New ARRL Web Site Delayed to “Get it Right”- A new President for the ARRL, Kay N3KN

The New ARRL Web Site Delayed to “Get it Right” – !! A new President for the ARRL, Kay Craigie N3KN.

After meeting with ARRL staff on February 23, two days before the new ARRL Web site was to launch, ARRL Chief  Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, made the decision to delay the unveiling of the Web site until late March. – The current delay is necessary to assure that we have all of the data connections correct.

Il lancio del nuovo sito web della ARRL è stato ancora rinviato a fine Marzo 2010 per la supervisione finale dei tanti servizi online previsti. Dopo un incontro con lo staff della ARRL il 23 febbraio – due giorni prima della data prevista per l’apertura del nuovo sito Web – Harold Krame,WJ1B ARRL Chief Operating Officer, ha deciso di rinviare l’apertura del sito web a fine di Marzo prossimo.  See news and image below…
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ADAT ADT-200A Direct-sampling RTX (SDR). Funkamateur, Jan. 2010, have Review Part 1

ADAT ADT-200A SDR Transceiver is ready!  ADT-200A Vollständig digitaler Transceiver bereit!

Funkamateur, January 2010, have published Part 1 of their review on the ADAT ADT-200 direct-sampling Transceiver, by DJ1TO. The ADT-200 truly raises the bar in overall performance; it is comparable to the rx Perseus (….excluding the Perseus instead, allows the external PC!)

La Rivista Funkamateur di Gennaio 2010, ha pubblicato la Parte-1 della Review del ADT-200A un Transceiver a Campionamento Diretto, la recenzione 1 è  curata da DJ1TO.

See the Some more RTX information and the Links below. Here are pictures, Retail price and the EN User Manual download ….. (continua…)

FTdx-5000MP. The new Yaesu HF/50MHz 200W Transceiver and SM-5000 Monitor

FTdx-5000 Series – The new Yaesu HF/50 MHz 200W  Transceiver: FTdx-5000MP, FTdx-5000D, FTdx-5000 and the SM-5000 Station Monitor.
The Yaesu FT DX 5000 Series will be formally introduced by Yaesu very soon. Pricing and availability is currently unknown (www.radiocronache…23.11.2009)

!!! FTdx-5000 by Yaesu Broshure: 14 MHz band 2kHz offset 105 dB 3rd-IMD, IP3 +36 dBm, way better than the Elecraft K3 @ 102 dB IP3 +26 dBm!

The FTdx-5000 (Main Receiver only) includes a rather traditional 1st IF 9 MHz (Elecraft K3 1st IF 8,215 MHz) and provides for selectable roofing filters (6-pole crystal) at the first IF to limit the off-frequency signals getting into the receiver.
Note that the roofing filter’s job is only to protect the rest of the receiver, and that the operating bandwidth filtering is performed by the IF DSP (like Elecraft K3 Transceiver).

See the following pictures and Manufacturer’s Specifications…..

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IC-7600 ARRL Review on Nov. 2009 QST – 2kHz 3rd-ODR, way better than the 7700 @ 87db

IC-7600 ARRL Review on the November 2009 QST – 2kHz  88 dB 3rd-Order Dynamic Range, way better than the 7700 @ 87 dB! -
On the photo the I0GEJ’s Shack  and the IC7600 cw test-drive by IK0FUX, (N0FUX) Francesco (No 327 DXCC worked, CTC #1433, Mainly uses CW and him likes different keyers) – Link to ik0fux home-page

IC-7600 featured in the November 2009 QST review, reviewed by NCJ Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE. 2kHz 88dB 3rd-Order Dynamic Range, way better than the 7700 @ 87dB! some data drawn from ARRL product reviews are summarized in the table on following image, compared to Icom IC-7600 IC-7700 IC-7800 and Yaesu FT-2000D.

[Note] These reviews are worth reading in their entirety on the QST, so as to obtain a systematic comparison between the most recent rigs.  – This new Icom is reviewed by Rick Lindquist, WW3DE National Contest Journal Managing Editor.

