FT-450D HF/50MHz Tranceiver, Product Review, QST, 11/2011 by Mike, W5MPC

Yaesu FT-450D HF/50MHz Transceiver, Product review, QST, November 2011. Reviewed by Mike Corey, W5MPC. – Following in the line of the FT-100D, FT-817ND, FT-857D…. arrived it the FT-450D!

The FT-450D adds a standard internal ATU that cover the 6 to 160 meter bands (operation is very easy), and several ergonomic upgrades to the original FT-450. – New knob design, new standard hand mic., Button illumination and 500 and 300 Hz CW filters. (…please click the thumbnail to enlarge!) – See …..the link below !

QST Key summary 20m only: 500 Hz bw, Pre-off… 20 kHz spacing blocking gain compression 134 dB / IMD3 20 kHz 97 dB / IP3 +17 dBm. – FT-450D performance is about the same as the previous ’450! - See the November 2011 issue of QST magazine for the complete review and ARRL Lab test results (members only….login)

A big improvement to the front pannel is backlighting for the buttons, strong enough that buttons can be seen from several feet away ub a dark room, and a significant improvement over the CW filter in the previous FT-450 Transceiver.

Link to: ARRL – American Radio Relay League for Amateur Radio Home
Link to: Vertex Standard >Company Profile >Historical Highlights !!!

QST reviews IC-7410 on web 25.08.2011 – IC-9100 and IC-7410 Test reports by VA7OJ

An overview of the ICOM IC-7410 HF 50MHz Transceiver on the QST magazine by Rick, WW3DE  NCJ Managing Editor.  - QST reviews the  IC-7410 on October, 2011 -

Adam Farson, VA7OJ released  Ic-9100 and IC-7410 Test reports. Here are the links:

Link to: Download the IC-9100 Test Report in .PDF by Adam  !!(54 pag.)
Link to: Download the IC-7410 Test Report in .PDF  by Adam !!(41 pag.)

Many thanks Adam for doing all those tests – and for writing them up so thoroughly – and for publishing your reports! really appreciate your hard work – IØgej RadioCronache

Molte grazie Adam per aver fatto tutti i test sui Transceiver IC-9100 e IC-7410 della Icom – per ever scritto i risultati e le valutazioni in modo molto approfondito e professionale – ed anche per la loro pubblicazione! apprezzo molto il  grande lavoro – IØgej RadioCronache

 !! See the QST 14MHz Key Summary data and the Video QST Reviews by ARRLHQ (TNX to Lab Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM) below

Guarda  QST i dati a 14MHz da  Key Summary  e il testo più ampio in italiano riportato più sotto e segue su full story (below)…

The ARRL has posted their review (October QST) of the IC-7410 on their website. – The basic numbers for the IC-7600 and IC-7410 are not significantly different; they are all up-conversion rigs with relatively wide roofing filters. – Receiver employs a double conversion superheterodyne system which has an image rejection mixer I/Q for the 2nd mixer stage. – The IC-7410 employs a higher speed DSP Unit: ADSP21369 with internal Clock 333MHz, 2000MFLOPS and the AD/DA converter AK4620B.

See the October 2011 issue of QST magazine for the complete review and ARRL Lab test results – [Note] Area Members Only – to log-in; -
Link to: ARRL – American Radio Relay League for Amateur Radio Home-page

Video QST Review: ICOM IC-7410 – It is nice watching this video in 1080p full screen mode.

