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-701and IC-720 series are not recommended (see comment below).
This page is a guide to products and typical market values only. It is not an offer of equipment for sale.
IC-730 - $100 to $150 - inexpensive "starter" rig, all hambands (including WARC), nogeneral coverage, IF Shift (PBT with optional filter).
IC-725 - $150 to $200 - good "starter" rig, DDSsynthesiser, quiet receiver. IC-726 is an IC-725 with 6m (10W output); $100more.
IC-728 - $200 to $275 - similar to IC-725, but with 9 MHz & 455 kHzIF's, PBT and interface for IC-AT160 autotuner.
IC-729 (rare) is an IC-728 with 6m (10W output); $100 more.
IC-703 Series: Compact multi-band portable/QRP radio; same size/form factor as IC-706. HF (IC-703), HF/6m (IC-703 Plus), 5 - 10W. Incorporates automatic ATU with latching relays to conserve battery power. US version includes UT-106 DSP. Power-saver mode and dial-light timer prolong battery life. RX/standby supply current only 300 mA. Separation cable allows remoting of control head, as in IC-706. Accessories: BP-228 battery-pack, BC-155A charger, LC-156 backpack bag and AH-703 whip antenna. IC-703 - $400 - 600. IC-703 Plus - $500 - 700. Now discontinued, rare and in demand. Add $100 to $150 for optional 455 kHz filter.
IC-706 Series: Compact multi-band mobile. HF/6m (100W), 2m (50W), 70cm (20W). One of Icom's most enduring and popular lines, now discontinued. 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. Caution: The PA power devices used in the IC-706 series are discontinued. The PA board will require replacement (approx. $800).
IC-707 - $175 to $225 - good "starter" HF rig, similar to IC-725,but has a front-firing speaker and a bar-graph meter.
IC-77 - $250 to $300 - commercial variant of IC-707. 50 channels,programmable, 100W output.
IC-735 - $200 to $275 - good, full-featured compact radio, includes PBT, IFnotch filter, keyer. Somewhat noisy synthesiser. Superb reliability record. Often missing plastic door over slide pots on front panel, but this does not affect functionality.
IC-737 - $200 to $275 - an IC-728/IC-AT160 combo in a larger case. No VOX, poorfilter 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 $250 - WARC bands, no general coverage, has IF Shift and PBT,very quiet frequency generation system.
IC-745 - $200 to $300 - predecessor of IC-751, excellent filter selection& IF shift/PBT, somewhat noisy synthesiser.
IC-751A - $275 to $450 (depending on accessories), one of the best HF rigs inits time, excellent filter selection & PBT, slightly noisy synthesiser. Itspredecessor, 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 - $250 to $400- excellent DDS synthesiser, fastinternal ATU, but poor filter selection and lousy audio notch.
IC-736 - $300 to $400 - an IC-738 with 6m and internal mains PSU. Same internal ATU as IC-738.
IC-765 - $500 to $750, depending on filters - very quiet DDS, excellentstrong-signal handling, internal ATU &mains PSU, needs PBT mod. Indifferent stock SSB IF filters, noisy RX audio amp.
IC-775DSP - $1300 to $1800, depending on filters. Flagship successorto IC-781; 200W transmitter, internal ATU and mains PSU, slots for optional SSBand CW filters, IF-DSP. Features similar to IC-781, but no Spectrum Scope. Excellent analogue noise blanker. EarlyIC-775 without DSP: $200 less. UI-100 DSP module can be retrofitted,but is extremely rare. Early IC-775's suffered from transmitted spur in split operation with offset < 1 kHz, due to "A" synthesiser leakage. This issue was corrected in later units (S/N > 2000). An "official" Icom fix is available.
IC-781 - $1500 to $1800 - CRT display, spectrum scope, 150Wtransmitter, internal ATU and mains PSU, top-of-the-line in itstime, widely used by NATO, very quiet DDS. Easy retrofit of narrow SSBfilters. Subject to heat-related issues in PSU and severe ALC overshoot. An ALC fix is available.
