Name: Icom IC-706MkIIG
Brand: Icom

160m – 70cm

Bands

100 W

Output

1999

Introduced

Frequency	TX: HF (1.8–29.7) + 50/144/430 MHz amateur, RX: 30 kHz–200 MHz + 400–470 MHz
Bands	160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m, 2m, 70cm
TX power	100 W (100W HF/6m, 50W 2m, 20W 70cm. MOS-FET PA all bands. Diecast aluminum chassis + cooling fan.)
Modes	USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM
Weight	2.5 kg (5.5 lb) - 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) per Icom. Dimensions: 167×58×200 mm. Mobile form factor.
Connector	SO-239 ×2 (ANT1 HF/6m, ANT2 2m/70cm)
Year	1999

Connectors

antenna	SO-239 ×2 (ANT1 HF/6m, ANT2 144/430 MHz)
mic	microphone connector
key	CW key jack
acc	accessory connector
civ	CI-V (computer control)
ext spkr	external speaker jack
tuner	AH-4 tuner control
dc in	DC 13.8V
power req	DC 13.8V. 20A max on HF TX.

the original all-band mobile, the 706 series defined HF/VHF/UHF in one compact radio HF + 6m + 2m + 70cm all-mode (SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM) in one radio 3rd generation 706: MkIIG adds 70cm and 50W on 2m (original IC-706 had 10W 2m, no 70cm) UT-106 DSP module INCLUDED as standard (auto notch + noise reduction, was optional on MkII) IF shift (moves passband to reject adjacent QRM) optional IF filters: FL-100, FL-101, FL-103, FL-223, FL-232 (narrow CW/SSB) optional CR-282 high-stability TCXO large LCD with alphanumeric memory names (9 characters) + soft key descriptions mini spectrum scope (band scope display) detachable front panel (optional separation cable required) 107 memory channels (102 regular + 5 scan edges) automatic repeater function (programmable, eliminates manual repeater settings for VHF/UHF) noise blanker + speech compressor + VOX + RIT CW electronic keyer (built-in) CTCSS/DTCS tone squelch CI-V computer control AH-4 antenna tuner compatible (external automatic tuner) DXpedition favorite, compact enough for travel, powerful enough for serious HF DISCONTINUED. Replaced by IC-7000 (adds color display, dual DSP, 41 filters), then IC-7100

Strengths

The radio that defined the all-band mobile category: HF + 6m + 2m + 70cm all-mode, with DSP standard on the MkIIG, 100W on HF, and a detachable panel. It is DXpedition-proven, AH-4 tuner compatible, and compact at 2.5 kg, with a CW keyer and auto-repeater, a large used market, and good documentation.

Weaknesses

Discontinued. AF-level DSP only (not IF-level like the IC-7000, so less effective). Optional IF filters add cost. No color display. No waterfall. No digital modes. No USB interface. 20W on 70cm only. The IC-7000 and IC-7100 are superior successors.

Verdict

The radio that defined the all-band mobile category. The IC-706 series put HF through 70cm in a mobile package, and the MkIIG was its final evolution, adding 70cm and standard DSP. Many DXpeditions ran on 706s. It is replaced by the IC-7000 and IC-7100, but used MkIIGs remain good value at $400-700 for operators who need HF through 70cm in one compact radio without color displays or digital modes.

The Icom IC-706MKIIG is the radio that defined the 'shack in a box', a compact transceiver covering HF, 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 centimeters in a chassis small enough to mount in a vehicle. It delivers 100 watts on HF and 6 meters, 50 watts on 2 meters, and 20 watts on 70 centimeters, across SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, and FM. The detachable front panel lets the body tuck out of sight while the controls sit within reach, a feature that made it a mobile-operating icon.

The MKIIG was the final and most capable version of the IC-706 line, adding the 70-centimeter band and MOSFET power amplifiers to the formula. With a built-in keyer, tone squelch with scan, and a band-scope function, it gave field and mobile operators nearly everything a base station offered in a fraction of the space, and it sold in enormous numbers. Decades on, it remains one of the most recognizable amateur radios ever made.

It is a discontinued classic. See its successor the IC-7000 and the later IC-7100.