Icom RS-BA1 update Ver.1.20 IC-9100 interior views Mod. RX espande range

The IC-9100 Multiband Transceiver supports RS-BA1 Internet remote-control software Icom suite; With the RS-BA1, you can configure a remote control system through the Internet IP, or a LAN  network. • Most functions and modes of your transceiver, including interference rejection functions and IF filter settings, can be controlled • Also, S-meter and SWR can be observed • Rx Voice recording function available and more. –  (Click on the rs-ba1 picture to enlarge)
Icom RS-BA1 remote control software Ver.1.20 update 2011/04/01 (File: ZIP – File size: 21.1 MB) [Note]: It is not possible to execute this updating program if the RS-BA1 is not installed into your PC Remote Control is not free, you buy from retailers. – Now is not yet available in all countries. ML&S UK Ham Store: Price: TBA ! - HRO US Discount Price: TBA ! Marcucci Spa IT Prezzo €88,00 (inc.VAT)!

Link to: Info major points of the Ver.1.20 update by Icom web

IC-9100: Interior views, features summarized, first impression, dual receiver but not same band, limits  EMCOM. High price to base, and many optionals  required for full operation. How to Expand the Receiver range.

Icom V.10GS0190 brochure and it looks like the dual receiver works in all modes simultaneously, but not on the same band • The IC-9100 has 3 independent receiver circuits from the antenna connector to the 2nd IF image rejection mixer • The IC-9100 will receive simultaneously (with mixed modes if desired) on any of the band pairs shown in the “Independent dual receivers” table on the IC-9100 brochure • It severely limits the usefulness for Emergency Communications (EMCOM) by not being able to monitor the same band with both receivers • For that matter, it limits if for DX and contesting, where you are listening in two places of the HF band at the same time. • The architecture of the IC-9100 (only one 1st mixer and LO per receive chain) precludes same-band Dual Watch operation.

The optional UT-121 Unit provides D-STAR DV mode digital voice and low speed data communication. [Note] It doesn’t have the Icom ID-1′s DD “high-speed” data feature!  - Installing the optional UX-9100 box and his IF PCB the IC-9100 fully covers the HF/50, 144, 430/440 and 1.2GHz amateur bands in multiple modes. – RX expansion range (see last picture above): Frequancy coverange (not guaranteed!) 30kHz to 60MHz / 108 to 174 MHz / 420 to 480MHz 7 1240 to 1320MHz – Disassemble the radio, locate diode matrix behind the front panel and remove D1504 and D1505 for full Rx coverage, !! work with great care, risk of damage to the PCB – Assemble the radio and operate the full reset by olding [F-INP-ENT] + [M-CLR] and turn power [ON].
[Note] Before you do anything, please read this.!
The modifications are not verified, so if you try some of the article on your own equipment, it’s on your own risk. Performing modifications of some equipment may be a violation of local laws. If you have any doubts, do not perform the modification.

Link to: Download the  Icom RS-BA1 product brochure ENG
Link to: IC-9100 informations web page by VA7OJ’s Adam

TS-590S G3SJX reviews the Kenwood HF/50MHz transceiver RadCom 01/2011

FTdx-5000 Review from RadCom June 10 by G3SJX – Here only some data and a summary

FTdx-5000 measured performance → Source: RSGB RadCom  June, 2010 by G3SJX – Table 1*
[*Note]: here, only some of the many performances misured – View the RadCom Magazine to read the full review by Peter Hart) – !! IP3, IMD3, and Blocking figures were outstanding with the appropriate Roofing filters selected. !! The only area for concern is the receiver spurious signal rejection….

Sensitivity SSB 10dBs-n:n 7MHz band: IPO-1 →0.7uV (-110dBm) PREAMP-1 →0.18uV (-122dBm) PREAMP-2 →0.09uV (-127dBm)
Intermodulation (Spacing 15kHz) 2400Hz bandwidth 6kH Roofing USB 7MHz band: IPO-1 →IP3 +37.5dBm IMD 105dB PREAMP-1 →IP3 +26dBm IMD 105dB PREAMP-2 →IP3 +18dBm IMD 103dB
Close-in Intermodulation on 7MHz Band 500Hz bandwidth CW IPO-1:
Spacing →2kHz (15kHz Roofing) IP3 -8.5dBm IMD 77dB – (6kHz Roofing) IP3 -4dBm IMD 80dB – (3kHz Roofing) IP3 +33dBm IMD 106dB – (600Hz Roofing) IP3 +37dBm IMD 109dB
Spacing →10kHz (15kHz Roofing) IP3 +38dBm IMD 108dB – (6kHz Roofing) IP3 +39dBm IMD 109dB – (3kHz Roofing) IP3 +38dBm IMD 109dB – (600Hz Roofing) IP3 +38dBm IMD 109dB