Da: “Key Summary” – (Intercept values ..determined using -97 dBm reference)
Qui vengono riportati solo i numeri a 14 MHz, Pre OFF – RTX  TS-590S / IC-7410

• …………………………………..Kenwood TS-590S……………..Icom IC-7410
• ……………………………………QST May 2011…….…………..QST October 2011
• ……………………………….. with a down conversion ………. with a up conversion
• ………………………….……(500Hz,  roofing filter)..…(500Hz DSP bw, 3kHz roofing)
• Band: 14 MHz – Pre Off
• Spacing 20 kHz blocking gain compression….141 dB…………………….144 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz blocking gain compression….121 dB…………………….111 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range….…106 dB…………………….106 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range….….97 dB………………………88 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order intercept……………+26 dBm………………….+29 dBm
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order intercept……………+22 dBm………………….+  5 dBm

QST 07  2010 DR3 of the FTdx-9000 pep Yaesu flagship rig is 85 dB 2kHz spacing
QST 03 2007   DR3 of the IC-7800 Icom inc.  flagship rig is 86 dB  2kHz spacing

Sul sito web della ARRL QST è stato pubblicato il Test review dell’IC-7410 HF 50MHz Icom dal 25.08.2011 in formato PDF (solo per soci con log-in) –  Poi l’articolo si troverà nella Rivista QST del prossimo  mese di Ottobre 2011.

Pertanto la recensione completa del Transceiver ICOM IC-7410, a cura di Rick, WW3DE NCJ Managing Editor, sarà sulla rivista QST del mese di ottobre prossimo. I dati di base rilevati in laboratorio per l’IC-7600 e ora per l’IC-7410 non mostrano differenze significative tra i due apparati, sennò come struttura complessiva, DW, Display TFT a Colori, Analisi di spettro, decodifica RX e TX per RTTY e PSK31 . – Come si vedrà dal sommario qui sopra i numeri con 20kHz sono simili al TS-590S  settato, quest’ultimo, in up-conversion e Roofing da 500Hz contro i 3kHz dell’Icom!! con una certa differenza, invece, a 2kHz.  - A proposito di valori di DR3 (IMD3), che non sarebbe la primaria misura da valutare,  guardate la DR3 dei due flagship Yesu e Icom. ….continua…>

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QST reviews the TS-590S on May, 2011 – Top class performance at a middle price

QST Magazine reviews the TS-590S on May, 2011 by N0AX, H. Ward Silver . The review radio originally shipped with firmware Ver 1.00 (S/N B0900113 September, 2010) but was upgraded to firmware Ver. 1.02 for final testing on the ARRL Laboratory.

N0AX also writes: The TS-590 is a very interesting superhetero-dyne that operates as either a double-down conversion (RX1), used on the 160, 80, 40, 20 and 15 meter bands for SSB, CW and FSK only; Triple up-conversion (RX2) chain on other bands, including 10 and 6 meters is used for wider IF BW such as for AM and FM, in addition to the SSB, CW and FSK.

Source: QST reviews, we show only the figures at 14 MHz, Pre OFF ( K3 /  TS-590S)

• …………………………………………..Elecraft K3………………..Kenwood TS-590S
• ………………………………………...QST Jan 2009……………………..QST May 2011
• ………………………………………..In both operate with a double down conversion
• ……………………………………(400 Hz, 8-pole roofing)………(500 Hz, roofing filter)
• Band: 14 MHz – Pre Off
• Spacing 20 kHz blocking gain compression….142 dB…………………….141 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz blocking gain compression….140 dB…………………….121 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range……106 dB…………………….106 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range……103 dB………………………97 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order intercept…………..+29 dBm………………….+26 dBm
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order intercept…………..+28 dBm………………….+22 dBm

I found the adjustable AGC action to be quite clean — no clicks, thumps or pops. It’s possible for a very close signal to be inside the roofing filter but outside a narrower DSP filter, causing the audio level to fall dramatically, but the signal has to be really close.
When either NR system is turned up to its most aggressive setting audible artifacts are created (NR2 artifacts sound like the band is “boiling”) but both are far better than the noise they have replaced.

