Three radios I'd love to have owned but didn't

For many newcomers to amateur radio, certain transceivers leave lasting impression. The Icom IC-756 Pro3, Yaesu FT-890, and the venerable FT-757GX are three such radios that have left lasting impressions on me personally, even though I never actually owned any of these radios. 

Icom IC-756 Pro3

The Icom IC-756 Pro3, released in the early 2000s, was a game-changer in the world of analog/digital hybrid design. It quickly became a favorite among contesters and DXers for its awesome features. The big, colorful TFT display was ahead of its time, giving users a cool visual display of all their operating info with the spectrum scope feature. It made exploring different bands super exciting for new hams and was a handy tool for experienced contesters. Plus, the Pro3 had a user-friendly interface and top-notch DSP capabilities, making it a must-have rig for contesters and DXpeditions.

Yaesu FT-890

The Yaesu FT-890, a much simpler radio popular in the 1990s, offered a compelling blend of compact size and capable performance. For amateur radio operators dealing with limited space, its ability to deliver 100 watts, in a package suitable for both base and mobile operation, was very attractive. 

Its straightforward controls and durable construction made it a forgiving radio for those still learning the ropes of HF operation. It's also, to my 

mind, a great looking little radio!

Going back even further, the Yaesu FT-757GX, introduced in the 1980s, was one of the first truly compact HF all-mode transceivers.

Yaesu FT-757GX

For all hams of in that era, it opened up a world of possibilities. Covering 160m through 10m, it offered a taste of every HF mode and band in one box. Its simplicity of operation, combined with features like a built-in antenna tuner, made it an excellent learning platform for those new to HF. 

I've lost count of the numbers of hours I must have spent drooling over this radio in magazines back in the day!.

Each of these radios represented a sweet spot of capability, usability, and aspiration for their respective eras. For a new ham, owning any one of them would have provided not just a capable station, but a piece of amateur radio history. While technology has moved on, these radios remain respected and sought after, testament to their design and the memories they've helped create for countless operators over the years.