Oldies but GoodiesOldies but GoodiesFor service-related issues on these radios, visit the Icom Service Knowledge Base
The following are average prices (in USD) for good older Icom HF radios. Note that the IC-701 and IC-720 series are not recommended (see comment below).
IC-730 - $150 to $200 - inexpensive "starter" rig, all ham bands (including WARC), no general coverage, IF Shift (PBT with optional filter).
IC-725 - $175 to $250 - good "starter" rig, DDS synthesiser, quiet receiver. IC-726 is an IC-725 with 6m (10W output); $100 more.
IC-728 - $225 to $300 - similar to IC-725, but with 9 MHz & 455 kHz IF's, PBT and interface for IC-AT160 autotuner.
IC-729 (rare) is an IC-728 with 6m (10W output); $100 more.
IC-706 Series: Compact multi-band mobile. HF/6m (100W), 2m (50W), 70cm (20W). One of Icom's most enduring and popular lines. Trunk-mount possible with separation cable. IC-706 Mk IIG - HF/6m (100W), 2m (50W), 70cm (20W): $500 to $650. IC-706 Mk II - HF/6m (100W), 2m (20W): $350 to $500. "Original" IC-706 - HF/6m (100W), 2m (10W): $250 to $350. Add $50 for each optional filter (max. 2) and $50 for UT-106 DSP.
IC-707 - $250 to $250 - good "starter" HF rig, similar to IC-725, but has a front-firing speaker and a bar-graph meter.
IC-77 - $300 to $400 - commercial variant of IC-707. 50 channels, programmable, 100W output.
IC-735 - $250 to $350 - good, full-featured compact radio, includes PBT, IF notch filter, keyer. Somewhat noisy synthesiser. Superb reliability record.
IC-737 - $300 to $400 - an IC-728/IC-AT160 combo in a larger case. No VOX, poor filter selection and lousy audio notch. Replaced by IC-737A, and then IC-738, within less than a year. Icom finally got it right with the IC-738 - except for the notch.
IC-740 - $200 to $300 - WARC bands, no general coverage, has IF Shift and PBT, very quiet frequency generation system.
IC-745 - $250 to $350 - predecessor of IC-751, excellent filter selection & IF shift/PBT, somewhat noisy synthesiser.
IC-751A - $300 to $550 (depending on accessories), one of the best HF rigs in its time, excellent filter selection & PBT, slightly noisy synthesiser. Its predecessor, the IC-751, was less reliable - about $100 less. 3 versions: "Old logo" PBT, "new logo" IF shift (readily modifiable to PBT), "new logo" PBT. The RC-10 Frequency Controller ($45 to $55) is a useful accessory, allowing keypad frequency entry.
IC-761 - $500 to $700 - an IC-751A in a big case, with internal ATU & mains PSU.
IC-738 - $300 to $450 - excellent DDS synthesiser, fast internal ATU, but poor filter selection and lousy audio notch.
IC-736 - $400 to $500 - an IC-738 with 6m and internal mains PSU.
IC-765 - $600 to $800, depending on filters - very quiet DDS, excellent strong-signal handling, internal ATU & mains PSU, needs PBT mod. Indifferent stock SSB IF filters, noisy RX audio amp.
IC-775DSP - $1600 to $1900, depending on filters. Flagship successor to IC-781; 200W transmitter, internal ATU and mains PSU, slots for optional SSB and CW filters, IF-DSP. Features similar to IC-781, but no Spectrum Scope. Early IC-775 without DSP: $200 less. UI-100 DSP module can be retrofitted, but is very rare.
IC-781 - $1700 to $2500 - CRT display, spectrum scope, 150W transmitter, internal ATU and mains PSU, top-of-the-line in its time, widely used by NATO, very quiet DDS. Easy retrofit of narrow SSB filters. Subject to heat-related issues in PSU.
IC-756 - $500 to $700, depending on filters - a very good deal at current used prices. LCD display, Twin PBT, spectrum scope. Excellent performer. A hybrid analogue/DSP design; analogue IF filters, DSP modulation, demodulation, noise-reduction, auto-notch etc. Monochrome LCD display is subject to failure; display module is discontinued. A replacement LCD display module is now available from Richard, PA7FA.
IC-746 - $400 to $600, depending on filters. 100W HF, 6m and 2m all-mode, large LCD display, bar-graph metering, Twin PBT, spectrum display function. Excellent performer. Lots of capability for the price.
IC-746Pro or IC-7400 (now discontinued) - $900 to $1200, depending on age and condition. 100W HF, IF-DSP, 6m and 2m all-mode, large LCD display, bar-graph metering, Twin PBT, spectrum display function. Excellent performer. No optional filters required. Lots of capability for the price.
