Product Review - The ICOM IC-7000

[AA7BQ]

The ICOM IC-7000

A short review by Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ

Since I have the pleasure of being one of the first 100 or so folks in
the US to get the new IC-7000 I wanted take an the opportunity to share
my initial impressions with the QRZ community.

By now you've probably heard of the radio which some would describe as
the successor to the IC-706MKIIG. The comparisons are easy to make at
first glance but in many ways it may be more like the IC-756 PRO series
radios, or perhaps a bit of both. There's no denying on any account
that it's a dynamite package with big league operating features. In
this review I'll take a practical look at the radio from an experienced
user's point of view. Since I don't have a spectrum analyzer or the
types of gear needed to do a scientific review, I'll leave that part of
it up to the ARRL labs.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/7000-1.jpg
First, a bit about myself. I've been involved in electronics and
computers for about 30 years. I've been a ham since 1987 and my first
radio was a Kenwood TS-820. Over the years I've owned quite a few
different HF rigs including Galaxy's, Swans, plus a variety of modern,
solid state rigs including the TS-440, TS-940, TS-850, TS-570, TS-480,
IC-706, IC-735, IC-761, IC-765, FT-920, plus a few others that I can't
recall at the moment. My favorite radio for look and feel was the
IC-765, and for performance it has been a toss up between several of
them. Just last week I sold my TS-480SAT (which incidentally was a
great radio) as I scraped together the cash (about $1500) to buy the
IC-7000.

Now, back to the IC-7000. Let's face it, from a distance it looks
exactly like an IC-706 with a color screen. It's about the same size
(a little smaller, actually), and has the main tuning knob on the right
just like it's older sibling. It also covers HF/50/144/440 just like
the IC-706MKIIG. That said, we can stop comparing the two. The '7000
has capabilities and features that only a decade's worth of technology
can account for, and performance which will probably put a lot of other
radios to shame.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/radio-size.jpg
First Impressions
Obviously, the color display is big news. ICOM introduced the first
color TFT display in an HF rig with the 756PRO and now with the
IC-7800. Yaesu has it in their flagship FT-9000D and Kenwood has,
well, nothing. Kenwood is so far behind the technology curve right now
that they may well be on the verge of abandoning the amateur radio
market.

Unlike most HF radios, the IC-7000's screen is a true video display.
The capabilities of the display are not limited to any specific
character set or presentation but instead are controlled by the radio's
software. It shouldn't be all that surprising really as this type of
small-screen presentation has been available for several years now on
your typical cell phone at dirt cheap prices.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/ext-display.jpg
When I first looked at the 7000, I was a little shocked at the size of
the screen. It measures only 2.5 inches diagonal which is noticeably
smaller than the IC-706's antique LCD display. Some of the characters
are very small, smaller than typical newspaper print. Despite this,
however, they are extremely sharp and clear. Not a hint of fuzziness
or video artifacts but more like the crisp display of Palm Pilot or
cell phone.

Interestingly, the 7000 has a composite video output jack on the rear
that can be fed into any standard TV. I saw a Japanese website where
someone had mounted one in a car and attached one of those wildly
popular 7-inch in-car DVD screens to it. Feeling like I could possibly
get an IC-756 PRO III for the cost of a small screen, I hurried down to
Fry's Electronics and picked up a 6-inch "headrest monitor" for $123.
With it's simple 12 volt hookup and single video connector it was a
snap to hook up.

I found the results of the external monitor to be a bit of a
disappointment. Since the external video output is analog and not
digital (as the 7000's internal screen surely is), there were some
video artifacts such as some light ghosting/smearing plus some
difficulties setting the color and contrast. The biggest shock,
however, was the loss of apparent detail. The resolution of the
internal screen is very small, perhaps on the order of 320x160 (actual
numbers not yet known), and when they're blown up onto a larger screen,
the characters look a bit choppy and staircased.

Wondering if this was a product of the cheap 6 inch external display, I
then hooked up the 7000's video output to a regular 20" television set.
The results were the same except that there was some horizontal
overscan. Fortunately, there was a menu setting that corrected the
overscan, a nice touch from ICOM.

For the past two days I've been using just the built in 2.5 inch screen
and have left the external display disconnected. I'm happy to report
that my initial fears were unfounded. Due to the uncompromizing
clarity of the little screen, I'm having no real trouble reading it
even with my 52 year old eyes and bifocal lenses. I can say that I'm
happy with it as-is. Forget the external display except when your
vision is very bad, or, you're looking to show off the radio to a
crowd.

Ever since the radio debuted in Dayton 2005, we've all been told of
it's ability to receive and display standard broadcast TV. We've seen
pictures of it doing this in Japan. Lo and behold, however, the FCC
nixed the idea and when the final approval was granted, it was minus
the TV receive capability. Rumor has it that this will be restorable
via a diode mod but so far nobody has spilled the beans on it. The
mods website www.mods.dk has been listing an extended receive mod for
the IC-7000 for about a month now but there is no description at all as
to what exactly the mod accomplishes. I elected not to do the mod from
www.mods.dk lacking more info and waiting to hear from others who may
be braver than me.

Perhaps the "extended receive" mod makes the radio work in the 200-400
mhz range, which is completely blocked out for some unexplained
reason. TV audio can be heard in the low band (54-88 mhz) and part of
the high band (175-199 mhz) using the wideband FM mode. You can hear
the video as well so its clear that at least the lower 13 channels
should be receivable.

