IC-7100_review_QST_2014.pdf

QST Devoted entirely to Amateur Radio www.arrl.org July 2014 45 Reprinted with Permission ARRL and 7100 feature sets in his report on the 7100.1 Extra Perspectives Being an IC-7000 owner, I am al- ready “tuned in” to many of the IC- 7100s features and “the Icom way.” What would a ham think about the 7100 if he or she approached it without that background? I operate competitively and have certain expecta- tions for what I find useful how would a ham with different experiences feel about the radio? To find out, I asked my friend, Kevin Williams, KWKW, to give the radio a try for a while, too. Mobile maven Alan Applegate, KBG, also weighed in Reviewed by Ward Silver, NAX ARRL Contributing Editor n0axarrl.org The Icom IC-7100 certainly made a splash when it was first announced in 2012. The radio was eye-catch- ing, with a slanted standalone display unit that was new to ham radio. Was it supposed to replace the IC-7000? We had to cool our heels a bit waiting for type acceptance and all the final pre-shipment details to be worked out, but the North American model finally started appearing in American shacks around the middle of 2013. From the ads, it wasnt clear whether this was a radio that took the IC-706 mobile dynasty to a new level or a miniaturized desktop radio like the IC-746, which the 7100s backlit LCD resembles. As it turns out, the IC-7100, ham radios first “touch- screen” transceiver, is a little of both; per- formance is on par with its bigger cousins while the separate RF “brick” and detach- able controller are aimed at the portable and space-challenged ham. Not content just to repackage existing Technical by Mark Spencer, WA8SME Icom IC-7100 HF/VHF/ UHF Transceiver Product Review Mark J. Wilson, K1RO, k1roarrl.org Bottom Line The IC-7100 is the newest member of the venerable IC-706 dynasty of portable/mobile all-stars, yet it has the chops to be a base station. Its good performance and attractive separate operating controller make it an excellent choice for the space- challenged ham. The integration of D-STAR and digital-ready features mean that this is a radio looking to the future. features, Icom has also added a USB inter- face for audio and control to make digital modes a one-cable operation, an SD mem- ory card to save the radio configuration (and more), an interface for GPS data, and extra support for D-STAR menus and memories. The composite video output of the IC-7000 has been dropped but the 7100s display is bigger. Its a powerful package for the price. Adam Farson, VA7OJ/AB4OJ, has prepared a nice comparison of the 7000 1A. Farson, VA7OJ/AB4OJ, “IC-7100 User Evalu- ation transmit, 1.8 2.0, 3.5 4.0, 5.255 5.405, 7.0 7.3, 10.1 10.15, 14.0 14.35, 18.068 18.168, 21.0 21.450, 24.89 24.99, 28.0 29.7, 50 54, 144 148, 430 450 MHz. Power consumption: receive, 1.2 A (max audio); At 13.8 V dc: Receive, 870 mA (max transmit, 22 A (100 W) at 13.8 V dc 15%. brightness, max volume, no signal), 840 mA (backlights off); transmit, 4.7 A (min RF output), 19 A (typical) at 100 W RF output. Operation confirmed at 11.7 V (72 W output). Modes of operation: SSB, CW, AM, FM, DV. As specified (AM receive only at 144 148 and 430 450 MHz). Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing CW sensitivity, 10 dB S+N/N: 0.15 V Noise floor (MDS), 500 Hz DSP bandwidth: (1.8 29.995 MHz), 0.12 V (50 54 MHz), Preamp Off 1 2 0.15 (70 MHz), 0.11 V (144/430 MHz). 