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4	"Icom America sponsors the awards..." Icom America sponsors the awards for the NAQP RTTY Contest. AA5AU has won 5 of the last 6 NAQP RTTY Contests. After each win, I send a “thank you” E-mail to Ray Novak N9JA with Icom for sponsoring the winning plaque. After winning the July 2004 NAQP, Ray asked me what kind of radios I used. When I told him “Kenwood”, he asked what it would take for me to use Icom radios. I said “send them to me”. So he did! I received the radios on December 21, 2004. Radios are on consignment for two months (or end of February). I will buy at least one of them, if not both.
5	This Presentation includes… CW, RTTY & PSK31 filtering Twin Pass Band Tuning (PBT) Bells & Whistles Dislikes
6	PRO III vs. TS-870 Filtering Both radios have built-in filters. There are no extra filters to buy. PRO III has both sharp & soft filtering for CW and SSB. PRO III has a special RTTY-only filter. PRO III has a Twin Peak Filter (TPF) for RTTY.
7	CW Filtering PRO III vs. TS-870 TS-870 has 6 filter settings, 50 hz, 100 hz, 200 hz, 400 hz, 600 hz & 1000 hz. PRO III has 50-500 hz in 50 hz steps, then 500-3600 hz in 100 hz steps (41 settings) PRO III has both sharp & soft CW filter settings for each of the 41 bandwidths. PRO III has an excellent manual notch filter for CW (and SSB). Does not work in RTTY mode.
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13	RTTY Filtering PRO III vs. TS-870 TS-870 has 4 filter settings, 250 hz, 500 hz, 1000 hz &1500 hz. PRO III has 50-500 hz in 50 hz steps, then 500-2700 hz in 100 hz steps (32 settings) as “regular” filtering in RTTY mode. PRO III has a special “RTTY” filter with available BW’s of 250 hz, 300hz, 350hz, 500hz & 1k (5 filter bandwidths available).
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18	PRO III Twin Peak Filter Introduces a high amount of audio noise when activated (noted in manual). No real difference found in print between “RTTY” and TPF filter on moderate to strong signals. Biggest advantage of the TPF is on very weak signals. TPF only works with high tones 2125/2295 Hz mark/space. Set for 170 Hz. TPF only works when RTTY filter is active.
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20	PSK (or other digital modes) Filtering SSB filters can be used for PSK and other digital modes. SSB filtering bandwidths of 50-500 Hz in 50 Hz increments ideal for AFSK digital modes. SSB filtering also available 500-3600 Hz in 100 Hz increments. Centered on 1500 Hz?
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23	Twin Pass Band Tuning (PBT) Narrows IF passband width by shifting filter passband (IF shift). Uses DSP circuit for PBT function. Adjustable in 25 or 50 hz steps. Functions as IF shift only in RTTY & AM. Used to eliminate interference. Works very well. PBT cleared & centered with one button.
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25	Useful Bells & Whistles – Page 1 Spectrum Display The ultimate contesting tool. Great for finding signals on low activity bands. Great for seeing signals intruding on your run frequency when contesting. Used to find noise or interference. Great tuning tool by using the HOLD function.
26	Useful Bells & Whistles – Page 2 Dual Watch RTTY Decoder (also has TX memories) Built-in Digital Voice Recorder Timer & Screen Saver Variable DSP Noise Reduction Two Preamplifiers Many more I haven’t discovered yet
27	Dislikes Connection for RTTY on ACC1 jack PRO III doesn’t come with an ACC 1 or 2 plug CI-V interface required for radio control Manual notch filter does not work in RTTY mode. Rear panel not well labeled RTTY decoder screen print too small RTTY TPF high noise level No radio control command for PTT (requires an external PTT interface)
28	Conclusion – the Icom IC-756 PRO III is the best transceiver I’ve used. It’s a fun radio with loads of usable features.