See the Link at PA1HR’s QST Key Measurements Summary web page, with QST data table for Icom Yesu Elecraft Flex Microtelecom (Perseus) and Tecn-Tec -  See Link and the table on following image and more…..>

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IC-9100 HF/50MHz + V/UHF Satellite Base Station Shown at Tokyo 09. Update now

The all-round transceiver IC-9100: HF/50 MHz (100W) 144/430 MHz (50W) 1200 MHz (10W) with optional 1.2 GHz UX-9100 module. Optional D-STAR Unit, DV mode operation on the esport version.

* HF/50MHz, 144/430 (440)MHz  &1200MHz coverage (UX-9100 Optional)
* 100W     on HF/50/144MHz
* 75W     on 430 (440)MHz
* 10W     on 1200MHz >(UX-9100 Unit Optional)
* Roofing     15kHz (FL.431 3kHz/ FL-430 6kHz 1st IF Optional for HF/50MHz)
* D-STAR DV (D-STAR Unit optional in combination with operating bands and mode)
* Satellite mode operation
* SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM & DV (D-STAR optional)
* 32-bit floating point DSP & 24-bit AD/DA converter
* Double superheterodyne with 2nd IF image rejection mixer
* This device requires 13.8 VDC

Icom introduces a direct competitor to the Kenwood TS-2000 TS-2000x!…. The IC-9100 has only one main DSP unit. In the 9100’s price class, it would not be cost-effective to include a second DSP board (ADC, DSP, DAC, support IC’s) for dual receive. No VHF and UHF at the same time.

アイコムよりHF～1200MHz固定機が参考出品されるようです。

See the Link below for download the Pre-release product information .PDF 2.2MB

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FTM-350 new APRS capable Mobile Amateur VHF/UHF was on display at the Tokyo Ham Fair 2009

The Yaesu FTM-350 new APRS capable Mobile Amateur VHF/UHF was on display at the Tokyo Ham Fair 22 August, 2009.
The new FTM-350 GPS/APRS Yaesu’s answer to the Kenwood TM-D710. Standard FTM-350 upgrades the FTM-10 to add packet radio and GPS/APRS capabilities and very large LCD with a radical change of style! Recalls the style of competitors Kenwood TM-D710 and Icom IC-2820. Now the functions of the controls are on the edge of the LCD…….

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Tokyo Ham Fair 2009: Kenwood’s video introducing a new HF transceiver and Handheld

Ham-Fair in Tokyo 22 23 August, 2009 Kenwood news – [Note] The-depiction-is-not-official-document- !

Ham-Fair in Tokyo 22 23 August, 2009: KENWOOD has a plan to release new handy transceiver & compact HF+6m transceiver on 2010. Kenwood’s video introduing a new HF transceiver and Handheld talkie available 2010! —- See the Link and new Front Panel  (big images) below!

Our best info about Kenwood’s HF radio plans is that next year (probably at Dayton 2010) they will bring out a new Mid-priced radio (abaut 2000€) that replaces the TS-570 series, at which time they will start designing a new flag-ship, High-end HF +6m radio (abaut 4000/5000€) that could come out as early as 2011….

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Friedrichshafen 2009: Hilberling and Telefunken Racoms PT-8000 launch maybe this year!

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PT-8000 New Telefunken HF VHF Transceiver! Hamradio 2009 in Friedrichshafen, the absence of a stand Hilberling, who presented the HF transceiver PT-8000 only with a poster with the distribution indicated by the Telefunken Racoms! One of the sensations at Ham Radio 2009 Friedrichshafen is the co-operation of Hilberling and Telefunken Racoms. So it seems the PT-8000 may be available this year!
[IT]
Hamradio 2009 di Friedrichshafen DE, assenza di uno stand della Hilberling, che invece presentava il transceiver HF PT-8000 soltanto con un manifesto con indicata la distribuzione da parte di Telefunken Racoms. Questo ha rafforzato le voci e la  sensazione di una co-operazione tra Hilberling e Telefunken Racoms per il PT-8000, che sembrà sarà disponibile  entro questo anno!

