I have owned both the Icom 756 and 756 Pro (which I sold in anticipation of
the Orion). I found the spectrum display very usable in those radios.
I did use it to scan a large section (the max sweep range was, I think 100
kHz) of a band for activity. For example, last fall there was a special
event commemerating Route 66. There were a dozen or so stations with
different calls operating from various locations on the route. The generally
operated around .266. I would use the spectrum display to look for activity
around .266 and tune each one in to see if it was the special event and one
that I needed.
I also used it with narrow CW filters to see activity beyond what I was
hearing. Using the narrow filter made it easier to copy a single station,
but I could use the spectrum display to help me tune in the next signal
without having to go to a wider filter.
I used to have a Kenwood TS940 with the SM220 with pan adapter. I did not
find that pan adpater display very useful, but I did find the spectrum
display on the 756 very useful.
Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Brown" <ken.d.brown@verizon.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Re: Continuing Orion evaluation/Dragonball
> >
> >
> >If I read the Icom literature, as posted on the Internet
> >correctly, they have included yet a fourth processor,
> >and maybe even another rcvr, just for the sweep scan
> >display!
> >
> Once upon a time when I had a Heathkit SB-301 and SB-401, both purchased
> already built from separate parties, I got a SB-620 (I could be wrong on
> the model number) "Scanalyzer" scope kit as a gift. I built the kit,
> using the selected parts to make it work on the SB301/401 IF. It worked
> fine when I hooked it up to the radios. I played with it a bunch and
> tried to find some really good use for it. It was really neat, but not a
> laboratory instrument. If somebody had a really wide signal, maybe I
> would have been able to see that. If a really strong signal came on the
> band, it might alert me to that. With all the atmospheric noise, it
> would not really show a vacant spot in the band if that is what I was
> looking for.
>
> Overall it was kinda fun to play with, and it was a good experience to
> build it and make it work, but I did not find it very usefull. I suppose
> if I was a ten meter, or six meter enthusiast it might have been real
> useful as a way to see if any signals started popping up on an otherwise
> dead band.
>
> So my questions to those of you who have spectrum displays built into
> your new rigs, are: Do you really use them? What worthwhile information
> do they give you? If the radio that has this display, had it as an
> option that you had to pay additional money for, how much would you be
> willing to pay?
>
> It is not my intention to criticize Icom or Ten-Tec, or anybody else who
> includes this feature. I am just trying to understand what is so good
> about it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ken N6KB
>
>
>
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