0.137 MHz 119 125 126 dBm 0.475 MHz 126 136 138 dBm 1.0 MHz 128 139 140 dBm 3.5 MHz 130 139 140 dBm 14 MHz 130 138 140 dBm 50 MHz 130 140 142 dBm 70 MHz 129 138 140 dBm 144 MHz 134 143 dBm 432 MHz 132 143 dBm Noise figure: Not specified. Preamp off/1/2: 14 MHz, 17/9/7 dB; 50 MHz, 17/9/5 dB. Preamp off/on, 144 MHz, 13/4 dB; 432 MHz, 15/4 dB. AM sensitivity, 10 dB S+N/N: 13 V 10 dB (S+N)/N, 1-kHz tone, 30% modulation, (0.5-1.8 MHz), 2.0 V (1.8-29.995 MHz), 6 kHz DSP bandwidth: 1.0 V (50/70, 144, 430 MHz). Preamp Off 1 2 1 MHz 2.54 0.78 0.65 V 3.8 MHz 2.32 0.73 0.57 V 50 MHz 2.11 0.68 0.57 V 120 MHz 2.14 0.65 V 144 MHz 1.44 0.51 V 432 MHz 2.14 0.54 V FM sensitivity, 12 dB SINAD: 0.5 mV For 12 dB SINAD, 3 kHz deviation, (28-29.7 MHz), 0.25 mV (50/70 MHz), 15 kHz bandwidth: 0.18 mV (144/430 MHz). Preamp Off 1 2 29 MHz 0.74 0.21 0.18 V 52 MHz 0.65 0.22 0.18 V 70 MHz 0.79 0.28 0.24 V 146 MHz 0.47 0.16 V 162 MHz 0.47 0.16 V 440 MHz 0.65 0.16 V Blocking gain compression dynamic range: Blocking gain compression dynamic range, Not specified. 500 Hz DSP bandwidth: 20 kHz offset 5/2 kHz offset Preamp off/1/2 Preamp off 3.5 MHz 121/120/121 dB 91/90 dB 14 MHz 120/116/114 dB 90/89 dB 50 MHz 121/119/120 dB 91/90 dB 144 MHz 128/122 dB 97/93 dB 432 MHz 127/118 dB 94/94 dB Reciprocal mixing dynamic range: 14 MHz, 20/5/2 kHz offset: 103/85/84 dB. Not specified. ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing See Table 2. Second-order intercept point: Not specified. Preamp off/1/2, 14 MHz, +45/+45/+45 dBm; 50 MHz, +55/+47/41 dBm; 144 MHz, +37/+51 dBm; 432 MHz, +91/+91 dBm. DSP noise reduction: Not specified. 10 dB. Notch filter depth: Not specified. Manual notch, 70 dB; auto notch: 50 dB. Attack time: 100 ms. PR086 80 M 20 M Dynamic range and intercept values with preamp off. Intercept values were determined using -97 dBm reference Key: See the digital edition of QST for the VHF/UHF Key Measurements summary. -20 -70 I9 TX Transmit 9th-Order IMD (dB) -49 -20-35 TX I3 Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB) -34 -40+35 I3 2 2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm) -25 -40+35 I3 20 20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm) 13 14 50110 I3 2 2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB) 68 50110 I3 20 95 94 20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB) 70140 89 90 2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB) 2 BG 70140 120 121 20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB) 20 BG 60140 103 20 kHz Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range 20 RM 60140 84 2 kHz Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range 2 RM QST Devoted entirely to Amateur Radio www.arrl.org July 2014 47 Reprinted with Permission ARRL Time (s) 00.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 QS1407-ProdRev02 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Frequency in kHz fcfc-4fc-2fc+2fc+4 Response (dB) QS1407-ProdRev03 1x1021x1031x1041x1051x106 -180 -160 -140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 Response in dB Frequency in Hz QS1407-Prodrev04 Figure 2 CW keying waveform for the Icom IC-7100 showing the first two dits in full break-in (QSK) mode using external keying. Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM. The upper trace is the actual key closure; the lower trace is the RF envelope. (Note that the first key closure starts at the left edge of the figure.) Horizontal divisions are 10 ms. The transceiver was being operated at 100 W output on the 14 MHz band. Figure 4 Spectral display of the Icom IC-7100 transmitter output during composite-noise testing. Power output is 100 W on the 14 MHz band. The carrier, off the left edge of the plot, is not shown. This plot shows composite transmitted noise 100 Hz to 1 MHz from the carrier. The reference level is 0 dBc, and the vertical scale is in dB. Figure 3 Spectral display of the Icom IC-7100 transmitter during keying sideband testing. Equiv- alent keying speed is 60 WPM using external keying. Spectrum analyzer resolution bandwidth is 10 Hz, and the sweep time is 30 seconds. The transmitter was being operated at 100 W PEP output on the 14 MHz band, and this plot shows the transmitter output 5 kHz from the carrier. The reference level is 0 dBc, and the vertical scale is in dB. Manufacturers Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab FM adjacent channel rejection: Not specified. Preamp on: 29 MHz, 83 dB; 52 MHz, 81 dB; 144 MHz, 77 dB; 432 MHz, 72 dB. FM two-tone, third-order IMD dynamic range: 20 kHz offset, preamp 2 on: 29 MHz, Not specified. 