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Yaesu FT-7900R New Heavy-Duty FM Dual Band; Yaesu showed n. 5 new radios at Dayton 2009

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The FT-7900R well designed front panel provides simple, safe operation. High power output is featured with 50 watts on 2 meters and 45 watts on 430 MHz. CTCSS/DCS Encode/Decode is built in. Over 1000 memories are available. It is WIRES compatible. Operating this radio is very simple and straight forward, and you may program it to your operational preferences via a menu system. [Note]: The new FT-7900R is for the amateur who does not require cross-band repeat as found on the FT-8800R Model-!

[EN] – Yaesu showed these new radios at Dayton, in its own booth at Hamvention 2009. It looks to me like they just re-designed the front panel and went with a different RF module to get another 5w or 75w of rated power output, and a more efficient implementation of the controlls circuitry and the N. of  memory channels.

I see they also updated the following… FT-150R is now the 250R with the 700mW audio and inclusion of the 1400mah NiMH battery, bigger knobs and modern look; FT-170R is now the 270R with the 800 mW of Loud Audio; FT-1800 is now the 1900R with 55W and Loud 3 Watts; FT-2800 is now the 2900R, with an increase in power output to 75W and Loud 3 Watts on the new model. And more…

Link to: Download VxStd 2009 Catalog Ham Radio in PDF 1.1MB

[IT] – Il nuovo FT-7900 con il ridisegnato frontale consente operazioni semplici e sicure. Ha potenze in out elevate sino a 50W in 2 metri e 45W in 430MHz. Dotato di CTCSS/DCS Ecode/Decode. Oltre 1000 memorie disponibili. E’ compatibile con il sistema WIRES della Yaesu. Operare con questa radio è molto semplice, si può impostare a scelta le varie preferenze via il  menu system. [Note]: L’FT-7900 è adatto per utenti che non usino il cross-band repeat, che invece è possibile con il Modello FT-8800, già in commercio da tempo!
La VS Yaesu ha presentato cinque nuovi modelli nel propio  stand alla Hamvention di Dayton  USA lo scorso 15 e 16 maggio 2009: FT-7900R DuoBanda FM Mobile, FT-240R Compact 5W 2m FM Field Radio – FT-270R VHF FM 5W Commercial Grade Fiel Radio – FT-1900R Rugged 55W 2m FM Mobile – FT-2900R 2m FM Mobile, Massive Heatsink guarantees 75Watts of Solid RF Power with No Coling Fan Needed! – And more….
Sembra di notare una riprogettazione dei pannelli frontali, il miglioramento dei moduli RF per ottenere più potenza output, una più efficace operatività dei circuiti di controllo, di gestione e più canali di memoria disponibili. Importante l’aumento della potenza out audio per un miglio rascolto, come nel FT-270 a 800 mW e l’adozione della batteria 1400mah NiMH, costruzione “submersible”. FT-1900R  55W and Loud 3 Watts – E altro ancora…
[Note]: Information is preliminary and subject to change. See the info of the VS Yaesu documents!

IC-7600: 1st analog mixers, 2nd IF I/Q rejection mixer and DSP – Download Broshure Eng. and USB Driver Installation Guide

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IC-7600 the flagship’s linage. Employ 1st IF analog mixers, 2nd IF rejection mixer (SDR -I/Q mixer type) and digital signal processing DSP.  It is most interesting that the new Transceiver Rohde & Schwarz® 4100 HF radio family also employs this architectur. (Report/image  www.radiocronache®)

Download the Broshure Eng. language and the new USB Driver Installation Guide, update 02/26/09.  See the Table: Comparison of  key features by Adam, VA7OJ

Link to: Download the Icom.co.jp  new Broshure Eng. lang. PDF (! 4.23 MB)
Link to: Dowload the IC-7600 new USB Driver Installation Guide Eng. PDF
Link to: Table 1: Comparison of key features Icom radios by Adam, VA7OJ

