IC-9100_review_QST_2012.pdf

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1、QST Product Review QST Magazine is owned and published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Icom America expresses its gratitude to the ARRL for the permission to reprint and post this review on our Website. This product review remains the copyright of the ARRL. To join the ARRL, please visit

2、www.arrl.org i9100 HF/VHF/UHF Transceiver 2012 Icom America Inc. The Icom logo is a registered trademark of Icom Inc. QST Devoted Entirely to Amateur Radio www.arrl.org April 2012 51 Technical by Mark Spencer, WA8SME ICOM IC-9100 MF/HF/VHF/UHF Transceiver ICOMs new dc to daylight transceiver raises

3、the bar. Product Review Mark J. Wilson, K1RO, k1roarrl.org Reviewed by Rick Lindquist, WW3DE National Contest Journal Managing Editor ww3dearrl.org The only real problem I encountered with the ICOM IC-9100 was getting it away from the delivery guy, a budding ham. He was taken by what was on the outs

4、ide of the ICOM packing box. Users, however, have been impressed by whats inside the box of this solid-performing dc-to-daylight, all-in-one transceiver. The IC-9100 is essentially the “plus” version of the IC-7410 reviewed in October 2011, and it shares many traits with that radio vis-vis its HF an

5、d 50 MHz capabilities, which we wont reiterate here in detail.1 But its not quite that straightforward. With the IC-9100s substantially higher price tag come the IC-7410s HF and 6 meter performance plus all-mode VHF, UHF and satellite features and capabilities. Think of it as a shack in a box. Is th

6、e IC-9100 a good value and match for your operating style and preferences not to mention your budget? Well report. You decide. Lets take a look. Genealogy Were tempted to think of the IC-7410 and IC-9100 solely as descendants of ICOMs venerable IC-746/756 platform (with a bit of IC-706 DNA thrown in

7、 for good measure). But, the 9100s nomenclature also recalls ICOMs noteworthy VHF-UHF three-band all-mode transceiver of a decade ago, the IC-910H. It comes as no surprise that the IC-9100 has retained the best features of its older sibling. ICOM and other manufacturers offer several all-mode transc

8、eivers that cover from HF through 440 MHz. The IC-9100, however, is only one of two currently avail- able desktop radios that include an option for 1.2 GHz. Fish or Fowl? ICOM has done a creditable job of balancing the IC-9100s HF+50 MHz performance with its expanded VHF and UHF coverage and capabil

9、ities. The bare-bones IC-9100 is a full-featured 100 W transceiver for HF, 6 meters, 2 meters and provides 75 W on 70 cm, with all the goodies youd expect for FM simplex and repeater operation plus satellite work. With our IC-9100 we ordered the optional UX-9100 23 cm module (10 W), UT-121 D-DSTAR m

10、odule, optional narrow 1st IF (“roofing”) filters for HF and 50 MHz and the RS-BA1 IP Remote Control Software package that permits remote control via the Internet or other IP network (more on this later). Add a power supply and antennas, and youre ready to cover considerable Amateur Radio real estat

11、e in relative style without even having to be in your shack! Doubling and Tripling Down Packing these expanded capabilities into a box thats very similar to the IC-7410s and that has a nearly identical front panel requires many dual-purpose (or multi-purpose) buttons and controls. The labels are the

12、 same, nicely contrasting white-on-black style as the 7410s and easy to read, once youve deci- phered the abbreviations dictated by space restrictions. Legends for some second and third-tier functions can be harder to make out. Good shack lighting helps considerably. The 9100s broader and more-compl

13、ex range of functions, especially those reserved for satellite work, means a steeper learning curve. The IC-9100 diverges from the IC-7410 in several significant ways, starting with the front panel, where theres been a bit of musical chairs between models. The 9100 features two independent receivers

14、 and can receive on two bands at the same time although not on two HF bands. Theres a single MAIN DIAL for tuning, but the main and sub receivers do have separate (and concentric) AF GAIN and SQUELCH controls. With a stereo headset (or separate speakers) you can listen to both receivers at the same

15、time, one in each ear. To do things such as operating split on HF means setting up VFO A and VFO B to the appropriate frequencies (you can designate a default split say, 2 kHz via the menu). The split function is independent from the repeater split function, also set via the menu. The 9100 includes

16、a DV/DR button (for digital voice/digital repeater operation) among the 1R. Lindquist, N1RL, “ICOM IC-7410 HF and 6 Meter Transceiver,” Product Review, QST, Oct 2011, pp 49-54. This review and reviews of the other ICOM transceivers mentioned here are available to ARRL members online at www.arrl.org/