To be fair, broadcast TV reception is a gee-whiz feature that doesn't
have a lot to do with ham radio, except perhaps for a few isolated
cases. The same can't be said for ATV, however, and there doesn't seem
to be a good reason why it was disabled too. The FCC's rationale for
inhibiting TV was based on the perceived danger of people watching it
while driving their cars. Sure, it could happen, I suppose, but that
idea sure hasn't stopped the raft of in-dash CD/DVD players with the
flip-up screens that the consumer world so enjoys. Sure, there are
state laws which prohibit its use, but it doesn't prohibit the
manufacturers from selling car stereo equipment that has this
capability. Why do they think hams are any less responsible? I suppose
they do it because they can, and because unlike mass consumers, we're
subservient to their wishes.

The Out of Box Experience (a.k.a. the OOBE)
Unpacking and hooking up the radio was a no-brainer with no surprises.
Two things I noted about the rear were that first, there are two
antenna connectors, one labeled Ant-1 and the other, not surprisingly,
Ant-2. To me, this meant that the system had an A/B antenna switching
capability, much like my TS-480 had. Not so. Although it's not marked
on the unit, Ant-1 is for HF (160 thru 6 meters) and Ant-2 is for VHF
(54 mhz) and above. The other oddity was that there are four 3.5 mm
accessory jacks on the back, none of which are labeled! After holding
the radio up to the light for several moments I finally noticed that
there is a label on the bottom of the unit that identifies the mystery
holes as well as the serial number and FCC ID of the unit.

That said, I think that I was able to get "basic" functionality out of
the unit before I cracked open the 150+ page manual but had I insisted
on sticking with that strategy I would have missed a great deal of what
the rig had to offer.

Speaking of the manual, my first recommendation is to go to the ICOM
website and download the PDF version. With the newest free Adobe
reader, you can search the entire manual for key words which is much
faster than endless thumbing back and forth looking for subjects of
interest.

The second thing about the manual that I find odd is that unlike
most rigs, this one comes without a schematic. There is not one
shred of info about the internal workings of the radio, something
that at least Kenwood gives with every rig. I can't remember if
the other ICOM rigs include a schematic but one would have been
nice to have with this one. I suppose I'll have to wait for the
service manual to come out in order to get a peek.

Immediately upon unpacking the unit I took notice of its weight.
There's a lot of stuff packed in this little box and it has the kind of
heft that folks used to use to judge cameras. Good, expensive ones
were always heavier than the cheap, plastic imitations. This box feels
like a solid brick which gave me the warm satisfying feeling that it
might well be worth the $1500 that I paid for it.

So just how packed is it? Well, for starters, there aren't any
options, none. Filters? None. TCXO? Built-in. Speech synthesizer?
Built-in. Voice recorder? Built-in. Memory keyer? Built-in. This
is a fully loaded rig containing all the desirable options right from
the factory. I like it. On my TS-480 I suffered the indignity of
adding the voice recorder/speech synthesizer option which cost too much
money. It was especially frustrating to note that the option was about
the size of a postage stamp and it contained one big integrated circuit
and a connector. Kudos to ICOM for doing away with this insulting
practice and for raising the bar on minimum transceiver standards by
including the $2 chip right on the motherboard!

Getting My Feet Wet
Turning on the new radio, you first see the ICOM logo and then a notice
that RF power is set at 100%. The initial operating frequency is
14.100 mhz, USB. A turn of the knob and yep, there's activity on the
band. Being a technocrat, however, I wanted to see what the radio
would DO, not what was happening on the bands so I started wildly
pushing buttons and flipping through menus. Wow! What an assortment
of things to look at. It's hard to begin and impossible to recall
exactly which buttons I pressed in what order except to say that I
spent a good 30 minutes just marveling over it.

The total number of features is hard to describe. Needless to say,
most front panel buttons have multiple, context sensitive functions and
some use abbreviations that aren't immediately apparent. It was
beginning to look like some manual reading would be in my future.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/microphone.jpg
A really big discovery was the microphone. It's not your typical mic
as it has 25 buttons not including the PTT switch. It is most useful
in that it gives you one-button access to a lot of features that take
multiple presses on the radio's front panel. I really like the one
button band selectors, the quick access to the Filter menu, and the two
programmable buttons that can be set to do whatever. I can imagine
that some enterprising soul will invent an external control panel that
duplicates these features. This would be especially true for base
station use where a different microphone (having no buttons) might be
connected.

The basic menu idea follows what has become a standard of sorts in a
lot of rigs lately. If a button has a label, pressing it activates
that function. Press and hold the same button and you're taken to a
menu where you can adjust the feature. While this strategy isn't
necessarily followed on all functions, it is the basic idea and one
that helps you understand what to expect when pushing buttons. Don't
worry, if you're wrong or if the button has no meaning in the current
mode context, the radio will issue a beep sound and nothing happens.

An example of this is the mode button. Each time you press it the
operating mode changes to the next mode, for example CW -> RTTY -> FM
-> LSB. If LSB is currently selected, pressing and holding it changes
to USB. If FM is selected, pressing and holding changes to AM, or to
WFM (wideband FM). It's not that different from a lot of other radios
and easy enough to get used to. One button is oddly labeled in my
opinion. The legend says P.AMP which without thinking reminded me of
Power Amp. Actually, it's the receiver preamp button. I would have
labeled it PRE instead. Press once to engage the preamp, hold it down
for 1 second and it engages the Attenuator.

