estate sale find: IC-746Pro

saw it in the pictures at EstateSales.net, didn't figure it would still be there on 20% off day but it was. Talked em down to $650.
Already had the matching power supply that I was using with a 706MkIIg, and I just ordered the matching speaker from an ad on QRZ just so I'll have the whole set.
Have still never really gotten active or had an antenna that I could leave up, so I don't have much experience to judge, but with just a little wire around the garage for listening I've found it quite a bit better to listen to than the 706.
I'm reading about it as much as I can on the 'net, heard about the couple of things that go wrong with them, will try to do what I can to prevent those.
Initially I was disappointed to lose 70cm, but the truth is the only time I ever used it was to join a net that was only there in the first place to log activity on the band so we don't lose it. I still have H/T's with 220 and 440 if I feel that need.
I also got a Diamond F22A 2m vertical I need to put up, along with an Ameritron 5-position coax switch that I'm sure I can find a use for someday.
I think this may actually prompt me to finally get some cable through the wall and put up some wire. I think I can manage a loop around the lot, which could theoretically add up to 400 ft but half would be 6ft up, with one edge perhaps 30ft.

 

@Idahoser
Congratulations a very nice rig at a good price.

 

Prices I see on some of this gear, makes me wish I had taken the HF rig that was offered to me. Not legal for me yet, and I was told it likes to wander off station, but it might have been worth the repair cost.

 

Kellory, it is legal for you as long as you don't transmit...and most ham radios are worlds better than a typical shortwave receiver for listening, too.
BTW, some older radios will drift a bit, no matter what you do.

 

Well, I am definitely going to start looking for one on estate sells now...already checked the local newspapers and estatesells.net

 

Roger. Will do. Thanks!

 

A lot of hams keep a good, cheap, older radio for the express purpose of loaning to new hams. If not to loan, then for sale pretty cheap. The point is, to get on the air, THEN look for your "dream" rig. Then you can resell the old one or keep it to loan out yourself.

 

Here's the rig, all set up



I had the power supply (far right) already, was using it with the Icom 706MkIIg that is now free to be either mounted in my truck, kept for backup, or portable use, to loan, or I can sell it. I just ordered the speaker used from a ham on QRZ.com (or Eham, don't remember which). Both of these were actually made to match this radio. My wife found the lovely paddles at an estate sale for $5! And the desirable older model SM-6 microphone I found at a hamfest in Jackson MS a few months ago. Pieces came together a little at a time, sometimes without knowing where I was headed with it, but I'm very pleased with it.