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The Icom IC-740 HF Transceiver.
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The Icom IC-740 is an HF transceiver covering all amateur bands from 10m to 160m with 100 watts output in all modes.
The IC-740 was introduced by Icom in 1982 and is an all solid state radio with excellent performance across all amateur bands, due in part to this radio not having general coverage receive, which was subsequently included in the IC-741, IC-745 and later models.
The lack of general coverage receive allowed the use of band switched low-pass filters coupled with CPU controlled band pass filters resulting in outstanding receiver performance.
The IC-740 also has outstanding strong signal handling and an exceptionally quiet yet sensitive receiver. Additionally the IF shift and passband tuning controls provide for the removal of all but the very worst QRM making this radio perfect for DX and weak signal work.
These radios crop up on the second hand market from time to time and they represent excellent value for anyone looking for either their first HF rig or a backup rig for the shack. The IC-740 may not have all the bells and whistles of todays new rigs but what the IC-740 does, it does very well.
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There aren't too many IC-740's out there because it was introduced shortly before general coverage reception became standard on amateur HF radios and was soon superseded by the IC-745. However, despite it's short production run this radio has over time acquired a reputation that belies it's modest appearance. This is what some owners have said about this rig:-
- "The 740 has one of the best ham band receivers ever built!"
- "This is one serious radio!"
- "One of the best used radios you can buy."
- "Unusually clean audio, devoid of hiss and distortion."
- "If you're looking for your first HF rig you'd be very hard pressed to find anything better."
- "Notch filter works incredibly well - sometimes I think that it works as a DSP!"
- "If you can find one of these 740s' in good condition, buy it!"
73 de Dean - G0RIF [ back to home page ]
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