The DSP functions are some of the best I've ever seen. The radio has
two DSP chips but the documentation doesn't indicate how their tasks
are divided. One can only guess that perhaps one is for transmit and
one for receive, but until someone sees a block diagram, no one will
know. There are four noise reduction features: a Noise Blanker (NB), a
Noise Reducer (NR), a Manual Notch Filter (MNF), and an Automatic Notch
Filter (ANF).

NB is the typical ignition-type noise blanker. It was hard to find a
test signal but I could tell it was engaged when I listened to the 80
meter band. Like all of the DSP features, this one is adjustable by
holding down the NB button for more than one second. A pop-up window
will show the current level and you use the main tuning knob to
adjust. The NR is great, and it is also adjustable. It really
improves 80 meter operations. The MNF is a really useful feature. It
is actually a dual notch filter and when it is engaged you have two
independently adjustable notches. Adjusting them is easy with a little
graphic that slides left and right across a small scale. The ANF is
the automatic notch and it works well to suppress heterodynes. It is not
enabled in CW mode, where the MNF is typically used.

The DSP is also responsible for an elaborate dual passband filter with
adjustable width and center frequency. Adjusting it is similar to the
IC-756PRO and it gives a nice graphic to see the two pass bands. The
two bands are represented by graphics that have different colors and a
third color shows the intersection of the two. For SSB the pass band
filters have three default settings of 3.6 khz, 2.4 khz, and 1.8 khz,
all of which sound good. By pressing a button, you can customize any
of these three filters to be as wide as 3.6 khz all the way down to 50
hz. Cool. The available filter widths vary by operating mode to
values that are sensible for that mode. There is also a SOFT/SHARP
selection for each filter that selects the filter shape. My gut
feeling is that we won't be missing crystal filters with all of this
adjustability.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/rtty-decode.jpg
The radio has a nice RTTY decoder function with a built-in waterfall
display. I've never seen an easier RTTY decoder to operate. The
waterfall shows up in blue and makes for a pleasing presentation. This
isn't a feature that is immediately obvious, however, and one that I
had to crack the manual to figure out how to use. One comment about
it, however, is that it is receive-only. In other words, it has no
built-in tone generator (which would have been easy) and no way to send
RTTY except by using a traditional external source. RTTY can be sent
either FSK or AFSK and the manual documents the hookups well.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/band-scope.jpg
A lot of us get really excited about the notion of a band
scope. The scope on the IC-756 PROIII is a prime example, and
the scope on the IC-7800 is legendary having a dedicated DSP
unit just for that function. The IC-7000's band scope is nice
but it won't compare to either of its big brothers. The reason
has to do with the fact that a) there isn't a lot of space on
the screen to display it and b) it doesn't have a dedicated DSP
chip. When you're using it, the audio cuts out with the regularity
of a square wave as the chip samples the IF stream. The sampling
speed is adjustable, i.e. FAST and SLOW, and in the slow mode you
can still understand what folks are saying. In the FAST mode,
you pretty much give up receive while it updates the display.
Still, it's pretty usable and the adjustable bandwidths are
nice. It's also easy to tune to a peak to see what's really
happening around you.

The CW keyer is pretty fabulous too. It stores up to 4 messages and
has an auto increment feature for contests. To program a message, you
turn the main dial to select characters to send. Oddly, however, there
is no CW decoder which should have been a no-brainer with the on board
DSP.

The radio has more memory channels than I will ever use, and I suspect
few will exhaust it. A super cool feature is the ability to tag every
memory location with a name, and a scrollable list to choose from
them.

Room for Improvement
Despite my unabashed love for this new radio, I can still find a few
areas where the rig could be made even more spectacular: First, it's
time for the manufacturers to jump on the USB bandwagon. The interface
circuitry for USB is very cheap and there should be no reason that it
cannot be added to the typical rig. There is so much that could be
done with USB 2.0 including full audio I/O, remote control,
accessories, and more. CV-I is nothing more than old fashioned serial
data converted from RS-232 to 5V TTL. Stick a fork in this protocol
because it's done. In addition, how about Bluetooth? Wouldn't it be
cool to attach a wireless Bluetooth keyboard or headset to the unit?

The ability to send CW and RTTY via a keyboard would have been an easy
add-on if USB had been implemented. The processing power is certainly
there.

Finally, there's the clock. I like the little time display but am left
wondering why ICOM went through all the trouble to include a 2nd clock
with offset from Clock 1 when only one of the two clocks can be
displayed at any time. It would have been nice to see both clocks on
the display, such as local and UTC. As it is, its one or the other.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/sep-cable.jpg
ICOM makes two separation cables for this unit, which are new part
numbers for this radio. One is 3M and one is 5M in length. Both are
outrageously expensive (About $80) and the 5M wire costs $20 more than
the 3M wire. Why? I can't help but feel that I'm being raked over the
coals on this inconsequential part. To top it off, the connector is so
unique that there's virtually no possibility that an after-market third
party offering will emerge. Hat's off to Kenwood on their TS-480 for
using standard RJxx connectors in this area. To be fair to ICOM, an
RJ-45 wouldn't have worked because the radio needs 10 contacts instead
of the 8 afforded by the wildly popular telephone/ethernet/microphone
connector.

The main tuning knob has a detent lever much like the IC-706 that is
used to adjust the drag feel. There are 4 settings, Channel, hard,
medium, and no drag. My complaint here is that the lever is difficult
to move and the detent's aren't as positive as they should be.