The only problem I encountered was a significant power overshoot on the leading edge of a first dot or dash before recovering to the intended level. That caused the ACOM Series amplifier to trip offline unless we reduced drive, dropping amp output to 800-1000 W. – The problem was eliminated by a Ver. 1.02 firmware upgrade  from Kenwood and verified by testing with the same amplifier at W1AW at the legal limit. –
Link to: Web-page Firmware Ver.1.02  01/20/ 2011 and Download full RadCom Review!
Link to: Web-page TS-590S News On air test Video! Download User Manual & more info

QST fa il test al TS-590S su Maggio 2011 – Top performance ad un prezzo medio basso

QST Magazine n. 5/2011,  esamina il nuovo Kenwood con N0AX, H. Ward Silver; Un transceiver di classe top a prezzo medio basso scrivono. – Il TS-590S esaminato è arrivato alla ARRL in imballo originale con il Firmware 1st Ver. 1.00 (S/N B0900113 di Settembre, 2010), poi  per il test finale è stato aggiornato con la nuova Ver. 1.02 nello stesso Laboratorio della ARRL.

Power overshoot? Nell’impiego del TS-590S con amplificatori, in particolare con la serie ACOM, sono stati riscontrati problemi di picchi di potenza di millisecondi all’atto dell’inizio trasmissione, questo problema risulta risolto da Kenwood con il nuovo Firmware Ver. 1.02 del 20.01.2011 che al punto 5) riporta la questione tra le varie migliorie apportate con l’aggiornamento ..Vedere il link più sopra che porta alla pagina web con info sul Firmware 1.02 e al Test completo del TS-590S di RadCom di Gennaio 2011 della RSGB
Le caratteristiche del TS-590S  si trovano  anche in Italiano su Kenwood Electronics Italia
Link to: Kenwood Electronics Italia – Comunicazioni TS-590S

TS-590 Kenwood USA advertising in the QST June,10 – Down conversion 11 MHz 1st IF

The Kenwood “TS-590″ utilizes Kenwood’s proven 32 bit IF DP technology – Features selectable Roofing filters at 2.8 kHz, and 500 Hz on  1st IF – including down-conversion wtih the 1st IF at 11 MHz (like TenTec, Elecraft and Vertex Standard Yesu in the FTdx-5000 series), USB port, HF and 6M Antenna Jacks, Dual VFO Display, Automatic Tuner, etc. -

Kenwood has not yet announced final features, specifications, pricing or availability. The model number is tentative! – The June QST on the back cover is TS-590S seems to be a picture of. This back cover advertisement Kenwood is, first. – The Legend Continues and there TS-520, TS-570, TS-590S and is introduced from above. TS-590S on the front panel seems to be why do the characters TS-590 missing. – The Next Generation – Coming Soon and there.

Latest rumors: Size (WxHxD mm) 270x96x291 – TX Power 100W – High Dynaming range – IP3 +30dBm class at 2KHz separation – 32bit floating-point DSP – Sky Command – USB port for PC control and Sound inteface….?? — Wait for the official news updates Kenwood!!

Il nuovo “TS-590″ utilizza la tecnologia a 32 bit IF DSP della Kenwood, ha la possibilità di selezionare due Roofing filters da 2.8 kHz e 500 Hz BW nella 1st IF, comprende la conversione in basso nella prima IF a 11 MHz (come già fatto dalla Ten-Tec, dalla Elecraft ed da ultimo da Yaesu con la recente serie FTdx-5000), prevede una porta USB, due connettorri per HF e 6m, due VFO sul Display,  l’Accordatore automatico e altre features. La Kenwood non ha ancora rilasciato tutte le specifiche effettive, nè il prezzo. Il numero del modello per ora è un ipotesi “590″!

La rivista della ARRL QST di Giugno, 2010, sul retro della copertina, riporta la prima pubblicità per il TS-590, indicato come discendente del noto TS-520 del 1973, poi del TS-570D/S del 2000 e quindi la foto che dovrebbe essere del TS-590 perchè non riporta nel frontale tale sigla (in corso di conferma!). Questo annuncio di Kenwood USA sulla IV di copertina di QST mette in primo luogo: “La Leggenda Continua”, poi in grande: “The Next Generation – Coming Soon” – Aspettiamo !