IC-756 - $450 to $600, depending on filters - a very good deal at current usedprices. LCD display, Twin PBT, Dual Watch, spectrum scope, internal ATU. Excellent performer. A hybrid analogue/DSP design; analogue IF filters, DSP modulation, demodulation, noise-reduction, auto-notch etc. Quiet DDS synthesiser Monochrome LCD display is subject to failure; display module is discontinued. A replacement LCD display module is now available from Richard, PA7FA.
IC-746 - $300 to $500, depending on filters. 100W HF, 6m and 2mall-mode, large, legible LCD display, bar-graph metering, Twin PBT, spectrum displayfunction. Excellent performer. Lots of capability for the price. Front panel and display very manageable.
IC-746Pro or IC-7400 (now discontinued) - $700 to $1000, depending on age and condition. 100W HF, IF-DSP, 6m and 2mall-mode, large, legible LCD display, bar-graph metering, Twin PBT, spectrum displayfunction. Excellent performer. No optional filters required. Lots of capability for the price. Front panel and display very manageable.
IC-756Pro - $700 to $1000, depending on condition. 100W, HF and 6m. This was Icom's first IF-DSP transceiver with IF selectivity in the DSP algorithm. No optional filters are ever required. The DSP also offers RX noise reduction, Twin PBT, auto notch, manual notch, TX audio management and compression. Dual Watch, Colour TFT display, internal ATU. The IC-756Pro IIoffers many improvements over the"original" Pro, but the IC-756Pro is still an excellent choice.
IC-756Pro II - $1100 to $1400, depending on condition. Not yet an "oldie".
IC-756Pro III - $1400 to $1800, depending on condition. Now discontinued. The last of the 756Pro series, superseded by the IC-7600.
IC-7000: Compact HF/VHF/UHF mobile with IF-DSP. $800 to $1200, depending on condition. The successor to the IC-706 line, now discontinued in favour of the IC-7100. Features detachable control head with colour screen; OPC-1443 separation cable kit availlable as optional accessory.
Note 1: I have not mentioned the IC-701 (noWARC 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 itspredecessor, 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 RAMboard. As is well known, these radios go "brain-dead" in the event ofbackup battery failure. View EX-314replacement options.
IC-AT150 - $100 to $225 - rated at 100W. Tunes load impedances in range 16 ~ 150 ohms resistive (VSWR 1:1 ~ 3:1). Bands: 160 ~ 10m. Programmable antennaselection by band (4 outputs). Cabinet matches IC-735, but will work with all Icom HFtransceivers (EX-202 LDA Unit required for IC-730; OPC-137 Adapter required for IC-745,IC-751/A).
IC-AT500 - $200 to $300 - rated at 500W. Much-sought-after companion tuner for IC-2KL amplifier.Rated at 500W. Tunes load impedances in range 16 ~ 150 ohmsresistive(VSWR 1:1 ~ 3:1). Bands: 160 ~ 10m. Antenna selection by freq. range (4 outputs). Cabinetmatches 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 - $125 to $200 - "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 ohmsresistive (VSWR 1:1 ~3:1). Bands: 160 ~ 10m.
AH-2a - $150 to $225 - 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 CI-V-equipped radios via control head($50 - 75 additional). If offered with AH-2b whip antenna system, add $100.
The AH-2a should work with the IC-735, IC-751A, IC-745, IC-730 and IC-740. With some or perhaps all of these, it may be necessary to reduce power for tuning as well as selecting a continuous-carrier mode (e.g. FM or RTTY) for tuning.
AH-3 - $175 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, andwith 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 $1000 for U.S. model (160 ~ 15m). Add $100 - 200 for"international" model (160 ~ 10m). A versatile, reliable little 500W workhorse, now very rare and sought-after.Comes with IC-2KLPS linear PSU (117 ~ 240V mains, selectable via primary taps)."Seamless" 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-AT500autotuner ($275 to $325). 10/12mactivation on U.S. model requires some "surgery".