81 dB; 52 MHz, 83 dB*; 144 MHz, 81 dB*; 432 MHz, 77 dB*. 10 MHz offset: 29 MHz, 110 dB; 52 MHz, 110 dB; 144 MHz, 83 dB; 432 MHz, 87 dB. S meter sensitivity: Not specified. S-9 signal, preamp off/1/2: 14 MHz, 50.0/16.6/10.6 V; 50 MHz, 70.4/22.9/14.8 V; 144 MHz, 13.8/3.12 V; 432 MHz, 23.5/3.23 V. Squelch sensitivity: 5.6 V (SSB), 0.3 V (FM). At threshold, preamp 2 on: FM, 29 MHz, 0.13 V; 50 MHz, 0.14 V; 144 MHz, 0.11 V; 432 MHz, 0.18 V; SSB, 3.84 V (14.2 MHz). Receiver audio output: 2 W into 8 W. 2.7 W at 10% THD into 8 W. THD at 1 V RMS, 0.17%. IF/audio response: Not specified. Range at 6 dB points, (bandwidth):* CW (500 Hz): 313 877 Hz (564 Hz); Equivalent Rectangular BW: 521 Hz; USB: (2.4 kHz): 90 2895 Hz (2805 Hz); LSB: (2.4 kHz): 92 2897 Hz (2805 Hz); AM: (6 kHz): 169 3176 Hz (6014 Hz) Spurious and image rejection: Not specified. First IF rejection, 14 MHz, 105 dB; 50 MHz, 117 dB; 144 MHz, 48 dB; 432 MHz, 115 dB; image rejection, 14 MHz, 93 dB; 50 MHz, 106 dB; 144 MHz, 72 dB; 432 MHz, 142 dB. Transmitter Transmitter Dynamic Testing Power output: HF/50 MHz, 2-100 W (AM, HF and 50 MHz, 1.6-100 W typical 1-30 W); 144 MHz, 2-50 W; 432 MHz, 2-35 W. (0.5-30 W AM); 144 MHz, 1.4-44 W; 432 MHz, 0.9-33 W. Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: HF, HF, 65 dB; 50 MHz, 67 dB; HF, 50 dB; 50 MHz; 63 dB; 144 MHz, 67 dB; 432 MHz, 63 dB. 144/430 MHz, 60 dB. Meets FCC requirements. SSB carrier suppression: 50 dB. 70 dB. Undesired sideband suppression: 50 dB. 70 dB. Third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD) 3rd/5th/7th/9th order, HF, 100 W PEP, products: Not specified. 34/43/45/49 dB (worst case, 160 m), typically 39/39/46/55 dB; 50 MHz, 29/39/45/59 dB; 144 MHz, 28/49/57/55 dB; 432 MHz, 25/44/<60/<60 dB. CW keyer speed range: Not specified. 5.6 to 49 WPM, iambic Mode B. CW keying characteristics: Not specified. See Figures 2 and 3. Transmit-receive turnaround time (PTT release S-9 signal, AGC fast, 30 ms. to 50% audio output): Not specified. Receive-transmit turnaround time (tx delay): SSB, 22 ms; FM, 13 ms. Not specified. Composite transmitted noise: Not specified. See Figure 4. Size (height, width, depth): transceiver, 2.5 6.5 9.3 inches including protrusions; controller, 2.7 6.5 3.7 inches. Weight, transceiver, 5.1 lbs; controller, 1.1 lbs. Price: IC-7100, $1600; MBA-1 controller bracket, $35; MBF-1 suction cup mount, $75; RS-BA1 remote control software, $100. *Measurement was noise-limited at the value indicated. *Default values, sharp setting (smooth setting is available). Bandwidth and cutoff frequency are adjustable via DSP. CW bandwidth varies with PBT and pitch control settings. 48 July 2014 ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio www.arrl.org Reprinted with Permission ARRL with his impressions. The comments and observations of both have been worked into this review. As with most of the major radios, the IC-7100 has spawned users groups and forums across the Internet and around the world. There is a great deal of accumulated wisdom to be had on the features and ca- pability of almost any radio. A little time using with a search engine will likely be well spent. If you do choose to join one of the user communities, be smart and search the group archives for answers before you jump in and ask previously addressed