The 9MHz IF rejection on most bands was greater than 100dB, but on 10MHz it was only 54dB, and on 7MHz it was 74dB. VRF front-end tuning improved these figures by 20dB. The first mixer image was only down by 55dB to 70dB but VRF improved this to better than 75dB.
Spurs on the synthesiser resulted in a number of unwanted receiver responses, notably at approx +/- 425kHz from the received frequency at only 65dB down on the VFO-A rx and at +/- 40kHz down by 85dB. VRF improves these figures but only marginaly on the higher bands.
Third order intercept (IP3), dynamic range (IMD3) and blocking figures were outstanding with the appropriate Roofing filters selected (See the Table-1*). The VFO-B receiver dynamic range is nont quite as good as the VFO-A receiver but is still very respectable.

Link to: The RSGB webpage – RadCom Magazine

La rejezione IF a 9MHz per la maggior parte delle bande risulta superiore a 100dB, ma sulla banda dei 10MHz scende a soli 54dB, e sulla banda dei 7MHz risulta 74dB.- L’uso del VRF tuning del front-end migliora queste figure di circa 20dB. L’immagine del primo mixer risulta attenuata solo da 55 dB a 70 dB, ma con il VRF si ha un miglioramento al valore di 75dB. Le spurie del sintetizzatore produce una serie di risposte indesiderate al di sotto di soli 65dB  rispetto all frequenza  ricevuta,  in particolare a circa +/- 425kHz dal centro della frequenza  sul VFO-A (main rx), ed ancora a +/- 40kHz sono al di sotto di 85dB. L’inserimento del circuito VRF migliora queste cifre, però solo marginalmente sulle bande più alte di frequenza.
L’intercept point di terzo ordine (IP3), la gamma dinamica  IMD3 e la dinamica di blocco hanno valori che variano in base alla banda passante  del Roofing filter selezionato (Vedere Tabella-1*). Il ricevitore del VFO-B (sub rx) ha a sua volta una dinamica non altrettanto buona come il  ricevitore VFO-A (main rx), ma comunque è  molto rispettabile. – !! Emerge dall’articolo di Peter  Hart una questione che lo preoccupa:  la effettiva capacità di rejezione di segnali spuri del  ricevitore A.
[Note]: RSGB Members Only can now download the June, 2010 RadCom Review  in PDF format.

FTdx-5000 Vs IC-7700 – DMU-2000 v5.11 – Yaesu ICAL soon IT – Watch the 1st Video

The Transceiver FTdx-5000 Vs IC-7700 – Sommary.. Features, Dimensions, Weight
Yaesu Italia  ICAL Spa,  coming soon in Italy. >See Info and link (Ical logo) below..
Icom IC-7700:
Dimensions  425 × 149 × 437 mm; Weight  22.5kg;
Output power :  5–200W – AM 5–50W;
PA utilizes two MRF 150 MOSFETs (Vdd = 48V);
Special Price (- Icom Coupon + Gift) $6299,95

Yaesu FTdx 5000 Series:
Dimensions and Weight FTDX-5000 462 x 135 x 389 mm,  21 Kg
SM-5000  462 x   45 x 181 mm,  3 Kg; Output power: 10-200W – AM 5-50W (75W Cl. A)
PA utilizes two FETs VRF 150 (Vdd = 40V);
MP Series List Price $8000.00  Your Price $6299.95

Watch the 1st Video on the latest model is FTDX5000MP Yaesu (by ito7310)

ヤエス最新機種のFTDX5000MPです。 – Request to ito7310!! Is there any way you can make another video but flip the switches slower where we can see the effects of the adjustment? … thanks.

FTdx-5000 Series coming soon in Italy – June, 2010 in Italia il Transceiver HF 50MHz 200W, lo ha annunciato Yaesu Italia/ ICAL Spa – Official Importer and distributor  Vertex Standard Yaesu.

FTdx-5000MP  arrived in US.  One of the first exemplary, probably assigned to who have classified the order, arrived in US  on 27 Feb. 2010. .Dick K6GAK – See more info, Link and Photo..

(continua…)

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…)

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…..>

(continua…)

IC-7600 Review RadCom a summary available. New Icom User Manual En 1EX-1 Update 2009/07/23!