IC-4KL - $1800 to $2700. This comparatively self-contained 1 kW amplifier is, in effect, apair of IC-2KL's with an input splitter and output combiner. PA stage, switching PSU andmicroprocessor-controlled autotuner in one cabinet. Desktop control head allows remoting.Easy 10/12m activationon U.S. model. PSU is weak point, but rebuild is feasible using OEM switch-mode PSU module.
IC-PS15 - $75 to $100. This is a linear regulated PSU (13.8VDC/20A). Originally designed for the IC-720 series, it will power any 12V100W-class HF transceiver. Its cabinet style and colour match most Icom HF transceivers, including recent and current 13.8V models. The IC-PS15 has a pigtail fitted with astandard 6-pin Molex plug which mates with all Icom and some Kenwood HFradios. The IC-PS15 cabinet matches recent and current Icom radios (IC-756series, etc.) very well. The IC-CF1 cooling fan is a rare accessory.
IC-PS20 - $50 to $70. This is a switching-type regulated PSU (13.8VDC/20A). Originally designed for the IC-551D 100W 6m radio, it will power any 12V100W-class HF transceiver. Its cabinet style is similar to that of thePS-701. The IC-PS20 has a pigtail fitted with a 3-pin plug; an adapter cable isrequired to convert to the standard 6-pin Molexplug.
IC-PS25 - $50 to $70. This is a small internal switching PSUmodule used in the IC-271A, IC-471A and IC-1271A. It is quite rare nowadays.
IC-PS30 - $100 to $150. This is a switching-type System PSU (cabinet-mountedIC-PS35) for Icom transceivers (13.8V DC/25A). The IC-PS30 has a pigtailfitted with the standard 6-pin Molex plug; 3 extra output connectors areincluded for lower-powered radios (e.g. VHF/UHF FM rigs). A voltage/currentmeter is also provided. The IC-PS30 cabinet matches the IC-2KL linear amplifierand IC-AT100/500 autotuners.
IC-PS35 - $50 to $100. This is the internal switching PSU module designed for use in theIC-745, IC-751, IC-751A and IC-970transceivers (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-pinmains socket, and the other in a standard 6-pin Molex plug which is inserted inthe radio's DC POWER socket. To avoid EMC problems, lead dress should beobserved when installing an IC-PS35.
PS-45 - $60 to $90. This is a compact switching PSU (13.8V DC/8A). Itwas 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 HFtransceiver. The IC-PS55 has a pigtail fitted with the standard 6-pin Molexplug. The IC-PS55 cabinet matches the IC-735, and also the IC-725 andIC-728 series except for colour.
PS-701 - $50 to $75. This is an unregulated PSU made for the IC-701 only. The PS-701 output is approx. 19VDC at 20A. It has no internal regulation of any kind. The IC-701 had the regulation built into it for the power supply. ThePS-701 should not be used with any other transceiver.
IC-PS740 - $70 to $100. This is the internal switching PSU module designed for use in theIC-740. It is nearly identical to the IC-PS35listed above, but is comparatively rare.
IC-PS85 - $100 to $125. This is a compact switching PSU (13.8V DC/20A). Originally designed for theIC-756, it will power any 12V100W-class HF transceiver. The IC-PS85 has a pigtail fitted with the standard6-pin Molex plug. There is a modificationto reduce fan noise.
Note 3. The IC-PS85was so plagued by EMC issues that Icom replaced it with the IC-PS125.
Note 4. The IC-PS15 and IC-PS55are 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 viaPins 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 upimmediately when plugged into the transceiver, as the radio's POWER switch is no longer able to switchthe mains supply.
Note 5 (Contributed by Frank, W3UHF). TheIC-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 Ibelieve one or two actually caught fire!
This list is by no means complete or definitive. Please e-mail suggestions and comments.
Page last updated: 10/18/19
