Feature Comparison of the Icom IC-706MkIIG vs the Yaesu FT-857

by Steve Sutterer, AK0M

revised 11/24/2004

I’ve owned an IC-706MkIIG for years, and used it quite at bit in a mobile environment, at home for VHF and UHF, and on one Dxpedition. When the FT-857 came out, I liked what I saw in the reviews regarding receiver performance and features, and knew that I really liked the receiver on my somewhat similar FT-1000MP MkV Field as well as the features on my FT-817. So I bought the FT-857 in advance of another trip to the Bahamas in Feb. 2004, and took it with me instead of the IC-706MkIIG.

I’ve also used the FT-857 on several extended trips in mobile operation both on HF and on VHF/UHF FM.

As a result of these experiences, I have mixed feelings about the FT-857 vs the IC-706MkIIG. I have captured some of my observations and thoughts below, comparing the two radios, for those that may be considering purchase of one or the other.

In all references below, “706” refers to the IC-706MkIIG, and “857” refers to the FT-857. Some of the comments will not be applicable to the earlier versions of the 706, and I have yet to use an FT-857ND yet.

IC-706MkIIG comments:

General:

The 706 receiver doesn’t stand up to crowded band conditions quite as well as the 857, but it’s not a huge difference.
DSP features are lacking (TX DSP; band pass filter on RX; NB is marginal) compared to the 857. In my opinion, the noise blanker in the 706 does not perform as well as that in the 857.
Squelch control has a mode that combines RF Gain and Squelch into one control; The first half of the control rotation is for RF gain, the last half is for squelch. This works very well for mixed SSB/CW and FM operation. There is also an “auto” mode, whereby RF gain is default for SSB/CW, and squelch is default for FM. The 857 must be manually changed via a menu from either squelch or RF gain operation, which I find inconvenient, particularly in switching between HF SSB/CW and VHF FM during mobile operation.
SWR meter does not work on 144/440 bands; 857 does.
Variable tuning rate based on knob rotation speed is very handy and gets a lot of use.
I like the flexibility in the 706 for setting preferred tuning rates; the 857 does not have many choices (slow and fast).
The 706 gets very hot, even when not transmitting. There’s a modification published that is supposed to keep the fan running at low speed even in receive that really helps the radio run cooler.
Meter scale is well-numbered compared to just marks on the 857 meter.
LCD display is well laid-out and provides all the important information at a glance for the current configuration of the radio (AGC setting, compressor on/off, break-in mode, meter mode, etc.). On the 857, this information must be accessed by dialing up the appropriate menu to see status.
Analog (trimpot) speech compression and sidetone level adjustments are not as convenient as the menu-settable equivalents on the 857.
Built-in CW keyer does not have memory capability.
Microphone is easily changed out due to the externally accessible connector, but requires special higher-drive mic cartridges not usually used on other radios.
The 706 is more SWR tolerant than the 857.

Mobile:

Remote faceplate includes BOTH the microphone and headphone/speaker-out connectors but requires a special ICOM cable, not homebrewable. 857 requires separate microphone cable.
SWR graphing feature (HF only) is handy for dealing with narrow bandwidth mobile HF antennas, but only provides info for one frequency on each side of the dial frequency.
Initially I thought there was no repeater “reverse” function. This was incorrect. Regardless of how you go into repeater split operation (there are at least 4 ways to do this; see IC706MkIIG repeater operation), you can always see your transmit frequency on the G3 menu. And on that same G3 menu, you can check the input frequency by pressing and holding in the F4 key (labeled “T”). also when pressing the F4 key, the transmit frequency is then displayed in the main portion of the display, and the amount of offset is shown in the subdisplay. If using the Quick Split to set repeater transmit offset, then it is also possible to check the input frequency using the F4 XFC button on the M1 menu when in split mode.
Soft night-time display illumination is available.
Backlit buttons and controls, but control labels are not backlit (comparable to 857).
Programmed band-limit VFO scanning is easy to set up and start.
Memory programming: Not able to externally computer-program all functions (example: PL tone frequency). This severely limits the ability to quickly reconfigure the radio’s memories through computer programming, as it then requires human intervention to enter PL frequencies. Not an issue with the 857.
Menu operation seems easier than the 857, as it just requires button pushes (using two separate buttons) to change menus rather than having to rotate a selector knob to get to the desired menu. I find I can do this more easily “eyes-off” than I can with the 857. Also, there are 3 main menus each with 4 sub-menus on the 706; it’s relatively easy to remember what function is where. And the functions seem intelligently grouped on the individual menus, plus across menus, minimizing need for menu changing. On the 857, the menus are all sequentially accessed and not as well organized, in my opinion.
Antenna connector labels on side of radio are difficult to see when the radio is in a mobile mount. (I only temporarily install the radio in my van as needed, as it usually only goes mobile when I take an extended trip, thus I refer to this diagram often.)
The 706 display is just much more easily and quickly read when in a mobile environment.

