Icom 735 Best Value Radio
The Icom IC 735 is one of the best compact hf rigs to appear in the mid 1980's . While it may be considered bare bones or no frills, but it certainly, has everything you need and nothing you dont. Full general coverage all mode like all the rigs of its time, simple dual VFO and a few memory channels that I just kinda use as a scratch pad to store a freq and then qsy to tune up and then push button to get right where I want to return and operate. The optional cw keyer module is nice, too bad it wasnt installed as standard equipment. Full and semi qsk works great without any objectional key click. CW optional narrow filter really isnt needed as this radio has such a great reciever that just blew the Yaesu 747 and the Kenwood 430, out of the running. Even by todays standards the PBT and Notch on this radio is worthy consideration as one of the best .
100 watt output full duty cycle . Simple control and easy large to read LCD display. Yeah , I always have really liked this rig, even today its worthy and has held its value, much more value than the 430 or the 757 and much better rig.
Only one CON is that the trimmer caps in these older rigs are noted for going bad after 20+ service and would be wise to check this before purchase and to have the rig aligned. Note that this problem is showing up on a multitude of rigs from this era and the 757 has this same problem too. Just something to be aware of with any rig of this period!
I really like this rig alot and I have owned four seperate 735 rigs and also the competitor 757 by yaesu and have operated many Kw 430s The Icom wins evertime and I always go back to one of these 735s
Verified purchase: Yes