Icom confirms IC-706 production has not ceased

Production of Icom's much-loved IC-706 will continue, according to a report carried in this week's Amateur Radio Newsline.

The Newsline report says:

Contrary to Internet rumors, production of the popular
IC 706 Mark 2 G has not ceased. The erroneous report of the radio's demise came in a Wireless Institute of Australia news report that said that the 706 was no longer being made and that Navcom Electronics that there are only 14 units currently held in stock in Australia.

While that might be the case down-under, Amateur Radio Newsline has received word from Icom America that the decision to stop selling the IC-706 was likely a one made by Icom Australia. On this side of the Pacific Icom America says that the IC - 706 MK 2 G will continue in the Icom America product line.

The original IC-706 was introduced over a dozen years ago and quickly developed what might best be described as a cult following. The radio was not all that much bigger than a dual-band FM transceiver of that era, but it packed an amazingly sensitive all band receiver and powerful ham band transmitter into a relatively tiny package measuring only 6.56" x 2.28" x 7.88".

Over the years the IC-706 has seen many upgrades.
The latest version is the Mark II G which adds many new features and capabilities not found in the previous 706 and 706Mk II versions including the UT-106 DSP module as a
standard feature.

Many hams called it the perfect mobile and portable station and stayed with it even after rival manufacturers brought out their own tiny all band transceivers with similar or even more advanced features. Its also a radio with one of the highest resale values on the used equipment market.

Also included in the WIA story was a claim that Icom was instituting a five year warranty on all of its products.
Well that’s true only if you live in Australia. According to Icom America, that is an Icom Australia only project.
No other Icom distributor is offering a 5 year warranty.

ARNewsline™