Radcom June 2009 G3SJX review IC-7600 Measured Performance. Summary available: Close-in IMD, IP3 on 7MHz Band, 2.4kHz Bandwidth, USB mode. Preamp Off. – In the receiver, close-in IMD3 dynamic range, reciprocal mixing noise, MDS (sensitivity), IF filter bandwidth (selectivity) and in-band IMD are important parameters.  A summary can be made available in this table IMD3, IP3 report….. Watch the report table, below.

ICOM, has released new IC-7600 User Manual En A-6722H-1EX-1 (auditing) – Last Update 2009/07/23 ……. See the Link below (for download)

ICOM  ha rilasciato un nuovo Manuale Utente per l’IC-7600 in Inglese (1Ex-1 auditing) il 23.07.09 – (ci sono integrazioni  operative più chiare, con variazioni su molte pagine)…. Più avanti il Link e la tabella con IMD, IP3  in 7MHz con filtro 2,4kHz in USB …. (continua…)

IC-7600 Review: User Evalutation & Test Report by Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ. – I could not find any fault with the Transceiver

———————————————————————————————
IC-7600 Review by VA7OJ : Download the fine User Evalutation & Test Report (PDF format) with the Link below or clik on the Banner  below -
I could not find any fault with the Transceiver IC-7600.  This radio promises to be a worthy replacement for the tried and proven IC-756Pro3! – Many Thanks Adam, by www.radiocronache.com.

Clarification: The test on pag. 8, par. 2) of this report is for Reciprocal Mixing Noise, not IMD dynamic range – Precisazione: La prova a pag. 8, par.2) della  relazione riguarda la reciproca miscelazione con il rumore di fase del LO, non sono valori della gamma dinamica IMD.

Questo eccellente rapporto, realizzato da VA7OJ/AB4OJ, Adam, descrive dettagliatamente  la valutazione del nuovo IC-7600 S/N #0201203 dal punto di vista dell’utente. Poi sull’Appendice 1) vengono riportati, con molti dettagli tecnici, misure strumentali e diagrammi, molti risultati dei test principali eseguiti sul transceiver nel proprio laboratorio RF. Adam ha potuto utilizzare, per un certo numero di giorni, l’IC-7600  nel suo shack, quindi ha avuto l’opportunità di usare la radio e valutarne le principali caratteristiche  compreso il comportamento in aria – Adam ha testato il livello di uscita RX Baseband dalla porta USB utilizzando DM780*, con  l’interfaccia di Ham Radio Deluxe (* HRD by HB9DRV),  l’IC-7600 ha mostrato subito nel computer l’indicazione “USB Audio Codec” e HRD ha cominciato a lavorare.

Al par. 20) Conclusioni, di questa ampia relazione, Adam scrive: “”Dopo alcuni giorni trascorsi piacevolmente nella “cabina di pilotaggio” dell’IC-7600, sono molto favorevolmente impressionato dalla sua solida e raffinata struttura, dall’attraente e informativo display, dal facile approccio operativo molto intuitivo,  dall’impressionante serie di eccellenti funzioni e per le prestazioni in-aria. Questa radio offre la maggior parte delle funzionalità e delle prestazioni dell’IC-7700 però con le dimensioni simili ad un Pro3. L’apparato si pone in una classe di prezzo  che è tra il Pro3 e l’IC-7700. Icom com un suo colpo vincente ha abilmente introdotto una  nuova interfaccia USB per il computer”" -

In effetti la porta USB è innovativa, non trasporta solo i dati  standard CI-V, ma comprende anche i segnali  audio TX e RX in “PCM baseband”  tra il computer e l’IC-7600. [Nota]: Icom Inc. ha già rilasciato il software  USB Drive Vers.1.00, da installare nel computer. Vedi sotto il Link
———————————————————————————————

———————————————————————————————
Link to: Download the IC-7600 User Evalutatio & Test Report  by Adam, VA7OJ

EN: This fine report, by VA7OJ, Adam describes the evaluation of the new IC-7600 S/N #0201203 from a user perspective.  Appendix 1 presents results of RF lab test suite performed on the radio, detailed measurements and diagrams. Adam was able to spend a number of days with the IC-7600 in your ham-shack, and thus had the opportunity to exercise the radio’s principal features and evaluate its on-air behavior – Adam thested the RX baseband output levels at the USB port using DM780*, interfacing with Ham Radio Deluxe (*HRD by HB9DRV), the IC-7600 showed up in the computer as “USB Audio Codec”, HRD started working

