Receive is great on this radio, very easy to use with built in antenna tuner which seems to tune everything I throw at it. AT is very quick. Great audio reports from this rig and it's a monster. It really fills up the desk. I used to pair it with an Icom SM-5 desk mic and have moved to a Heil ICM mic. Both microphones work great on this radio. I traded my IC 718 for this radio. I think I got the better deal even though this radio is a little bit older than my 718 was. If you are on the fence about getting one and find a good deal...snap it up. You will not regret it. This radio is built well and it's beefy. No manual needed, just plug and play. I think it would be better if it also covered 6 meters, but still a great radio. KB8QID.