Contesting:

The “memory pad” last-in/first-out frequency stack function is extremely useful for temporarily storing up to 5 or 10 frequencies during contest operation and VHF band openings. 857 only has a single “quick memory pad”.
Receiver doesn’t stand up well to crowded band conditions, and is subject to overload, but is only slightly less capable than 857 in this regard.

Dxpeditioning/field portable operation:

Requires slightly more current than the 857.
SWR graphing feature is somewhat useful.
When operating split from the “DX side”, a good RIT control is very useful. With the 706, you are forced to do RIT with the detented selector knob, which just doesn’t feel right; I prefer the ability to use the main tuning knob when in RIT mode like is possible on the 857.
The selector-knob-only RIT tuning function can be offset by using split mode with both VFO’s rather than RIT, and then using the G3-menu display of transmit frequency. I will give this some more use in the future, as it may prove equal to or better than using the RIT function. Keep in mind though that the TX freq display goes away if you select a different menu.
I wish this radio had a Split display mode that would show the relative frequency offset from the “fixed” VFO setting. RIT mode does this for just a moment when changing the RIT offset. The 857 does not provide this capability either.
I much prefer the slightly-larger size, controls and display of the 706 vs that of the 857.

FT-857 comments:

General:

Receiver seems to handle crowded band conditions somewhat better than the 706.
More complete set of DSP features for both TX and RX (better NB; TX audio equalization; CW band pass filter) vs. 706. The noise blanker in the 857 seems more effective than that in the 706.
Microphone is not easily changed out; requires removing the front panel to get to the microphone connector, which is then recessed in the housing and difficult to remove without a flat screwdriver or similar tool to depress the latch.
There is no “automatic” squelch mode selection for SSB/CW vs FM operation even though the manual says that there is; it’s one way or the other (Squelch vs. RF Gain), changed only via menu.
The initial setting/operation of the squelch control had me initially confused when first trying out FM mode; this is made more difficult because the manual is erroneous in how this control works. Should be better addressed in the manual.
The 857 doesn’t have a variable tuning rate feature like the 706 has, when you spin the dial faster; large frequency changes are slower than on the 706 without using the FAST tuning mode, which requires extra button pushes to enable/disable. The larger step sizes available with the selector knob somewhat make up for this.
Far fewer tuning rate options, compared to the 706.
Stays relatively cool.
Fan is noisier than the 706’s.
Meter mode during TX not determinable without first going to the metering menu and pressing the meter mode button to figure out which mode it’s in, or observing the display when actually transmitting. On the 706, TX meter mode is always shown on the display..
No numbering provided for the meter scale, just bars; this is annoying, particularly when in SWR mode.
The scan stop “beep” is annoying, can only be controlled on and off by adjustable level, and can only be turned off by completely turning off ALL the control beeps. Should have separate adjustable level.
Power cable provided is hard to actually use; difficult to route from engine compartment to passenger compartment with large connector on one end and 2 large fuse holders at the other end, without cutting the cable.
Overall, the display just doesn’t provide enough information that otherwise has to be looked at individually on menus vs. the 706’s. This includes TX meter mode; speech compressor status; noise blanker status; vox status; AGC mode; break-in mode.
Digital-mode ready (per advertising; I haven’t tried this yet).
CW keyer does include 3 memories, but these are of limited real use because their control buttons are shared with so many other functions (they’re on a separate menu) and require too many operations to normally get to them. They seem really more intended for beacon operation.
I personally don’t care for the placement of the VFO/Memory and Lock buttons on the right side of the tuning knob; in mobile operation these are out of sight.
When custom-programming the function of the buttons in menu Mf-q (which is a nice feature), if you program a button with one of the extended-Menu functions, it displays only the Menu function number instead of a text label (ex.: Memory Group On/Off shows up on the display as “55:”).
The 857 is less SWR tolerant than the 706.
The 857 has a reputation for RF feedback on transmitted audio. The usual fix for the RF feedback problem is to coil up the coax in a few turns, just behind the radio.