ques- tions. Its just plain good “netiquette.” How It Goes Together If you are familiar with the IC-7000 or similar radios, youll find few surprises in assembling and installing the two-piece IC-7100, consisting of the controller (where the display is) and the main unit (where the RF is). The controller connects to the main unit with a cable that looks like an Ethernet cable but is not! Use only the Icom cable, which is plenty long enough. The cables connector at the main unit looks a little fragile, but I didnt experi- ence any problems with it. Try to install the main unit so that cables dont get yanked or pulled. The microphone, key, and speaker can plug into either the controller or main unit a nice touch for flexibility. The main unit was similarly easy to get rolling for a simple in- stallation. Everything that plugged into my IC-7000 (CI-V computer interface, anten- nas, tuner interface, key, speaker) plugged into the IC-7100 without modification. From opening the box to pushing the PWR button (on the AF control) took about 15 minutes and I only had to open the manual to check the layout of the main units rear panel, shown in Figure 1. I did not use the radio with an amplifier, but all the necessary control signals are present in the main units ACC connector. The man- ual has two important cautions about use with an amplifier, noting that the inductive switching transients may damage the inter- nal transistor if a clamping diode is not used. Using a clamping diode can affect amplifier switching time, so be wary. You may have to adjust the TX DELAY control parameter to allow everything to switch before RF is applied to the amplifier. Using high power may also require you to suppress common- mode current on the control cable with a Table 2 Icom IC-7100, serial number 02001506 ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing (500 Hz DSP bandwidth)* Measured Measured Calculated Band/Preamp Spacing Input Level IMD Level IMD DR IP3 3.5 MHz/Off 20 kHz 36 dBm 130 dBm 94 dB +11 dBm 23 dBm 97 dBm +14 dBm 14 MHz/Off 20 kHz 35 dBm 130 dBm 95 dB +13 dBm 24 dBm 97 dBm +13 dBm 0 dBm 15 dBm +8 dBm 14 MHz/1 20 kHz 46 dBm 138 dBm 92 dB 0 dBm 32 dBm 97 dBm +1 dBm 14 MHz/2 20 kHz 50 dBm 142 dBm 92 dB 2 dBm 35 dBm 97 dBm 4 dBm 14 MHz/Off 5 kHz 60 dBm 130 dBm 70 dB 25 dBm 52 dBm 97 dBm 29 dBm 0 dBm 6 dBm +3 dBm 14 MHz/Off 2 kHz 62 dBm 130 dBm 68 dB 28 dBm 53 dBm 97 dBm 31 dBm 0 dBm 8 dBm +4 dBm 50 MHz/Off 20 kHz 36 dBm 130 dBm 110 dB +11 dBm 24 dBm 97 dBm +13 dBm 144 MHz/Off 20 kHz 46 dBm 134 dBm 88 dB 2 dBm 34 dBm 97 dBm 2 dBm 430 MHz/Off 20 kHz 44 dBm 132 dBm 88 dB 0 dBm 31 dBm 97 dBm +2 dBm *ARRL Product Review testing includes Two-Tone IMD results at several signal levels. Two-Tone, Third-Order Dynamic Range figures comparable to previous reviews are shown on the first line in each group. The “IP3” column is the calculated third-order intercept point. Intercept points were determined using 97 dBm reference. ferrite bead choke. Icom supplies a split- core ferrite, but the mix is not specified. Five turns through a #31 mix bead or toroid create an effective choke at HF. How It Plays The IC-7100 may be physically small but the associated compromises are well- hidden. The IC-7000s coverage of all bands from 1.8 through 440 MHz (except 222 MHz) continues. CW my favorite mode was silky smooth in both semi and full break-in. Figure 2 shows the key- ing waveform, which seems a little soft on that second “dit,” but I didnt notice anything on the air. The waveform is also free from overshoot or artifacts that drive amplifiers and adjacent channel users nuts. Figure 3 shows the keying sidebands during operation compared to the IC-7000, the noise is about 5 dB higher at 1 kHz from the carrier and the noise spurs at 3.5 kHz