ICOM IC-761 reviews

Got my Tech No-Code licenses at age 17 December 1999. While studying for my licenses, I bought a very good condition IC-761 from the original owner in October 1999. To this day (July 28, 2025) my IC-761 has been the only radio I use for HF. The IC-761 is a fantastic work horse! I use it for SSB / CW operations. My IC-761 puts out 8w - 110w on SSB / CW. When operating CW, I usually transmit no more then 75w. The IC-761 has a very decent internal tuner that has no problem tuning my G5RV Inverted V to a 1.1 SWR from below 3.800 MHz to past 28.500 MHz. The built in power supply keeps you from needing an external power supply. The IC-761 is very easy and simple to use with all the adjustments right on the front of the radio. No menus to have to go through just to change the power output on the fly. Since 2011 I have been using the Heil iCM Icom desktop mic. With nothing more then the iCM mic and the mic / compression gain adjusted properly, I get fantastic audio quality / signal reports. Even on 80m with just 100w. People are always surprised when I tell them that all Im using is an IC-761 and the Heil iCM Icom desktop mic and no other audio gear. Just a few months ago, one evening on 20m I forgot the AL-811H amp was in Stand By mode. I worked 4 ZL and 5 VK stations with just 15w. Each station gave me a good signal report for the power I was running, but each station gave me a very nice audio quality report. It wasn’t until I worked the 3rd VK when I saw that the amp was in stand by and that I was only transmitting 15w.

I love the analog meter. At a glance you can easily see the exact power output with out having to count the number of power meter squares on the meter and guessing what your power output is. Good large solid and easy to spin tuning knob. My IC-761 operates well with my AL-811H amp and LDG AT-1000ProII auto tuner.

After several hours of contest operating, the IC-761 keeps on working like a champ! With all the adjustments right there on the front of the radio, It makes it very easy to quickly make a power output or mic gain adjustment on the fly with out having to waist time flipping through several menus trying to find the power adjustment menu.

The receive audio quality, even with the internal speaker, is sharp and clear. The adjustable NB and NB Wide filters work well for being 35 year old technology. The VOX function when properly adjusted works like a champ. The IC-761 has a decent pre-amp. The IC-761 has a frequency calibration adjustment. With my IC-761 being right around 35 years old, even after several hours of contesting, the frequency stability is excellent. The IC-761 does not have an internal cooling fan, but after several hours of contesting, the radio obviously gets warm to the touch, but does not get hot. Power output level is very stable. Mic gain level on the ALC meter is very stable. Audio quality reports are also very stable after several hours of contesting.

Excellent radio - very solid, self-contained power supply. Owned one for about 5-years.