Quoted:
Guys,
Need some help here. Do I sell the 706 mk I, roll some extra money with it, and get a 7000? The lack of a DSP is KILLING me in the car. I have a sub-optimal compromise antenna, and it really shows when I'm trying to hear people.
I'm looking at about $1000 for a 7000, which means I could roll another $150-200 into it and get a 7100. I figure I can get probably $500-600 out of the 706, which will offset it a bit.
Or do I just give up on the HF in the car and go straight for HF in the pickup (which should be quieter, because it's not a hybrid)?
Sigh.
ETA:
Or, a 480SAT and figure out how to make it work with my AH4?
View Quote
I think you already answered your own question..
The Hybrid is not the best platform for you with a sub optimal antenna.
The Icom 706 is not a very good mobile. You could try to add some mechanical and crystal filters - but that would increase the cost to the point of diminishing returns.
The 7000's performance is marginal at best.
The 7100 - although newer - was not rated all of that high when the ARRL tested it.
Your best bet is to get rid of the 706 and buy a Kenwood TS 480 SAT = this would also give you the auto tuner option...
Then you can splurge and spend another $150 and buy yourself a decent Two Meter Mobile.
With the remote heads - you can pretty much put the radio part anywhere and mount the head unit on the console and be able to use it in any position as opposed to a huge radio that has to be mounted in the dash, under the dash or on or between the console.
You can buy the filters for the Kenwood from Sherwood Engineering and then you would have something...
http://www.sherweng.com/