well i can tell you from personal use
the Icom IC-7000 (known also as the baby Pro)
that this is a indeed great little radio..
it has many toys (some of which are a bit silly like having tv)
Lots of Great Filters..
as a Licenced tech ham operator in USA
you can easily use the radio all over on
6 and 2 meters as well as 70 cm band
(also hear some use on Murs and FRS/GMRS but is extreme overkill)
one also can use on on 11 meters (again extreme overkill)
sounds great on AM/FM and Absolutly surpurb on SSB
(on SSB all say damm...that is broadcast quality)
Plus if you want to moniter HF then it may give you incentive to seek your General and when you do get your general
no need for another radio
works great whether using for repeaters or for simplex
itis indeed a bit pricy
i use it with the Icom sm20 desk mike and their exturnal speaker
with filtering
going to either my GP-9 dual bander or Interceptor I-10K
(both at 52 to 54 ft at the base)
as well as beams by
www.gulfalphaantennas
dual polarity 9 element for 2 meters
(replacing with their new dual polarity 12 element for 2 meters)
16 element for 70cm band
and 12 element for 1.25 meter band/222 band with my alinco
so far the combination works extremly well
maybe for next spring or summer i might get a linear
not really have much need for one though
(except getting code down and then i will want a linear for HF)
is actually a very hard radio to beat
even the Kenwood TS2000 can not really stack up
(TS 2000 is a good radio as well...its advantage is 1.2 band)