The Tune button doesn't work for my tuner, the SGC-230. ICOM wants me
to buy their inferior AH-2 or AH-4 which I don't care for. I suppose
I'll have to get one of those little plugs that some guys are selling
on eBay to trick the radio into thinking an ICOM tuner is attached.
All I need is a few watts of CW out while I'm pushing the button. Of
course, whistling into the microphone will do it too, but I can't help
but feel like a CB'er when I do this. For that reason I usually end
up switching to CW or RTTY for my tune ups, even though I could just
key up and start talking, as the SGC can handle it.

More to Come
I don't yet have a VHF/UHF antenna setup but there's a brand new
Diamond dual band stick in my garage. I'm looking forward to trying it
out on both FM and sideband, realizing the limitations of not using a
Yagi. Still, I expect to have a lot of fun once I get the antenna up
on the roof. Speaking of antennas, my HF setup includes an SGC-230 at
the end of about 100' of 9913 coax. This the tuner feeds a 100 foot
wire that is about 25 feed above the ground at its highest point. I'm
able to tune everything from 160 through 10 meters with this, and the
noise level is pretty decent. I don't miss not having an internal
automatic antenna tuner and for my money, and external remote tuner is
the best in nearly every longwire situation.

Having only owned the radio for 4 days, and not having as much time to
spend as I'd wish, I have just barely cracked the surface of what it's
capable of doing. I hope to have more to report in the coming weeks.

http://www.qrz.com/ic7k/inside.jpg
The Bottom Line
This is one of the most exciting radios I've come across in a while.
It delivers performance and features like none other that I've owned.
It would be very interesting to see how it competes with the IC-756 PRO
III, or the IC-746 PRO. Without the test equipment to prove it, I have
a gut feeling that it's going to hold its own in most areas, and
surpass in some others.

ICOM should do well with this radio and they have clearly set the new
standard for features and usability across a broad product range.
Kenwood is left the farthest back in the dust with no top end radio and
only a mediocre midrange rig (the TS-2000). Yaesu is doing quite well
with the FT-9000D but they seriously need to produce a competitor to
the IC-756 if they're going to expand their market share. Ths FT1000MP
MKV Field is nice, but it doesn't get really nice until you pump a
boatload of expensive filters into it. Ditto for the MKV as well.
Until Yaesu and Kenwood really jump into the LCD digital display and
DSP arena like ICOM has done, they're going to stay in second and third
place in the mainstream radio technology race. ICOM clearly wins this
round and they are the force to be reckoned with.

Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ

<hr>
Additional Comments Dec 8, 2005

After some more operating and various emails, I've collected a few more observations that I'd like to share.

The Band Scope
The band scope is much more useful that I first gave it credit for. Last night I set the receiver to the UHF public service band with a scope BW set to 250 khz, channel spacing at 12.5 khz. Wow! I let it run there for about 30 seconds and I had peaks popping up everywhere, places that would be easy to miss on a squelch scan. Upon pressing the HOLD key, I could turn the tuning knob directly to any of the peaks and see what was going on at the particular frequency. I'm also using it frequently on HF as well where it does what you'd expect it to do: it finds areas of activity. While it is too bad that it doesn't have a dedicated circuit of its own, it's still a very nice feature and one that I'll be using a lot.

Frequency Changing During Transmit
This rumor is true. None of the front panel buttons, or the mic buttons, seem to be disabled while you're transmitting. I found it easy to accidentally change the operating frequency, or BAND, while talking. I hope this gets fixed with a firmware update. No wonder the DTMF doesn't work from the microphone keypad. When you press any of these buttons with the PTT depressed, it does a band change. The LOCK function helps to keep the main tuning knob from affecting your operating frequency, but it doesn't prevent a band change. Worse, when the radio switches bands while transmitting, it comes up on the new band also transmitting, at whatever frequency was in the band stacking register. Ouch! While this is bad behavior, it is something that can be avoided with due care by the operator.



I received the following operating tip from a friend at ICOM who has a suggestion about CW operating:
Quote[/b] ]In CW mode, select a filter setting that you prefer, then select the MNF. Using the MNFs in the narrow setting, bring one Notch Filter just below the signal and one just above the signal. Tweaking these filters to find the "Sweet Spot" will cause the signal to pop out of the noise. Then push the MNF buttons to turn off the filter, and you will be amazed at the noise that is removed.


Watch this space for more updates as I discover them.

<hr>

TV Receive Capability
A mod to restore the TV receive capability has surfaced and some hams have already got it working.

-fred

[kf6rdn]

Thanks Fred, I've been looking for a review on this radio since it came out.

Would appreciate hearing any other big negatives you come across. Haven't found any other geni pigs, ahem.. I mean reviewers..

Very upsetting about the removal of the TV function. I know it's kinda dumb, as I'm not buying a 1500 dollar radio to watch TV, but it just seemed you could do stuf with ATV with that. Or even watch TV while you are parked, waiting for your kids or somesuch.

[KC0KBH]

Drooooool....

It is sooooo cool! How many years before I get one? I'm not even old enough to play the lottery. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[nz3m]

You forgot to mention that the price is ridiculus for a little mobile.

Is it really worth twice as much as an FT-857D?
Compare features, bands etc.

Dave

[KC9ECI]

No D-star?

