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CQ Iran
HF 6m 2m
Complete guide

Icom IC-706

The first of Icom’s 706 series (1995) and the radio that made “all of HF plus 6 m and 2 m in one small box” popular: 100 W on HF and 6 m, 10 W on 2 m, and a detachable front panel.

HF power 100 W
Bands HF·6·2
2 m power 10 W
Ask about this radio

Overview

The IC-706 was introduced in 1995 and was the first radio to put every HF band plus 6 m and 2 m, at full power, into a box the size of a car radio (167 × 58 × 200 mm, 2.5 kg). That idea made the 706 one of the best-selling amateur radio families; the IC-706MKII and IC-706MKIIG grew out of it.

It gives 100 W on HF and 6 m and 10 W on 2 m, with SSB, CW, AM, FM and RTTY. The receiver covers 300 kHz to 200 MHz. The front panel detaches with the OPC-581 cable, and a CW keyer, VOX, speech compressor and IF shift are built in.

Differences from the IC-706MKII

The MKII of 1997 raised 2 m power from 10 to 20 W, improved receive sensitivity on 6 m and 2 m, added a second optional filter slot, extended the RIT from ±1 kHz to ±9.99 kHz and accepted the UT-86 tone squelch unit. On HF they are very similar in practice. See the IC-706 vs IC-706MKII comparison.

Strengths

  • All of HF, 6 m and 2 m in one small radio with a detachable panel
  • Good speech compressor and a CW keyer adjustable from 6 to 60 wpm
  • An HF receiver that held its own against bigger base stations of its time in owners’ comparisons
  • Usually the cheapest way to get a small 100 W HF radio on the used market

Weaknesses and common faults

  • The fan runs on receive too and hums; owners slow it down by changing resistor R65
  • The preamp overloads near strong signals or with a big beam antenna
  • Early units have a short power spike at key-up that has damaged some amplifiers; take care with sensitive amplifiers
  • In full break-in above about 30 wpm, CW dits are shortened
  • Only one optional filter slot, no tone squelch and no DSP
  • Typical age-related faults: a failed filter relay (no transmit on one band), burned ground traces on the PLL board or flex cable, and dirty front-panel contacts that stop it powering up

Installation and use

  • 13.8 V with at least 20 A; never more than 16 V or a 24 V battery. The power cable fuses are 20 A.
  • In a car, run the power cable straight to the battery and switch the radio off while cranking.
  • For HF mobile, the AH-3 tuner with the AH-2b whip covers 3.5–28 MHz; the AT-180 tuner covers HF and 6 m.

Specifications

Introduced
1995
Transmit bands
160–10 m (all HF bands), 6 m and 2 m
Receive range
300 kHz – 200 MHz
Output power, HF and 6 m
5–100 W (AM: 2–40 W)
Output power, 2 m
1–10 W (AM: 1–4 W)
Output power, 70 cm
No 70 cm band
Modes
SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY and WFM (receive only)
DSP (noise reduction, auto notch)
Not available
Tone squelch (CTCSS)
Encoder only (50 tones) and 1750 Hz tone; no decoder
Memory channels
102 (99 regular + 2 scan edges + 1 call channel)
Receiver
Double-conversion superheterodyne (triple conversion on FM)
IF frequencies
69.0115 MHz and 9.0115 MHz (plus 455 kHz on FM)
SSB sensitivity (preamp on)
HF, 6 m and 2 m: 0.16 µV
FM sensitivity on 2 m
0.3 µV (12 dB SINAD)
Frequency stability
±7 ppm; ±0.5 ppm with the optional CR-502
Power supply
13.8 V DC (±15%), negative ground
Current drain
Transmit: 20 A max — receive: 1.5–1.7 A
Antenna connectors
Two SO-239: HF/6 m and 2 m
Dimensions (without projections)
167 × 58 × 200 mm
Weight
2.5 kg
Operating temperature
−10 °C to +60 °C
Automatic antenna tuner
AT-180 or AH-3
Optional filters
FL-100, FL-101, FL-103 and FL-223 (one at a time)
Separation cable
OPC-581 (3.5 m)
RIT range
±1 kHz

Buying used: what to check

  1. 01 Check the panel label: the original reads just “IC-706”, without MKII or MKIIG. It should cost less than an MKII.
  2. 02 With a dummy load and wattmeter, check the power on every HF band, 6 m and 2 m (100, 100 and 10 W); a failed filter relay usually kills just one band.
  3. 03 Test receive on several bands; very weak 2 m receive or low, distorted audio point to known board faults.
  4. 04 Switch it on and off a few times and wiggle the panel; dirty panel contacts stop it powering up.
  5. 05 Listen to the fan on receive and feel how hot the case gets after a few minutes of transmitting.
  6. 06 Ask whether a filter or the CR-502 crystal is fitted; it affects the price.

FAQ

What is the difference between the IC-706 and the IC-706MKII?
The MKII gives 20 W on 2 m (IC-706: 10 W), is more sensitive on 6 m and 2 m, has two filter slots, a wider RIT and accepts the UT-86 tone squelch unit. HF power, size and memories are the same.
What power supply does it need?
A 13.8 V supply with at least 20 A (such as the Icom PS-85). Never more than 16 V.
Can it be used on FM repeaters?
For transmit, yes: it sends CTCSS tones and a 1750 Hz tone. But it cannot decode tones, gives only 10 W on 2 m and has no 70 cm.
Does it have DSP?
No, and no DSP unit was offered for it. DSP first came with the IC-706MKIIG.

Questions about the IC-706?

Ask on Telegram or by email — common questions are added to this page.

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