IC-7000_review_PW_2006.pdf

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1、If you want just one transceiver to do everything this has to be it! Practical Wireless, August 2006 Carl Mason GW0VSW, enjoys his Amateur Radio when he can get away from his intensive work as a TV news and sports cameraman. He was particularly delighted when offered the chance to review Icoms lates

2、t portable/mobile rig. Read on! The Icom IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF Tr 36 W hen the PW Editor called me to ask if I was interested - I have to say that I was rather keen to try out the new Icom IC-7000 h.f./v.h.f., u.h.f. all-mode transceiver! It must be over 10 years ago now since Icom introduced the IC-70

3、6. In those days the 706 was advertised as “The Next generation h.f./v.h.f. compact transceiver capable of operating in both the home as a base station or as a mobile/Portable rig”. The IC-706 could be found on many a DXpedition, large and small. Theres no doubt that it became a huge success and was

4、 followed by the improved MkII and MKIIG versions, which addressed some of the small problems found in the earlier model. One such gripe was the poor speech quality - especially on v.h.f! Thats something that has definitely been addressed on the new model with the addition of various optional microp

5、hones to suit your operating environment. Advanced All-Mode The IC-7000, Fig. 1, is very similar to the 706 although the case is not quite as deep, measuring just 167(W) x 58 (H) x 180(D) mm and weighing in at 2.3kg. The IC-7000 must surely rate as one of the most advanced all-mode mobile transceive

6、rs available today. The fitted digital signal processing (DSP) is at the intermediate frequency (i.f.) level and this is just one of several features of the impressive radio. In fact, the IC-7000 uses two DSP chipsets for improved processing on all the Amateur bands. Altogether there are 41 bandwidt

7、hs available as standard and you can even select a sharp or soft filter shape to suit your operating taste. A variable twin pass- band tuning (PBT) allows you to either reduce the i.f. pass-band, or to shift the entire pass-band to eliminate most QRM. The 2.5in (63.5mm) colour thin-film technology (

8、TFT) display, Fig. 2, is another interesting feature of the transceiver. Not only does this display provide the operators current operating set up, showing items such as frequency readout, selected memory, filter in use and mode indicators, it also includes a two-mode band scope! In the centre mode

9、the scope is centred on the receiving frequency and in the fixed mode the bandscope sweeps a fixed range. Eight of the most used radio functions are controlled by dedicated function keys, and these are all arranged around the display. One quick push of a button turns that function on or off. A longe

10、r push will allow adjustment of that functions settings. A useful addition is an Whether its in the shack, in the car or used portable, Carl Mason GW0SVW thinks the Icom IC-7000 is a truly versatile package (see text). Icom IC-7000 Review AW 26/6/06 2:50 pm Page 36 internal memory keyer, which provi

11、des four memories for station information or contest exchanges. The keyer also performs automatic repeat and can also be set up to generate contest serial numbers. Added to this, theres a digital voice recorder that can record for up to 25 minutes, an RTTY demodulator with reader on the TFT screen,

12、adjustable s.s.b. bandwidth, video output and a clock with timers. Theres also a DTMF memory and full break-in with adjustable c.w. pitch and a detachable control head. (Note: The control head does, however, require an optional separation cable). So, after the long list youll get some idea of the am

13、azing facilities available in such a compact package! Out of the box the IC-7000 came with the HM-151 backlit remote microphone, a d.c. power lead, spare fuses, ACC cable, 3.5 and 6.5mm plugs, microphone hanger clip, ferrite bead and the essential manual that runs to 156 pages. Wide-Band Receiver Th

14、e IC-7000 covers all Amateur bands from 1.8 to 28MHz as well as 50, 144 Transceiver Fig. 1: The Icom IC-7000 ready for action. Carl Mason GW0VSW regards the TFT display on this rig to be remarkably effective (see text). Practical Wireless, August 200637 Fig. 5: Rear panel of the IC-7000 (see text).

15、By Carl Mason GW0VSW Fig. 3: An unusual photograph, clearly demonstrating the TFT displays capabilities (see text). Fig. 4: The supplied HM-151 microphone (see text for comments). Fig. 2: Close up view of the TFT display (see text). Icom IC-7000 Review AW 26/6/06 2:50 pm Page 37 and 430MHz and inclu

16、des a wide-band receiver. Modes of operation include c.w. a.m., s.s.b. f.m. and RTTY. The receiver has wide-band f.m. (WFM) for listening to broadcast stations as well as TV audio. The case, as already briefly mentioned, is quite compact and extremely well constructed. It should survive the rigours