Link to: Dayton Hamvention 2010 – news, video and more

Dayton Hamvention® 2010 – ARRL Expo – Report, Video sharing! – Fiera di Dayton 2010

Dayton Hamvention® 2010 – Report and video sharing! by www.radiocronache.com®
Icom new IC-9100 – Kenwood new TS-590S and TH-D72 – Yesu FTdx-5000 – FLEXradio – Elecraft K3 P3-panad – AMSAT ARISSat – ARRL Expo – And more! …….. See below links, photos and video

——————————————————————————————-
Link to: ARRL Expo 2010 – located in the Hara Balarena
Link to: AMSAT news from Dayton Hamvention 2010

Hamvention 2010 Video by TonyNap1 – 15.05.2010 Day #1 at the Hamvention
!!-New Kenwood HF radio: the sales man talking in video said “it was a K3 killer”!!

The First video from HARA by WB8CXO – Hamvention 2010 Thursday Morning

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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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-7200 Product Review from June 2009 QST by © ARRL. Recenzione completa QST di Giugno 2009

IC-7200 HF 6m Review from June 2009 QST

Product Review from QST magazine. Reviewed by Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK ARRL Assistant Editor
——Clik to enlarger ————————————
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.

QST March, 09: Icom America Inc. introduced the IC-7600 advertising. Your Price $3999.95 in the US

———————————————————————————————–
QST March 2009: IC-7600 advertising. Your favorite DX. Bottle not required.

In the US: List Price: $4876.00 – Your Price: $3999.95;  Expected delivery late April 09. In the Europe: Ian Lockyer, Marketing manager of Icom UK said, it is expected that the IC-7600 will be in stock by the end of March, 09. Pricing is still to be confirmed. (TBA)
Linkto:  Some thoughts on the IC-7600 page by radiocronache

Note: Once the new Yaesu PEP upgrades for the FT-2000 have their effect then ICOM could well face some competition?? – Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 7600 priced at a discount at Dayton Hamvention May, 2009!

The IC-7600 received FCC certification on February 9, 2009 ID:AFJ307300
Icom Europe GmbH – Declaration of Conformiy 1999/5/EC 23rd Jan. 2009

IC-7700: Product Review from QST Magazine. Report some data – Link to PA1HR’s Review data table

IC-7700 QST Review and PA1HR’s QST data table. Sulla rivista della ARRL, QST di Ottobre 2008 modificato nel QST di Maggio 2009, si trova la Recenzione del IC-7700 HF 50MHz 200W Transceiver della Icom, con risultati molto interessanti. L’apparato è stato recensito da Rick Lindquist, WW3DE, National Contest Journal Managing Editor.
Nelle 7 pagine dell’ampio articolo di QST, oltre alla recensione è interessante leggere anche quanto scrive su un inserto ”Prospettive degli operatori di Contest”   Dave Patton, NN1N Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager.
Nella Tabelllina inserita qui sopra sull’immagine, invece, sono riportati  alcuni significativi dati, tratti dalle recensioni del IC-7700, IC-7800, FT-2000D e Elecraft K3, nelle riviste QST della ARRL. Queste recenzioni tecniche meritano di essere lette per intero sui vari numeri del QST Magazine per un confronto completo e sistematico di tutte le performance dei più recenti apparati : Icom – Yaesu – Elecraft - FlexRadio;

Update news: Interestingly the summary made by Hans, PA1HR’s with the data QST review, use the link below from “review table” (vedere una interessante tabella di raffronto dati di QST dei più noti RTX  con il Link qui sotto)

Link to: Hans, PA1HR’s HF RTX and RX  QST Review table
Link to:   ARRL Home-Page – www.arrl.org

NB: ARRL Members Only can now download the October, 2008 QST Product Review online in PDF format.

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 produced by Icom, Yaesu, Elecraft. – This Icom is reviewed by Rick Lindquist, WW3DE National Contest Journal Managing Editor. Interestingly, in addition to the review, is also what he writes on the article-insert “A Contest Operator’s Perspective” from Dave Patton, NN1N, Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager.