Product Review from QST magazine. Reviewed by Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK ARRL Assistant Editor
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ENG: Some data drawn from ARRL product reviews are summarized in the table on image. These reviews are worth reading in their entirety, so as to obtain a systematic comparison between the most recent rigs entry-levl or portable type : IC-7200, IC-7000, FT-950 e FT-450.

Source QST 06/2009:  “Bottom Line”
The IC-7200 is a compact, easytooperate HF and 6 meter transceiver that offers many features for voice, CW and  digital mode operating. Rugged, water-resistant packaging makes it attractive for portable and emergency stations

IC-7200 recenzione completa su QST di Giugno 2009 della ARRL. Sulla rivista QST di Giugno è riportata una ampia recenzione del recente  IC-7200 HF 50MHz 100W Transceiver della Icom. L’apparato è stato recensito da Steve Sant Ander, AG1YK ARRL Assistant Editor. Nella Tabelllina riportata nell’immagine, qui sopra, sono indicati sommariamente solo alcuni dati, tratti dal “Key Summary” di QST per gli apparati IC-7200, IC-7000, FT-950 e FT-450 più o meno classificabili nella classe entry-levl o portatili.  Certamente le recenzioni tecniche meritano di essere  lette per intero sui vari numeri del QST Magazine per un confronto completo e sistematico di tutte le performance  degli apparati stessi.
Link to:   ARRL Home-Page – www.arrl.org

[Note]: ARRL Members Only can now download the June, 2009 QST Product Review.

IF Filters type: a) DSF753SBF-D64006GQ 64.455 MHz 1st IF 4 Pole Roofing Filter 6kHz-BW 3dB – b) CFWS455HT 2nd IF Ceramic Filter 6 Elements Ladder Type, 6kHz-BW 6dB/ 18kHz-BW 50dB. —-  The MAIN UNIT is the core of IC-7200.
Test review Radcom UK  IC-7200 by G3SJX -—> Check the Link below

[Note - radiocronache.com®]
The roofing filter and the Ceramic Filter is not a ultimate selectivity on the this tranceiver. The designer uses the DSP process to define the selectivity of the receiver for each supported emission type. The purpose of the 6kHz roofing  filter reduces the statistical likelihood that strong undesired signals well outside BPFs, to suppress images produced in the first mixer. The Ceramic Filter on the 2nd IF 455kHz to suppress images produced in the 2nd IF mixer will enter the IF chain and over-range the ADC Codec. As long as  the ADC is operating in its linear range, the DSP IF filter will do its job.
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Design and architecture:

The RX signals are passed through one of 9 BPFs on the RF UNIT.  The BPF for 50 MHz band contains a separate Pre-amp to make up the loss for high sensitivity on this band. While the Main Pre-amp function is activated, the RX signals from the BPF are applied to the noiseless feedback AMP 2SC5551F. This Pre-amp provides low-noise, high RF gain and good IP characteristic. The amplified or not RX signals are entered to the MAIN UNIT, then applied on the 1st mixer 2SK1740 x4 junction FETs. A quad-structured 1st mixer circuit, provides high enough intercept point. RX signals are mixed with the 1st LO signals from the 1st LO AMP 2SC3357 to be converted into the 64.455 MHz 1st IF signal. The 1st IF signal is filtered by the 6kHz Roofing Filter (FI541 – FL421) to remove the RX frequency signal and 1st LO signals, and amplified by the 1st IF AMP 3SK264. The amplified 1st IF signal is applied to the 2nd duble balanced mixer HSB88WS to converted into the 455 kHz 2nd IF signal.
The 2nd IF signal is filtered by Ceramic Filter CFWS455HT (FI601) and amplified by 3SK264 x2 IF AMP and 2SC4081 BUFF, then applied to the 3rd mixer TS5A2053. – The converted 15.625 kHz 3rd IF signal are entered to the ADSP-BF532SBSTZ400 on the DSP section, passed through the (ADC/DAC) Codec AK4620B. – Digital IF DSP for: Twin PBT, Noise Reduction, Manual Notch, Automatic Notch, NB etc. –[radiocronache.com®]
Link to: Test review Radcom UK Jan. 09 by G3SJX (to-SRSAB.SE) PDF 1.5MB
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DE: IC-7200 moderne technik ZF-DSP. AGC-Schleife. Digitales ZF-Filter. Twin PBT. Digitale Rauschminderung. Der IC-7200 ist ein preisgunstiger, robuster Kurzwellwntransceiver inklusive 6 m im “military look” fur Einsteiger und insbesondere fur den Einsatz unterwegs.

The TX Block diagram, riportato sull’immagine (clik for larger image), illustra il percorso del segnale audio dall’USB interface (USB2502) controllata dalla CPU (MC16C/62P) verso la USB Codec (PCM2901E) poi all’ Amp. TS462CPT, quindi al Codec/Mixer di 3rd IF (AK4620BVFP) in cui confluisce in alternativa al segnale MIC tramite l’elaborazione del DSP. 

L’IC-7200 è dotato di una porta USB “B” sul pannello posteriore. Così, la radio può essere collegato direttamente ad un computer portatile o ad altri PC tramite un cavo USB “A-B”.   La porta USB trasporta non solo i dati CI-V, ma anche la banda base PCM per TX e RX tra IC-7200 e il computer. Di conseguenza, il cavo USB è l’unica connessione richiesta tra Radio e PC. Senza l’eterno disordine dei cavi e scatole o interfacce convertitori di livello!
Si deve istallare il driver USB – scaricabile dal sito assistenza globale della Icom Giappone, inoltre è anche necessario installare un altro software di gestione, come l’eccellente HRD – Ham Radio Deluxe. (regolate correttamente i livelli di imput di HRD in base al segnale PCM banda base della porta USB)

Test re-run with new HP Spectrum Analyzer by Adam VA7OJ – Rev. 2, Nov. 28, 2008
IC-7200 User Evaluation and Test Report, 17 pages; This report, by Adam Farson VA7OJ, describes the evaluation of IC-7200 S/N 0201013 from a user perspective, as well as the results of several RF lab test performed on the radio. Adam spend a number of days with the IC-7200 in your ham-shack.  Clik to image for download the Adam’s very nice report (.pdf formt)

ENG: The IC-7200 is equipped with a rear-panel USB B port. Thus, the radio can be directly connected to a laptop or other PC via a standard USB A-B cable. The USB port trasports not only CI_V data, but also TX and RX PCM baseband between the IC-7200 and the computer. As a result, the USB cable is the only radio/PC connection required. Gone forever is the mess of cables, levl converters and interface boxes!
I istalled the Icom USB drivers – downloadable from the Icom Japan world-wide support site and other software come HRD, Ham Radio Deluxe. (set the PCM baseband level correctly at the imput to HRD software).

ENG: The Icom.co Japan, now features an Japanese-language Special Movie of the “Truth of Icom HF Transceiver”
Movie: IP3 (3rd order Intercep Point), Internal distorsion reduction, Improved blocking, Roofing Filter Hi-Spec, Icom’s DIGI-SEL, Icom uses a duble conversion system composed of a D-MOS FET 1st mixer and nevly developed image rejection mixer for the 2nd mixer stage. (The image rejection mixer provides a high-fidelity signal to the DSP unit) Multiple AGG Loops, Digital IF filter to adadjust filter shaping (sharp or soft), filter bandwidth, Digital TWIN PBT. (Start IC-781 (1988)  at IC-7600 (2008). IP3 and more tecnicals news!

View or Download the 12-minute Icom Inc.  Movie on Japanese-language; There is a link to the View Streaming and link for Download (89MB .zip) (vedi/view with Windows Media Player Free)

Icom.co Jp: アイコムHF機の真実に迫る
Icom, Icom Inc. and the logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated  (Jp)

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IC-7200 USB port for PC control. Software updates Type: “USB Driver” Ver.1.00, Icom update 17.09.2008
Note: The USB Driver, it is installed in the PC connected to the radio via the USB port (tnx Adam va7oj)

Link to: Icom Global Support/Software Download/IC-7200
Link to: Icom Istallation Guide A-6668-3EX © 2008 Icom Inc.