On this report, par. 20) Conclusion, Adam writes: “”After several days’ worth of “cockpit time” on the IC-7600, Adam .. very favorably impressed by its solid, refined construction, attractive and informative display, easy familiarization experience, smooth operating “feel”, impressive array of features and excellent on-air performance. This radio offers most of the functionality and performance of the IC-7700 in a Pro3-size package, and in a price class between the Pro3 and the IC-7700. Icom have again scored a coup with the straightforward USB computer interface”"  -
Indeed the USB port trasports non only CI-V data, but also TX and RX PCM baseband between the IC-7600 and the computer. [Note] Icom Inc. Software USB Drive Vers.1.00 is necessary. Free download Vers.1.00  and read the manual  from Icom Inc. official  web

Link to: Icom Inc. Jp – USB Driver(Ver.1.00), Driver Utility and manuals.
Link to: Radiolab – An excellent tutorial on reciprocal mixing -
Link to: Download the IC-7600 User Evalutatio & Test Report  by Adam, VA7OJ

Appendix 1) summary:
Performance Test on IC-7600 – As performed in Adam Home RF lab, March 17 – 23, 2009 -
Receiver Test: 1) MDS (Minimum Discernible Signal) ATT off, NR off, NB off. Levels in dBm at 3.6 – 14.1 – 50.1 MHz Pream of, 1 and 2, SSB 2.4kHz bw and CW 500Hz bw, 1a): AM Sensityvity (wide 9kHz filter) – 2) Reciprocal Mixing Noise – 3) IF filter shape factor (-6/-60 dB) – 4) SSB filter roll-off in dB and diagram Sharp/Soft – 5) NR noise reduction, measured as SINAD – 6) Manual Notch Filter (MNF) stopband attenuation and banwidth diagram Wide, Mid, Narrow setting – 7) AGC imput response, a) RF burst, b) Test with pulse trains – 8) Noise blanker (NB) impulse response – 9) S-meter tracking & AGC threshold, 9a) attenuator tracking – 10) In-Band IMD test -52 dB! – Follow par. 11) 11a) 11b) 12) for Spectrum Scope Tests and 13) to 22) for Trasmitter Tests.

IC-7200 Rugged manpack styling. Two type IF Filters. MAIN UNIT Design and architecture. Link to Test review Radcom Uk

IC-7200: Triple conversion superheterodyne system:
Intermediate frequencies 1st: 64.455 MHz, 2nd: 455 kHz, 3rd: 15.625 kHz.
(Clik for inlarge the MainUnit)

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.
———————————————————————————————
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
———————————————————————————————
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.

Switch BOX: is a automatic T/R switch senses for RTX and your SDR

Switch BOX della Elad: è una unità di commutazione dei collegamenti d’antenna tra un RTX ed un ricevitore SDR separati. Distribuita da WoodBoxRadio di IK3VIG, Beppe, è dotata di sensore di RF trasmessa (100W max)  che permette l’uso di un Ricevitore SDR come il PERSEUS, unitamente ad un qualsiasi Transceiver HF in modo automatico tramite un relay interno, che mette a massa l’antenna RX durante la trasmissione.  L’unità Switch BOX, consente di gestisce anche i segnali audio provenienti dal ricevitore o dal monitor del trasmettitore, permettendo un rapido ed agevole confronto di ascolto tra i due segnali così ricevuti. Usando la CAT dell’RTX, con una partizione di software sul PC per la funzione di sincronismo trà l’RTX e il Perseus, si ottiene un nuovo e performante transceiver.  Protezione: Switch BOX è dotato di uno scaricatore a gas che si inserisce sull’ imput di antenna.

Link to: Download the Connection diagram .pdf

ENG: SWITCH BOX by Elad, is a automatic T/R switch senses transmitted RF (100W max) and switches your
antenna from SDR receive (PERSEUS)  to transmit using a relay. It shorts your receiver antenna input to ground to protect your SDR (Official distribution by WoodBoxRadio, IK3VIG, Beppe). Instead of using RF sense to switch the antenna, a control line input lets your key/keyer or PTT line switch the antenna. A complete switch control is available for the audio path of receiver and transceiver. Using CAT of your RTX, with third parts software which provide a SYNC function between RTX and your Peseus SDR, you can make an outstanding and high performance transceiving operations. Protection: The SWITCH BOX provides gas discharge protection on the antenna input.