[n2nh]

Great review, covered most of the bases. Sounds like a great radio and all that in a package smaller than the IC-706 too. No accessories except for the separation package. I wonder if you need a separate cable for the mike like most rigs though and how would this perform as a portable? Sadly, it's still priced a bit steep for me though.
http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/popcorn.gif

Quote[/b] ]
There are two mic input connectors. One on the main unit and another on the head. The separation cable handles both the mic and the display signals. -fred

[N7usx]

As we found out from the Kenwood blue screen of death.
How does the ICOM-7000 display fair in the car, in the SUN, Bright Day light, Night Time? Can you See it, or do you guess what freq your on.

[n0zu]

Thanks for the review.

sounds like a very nice radio for the money compaired to the 756pros, and at about half the price. #

I hate to say with my income I will have to wate for the price to drop a bit..

Very upsetting about the removal of the TV functio,
would have made it a cooler radio.
but I bet they are wating for digital tv to install it.

[nf0a]

Nope the more bells and whistles put in, the more junk it will become later...I`ll stay with the older, simpler, more reliable and "repairablewithoutanengineersdegree" rigs
.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Hi Fred,
loved your precis of the 7000
I used the Japanese version when I flew with the crew into Hong Kong yesterday, (Military Radfio Club ),
too difficult for me to take on board, but quite a cool rig,
I'll try harder next time,
73
Howard

[nf0a]

Quote[/b] (nf0a @ Dec. 07 2005,15:43)]Nope the more bells and whistles put in, the more junk it will become later...I`ll stay with the older, simpler, more reliable and "repairablewithoutanengineersdegree" rigs
.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
besides, I can`t justify spending that much with the income I get and sadly, these rigs are starting to become rich mens toys if not already... No thanks I got better things to do with my hard earned income...

[K7FE]

Nice review Fred. Did Icom clear up the 706 receiver overload/distortion problem when using the noise blanker?

Now give the 7000 a try in the car and let us know how it performs in the presence of CPU hash, ignition noise and transmitter RFI with the extender cable. I have two 706's for Mobil and portable work and may trade them in on a 7000 or two.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[w3mz]

Quote[/b] (AB3BK @ Dec. 07 2005,14:53)]You forgot to mention that the price is ridiculus for a little mobile.

Is it really worth twice as much as an FT-857D?
Compare features, bands etc.

Dave
From what Fred has described after just 4 days, yeah, I would say it is worth twice as much as an 857D. I had one of those for 2 months. I also have an IC-756 and had an IC-735. No comparison, Icom makes a better radio. Mobile or base. It really isn't twice as much though, you need to add TXCO and all the filters to the Yaesu. Then look at all you could add for a couple hundred bucks. Yeah, I want a 7K bad.
Thanks Fred, 73 All, Mike w3mz

[ke4pjw]

Quote[/b] (K7FE @ Dec. 07 2005,09:47)]Nice review Fred. Did Icom clear up the 706 receiver overload/distortion problem when using the noise blanker?

Now give the 7000 a try in the car and let us know how it performs in the presence of CPU hash, ignition noise and transmitter RFI with the extender cable. I have two 706's for Mobil and portable work and may trade them in on a 7000 or two.

73,
Terry, K7FE
When I spoke with the nice lady at the ICOM booth @ Dayton, she said the receiver is based on the 756 PRO, not the 706.

[g8khs]

Excellent informative review Fred,

Like you, I’m a 52yr old with a TS480, (great rig, excellent display), but this new Icom has really caught my attention!
I agree with your comments on USB, which, IMO should become the de facto standard interface on all new modern radios.

My pet hope was that Kenwood would bring out a 144/220/430/440/1296 radio in the TS480 format, to work alongside the 480, with the emphasis on excellent rf performance, like the TM255.

Too slow Kenwood, the IC7000 is here, it seems good, and so far it looks like it will be the next new radio I’ll buy if the display is ok for mobile use.

John G8KHS

[ky5u]

Good review, Fred. Thanks!

[KZ1X]

Nice review. Very nice pictures!

It helps to remember that Kenwood and Yaesu are tiny divisions of much larger companies. They don't have the flexibility/economics to drive their parent company's development dollars like Icom does.

Icom's amateur division is a much larger component of Icom than the others are of Kenwood/Vertex Standard, and, Icom is not shy about 'leading' with their amateur products group, either. Just look at their US and Japanese websites to see how these company's amateur divisions are positioned relative to their other operations. The other guys relegate their amateur divisions to the back burner.

So, we'll continue to see innovation from Icom, and here in the US, from TenTec and Elecraft. Yaesu will retain some brand loyalty as a contester's 'niche' supplier and they will also have FM rigs based on their Vertex Standard products (including their notoriously bad PL decode and other anomalous behaviors). And as Fred mentions, despite their repeatedly denying it, Kenwood just fades away gracefully from the advanced HF market. Going forward, I think Icom/TenTec/Elecraft will become the "big three" names in ham radio. One Asian wide-product-range supplier, one US domestic low-mid-high end rig supplier, and one kit supplier.

[K3UD]

A very good read.

As far as the price is concerned just remember when the first 706 came out. The suggested retail price was about $1,600. The FT-100 was almost in the same ballpark when it came out. Now figure in the inflation over the last 9 years for the 706 and 6 years for the FT-100 and you come out pretty close to that $2,000 real dollar price point.

Also remember that quite recently the 706MKIIG was selling right around $700 for a number of months as was the FT-100D.

