ICOM Annunces Laungh of the IC-9100 mid October, 2010 – The Price and Press release

Icom IC-9100 – 2010/08/17 Icom Inc. (Hukui Tsutomu President), the ham radio transceiver IC-9100 will be released. Start on sale in JA: Mid October -  The IC-9100 is a full coverage from HF to 1200MHz band (Requires optional UX-9100)  – The manufacturer says: Just all-round machine!

HFから1200MHz帯※1までをフルカバー。 アマチュア無線の楽しさを、この1台に凝縮。Icom IC-9100

Price: IC-9100  Japan Domestic Marcket List Price 312,900 JPY (tax included)
[Note]!! IC-7600 100W Japan List Price 417,900 JPY (tax included).
Suggestive MSRP in EU – Yen/€  exchange 110/1 (Yen 312,900/110 = €2,845.00 ?! )

Other news: 年間目標販売台数  計500台/年 – Jp/En Google translation says: Annual sales targets a total of 500 units/year (the page does not mention either in Japan or in the world!)

Coming soon!! – (IPリモートコントロールソフトRS－BA1に対応 ……
Clik image to enlarge the GUI of the new Icom RS-BA1 Remote Control Software. – Ethernet, IP and voice to enable the handling of remote control software remote control over IP networks “RS-BA1″ support.  You can remotely control the IC-9100. – [Note] Please comply with laws and operate remote control. – Enhanced functions of the PC with the USB port on the back – You can easily connect to your PC [..!data to be verified!]

Two high-end DSP & 24-bit AD/DA converter is equipped,  that achieved class IP3 = +30 dBm – HF-50
DSP for Main-band: ADSP-21369 32-bit floating point – 333MHz clock  – Processing power = 2000MFLOPS  
DSP for Sub-band: ADSP-21375 32-bit floating point – 266MHz clock – Processing power = 1600MFLOPS

Main Features (Summary by www.radiocronache.com – Source: Icom Inc. Web)
- HF +50 MHz +144 MHz +430 MHz +1200 MHz full cover (optional UX-9100)
- The Easy satellite mode settings to achieve syncronizes the UP(tx) and Dow(rx)
- D-STAR® with a digital voice mode built-in Japan (optional UT-121.. outside)
- DV mode supported on 28, 50, 144, 430/440 and 1.2 GHz bands
- Simultaneously receive two different bands, (HF/50⇔144MHz, 144⇔430MHz)
- “RS-BA1″ (Coming soon!) To enable remote control software remote over EtherNet/IP
- IF-DSP two 32bit floating point DSP and 24bit AD/DA converters
- Rofing filter 15kHz default 1st IF filter (6 and 3 kHz option for HF +50MHz bands)
- Superheterodyne system receives feedback from the upper Icom model ( I/Q image-reject mixer)
- Standard conditions at a glance that the scope of the band within the band.
- Built-in ATU Antenna Tuner(HF +50 MHz bands) as standard.

Link to: View the Icom Inc. Japan press release (Jp) for the IC-9100
Link to: Picasa Gallery: Kansai Ham Fair 2010 by Oba-san, JA7UDE

The  IC-9100 will on display in the Icom booth at Ham Fair 2010 to be held at the Tokyo Big Sight of August 21~22, 2010. —– Enjoy Tokyo HamFair this weekend!
Link to: JARL Ham Fair 2010 in Tokyo – Info and Reports

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 The Multiple Software Installations Software. Latest Update EDSP Ver.0519

FTdx-5000 requires four different software installations (plus one option). Each one must be followed carefully with separate procedures and not easy . – Latest Update EDSP MAIN and SUB Unit Version 0519 of 19/04/2010 – !!NOTE: Installing the wrong type software may cause difficulties.
See above the Multiple Software Installations summary diagram © by www.radiocronache.com.