When the transceiver is connected to a PC with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable (third party), the following operations can be performed:
- Remote control operation (CI-V: Icom Communication Interface-V) by the PC, software (third party) may be required;
- Receiver audio output to the PC, format: data 16-bit; Sampling rate 8/11.025/16/22.05/32/44.1/48kHz;
- Modulation imput from the PC, format: data 16-bit; Sampling rate 32/44.1/48kHz;
The receiver audio is always output regardless of the squelch condition (open/close) and output level cannot be adjusted with the [AF] control; The modulation imput can be used when SSB/SSB-D, AM/AM-D mode is in use. From the set  item (DataOFF/Data ON) and USB imput level see p. 77 on the IC-7200 istruction manual for details setting.
Note: Read the New Icom installation guide before installing the USB driver (A-6668-3EX © 2008 Icom Inc.)
Icom, Icom Inc. and the logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated (Japan)

IC-7200, features military styling, which makes its suitable for all round use, for indoor and outdoor use.
USA: Universal Radio List: $ 1328,00 Your Price: $ 1099.95 (FCC approved, is exepected il late September)
Marcucci Spa Distributore ufficiale List: € 833,80+ Iva 20% ; (dovrebbe essere pronto da metà Settembre)
USA: The FCC ID number is AFJ301500   UE:  Conformity Direc. 1999/5/EC  30th Jun. 2008, Icom Europe    
JP: CQNET-SHOP Web – HF/50MHz帯トランシーバーIC-7200: 価格 88,000円 (税込)

On the Manual: Click the picture on the first page, copy and paste – it’s a high-res pic of the IC-7200

L’apparato è dotato di O-ring che gira attorno al bordo sotto ai coperchi sia inferiore che superiore. Come si vede il telaio in presso-fusione contiene le varie Unità in scomparti separati e stagni verso l’esterno;
L’IC-7200  è dal 22.07.2008, sul sito ufficiale ICOM Japan in inglese, è messo in  vendita, nel mercato domestico Jp, già dal  mese di Agosto con un prezzo suggerito al pubblico  di 104.790 Yen (inc. local tax )

Si tratta di un transceiver HF e 50MHz con un IF DSP di nuova generazione all’altezza di apparati di classe superiore; Dispone di un chip unico per il DDS ad ampia purezza spettrale; Il remote control è previsto sia con un Jack CI-V sia con una porta USB che comprende anche i due segnali di BF audio RX e TX; Lo stile è tipo ManPack militare ed è resistente agli spruzzi e umidità (no waterproof – no immersible)

Link to: ICOM Japan IC-7200 page in English and Download Manual   
Link to: I0GEJ’s Ham Radio News IC-7200 page
Link to: Download the Broshure, PDF format
Link to: Marcucci Spa IC-7200 #03 Web page

ENG: The IC-7200 (view image) an O-ring that runs entirely around the bottom cover panel, and the boards are housed in different compartments; The circuit boards are even isolated from the front panel in their respective compartments, no air-flow on board unit; (not waterproof (immersible)
Icom Japan IC-7200 Page in English, will go on the Japan market at the beginning of August; Retail Price 104,790 (Price: Yen, inc. Japan tax ), The latest IF DSP technology is employed in the IC-7200. While the IC-7200 is an entry-class transceiver, advanced digital features are comparable to higher class transceivers. The IC-7200 can be controlled by a PC through a USB port using the CI-V data format. In addition, modulator and received audio can also be transferred over the USB cable; (modulation imput/ouput with PC)

JAP: アイコム株式会社(代表取締役社長　福井勉)は、先進のIF DSPを採用したアマチュア無線用HFオールバンド+50ＭＨｚトランシーバーIC-7200を販売いたします; 104,790円(税込)

Link to Download the bochure and interior views! IC-7200

Positivo : Altoparlante anteriore, Bordi sul lato posteriore per proteggere i connet-tori, 0.5 ppm di stabilità, Ottime caratteristiche del ricevitore, IF-DSP nella 3th IFa 15.625kHz, MB-116 maniglie rach, comprende i 50MHz, di stile tipo militare, 201 canali di memoria. Mantiene lo standard CI-V per l’interfaccia che qui utilizza anche la porta USB che comprende l’audio modulato o ricevuto molto utile per la gestione delle comunicazioni digitali.
Negativo: Non ha il modo FM utile invece per 10 o per i 6 metri! (peccato!) Ha un unico connettore di antenna e l’attenuatore ha una solo impostazione ( più utile due passi da10 e 20dB)

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