It will eventually happen to the IC-7000 also.

Is the 7000 that much more radio than the either a 706 or FT-100D, at twice the price point of what the they were selling for at the lowest published price? Probably not, but I will wait and see what the ARRL lab has to say.

Overall though it looks like it is going to be a major player.

Thanks Fred.

73
George
K3UD

[wd8dpa]

Hi Fred,

Excellent review! #And I must add after four days of playing with my 7K I agree with everything you said. #It's incredible what ICOM has packed in such a small box.

It's sitting on top of my PROIII which hasn't been turned on in four days. #And so far, with the exception of the band scope, it certainly stacks up against it. #The PROIII may not get turned back on until I put the 7K in my vehicle...

I suspect the USB inteface is going to be in ICOM's future. #If you look at their Japanese website, the new PC/R-1500 has a USB port. #So that's probably going to migrate into other radios.

73,
Mark
WD8DPA

P.S. Where did you find the extension cable? #I can't seem to locate one!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[n7vc]

hi fred, i also tryed out the new ic-7000 for 1-day to compair against my pro-111, there realy isnt much to compair the pro-111 much easer to operate menu freindly, receiveing weak signals the pro is a little better i think, bare in mind no spec anilizer just ears and eys, i use a ft-897 in mobile with sgc tuner easy radio works uper, not buying a 7000 till they improve on what you said on thinks they could have done to finish a complete upgrade, though they put alot in the mike, i think its to high for average ham for useing mobile where the radio takes alot of abuse, you did a wonderful reprt, 73s denny n7vc n7vc@netzero.net

[na4it]

Good review Fred. Hate about the TV function though. That was going to be my selling point to the wife so's I could put one in her Mountaineer...

"But Honey, you'll be able to see the finish of the NASCAR races on the way to church..."

Oh well....

[K9FI]

I just received my '7000' this evening, and I have to add that it is really nice so far. I am <at this time> only going to use this radio at my fixed station location.

If you have some prior Icom 706/703 experience, you'll find the 7000 has a very similar menu layout look & feel - I didn't look at the manual until I wanted certain specific information setting information.

Also very surprising to monitor the TX-audio quality off-the-air on FM & SSB -- no bad really, for the inexpensive mic <element> supplied.

I agree with Fred...seems worth the bucks so far -- all that's left <for me> is acquiring the requisite information for the general coverage transceive modification, and any other hidden goody information that usually comes out with a new rig.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Bob Heil and his great company come up with for a robust microphone replacement!!

WoooHooo!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

73!
Jim, K9FI

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[PF5X]

Would be interested to know how the receiver performs under crowded band conditions (e.g. 40m). The IC-706MKII I currently own, gets overloaded on 40m and I need to switch in the attenuator to at least copy some of the signals. Unlike the PROIII/7800, the IC-7000 does not have the small bandwith roofing filters, but I hope it is still better than the 706. Otherwise you just pay a lot of extra money for bells & whistles which maybe nice, but that do not add any real value (i.e. basic performance improvement).

-- Enno, 9V1CW - PF5X

[kb7uxe]

Hello Fred.
Here's what you asked for..
Your right, seems silly that ICOM didn't see tha value in providing this internally.

Dan.

I forgot.
This will place rig in tune mode, send a cw cxr and lower pwr to 10W.
resistor may need to be 10 to 20K ohm.
You could always use a pot.
Dan.

[wa2rcb]

An excellent review of this new Icom, and I agree that a Bluetooth or similar type wireless adapter to achieve "coily-cordless" type operation would be a nice option for a radio in this family. A cordless microphone and/or control head would be ideal for mobile operation. Let's wait however and see what Kenwood and Yaesu comes out with to compare/compete with this new Icom.

[kb2wye]

nice looking radio - good review... just don't have the spare pocket change around at this time #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[KC0W]

Very well stated & thought out review of the radio. Ever thought about reviewing some equipment over on eHam? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Tom kcØw

[K9FV]

Nice review Fred - One question, does the 7000 show the CW keyer speed as you set the keyer? Most all radios seem to including the 706 series - EXCEPT for the ICOM 756 Pro series of radios.

Sure is helpful to see what speed the keyer is set at.

73 de Ken H>
K9FV

Quote[/b] ]
Yes Ken, the speed is set in 1 wpm increments via a menu setting. Same for the CW pitch, in 5 hz increments.
-fred

[n9lya]

as you use it over the next few months... I want to know how good it operates on air... I am very impessed with my Icom 746Pro and my Icom706MIIG... Just need to know if they kept the proformance and did not sacrafice any...
I know band conditions dictate... But I want to know how other hearing you think it performs and well as how well and clear you hear others.. My interest is in the HF side..
Nice review Fred..

73 Jerry n9lya

[WA5PL]

Very good right-up Fred. Thanks for taking the time to describe all the main features of the radio. No radio is perfect but it sure looks like ICOM has come a long way and has made some major improvements over the IC-706. This new radio certainly will not take the place of the larger base station radios but it will sure make portable operation a lot of fun. I'm sure ICOM will make improvements to it, just like they did over the orginal IC-706. They seem to listen to the Ham Community much more than some of the other manufacturers. This radio looks like this radio will be a keeper. I hope to get one sometime next year.

Paul
WA5PL

[W0LPQ]

Fred you did good..! Will be interesting to see how it holds up and what bugs people find...!

Just goes to show ... even us olde guys have fun..!

I'll wait a couple months and order one ..!

