Icom IC-706MKII
Icom’s 1997 compact transceiver that packs every HF band plus 6 m and 2 m into a box the size of a car radio: 100 W on HF and 6 m, 20 W on 2 m, and a detachable front panel.
Overview
The IC-706MKII is the second generation of Icom’s famous IC-706 series, replacing the original model in 1997. The idea behind the 706 was simple: a complete HF station plus 6 m and 2 m in a box the size of a car radio (167 × 58 × 200 mm, 2.45 kg) — at home on the shack desk, in the car and in a portable backpack.
The main improvement over the original IC-706 was twice the power on 2 m (20 W instead of 10 W) and a slightly more sensitive receiver. It delivers a full 100 W on HF and 6 m with SSB, CW, AM, FM and RTTY, and the receiver covers 30 kHz to 200 MHz, so short-wave broadcast and FM radio are covered too.
Who is it for?
Anyone who wants full-power HF in a small box that also fits in a car. If you mostly work HF, the MKII is still a sensible choice on the used market. If you want 70 cm, more power on 2 m or DSP noise reduction, look at its successor, the IC-706MKIIG (see the full IC-706MKII vs IC-706MKIIG comparison).
Strengths
- All HF bands plus 6 m and 2 m in one small radio
- Detachable front panel; with an OPC-581 or OPC-587 cable the body goes under a seat
- Built-in electronic keyer, VOX, IF shift, noise blanker, preamp and attenuator
- Room for two optional filters (e.g. FL-223 for narrow SSB and FL-100 for CW)
- Rugged; many units still work after years of mobile and marine use
Weaknesses
- No DSP, and CTCSS decoding (tone squelch) needs the optional UT-86 unit
- No 70 cm band
- Receive current (about 1.8 A) is high for battery-powered portable work
- The receiver is not in the league of big base stations for crowded contest bands
- Some owners report a short power spike at key-up, even at the 5 W setting — take care with sensitive amplifiers
Installation and use
- Use a 13.8 V supply that delivers at least 20 A continuously. Never connect more than 16 V or a 24 V battery.
- In a car, run the fused power cable straight to the battery and switch the radio off while cranking the engine.
- Keep the vents and fan clear and do not leave the panel on the dashboard in direct sunlight.
- Reduce power for long FM or digital transmissions; the heatsink gets hot.
Specifications
- Introduced
- 1997
- Transmit bands
- 160–10 m (all HF bands), 6 m and 2 m
- Receive range
- 30 kHz – 200 MHz
- Output power, HF and 6 m
- 5–100 W (AM: 2–40 W)
- Output power, 2 m
- 2–20 W (AM: 2–8 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)
- Built-in encoder; decoder with the optional UT-86
- 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: 0.15 — 6 m: 0.12 — 2 m: 0.11 µV
- FM sensitivity on 2 m
- 0.18 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: 1.8–2 A
- Antenna connectors
- Two SO-239: HF/6 m and 2 m
- Dimensions (without projections)
- 167 × 58 × 200 mm
- Weight
- 2.45 kg
- Operating temperature
- −10 °C to +60 °C
- Automatic antenna tuner
- AT-180 or AH-3
- Optional filters
- FL-100, FL-101, FL-103, FL-223 and FL-232 (two at a time)
- Separation cable
- OPC-581 (3.5 m) and OPC-587 (5 m)
Buying used: what to check
- 01 Check the label on the panel: the original IC-706 gives only 10 W on 2 m and the MKIIG adds 70 cm. Sellers sometimes mix the three up.
- 02 With a dummy load and wattmeter, measure the power on a few HF bands, 6 m and 2 m (100, 100 and 20 W).
- 03 Transmit for a few minutes in FM at full power and check the fan noise and how hot the case gets.
- 04 Check that the centre pin of the HF antenna socket has not been pushed inward; this fault can damage the output transistors.
- 05 Inspect the fuse holders on the power cable and the plug pins for burn marks and corrosion.
- 06 Test the display, backlight and every button — and the separation cable if the panel has been used remotely.
- 07 Ask which options are fitted (FL filters, UT-86, CR-502 crystal); they affect the price.
FAQ
What is the difference between the IC-706MKII and the IC-706MKIIG?
What power supply does it need?
Does it have DSP?
Which automatic tuner does it work with?
Questions about the IC-706MKII?
Ask on Telegram or by email — common questions are added to this page.