17、product-review. Compact and versatile, the IC-9100 handles almost any type of operating on the 160 meter through 2 meter bands, plus 70 and 23 cm. Bottom Line 52 April 2012 ARRL the national association for Amateur Radio www.arrl.org Table 1 ICOM IC-9100, serial number 02001053 Manufacturers Specifi

18、cations Measured in the ARRL Lab Frequency coverage: Receive, 0.03-60, 136-174, Receive, as specified; transmit, as 420-480, 1240-1320 MHz; transmit, 1.8-2.0, specified, except 5.255-5.405 MHz, 3.5-4, 5.3305, 5.3465, 5.3665, 5.3715, non channelized. The optional UX-9100 5.4035, 7-7.3, 10.1-10.15, 14

19、-14.35, 18.068- is required for 23 cm operation. 18.168, 21-21.45, 24.89-24.99, 28-29.7, 50-54, 144-148, 430-450, 1240-1300 MHz. Power requirement: 13.8 15% V dc; receive, 13.8 V dc; receive 3.2 A (no signal, max 4.5 A (max audio, HF, 50, 144, 430 MHz), audio), 3 A (no signal, max audio, 5.5 A (max

20、audio, 1200 MHz); transmit, 24 A backlight off); transmit, 19.7 A (HF, 144, (HF, 50, 144, 430 MHz), 9 A (1200 MHz). 430 MHz), 8.4 A (1296 MHz); 54 mA (transceiver off). Operation confirmed at 11.4 V dc (89 W output, HF). Modes of operation: SSB, CW, AM, FM, As specified. The optional UT-121 is RTTY,

21、 DV. required for DV operation. ReceiverReceiverDynamicTesting SSB/CW sensitivity: 2.4 kHz bandwidth, Noise floor (MDS), 500 Hz filter, 10 dB S/N: 0.1-29.99 MHz, 0.16 V; 3 kHz roofing filter: 50-54 MHz, 0.13 V, 144/430/1200 MHz, Preamp Off 1 2 0.11 V. 0.137 MHz 122 131 135 dBm 0.505 MHz 134 140 142

22、dBm 1.0 MHz 133 140 142 dBm 3.5 MHz 134 142 144 dBm 14 MHz 133 141 143 dBm 50 MHz 130 140 142 dBm 144 MHz 143 dBm 430 MHz 144 dBm 1296 MHz 145 dBm Noise figure: Not specified. Preamp off/1/2: 14 MHz, 13/6/4 dB; 50 MHz, 17/7/5 dB, 144 MHz, 4 dB; 430 MHz, 3 dB; 1296 MHz, 2 dB. AM sensitivity: 6 kHz ba

23、ndwidth, 10 dB S/N: 10 dB (S+N)/N, 1 kHz tone, 30% 0.5-1.799 MHz, 12.6 V; 1.8-30 MHz, 2 V; modulation, 6 kHz bandwidth: 50-54 MHz, 1.6 V; 144/430 MHz, 1.4 V. Preamp Off 1 2 1.0 MHz 1.68 0.72 0.65 V 3.8 MHz 1.46 0.62 0.56 V 50.4 MHz 2.51 0.92 0.75 V 144 MHz 0.57 V 430 MHz 0.55 V FM sensitivity: 15 kH

24、z bandwidth, 12 dB SINAD: For 12 dB SINAD, 3 kHz deviation, 28-29.7 MHz, 0.5 V; 50-54 MHz, 0.32 V; 15 kHz bandwidth: 144/430/1200 MHz, 0.18 V Preamp Off 1 2 29 MHz 0.56 0.21 0.17 V 52 MHz 0.70 0.20 0.20 V 146 MHz 0.17 V 440 MHz 0.17 V 1290 MHz 0.15 V Spectral display sensitivity: Not specified. Prea

25、mp off/1/2, 94/101/110 dBm. Blocking gain compression dynamic range: Blocking gain compression dynamic range, Not specified. 500 Hz bandwidth, 3 kHz roofing filter: 20 kHz offset 5/2 kHz offset Preamp off/1/2 Preamp off 3.5 MHz 141/139/138 dB 121/111 dB 14 MHz 142/140/134 dB 120/111 dB 50 MHz 139/14