73

Bill, W0LPQ

[KI4LZK]

Very nice review!

If anyone wants to buy me a Christmas Present this will surely due.

[w7fdf]

I was told by Ken AH6LE after he took delivery of his IC-7000 that two interesting problems exist in this new radio. There is no DTMF function in the microphone and secondly, while transmitting if you accidentally depress one of the band change buttons. It will actually change while you are transmitting. Not good!!

So I would be very concerned about the latter problem. I plan to purchase this new rig but like many, I will watch and read the feedback to see if there are any other "quirks" desgned into this radio.

Doug W7FDF
Vail, Arizona

[AD7BK]

Well I am turned off from buying this rig at this current time. I will wait till next year (november or december) before purchacing mine. I was hoping that the spectrum scope would be live like the 756 pro series. I may just save up and buy a 756 pro III instead since there is NO UHF in this area, and i have a 746 Pro that can handle 2m. Sure I wont have mobile capability but at least I will have a radio with a live spectrum scope that will allow me to see activity while being able to hear what is going on. If and when I do buy this rig, it will be put in the mobile. Thanks Fred for the early review.

73
AD7BK

[WA2ZDY]

Yes, it sure seems like a sweet rig, but one must wait out the bugs and defects that seem common to new rigs these days just like to new automobiles.

And truthfully, as sweet as it is, it's mostly bells and whistles. It's not enough - for me anyway - to consider replacing my very dearly beloved TS480. I already sprang for the 500Hz filter, so it is just fine as it is.

My HQ120 didn't have a "bandscope" either and I did just fine with it too.

[KC0NJA]

I'LL stick with the 857-D set the memories and down the road you go. Great mobile radio, no need to be a cell phone expert doing 6 things at once while driving. Watching fancy screen displays will only get you a fender bender.....

[K8ZY]

Oh no, not another "swiss army" radio! everything built in but toenail clippers. And the microphone looks like a computer keyboard to add insult to injury. I left two meters for that reason, I have several I gave up on because I got lost in the fifteenth sub-menu. And when I eventually did make one channel work I hit the wrong button in the dark and it all dissappeared. I still have my Icom 706 and it works fine, but it will be a cold day before I get one of these hal-2000 ("I can't let you do that, Dave") controlled monsters.

[ab9lz]

W0LPQ's comment about bugs is a good one, how easy will it be to patch and or upgrade this radio's firmware? I would suspect that there are software solutions to the mentioned problems like accidental band switching etc. Great review, kinda was in the market for something a little more compact than the ole TS 830, Santa might have to lug this little brick down my chimminey in a few weeks.

73's
m.

[kk6fr]

First of all, a very well done post fred. ( the pics are a nice touch.) after some things I have heard about Yaesu recently (not good) I'm going ICOM all the way. The IC-7000 is on my christmas list. I think ICOM is light-years ahead of the rest.

73 Frank.

[w8znx]

ahoy maties

tiny rigs with tiny knobs es little button switches
that cost over 1,000 dollars

bells es whistles menu driven radio
full of smoke and mirrors

just do not seem like real radios

I do not want or need the bells and whistles

still rather run hb mopa job es old tube receiver

yes
am still living in the past, enjoy it fb om

Mac dit dit

[kb7uxe]

But does it make coffee?

For $1500 bucks, I hope it at least makes coffee!!....

[kk6fr]

$1500 bucks is cheep. heck my credit card limit is 5 times that. My wife would not complain about that amount. If ya wanna play ball, ya gotta step up to the plate.

[K9FI]

Quote[/b] (w7fdf @ Dec. 08 2005,09:03)]I was told by Ken AH6LE after he took delivery of his IC-7000 that two interesting problems exist in this new radio. There is no DTMF function in the microphone and secondly, while transmitting if you accidentally depress one of the band change buttons. It will actually change while you are transmitting. Not good!!

So I would be very concerned about the latter problem. I plan to purchase this new rig but like many, I will watch and read the feedback to see if there are any other "quirks" desgned into this radio.

Doug W7FDF
Vail, Arizona
BTW --- a HotFlash http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif regarding DTMF on the '7000' -- if'n you want DTMF encode from "the" mic, you'll have to buy another mic...more specifically the HM-154T <this information directly from Icom>.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Geeze...I hate to see a good radio manufacturer make a client-affecting fauxpaux like that...ooops!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Oh well...there are bigger problems in life you know, eh?

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

73!
Jim, K9FI

[N5EAT]

I've had my 7000 a few days now, and frankly - yes - it's worth the money. I can see this rig selling for 999.99 in
a few years. If they sell well, they will probaby have several improvement incarnations as with the 706. I still have my original 706 - never needed to upgrade.

This radio is full of very usefull features, not useless bells and whistles as someone remarked. Don't knock it until you've tried it. If you added on all the stuff this radio has standard to any other rig, you'd probably spend
a thousand dollars.

[wu5e]

Quote[/b] (aa7bq @ Dec. 07 2005,14:07)]Kenwood is left the farthest back in the dust with no top end radio and
only a mediocre midrange rig (the TS-2000).
Well a good over-view of the radio and I agree about the
using USB 2.0 it would great to do that.It would make all the companies upgrade there stocks. I don't agree with this [Kenwood is left the farthest back in the dust with no top end radio and
only a mediocre midrange rig (the TS-2000)] because of no color screen, or what do you base this statment off of?

