Icom 725 Any Good?

[maxiswede]

There's not many used rigs flying around my local market, (Sweden)but I saw an add on this one right now. Comes with an antenna tuner but since I am TOTALLY new to ham/SSB radio I would like to know if it is a good piece of equipment before I splash my hard-earned freedom chips.

I know a few of you guys are really experienced on the matter.

[Lighthouse]

MMNETSEA will be up in a couple of hours and I am sure he (as well as others) will be able to give you an opinion.

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse

MMNETSEA will be up in a couple of hours and I am sure he (as well as others) will be able to give you an opinion.

Hi , I'm up ! Good Morning



The Icom IC 725 - good basic set , fine for a yacht that is using it for general contacts with other yachts and for sending emails via Pactor.

Depending on it's age - they were manufactured in 1988 >>>>>? Selling new in Sweden 7990 SEK. today depending on condition , without tuner no more than 290 Euros.

If serious about buying it, ask to see and hear it operating on the 20, 40 and 80 metre ssbands.

Only reservation if price is right, is the age and if the set has had a lot of use (eg couple of days per week for say 5 years) (one would not buy a used car without a thorough test )

As it is coming with a tuner - all that is needed on the yacht is an antenna - which could be a insulated backstay or a vertical whip, plus a good ground plane.

For information on installation etc - read our WIKI :- Contents - Communication at sea - HF Radio

Good Luck

Richard

[maxiswede]

Good Morning,

Now I am awake and back at the computer. Thank you VERY much mmnetatsea for your input. It seems like this chap is asking too much for his rig then.

All in all I get the impression that I will greatly reduce my cost of investment by waiting with this purchase until I have crossed the Atlantic. It seems like used rigs are a lot cheaper in the US. Any ideas if that goes for the caribbean too?

If one would like to spend one's time installing this 'stuff' when in the caribbean, that is...

Thanks for your help, this is a REALLY friendly and nice place to be.

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by maxiswede

All in all I get the impression that I will greatly reduce my cost of investment by waiting with this purchase until I have crossed the Atlantic.

Greetings,

Hang on . a radio on board when crossing the Atlantic is often considered ahead of many other must haves - please put one one back on your shopping list.

I had a look at Ebay UK ( could not speak Swedish unfortunately) category :- #

Buy # > Consumer Electronics # > Radio Equipment # > Ham Radio # >

Search Results for 'transceivers' = found at least 8 buys amongst 108 items

Stay well

Richard

[maxiswede]

Originally Posted by MMNETSEA

Greetings,

Hang on . a radio on board when crossing the Atlantic is often considered ahead of many other must haves - please put one one back on your shopping list.

I had a look at Ebay UK ( could not speak Swedish unfortunately) category :- #

Buy # > Consumer Electronics # > Radio Equipment # > Ham Radio # >

Search Results for 'transceivers' = found at least 8 buys amongst 108 items

Stay well

Richard

G'Morning,

A tranciever would never be considered a 'must have' by me. (go small,go simple old school...) Still very nice 'convenience stuff' to have if wallet and space admits though.

So; thanks for the tip. the UK is by far a larger market for this kind of gear.. Sometimes one seems to forget using that 'greyish substance' between one's ears

[Hamsailor]

The Icom 725 is a good rig. It will do Winlink2000 and Sailmail.

See specs here http://www.rigpix.com/icom/ic725.htm

See reviews from hams here http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/499

Any ham radio rig can be researched on these two websites.