17、of mobile installations or rough use on DXpeditions with ease! At the left of the front panel are the AF/RF Gain controls. Obviously, you can set the audio frequency (a.f.) volume to suit your taste and hearing. However, I must say that I found the audio quality from the IC-7000s speaker exceptional

18、 for its size. The audio frequency (a.f.) gain and squelch levels are normally set to the 12 oclockposition for normal use and the squelch is particularly effective when using f.m. This control can be set as an auto function using the internal menu and will operate as an r.f. gain control in either

19、c.w., s.s.b. or RTTY modes, or as a squelch control in a.m., f.m. and WFM modes. Beneath the AF/RF gain controls, is the Power switch followed by the Pass band Tuning/Memory Channel/RIT (receiver incremental tuning) control. The general PBT function electronically reduces the i.f. pass-band width by

20、 shifting the intermediate frequency slightly outside of the i.f. filter pass-band to reject interference and its normally set in the centre position. The limit of the variable range depends on the pass-band width and mode, which for most modes is in 25Hz steps. The operator has to push-and-hold the

21、 button for one second to select the menu group and again to select the menu. There are 501 of these memory channels in five memory banks. Using the Memory mode can be useful for quickly changing to your favourite frequencies or bands. The RIT control allows you to adjust your receive frequency up t

22、o 9.999kHz in 1Hz steps without moving the transmit frequency. Incidentally, its one control I find Im using more frequently these days - as operators seem less inclined to accurately tune into my signal during a QSO! Especially when using s.s.b. on a crowded band. Next comes a series of four button

23、s running vertically. Select the Mode you wish to operate in. Those available on the IC-7000 are SSB (LSB/USB), CW, CW-R (Reverse), RTTY, RTTY-R and they are selected by pushing the button briefly. Pushing and holding for one second allows you to access AM, FM and WFM. The Pre-Amp: This amplifies re

24、ceived signals in the front end circuitry to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. (I used this function a good deal and it was working well when copying weak signals on h.f.). The Attenuator: The attenuator reduces the distortion or spurious signals you experienced from strong signals

25、nearby or from broadcast stations. (Not something I needed to use much during the review period). Next is a Tuner/Call button. An optional accessory for the IC-7000 is the AT-180 automatic antenna tuner (a.a.t.u.) and the tuner button allows you to turn this on once its connected. The antenna in use

26、 is then automatically tuned (once the s.w.r. goes higher than 1.5:1 for h.f.). However, for 50MHz the operator has to push and hold the Call button for one second for the tuner to match. Note: When using long wire antennas the AH-4 automatic tuner is recommended and this will enable operation with

27、a wire 7m or longer on 3.5MHz and above. Main Menu Group The Menu/Group button provides access to the main menu group or to sub-menus. The operator can then select various functions such as VOX, Automatic Gain Control, Split Frequency operation, Microphone Gain, Band Scope, power levels and so on, u

28、sing the F1-4 buttons under the screen as selectors or the main dial to set levels. All told, you can adjust over 50 of the radios settings using these memories. This all seems rather complicated when you first encounter it but those of you familiar with the IC-706, will agree that after a while acc

29、essing the menus becomes second nature and the functions very easy to select or set. Main Display Alongside the control keys is the 2.5inch (63.5mm) TFT main display, which on the IC-7000 is colour, was very easy to read in the variety of light conditions I encountered during the review. Contrast an

30、d brightness can be adjusted in 1% steps and the background colour can be changed from A - Black, B - White and C - Blue. The photograph, Fig. 3, shows just how good a display is possible on this unit! The operator can decide on the font size theyd like displayed and whether they want it basic or it

31、alic. You can even set your callsign to be displayed in the opening screen when turning the power on! Underneath the screen are four multi-function buttons marked F1 to F4. Like most electronic equipment these days, each button has several functions depending on the time they are pressed or the sequ

32、ence used. Its something we all have to live with and in fairness to Icom I found that after a period of time, accessing these menus became much easier. Mind you, I always kept the manual near! (Just in case). The display not only shows the Practical Wireless, August 200638 The Icom IC-7000 HF/VHF/U

33、HF Transceiver No - its a radio - not a computer! The transceiver is remarkably compact. Icom IC-7000 Review AW 26/6/06 2:50 pm Page 38 operating frequency and the various functions that have been set, it can also display a meter for either RF Power, SWR, ALC or Compression levels one at a time, or

34、all four simultaneously! Alongside this theres also a small bargraph to show the internal temperature of the transceiver! More Buttons! To the right of the screen are four buttons. In ascending order these select the Noise Blanker, Noise Reduction, Manual Notch or the Auto Notch/Voice Recorder. The

