When I was still living in Chicago, I bought a used Icom 746 from
a friend to use on 6M and 2M. I already owned an Omni V.9. It's a
very nice rig, and works quite well on 6 and 2. It, and most
garden variety rigs have two important limitations on 6M and 2M.
1) They need outboard bandpass filters and preamps for "great"
performance. I bought ARR GasFETs for both 6M and 2M, and also ICE
bandpass filters. Both of my ICE VHF filters arrived out of
alignment (measured with my HP generator and spectrum analyzer),
but were promptly fixed under warranty.
2) Their front ends overload relatively easily, so if you've got
close in neighbors on these bands, you can get blown away by RX
spurs and RX phase noise.
In this class I would include the various compact mobile rigs by
Icom and Yaesu. I've worked a LOT of guys on 6 and 2 who were
using 706s.
The better transverters are a BIG step up -- their front ends
handle considerably more signal without issues and they don't need
preamps (unless you've got a really long run from the antenna and
need something at the top of the tower). In that class I'd include
the Elecraft and Down East Microwave.
FWIW, although the K3 covers 6M directly, it badly needs an
outboard preamp.
Another good way to add a preamp is with a good outboard "brick"
power amp that has one built in. I've bought several vintage RF
Concepts and pre-MFJ Mirage amps, and been quite pleased.
Bottom line -- if you're in the middle of nowhere with no big guns
around you, the low cost rigs will do fine on 6 and 2, but you'll
want a preamp to work the weak ones.
73,
Jim K9YC
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