IT: IC-7600 ha lo stesso circuito del IC-7800 e IC-7700 non avendo più lo statio IF a 455kHz e quindi un terzo mixer come il Pro3. Questo evita sia il rischio di altri seganli spuri che l’ulteriore fase di rumore del mixer, fattori di distorsione e di intermodulazione.
IC-7600, utilizza un sistema a doppia conversione superheterodina, con l’impiego di un mixer a reiezione d’immagine (tipo SDR I/Q  mixer) nello stadio della 2nd IF che migliora la “imband IMD”.  Il sistema a doppia conversione  necessita  di maggior tecnologia però si riduce notevolmente la distorsione del segnale e la relativa elaborazione a media frequenza con il risultato di ottenere un segnale di miglior fedeltà all’ingresso del codec A/D e quindi all’unità di elaborazione digitale DSP Unit. TMS320C6726BRFP – 266MHz clock – 32bit floating point – Capacity = 1600MFLOPS
[Note] Nel cosidetto I/Q Mixer il segnale di 1st IF viene splittato in due segnali di uguale frequenza per essere amplificati da due IF AMPs e poi inviati al 2nd mixer a reiezione di immagine. Le due componenti di questo segnale RX IF, come si vede  dallo schema a blocchi, vengono miscelati con due segnali alla stessa frequenza attraverso lo split e sfasamento dell’OL di 90 gradi. I segnali IF sfasati di 90 gradi I (In fase) Q (Quadratura) così ottenuti vengono ricomposti da un rifasatore e poi elaborati digitalmente, attraverdo il convertitore A/D, dal DSP Unit, che per il progetto richiede ottime conoscenze tecniche ed un elevato sviluppo del software residente nel circuito del DSP Unit, nello stesso Transceiver che è complessivamente gestito dal software dal Main CPU.

È molto interessante il fatto che la nuova serie di radio HF 4100 della Rohde & Schwarz® impiega una simile architettura. Infatti il Transceiver R&S® M3SR Serie 4100, utilizza un sistema a doppia conversione superheterodina e combina l’ottima gamma dinamica di una radio con ottimo mixer analogico e dall’ultimo sistema di processo ed elaborazione digitale del segnale IF e del segnale audio. La frequenza della 2nd IF a 48 kHz è campionata, digitalizzata ed elaborata utilizzando i processori di segnali digitali DSP (nell’IC-7600 la 2nd IF è 36 kHz mentre sull’ IC-R9500 è proprio a 48 kHz).
L’IC-7600 ha anche un doppio loop AGC, uno analogico ed uno digitale entrambi controllati dal cuore del circuito IF DSP. Il segnale necessario all’AGC viene prelevato dopo il filtro digitale, così si previene l’eventuale bloccaggio dell’AGC dovuto a dei forti segnali adiacenti (“pumping” the AGC). Da notare che tanto il filtro digitale IF (Twin PBT, IF Shifth, Twin Peak ecc.) che il filtro notch (NOTCH, NR, NB ecc) vengono elaborati digitalmente nel DSP e sotto controllo dei loops dell’AGC.

ENG: IC-7600 the flagship’s linage, eliminate the 455 kHz IF stage and third mixer, with their attendant risks of spurs, additional phase noise and IMD degrade. IC-7600 employs a double conversion superheterodyne system, which has an image rejection mixer (SDR I/Q mixer type) for the 2nd mixer stage improve inband IMD.
[Note] SDR I/Q mixer: The filtered 1st RX IF signal is amplified by two 1st IF AMPs, then splitted into two before being applied to the 2nd mixe, as a image rejection. Each divided signal RX IF signal is mixed with 2nd LO signals to be converted into the 36 kHz 2nd RX IF. One of the LO signal is 90 degrees phase shifted before being applied to the 2nd mixer, and the converted 2nd mixer IF is 90 degrees phase shifted too. – I (Inphase) Q (Quadrature) signals are buffer and amplified by 2nd IF AMP. Then the 2nd RX IF signals whose phase shifter, then composed by the composer.The composed RX IF signal is amplified, then entered by the A/D converter to the DSP Unit. – TMS320C6726BRFP, 266MHz clock , 1600MFLOPS!
It is most interesting that the new Transceiver Rohde & Schwarz® 4100 HF radio family also employs this architecture. The R&S® M3SR Series 4100 employs a double conversion superheterodyne system, combines the unmatched dynamic range of radios with analog mixers with the latest in digital IF and audio signal processing. The second IF frequency of 48 kHz is sampled (IC-7600 has 2nd IF 36 kHz, IC-R-9500 has 48 kHz), digitized and processed using DSP digital signal  processors.
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