IC-756Pro - $800 to $1000, depending on condition. The IC-756Pro II offers many improvements over the "original" Pro, but the IC-756Pro is still an excellent choice.
IC-756Pro II - $1200 to $1500, depending on condition. Not yet an "oldie".
IC-756Pro III - $1500 to $2200, depending on condition. Now discontinued. The last of the 756Pro series, superseded by the IC-7600.
Note 1: I have not mentioned the IC-701 (no WARC bands, unreliable stepping-motor bandswitch actuator) or the IC-720 series (similar stepping motor). Also, the IC-751A is a much more dependable radio than its predecessor, the IC-751.
Note 2: The R-71, IC-745, IC-751A, IC-271, IC-471, and IC-1271 series radios are equipped with the EX-314 RAM board. As is well known, these radios go "brain-dead" in the event of backup battery failure. View EX-314 replacement options.
IC-AT150 - $125 to $250 - rated at 100W. Tunes load impedances in range 16 ~ 150 ohms resistive (VSWR 1:1 ~ 3:1). Bands: 160 ~ 10m. Programmable antenna selection by band (4 outputs). Cabinet matches IC-735, but will work with all Icom HF transceivers (EX-202 LDA Unit required for IC-730; OPC-137 Adapter required for IC-745, IC-751/A).
IC-AT500 - $250 to $300 - rated at 500W. Much-sought-after companion tuner for IC-2KL amplifier. Rated at 500W. Tunes load impedances in range 16 ~ 150 ohms resistive (VSWR 1:1 ~ 3:1). Bands: 160 ~ 10m. Antenna selection by freq. range (4 outputs). Cabinet matches IC-2KL. Will work with all Icom HF transceivers (EX-202 LDA Unit required for IC-730; OPC-118 Adapter required for transceivers fitted with DIN accessory sockets). Download an IC-AT500 maintenance procedure.
IC-AT100 - $150 to $225 - "little brother" of IC-AT500. Rated at 100W. Bands: 80 ~ 10m.
IC-AT160 - $125 to $150 - rated at 100W. Companion tuner for IC-728, IC-729. Tunes load impedances in range 16 ~ 150 ohms resistive (VSWR 1:1 ~ 3:1). Bands: 160 ~ 10m.
AH-2b - $175 to $250 - remote automatic antenna coupler. Intended to match a 2.5 ~ 3m (8 ~ 10 ft) whip, or a longwire, to 50 ohms. Rated at 100W; continuous coverage 1.8 ~ 30 MHz (3.5 ~ 30 MHz with whip). Coupler is mounted at antenna base. Interfaces with IC-735 via control head. If offered with AH-2a whip antenna system, add $100.
AH-3 - $200 to $300 - remote automatic antenna coupler. Intended to match a 2.5 ~ 3m (8 ~ 10 ft) whip, or a longwire, to 50 ohms. Rated at 100W; continuous coverage 1.8 ~ 30 MHz (3.5 ~ 30 MHz with whip). Coupler is mounted at antenna base. Interfaces with IC-725/726/728/729/706, and with all current Icom HF transceivers fitted with a 4-pin Molex tuner socket.
IC-AT120 - $200 to $300 - marine equivalent of AH-3. Covers 2 ~ 24 MHz. Interfaces with IC-77 and all Icom marine HF-SSB radiotelephones.
IC-2KL - $800 to $1100 for U.S. model (160 ~ 15m). Add $100 for "international" model (160 ~ 10m). A versatile, reliable little 500W workhorse. Comes with IC-2KLPS linear PSU (117 ~ 240V mains, selectable via primary taps). Automatic bandswitching when connected to an Icom exciter via control cable. EX-202 LDA Unit required for IC-730; OPC-118 Adapter required for transceivers fitted with DIN accessory sockets. Runs cool, but fan is somewhat noisy. Automatic tuning & bandswitching with IC-AT500 autotuner ($275 to $325). 10/12m activation on U.S. model requires some "surgery".
IC-4KL - $2000 to $3000. This comparatively self-contained 1 kW amplifier is, in effect, a pair of IC-2KL's with an input splitter and output combiner. PA stage, switching PSU and microprocessor-controlled autotuner in one cabinet. Desktop control head allows remoting. Easy 10/12m activation on U.S. model. Visit Matt, KK5DR's excellent IC-4KL page.