The latest versions are listed below with the dates (source Vertex Standard US)
• MAIN CPU Firmware    AH036 Ver.0106 (23/03/2010)
• EDSP Firmware                AH036H Ver.0519 (19/04/2010)
• OEL (OLED) Firmware  AH036UEL Ver.0110 (23/03/2010)
• SM-5000 Firmware      AH036LCD Ver.0107 (23/03/2010)
• DMU-2000 Software Version (Option): Please refer to the DMU-2000 update information
See ADSP improvements, more info and PGM-Switch rear panel and Italian ver. below (continua…)

The latest Firmware Updates Ver.2.21 IC-7800, 1.12 IC-7700 and 1.02 IC-7600, of 2010/04/01

Firmware Updates IC-7800 / IC-7700 / IC-7600 – Nuovi aggiornamenti  dei Firmware di Icom Inc. – Other news: Icom have released a new Ver. IC-7600  User Manual En 1EX-3 - of 01 Feb, 2010
—- © www.radiocronache.com – Source data: Website Icom Inc. Osaka, Japan

The DSP IF filter shape factor (-6/-60 dB). This is the ratio of the -60 dB bandwidth to the -6 dB bandwidth, which is a figure of merit for the filter’s adjacent-channel’s rejection. The lower the shape factor, the “tighter” the filter. – The two type of DSP filter shape factor for each SSB, SSB-Data and CW can be selected independently from soft and sharp.
A sharp profile with a flat passband and soft profile with a more rounded passband (Twin Passband Tuning [TWIN-PBT] is also easily provided, which enables the filter sides to be both indipendently moved and narrowed, the DSP also provides audio filtering and shaping functions). Depending on  the operating situation, for example handling a pile-up or receiving a very weak signal, you can flexibly change sharp and soft filter shapes or reduce or shift the filter width, even while receiving a signal, by a simple push of a front panel key. See the latest Ver. for each model and Link below..

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FTdx-5000 Has FCC ID: K6620361X60. Here some more RX information and pictures!

FTdx-5000 Has the FCC Certificate, ID: K6620361X60, receved December 10, 2009!
That Was Fast….. will be bringing out very soon!

The Main RX (VFO A) is a two-stage down-conversion design 9 MHz first IF and 30kHz second IF . – Yaesu engineers take the down-conversion architecture with narrow ham-band filtering for superior close-in dynamic range. – (Like K3 Elecraft and Orion II Ten-Tec, see the [Note] below!)

The sub RX (VFO B) is not the same! It is a three stage Up-conversion design. The 40.455MHz first IF stage feature 3 roofing filter 15, 6, 3kHz. Each roofinf is a four-pole, monolithic crystal filter (like FT-2000, FT-950). This Sub RX uses a new subdisplay with two EL (Eltro Luminesense) to indicate Sub frequency, graphical wave and menu functions. One EL functions is dedicated at the Main RX.

[Note] Like Orion II IFs: Main Receiver IF1=9 MHz, IF2=455 kHz, IF3=14 kHz (IMD3 101 dB IP3 +24 dBm @ 5kHz) – The Sub Receiver is not the same! IF1=45 MHz, IF2=455 kHz, IF3=14 kHz (+5 dBm @ 20kHz.

See the Some more RX information and the Links below. Here are some more pictures and the EN User Manual (Part 1/Part 2) in PDF….

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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-7700 New Firmware Version 1.11. Improvements in the TX monitor audio level

IC-7700 update Ver 1.11;  Icom have released a new firmware version 1.11 for the IC-7700; Icom Inc. Update 14/09/2009.  A description of the changes, download F/W  and new User Manual (rev 1EX-2a) appear in the link  below – Tks  IW0SAF, Moreno  for the photo by his Shack!

Icom Major points of the Ver.1.11 update: Improvements in the TX monitor audio level.

[Note] The output of the monitor demod is fed into the main receiver audio amplifier, whose gain is controlled by the AF Gain control. The AF Gain pot is the “master fader”. All Icom transceivers equipped with a monitor circuit are configured in this way……
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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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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…)

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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