without breaking the bank, the icom 736 is an ideal choice.
If you’re looking for a mid-range amateur radio that performs well without the higher price tag, then the icom 736 is a great option. It’s competitively priced when compared to similar products in the market, and its overall value for the price makes it a top choice for amateur radio enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions Of Icom 736 Review
What Is Icom 736 And How Does It Work?
The icom 736 is a popular ham radio transceiver that operates on various frequencies. It works by transmitting and receiving signals through its antenna and tuning it to the desired frequency. It also incorporates advanced features like dsp filtering, voice memory, and more.
What Are The Key Features Of Icom 736?
Some of the key features of icom 736 include its frequency coverage from 0. 1 to 30 mhz, 32-bit floating-point dsp, 100w output power, if shift and notch filters, and more. These features enable users to have a smoother and more precise transmission and reception experience.
How Does Icom 736 Perform In Terms Of Reception And Transmission Quality?
Users have reported that icom 736 has exceptional reception and transmission quality, thanks to its advanced dsp filtering technology that eliminates unwanted noise and interference from the signals. Its 100w power output also ensures that transmissions are strong and clear.
Can I Use Icom 736 For Digital Modes?
Yes, icom 736 supports various digital modes like psk31, rtty, and more, thanks to its compatibility with pc-based software like ham radio deluxe, digipan, mixw, and others. This makes it an ideal transceiver for digital mode enthusiasts.
Is Icom 736 Easy To Operate For Beginners?
While icom 736 is packed with advanced features, it is still user-friendly and easy to operate, even for beginners. It has a straightforward interface with easy-to-understand controls, making it easy for new ham radio operators to use and learn from.
Conclusion
After an in-depth analysis of the icom 736, we can confidently recommend it to anyone in need of a high-performance ham radio. This device boasts an impressive array of features and specifications that make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experts alike.
From its sleek design to its user-friendly interface, the icom 736 is truly a marvel of modern engineering. Additionally, the device’s versatility and compatibility with a range of accessories make it highly adaptable to any situation or environment. Whether you’re a seasoned radio operator or just starting out, the icom 736 is an investment that is sure to pay dividends for years to come.
So don’t hesitate – order yours today and join the thousands of satisfied customers who have made the icom 736 their go-to ham radio.