35、Noise Blanker eliminates the pulse type noise such as that from car ignition systems, or electrical line noise (this feature is not available in WFM). The noise reduction function is designed to enhance a signal in the presence of noise by using the DSP circuitry, and the amount of this is adjustabl

36、e. The default setting for this is level 4 but this can be altered to suit your taste from 0 to 15. The manual notch filter can be used in either the selected s.s.b., c.w., RTTY or a.m. modes and can be turned on or off by momentarily pushing the button. Pushing this for one second accesses yet anot

37、her sub menu where the filter width can be set from Narrow, Middle or Wide. Auto Notch Functions The transceiver has both an Auto Notch function in the s.s.b., a.m. and f.m. modes. This automatically attenuates up to three beat tones or tuning signals and so on, even if they are varying. The manual

38、notch can be set to attenuate a frequency via the set mode in yet another memory. (A voice recorder can be selected by the same button and Ill cover that later in the review). A Tuning Step button comes next, under which are two light emitting diodes (l.e.d.s) indicating Transmit (TX) and Receive (R

39、X) and below that is a button for Speech Lock. Next is the Main Tuning knob, which is very smooth in operation. Tuning can be carried out in steps of 0.1, 1, 5, 9, 10, 12.5, 20, 25 and 100kHz to suit your taste and are all independently selectable for each mode. Friction on the tuning knob can be ad

40、justed by a small lever to the right hand side and it can even be set to feel like a ratchet with a very positive click as you turn it! The BAND Up and Down buttons are positioned in the right hand corners. Folding Stand Theres a small folding stand on the base of the IC-7000s case, as found on prev

41、ious models and the speaker and fan units are Practical Wireless, August 200639 Manufacturers Specifications & Features Type:Icom IC-7000 Amateur h.f/v.h.f/u.h.f transceiver Frequency range: TX: 1.8-28, 50,144 and 430MHz RX 300kHz - 200MHz/400-470MHz Modes: a.m., c.w., s.s.b., f.m., RTTY, PSK31 RF P

42、ower output:h.f./50MHz144MHz430MHz 2-100W 2-50W2-35W FM/SSB/CW/RTTY/AM: 1-40W2-20W 2-14W Voltage: 13.8V d.c. Current drain RX: 1.3-1.6A TX: Max 22A Impedance: 50, 2 x SO-239 Dimensions:167W x 58H x 180Dmm Weight: 2.3Kg Other features: DSP, Digital IF filters, Two point manual notch filter, Memory ke

43、yer, Auto repeater functions, Multi-function meter Power/SWR/ALC and Compression, 100-step noise blanker, 24 hour clock, CTCSS, DTCS tone squelch, 2.5in TFT display, Back-lit buttons, IF-DSP, 508 memories, Voice recorder, Detachable control head, CI-V, Pre-amp, Digital RF speech compressor, Remote c

44、ontrol microphone, RTTY demodulator, Adjustable SSB TX bandwidth, Band-scope, Built-in voice synthesiser, DTMF memory, Audio equaliser. to be found on the top of the case. There are several different brackets including the MB-105 and separation cables like the OPC-1443 available, should you decide t

45、o remove the front panel and mount it away from the main body. Microphone HM-151 The microphone supplied with the transceiver is the HM-151, Fig. 4, and it has a variety of functions controlled from a keypad. Using the keypad the operator can change band, mode, select a filter, check transmit freque

46、ncy or programme the function keys to suit personal requirements. Two microphone sockets are provided. (One just under the front panel, and another at the rear) though you can only use one of these at any one time Rear Panel Connections The rear panel, Fig. 5, on the IC-7000 has the same facilities

47、as are provided on the IC-706. There are two antenna sockets with one for h.f./50MHz and the other for 144 and 430MHz. Theres also a 6.3mm type stereo jack for connecting a c.w. paddle or key, and an internal keyer is provided. Also provided are four sockets, and these include the Video Out jack, Ic

48、om CI-V remote computer interface. However, I must say I was disappointed that there wasnt a USB connector as nearly all of us now have those on our home computers! It would make interfacing far simpler. Next is an RTTY socket, and one for an external speaker. Theres a 13-pin ACC socket for connecti

49、ng external equipment like a linear amplifier or automatic antenna selector. Also included is a 6-pin data socket where you can connect a soundcard or TNC, plus a microphone connector, ground terminal and the d.c. power socket for use with the supplied cable. The Morse Mode For GW0VSW, the Morse mode is the main interest and the IC-7000 does not disappoint. A 6-60 words per minute (w.p.m.) keyer has been included, having four memories and contest serial numbers can also be set. Incidentally again, the instructions to set this up are quite complicated and would take a while to get used