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CQ Iran
HF 6m 2m 70cm
Complete guide

Icom IC-706MKIIG

The most popular member of Icom’s 706 series (1999 to around 2009): 160 m to 70 cm in one small box — 100 W on HF and 6 m, 50 W on 2 m and 20 W on 70 cm, with built-in DSP and tone squelch.

HF power 100 W
Bands HF·6·2·70
2 m power 50 W
Ask about this radio
Front view of the Icom IC-706MKIIG transceiver

Overview

The IC-706MKIIG arrived in 1999 and stayed in production for about ten years until the IC-7100 replaced it. The “G” means 70 cm was added: it covers 160 m to 70 cm in the same small 167 × 58 × 200 mm body, which made it one of the best-selling all-band radios in the world for years.

Compared with the IC-706MKII it brings three big changes: the 70 cm band with 20 W, 50 W on 2 m (instead of 20 W), and DSP noise reduction (NR) and automatic notch (ANF). CTCSS tone squelch, tone scan and auto-repeater are built in, so no extra unit is needed for FM repeaters. HF and 6 m power is still 100 W.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants HF plus local 2 m and 70 cm repeater work from one radio, at home or in the car. Its size also makes it a favourite for portable and field operation (see the full comparison with the IC-706MKII).

Strengths

  • HF, 6 m, 2 m and 70 cm in one small radio with a detachable panel
  • Built-in DSP noise reduction and auto notch (on most versions; optional on some export versions)
  • Tone squelch, tone scan and auto-repeater for repeater work
  • 107 memory channels with 9-character names
  • Works with the external AH-4 tuner for wire antennas on HF and 6 m

Weaknesses and common faults

  • Runs hot on long FM transmissions, and the menus can confuse newcomers
  • The DSP is weaker than on modern radios
  • Instability on 15 and 17 m when the SWR is above 2:1; Icom Service Bulletin #928 covers the fix (soldering a ground spring on the filter board)
  • Sudden shut-downs or no power-up; on some units glue under a board has corroded a copper trace
  • Fuse holders in the power cable running hot, causing intermittent power

Installation and use

  • 13.8 V with at least 20 A; never more than 16 V. The power cable fuses are 30 A.
  • HF and 6 m antennas go to ANT1; 2 m and 70 cm to the second connector.
  • Connect the AH-4 tuner to ANT1, use a wire longer than 7 m, ground it well and enable PTT TUNE in the menu. The AH-4 does not work on 2 m or 70 cm.
  • In a car, run the power cable straight to the battery, keep the panel out of direct sun on the dashboard and switch the radio off while cranking.

Photos: Leon Brooks (public domain) and Howard Brier (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

Specifications

Introduced
1999 (made until about 2009)
Transmit bands
160–10 m (all HF bands), 6 m, 2 m and 70 cm
Receive range
30 kHz – 200 MHz and 400–470 MHz
Output power, HF and 6 m
5–100 W (AM: 2–40 W)
Output power, 2 m
5–50 W (AM: 2–20 W)
Output power, 70 cm
2–20 W (AM: 2–8 W)
Modes
SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY and WFM (receive only)
DSP (noise reduction, auto notch)
Built in (UT-106: NR and ANF); optional on some versions
Tone squelch (CTCSS)
Built-in encoder and decoder, with tone scan
Memory channels
107 (99 regular + 6 scan edges + 2 call channels)
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 and 70 cm: 0.11 µV
FM sensitivity on 2 m
0.18 µV (12 dB SINAD); the same on 70 cm
Frequency stability
±7 ppm; ±0.5 ppm with the optional CR-282
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/70 cm
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-4 (HF and 6 m only)
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

  1. 01 Make sure the panel reads “IC-706MKIIG” and that it transmits on 430 MHz; the MKII looks similar but has no 70 cm.
  2. 02 With a dummy load and wattmeter, check the power on HF (100 W), 2 m (50 W) and 70 cm (20 W).
  3. 03 Transmit on 15 and 17 m into a slightly high SWR; if the power or audio becomes unstable, the Service Bulletin #928 fix has not been done.
  4. 04 Switch it on and off a few times and tap the case; sudden shut-downs point to a corroded trace on the board.
  5. 05 Find and switch on the DSP functions (ANF and NR) in the menu to confirm the DSP unit is fitted.
  6. 06 Check the frequency accuracy on 2 m and 70 cm against another radio or a local repeater; used units are sometimes off frequency.
  7. 07 Inspect the ANT1 centre pin, the power cable fuse holders and the separation cable.

FAQ

What is the difference between the IC-706MKIIG and the IC-706MKII?
The MKIIG adds 70 cm (20 W), gives 50 W on 2 m (MKII: 20 W), has built-in DSP and CTCSS decoding and 107 memories. HF power, size and filters are the same. See the comparison page for details.
Is it suitable for 2 m and 70 cm repeaters?
Yes. CTCSS encode and decode, tone scan and automatic repeater shift are built in; no extra unit is needed.
Does the AH-4 tuner work with it?
Yes, on HF and 6 m only. The AH-4 connects to ANT1, the wire must be longer than 7 m and PTT TUNE must be enabled in the menu.
What power supply does it need?
A 13.8 V supply with at least 20 A continuous (such as the Icom PS-85 or PS-125). Never more than 16 V, and never a 24 V battery.
Which radio replaced the IC-706MKIIG?
Icom presented the IC-7100 as its successor: the same bands plus D-STAR and a touch-screen controller.

Questions about the IC-706MKIIG?

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

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