Mobile:

Display is too small for quick reading and does not provide enough information.
Microphone requires a mic clip for storage; won’t just hang from a screw or hook like the 706 mic
No padding on the mounting bracket where it contacts the radio case, like there is on the 706 bracket. I added several layers of black tape to my bracket to protect the radio from scratches.
No labels on the back panel; everything is labeled underneath the radio, and once I mount my radio on top of a wooden mounting fixture for mobile use in my minivan, I can’t read the connector labels. I addressed this by making up a back panel drawing on a piece of index card, and taping this to the back of my homebrew mobile mount where I could see it. This may not be a problem if you are using a typical “suspended-radio” mount. But is still a problem for desktop operation.
Remote faceplate has no provisions for microphone connection (audio (headphones or speaker) is available); this must be separately run from the radio.
The cable for remoting the faceplate can be homebrewed using RJ45 ethernet connectors and suitable cable.
No SWR graphing feature.
Lower profile fits better in my van. (706 was about ¼ inch too tall for where I put it, and interfered with the cup-holder)
I like the “memory groups” feature, being able to separate the 200 memories into 10 sets of 20 memories each. However, when using this mode, it’s difficult to see the alpha character on the display that describes which memory bank you’re in (“Ma-, Mb-, etc.), and it’s difficult to know what that specific memory bank is really set up for. I would have liked the contiguous memory numbers maintained rather than the 1-20 numbering for each group, such as how it’s done on my Standard C508 HT which has a similar feature. I would also like to somehow have the option to be able to manually step through all the memory channels using the selector knob rather than have to first change to each new memory group, but still in memory group mode for scanning purposes.
Relatively easy and complete external programming capability for memories; can include PL tone freq. This means that the memories can relatively easily be fully reprogrammed with external software (I use FT-Basic).
Easy repeater reverse (input) checking if this is important to you.
“Programmable memory” (band) scan seems complex to set up and initiate. Requires two button presses and sometimes a selector-knob rotation to start up a band scan.
Setting up the programmable band scan limits did not seem easy or intuitive.
Menu operation just seems less user-friendly than on the 706, since with the 857 you have to push the Function button, then rotate a selector knob and go through all the menus sequentially to get to the desired menu, vs. just pushing at most two buttons (Display, then Menu) on the 706. I find that menu operation on the 857 requires more eyesight/attention than on the 706.
Display: I found it hard to find a soft-enough illumination mode for night-time operation.
Buttons and controls are backlit, but control labels are not backlit.
An optional quick-disconnect mount would be nice (same for 706).
The multi-function microphone remote control is a good idea, but of limited use in low light conditions since the keypad labels cannot be read then (they are not backlit). It’s also easy to bump the controls on the remote mic during normal use, unless you lock it, but then why have a remote mic?

Contesting:

I miss the memory pad feature that the 706 has, particularly when doing “search & pounce” style of contest operation that would be very common when running a sub-optimal portable or mobile antenna system.

Dxpeditioning/field portable operation:

Smaller size; fits a little easier into my airline carry-on bag than the 706.
Uses same accessories and interface cables as the FT-817 I also carry with me
Somewhat lower current consumption than the 706.
Able to use the main tuning knob for tuning with RIT when running a pileup, without having to use the split VFO mode.
I wish this radio had a RIT or Split display mode that would show the relative frequency offset from the “fixed” VFO setting.