IC-PS15 - $75 to $100. This is a linear regulated PSU (13.8V DC/20A). Originally designed for the IC-720 series, it will power any 12V 100W-class HF transceiver. The IC-PS15 has a pigtail fitted with a standard 6-pin Molex plug which mates with all Icom and some Kenwood HF radios. The IC-PS15 cabinet matches recent and current Icom radios (IC-756 series, etc.) very well. The IC-CF1 cooling fan is a rare accessory.
IC-PS20 - $50 to $70. This is a switching-type regulated PSU (13.8V DC/20A). Originally designed for the IC-551D 100W 6m radio, it will power any 12V 100W-class HF transceiver. Its cabinet style is similar to that of the PS-701. The IC-PS20 has a pigtail fitted with a 3-pin plug; an adapter cable is required to convert to the standard 6-pin Molex plug.
IC-PS25 - $50 to $70. This is a small internal switching PSU module used in the IC-271A, IC-471A and IC-1271A. It is quite rare nowadays.
IC-PS30 - $125 to $175. This is a switching-type System PSU (cabinet-mounted IC-PS35) for Icom transceivers (13.8V DC/25A). The IC-PS30 has a pigtail fitted with the standard 6-pin Molex plug; 3 extra output connectors are included for lower-powered radios (e.g. VHF/UHF FM rigs). A voltage/current meter is also provided. The IC-PS30 cabinet matches the IC-2KL linear amplifier and IC-AT100/500 autotuners.
IC-PS35 - $75 to $100. This is the internal switching PSU module designed for use in the IC-745, IC-751, IC-751A and IC-970 transceivers (13.8V DC/25A). A variant, with a finned cover, is used in the IC-761 and IC-765. The IC-PS35 has two pigtails; one terminated in an IEC 3-pin mains socket, and the other in a standard 6-pin Molex plug which is inserted in the radio's DC POWER socket. To avoid EMC problems, lead dress should be observed when installing an IC-PS35.
PS-45 - $60 to $90. This is a compact switching PSU (13.8V DC/8A). It was originally designed for the IC-27A, IC-37A and IC-120. Download a photo archive.
IC-PS55 - $75 to $100. This is a linear regulated PSU (13.8V DC/20A). Originally designed for the IC-735, it will power any 12V 100W-class HF transceiver. The IC-PS55 has a pigtail fitted with the standard 6-pin Molex plug. The IC-PS55 cabinet matches the IC-735, and also the IC-725 and IC-728 series except for colour.
PS-701 - $60 to $75. This is an unregulated PSU made for the IC-701 only. The PS-701 output is approx. 19V DC at 20A. It has no internal regulation of any kind. The IC-701 had the regulation built into it for the power supply. The PS-701 should not be used with any other transceiver.
IC-PS740 - $80 to $125. This is the internal switching PSU module designed for use in the IC-740. It is nearly identical to the IC-PS35 listed above, but is comparatively rare.
IC-PS85 - $100 to $125. This is a compact switching PSU (13.8V DC/20A). Originally designed for the IC-756, it will power any 12V 100W-class HF transceiver. The IC-PS85 has a pigtail fitted with the standard 6-pin Molex plug. There is a modification to reduce fan noise.
Note 3. The IC-PS85 was so plagued by EMC issues that Icom replaced it with the IC-PS125.
Note 4. The IC-PS15 and IC-PS55 are not fitted with a power on/off switch. They rely on the radio's POWER switch to turn them on. The live side of the mains is routed through the transceiver's POWER switch via Pins 3 and 6 of the 6-pin Molex connector. In the more current series of Icom transceivers, Pins 3 and 6 are now shorted. Thus, these power supplies will power up immediately when plugged into the transceiver, as the radio's POWER switch is no longer able to switch the mains supply.
Note 5 (Contributed by Frank, W3UHF). The IC-PS35 was developed from the IC-PS740, and they are nearly identical. The IC-PS740 harness has an extra plug which connects to, and powers, its separate 115 VAC cooling fan. This fan is installed on the sidewall in the IC-740 concurrently with the IC-PS740. The cooling fan was deleted with the IC-PS35 design. Judging by the quantity of IC-740's I have seen with the IC-PS740 installed, as well as the very few IC-PS740 power supplies I have seen available on the market, I would conclude that most who purchased the IC-740 originally also opted for the IC-PS740 option. There is an ICOM Service Bulletin which applies to the first 200 or so IC-PS740's. This bulletin has you inspect the power transistor insulator pads. Apparently, a few early units were made without the second insulating pad; this caused one or more units to overheat, and I believe one or two actually caught fire!
This list is by no means complete or definitive. Please e-mail suggestions and comments.
Page last updated: 08/06/10