26、1/136 dB 119/110 dB Preamp 2 Preamp 2 144 MHz 130 dB 111/110 dB 430 MHz 119 dB 109/103 dB 1296 MHz 100 dB 95/89 dB Reciprocal mixing dynamic range: Reciprocal mixing dynamic range, Not specified. 500 Hz bandwidth, 3 kHz roofing filter: 14 MHz, 20/5/2 kHz offset: 101/80/77 dB. ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD T

27、esting See Table 2. Second-order intercept point: Not specified. Preamp off/1/2, 14 MHz, +65/+65/+65 dBm; 50 MHz, +73/+73/+73 dBm; preamp 2, 144 MHz, +69 dBm; 430 MHz, +90 dBm. FM adjacent channel rejection: Not specified. Preamp 2: 29 MHz, 81 dB; 52 MHz, 78 dB; 146 MHz, 77 dB; 440 MHz, 66 dB; 1290

28、MHz, 68 dB. mode buttons, which are bracketed by the MENU and FILTER buttons. Given the addition of the DV/DR button, the 9100 does not have separate CW and RTTY mode buttons as on the 7410. There is a single CW/RTTY key. There are other accommodations. Take notes! There will be a quiz. Since the ma

29、in receivers AF/RF SQUELCH controls take up the spot where the MIC and RF PWR controls live on the 7410, ICOM has relegated these functions to the row of four stem controls along the lower apron of the front panel. The 9100s stem controls are sturdier than the ones on, say, the IC-756PROIII, but its

30、 difficult to determine their relative settings. The other two stem controls are for CW PITCH and KEY SPEED. A dab of white paint on the tiny arrow of each stem would help. The 9100s NOTCH control has migrated to the lefthand side of the panel to assume the outer ring position of the NR/ NOTCH contr

31、ol, which, in turn, is directly above the main receivers AF/RF SQUELCH controls. Topping the column of buttons immediately to the right of the display window is the SATELLITE mode button, followed by the MAIN/SUB (band) selection and SUB buttons. The SPLIT, A/B and XFC buttons are on the bottom. A N

32、OR/REV function for inverting satellite up and downlinks is a secondary function of the 7/3 band/keypad button. Complementing the PBT CLR (passband tuning clear) button on the right hand side of the panel is the SUB DIAL button. Its function is too difficult to explain in a few words and without the

33、 table in the Instruction Manual, which didnt do a very good job of explaining it anyway; the manual says that it enables tuning, mode selection, memory selection and programming for the sub band receiver. The SUB DIAL button is not to be confused with the MAIN/SUB and SUB buttons or with the MAIN a

34、nd SUB secondary-function buttons. Concentric rotary controls on the right hand side of the panel where the NOTCH/CW PITCH controls are on the 7410 enable selection of memory channels for the main and sub band receivers. There are no physical buttons or controls for enabling and adjusting the speech

35、 compressor; these are menu functions. The row of buttons to the immedi- ate right of the stem controls include P.AMP/ ATT, NB, VOX/BK-IN, MONITOR and CALL/GPS. GPS? With an NMEA compatible, third- party GPS receiver connected to the trans- ceivers DATA jack, you can display, transmit, receive and s

36、tore GPS/GPS-A data. The Instruction Manual devotes 16 pages to this topic. Okay, got it? And we havent even discussed the display! QST Devoted Entirely to Amateur Radio www.arrl.org April 2012 53 Manufacturers Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab FM two-tone, third-order IMD dynamic range: 20 kH

37、z offset, preamp 2: 29 MHz, 81 dB*; Not specified. 52 MHz, 78 dB*; 146 dB, 77 dB*; 440 MHz, 66 dB*, 1290 MHz, 68 dB*. 10 MHz channel spacing: 29 MHz, 115 dB; 52 MHz, 113 dB; 146 MHz, 97 dB; 440 MHz, 82 dB; 1290 MHz, 70 dB. DSP noise reduction: Not specified. Variable, 18 dB maximum. Notch filter dep

38、th: Not specified. Manual notch: 61 dB, auto notch: 53 dB, attack time: 40 ms.* S-meter sensitivity: Not specified. S9 signal at 14.2 MHz: preamp off/1/2, 62.3/26.3/9.9 V; 50 MHz, 80.3/31.2/ 12.3 V; preamp 2, 144 MHz, 3.35 V; 430 MHz, 3.16 V; 1296 MHz, 3.05 V. Squelch sensitivity: SSB (HF/50 MHz), 5

39、.6 V, At threshold, preamps on: SSB, HF, 0.8 V; FM (HF/50 MHz), 0.3 V; SSB (144/430/ 50 MHz, 1.0 V; 144 MHz 0.39 V; 1200 MHz), 1.0 V, FM (144/430/1200 MHz), 430 MHz, 0.46 V; 1296 MHz, 0.39 V; 2 W into 8 W at 2.14 W at 10% THD into 8 W. 10% THD. THD at 1 V RMS, 0.85%. IF/audio response: Not specified

40、. Range at 6 dB points, (bandwidth):* CW (500 Hz): 340-820 Hz (480 Hz); Equivalent Rectangular BW: 504 Hz; USB: (2.4 kHz): 360-2614 Hz (2254 Hz); LSB: (2.4 kHz): 360-2618 Hz (2258 Hz); AM: (6 kHz): 175-3152 Hz (5954 Hz); AM: (9 kHz): 175-3875 Hz (7400 Hz). Spurious and image rejection: HF and 50 MHz

41、, First IF rejection, 14 MHz, 103 dB; (except IF rejection on 50 MHz): 70 dB; 50 MHz, 105 dB*; 144 MHz, 143 dB; 144/430 MHz, 60 dB; 1200 MHz, 50 dB 430 MHz, 137 dB*; 1296 MHz, 127 dB*. Image rejection, 14 MHz, 121 dB; 50 MHz, 110 dB;144 MHz, 75 dB; 430 MHz, 89 dB; 1296 MHz, 104 dB. TransmitterTransm

42、itterDynamicTesting Power output: HF AM, 2-30 W; 144 MHz, 2- 1.8-102 W, AM, 0.25-27 W; 50 MHz: 100 W; 430 MHz, 2-75 W; 1200 MHz, 1-10 W. CW, SSB, RTTY, FM, 1.7-95 W, AM, 0.25-25 W; 144 MHz, 1.5-98 W; 430 MHz, 1.4-71 W; 1296 MHz, 0.5-9.3 W. Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: HF, 68 dB (20 m),

43、typically 70 dB; 50 dB (HF), 63 dB (50/144 MHz); 50/144/430/1296 MHz, 70 dB. 61.8 dB (430 MHz); 53 dB (1200 MHz). Meets FCC requirements. SSB carrier suppression: 40 dB. HF/144/430/1296 MHz, 70 dB; 50 MHz, 68 dB. Undesired sideband suppression: 55 dB. 70 dB. Third-order intermodulation distortion (I

44、MD) 3rd/5th/7th/9th order (20 m, worst case): products: Not specified. (dB) HF, 100W PEP, 29/36/50/64; 50 MHz, 100 W PEP, 29/34/43/54; 144 MHz, 100 W PEP, 26/37/43/54; 430 MHz, 75 W PEP, 24/37/45/53; 1296 MHz, 10 W PEP, 37/53/55/58. CW keyer speed range: Not specified. 6.1 to 46.7 WPM. Iambic keyer

45、Mode B. CW keying characteristics: Not specified. See Figures 1 and 2. Transmit-receive turnaround time (PTT release S9 signal, 87 ms at speaker, to 50% audio output): Not specified. 18 ms at accessory jack. Receive-transmit turnaround time (tx delay): SSB, 61 ms; FM, 12 ms. Not specified. Composite

46、 transmitted noise: Not specified. See Figure 3. Size (height, width, depth): 4.6 12.4 13.5 inches; weight, 24.2 pounds. Price: IC-9100, $3600; UX-9100 23 cm module, $700; UT-121 DV adapter, $230; RS-BA1 remote control software, $100; FL-430 (6 kHz), FL-431 (3 kHz) roofing filters, $125 each. Simple

47、 band scope; receiver is muted during scanning. *Measurement was noise-limited at the value indicated. *Single beat note. Reduces two beat notes up to 40 dB with attack time depending on separation of signals, typically 500 ms. *Default values, sharp setting (smooth setting is available). Bandwidth

48、and cutoff frequency are adjustable via DSP. CW bandwidth varies with PBT and pitch control settings. Time (s) 00.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 QS1204-ProdRev01 Frequency in kHz fcfc-4fc-2fc+2fc+4 Reponse, dB ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? QS1204-ProdRev02 1x1021x1031x1041x1051x106 -180 -160 -140 -12

49、0 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 Response in dB Frequency in Hz QS1204-Prodrev03 Figure 1 CW keying waveform for the IC-9100 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