You have a great website I hope your not bashing kenwood for just hell of it.

and if IC-7000 can do more than my TS-480HX I might switch and put one in my truck.

Jim
W5SSG
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Quote[/b] ]
Well Jim, in the ARRL Lab Reports, the TS-480 outperformed the TS-2000. I've owned a lot of Kenwoods and still like them, but the TS-2000 has largely been a flop. Another good indicator is to compare their new price with the average eBay selling price. The bottom line is that I watch radio prices and the TS-2000 isn't doing that well. The TS-950 is now a dinosaur and so that means that Kenwood isn't in the top-end amateur radio ballgame any more. It's just my opinion, not meant to bash Kenwood.

-fred

[kb9ygd]

Hi Fred tnx fer the post and picts on this radio.Well the rf on the seperation cable can be solved easly with 2 clampon ferrites.Wow $80 fer 50 cents of wire!I would buy this radio if it had an internal wide range auto tuner.73 all Norm.My Webpage (mysite.verizon.net/res868sp/thetriantafilosfamily/index.html)

[n2jso]

This is a good review of the features on the IC-7000. But, what I need to know is how the thing performs. I haven't seen any real performance reviews or comparisons yet. What did Icom compromise to fit all of that into such a small box?

I'm ready buy a new rig now, and my choice has been between the TS-2000 and IC-746Pro. The IC-7000 is now available, and I can see that its feature set exceeds both of the other two radios for about the same price.

My current interest is casual HF use from my home QTH, mostly on the digital modes. I'm not opposed to having VHF/UHF in the same radio, as my interests change from time to time. And the small form factor of the IC-7000 makes it good for mobile, should I ever want to do that.

Previously, I excluded the IC-706MkIIG from my list because, according to reviews, it has trouble with nearby strong signals when used with a base station antenna. Also, adding the TCXO and filters brings the price up almost to the IC-746Pro/TS-2000 range.

If IC-7000 recieve performance is in line with the TS-2000 or IC-746Pro, it will be added to my "short list". Decisions, decisions....

Just called my local dealer, he has IC-7000s in stock, but none set up to demo. They're selling too fast.

I downloaded the manual from Icom, and if I understand correctly, you can run both the auto and manual notch filters together. Auto notch can take out 3 signals, and the manual can take out 2 more. And both are in the AGC loop. Impressive!

-73, Ron

[WA2ZDY]

Quote[/b] (N5EAT @ Dec. 08 2005,16:54)]This radio is full of very usefull features, not useless bells and whistles as someone remarked. #Don't knock it until you've tried it.
I never called them useless. To me however many of them are unnecessary. When it comes to the difference between many rigs, the differences in function and price are bells and whistles. There aren't too many rigs out there that are junk. Yes a few but not most.

My point was that I wouldn't spend that money just for the sake of the bells and whistles. I don't need them. My TS480 is a fine rig and the features the 7000 has don't make it worth that expenditure, not to me anyway.

My HQ120 comment was in reference to a receiver I had and adored nearly 30 years ago. It was vintage 1938 and yes, modern rigs DO run rings around such rigs now. But I operated even then without the bells and whistles and could do so again without spending a grand and a half.

Again, the IC7000 sounds like a very sweet rig.

[w5aox]

Fred, I appreciate the early bird review as well.
I'm curious about the "Kenwood is behind the times" comment...
So far as I know, Kenwood is the only mfr currently making rigs (at least 2) that display (AND decode and transmit) packet/APRS data on the front display. #They have been the sole contenders in this category for a few years now. #I blew $400+ at Dayton this year for a TMD700 for that one reason only.
Don't get me wrong, I currently own Two 706MKIIg's.....
Like you, I wonder why, on a high-dollar multifunction rig, relatively small things are left out, such as DTMF, APRS, RTTY transmit, PSK and other #digital mode on-screen decoding and transmit, etc, etc.... none of which requires a lot of extra engineering.
If all the other stuff like filters etc are "included" then why leave out DTMF? #This, of course, is seldom used for autopatches any more (new hams may ask "What's That?") but for remote base controlling, Echolink, IRLP, and other multifunction linking systems requiring DTMF commands, it's a must-have.
Jim W5AOX

To echo others' questions: How does the receiver actually perform? Does it have a good front end on it (the MKIIG doesn't). Can it stand up under crowded band conditions, or does the receiver just fall apart with IMD product?

[w5lda]

i think Fred has never owned a TS2000 or he wouldn't make that remark about Kenwood. I have 1 and wouldn't trade it for any new rig that hasn't even got the bugs worked out yet.

[AA7BQ]

That's true about the TS-2000, I haven't owned one. That doesn't mean I think they're bad as I'm just pointing out that they're not as popular as Kenwood would like them to be. I'm sure they're fun and have many fine points.

Also, everyone please take note that I've added a couple of paragraphs to the end of the main article. Check it out.

-fred

[KK0DJ]

All I can say is WOW. I have been waiting for a report on this new rig. How cool. Twenty years ago I used to dream about being able to have all these bands and general coverage in one small box in my car... and it's here even with TV! Now, how do I figure out the budget to pay for it! BTW, IMHO, regarding the lack of some features.. shoot, if some company made the ultimate rig with no feature left wanting, we'd find something to gripe about anyway. We're just a bunch of cranky old spoiled hams ain't we? <hi hi>
73 from Iowa
KK0DJ

[K0KES]

[QUOTE]Fred tnx for the info on the new ic7000 sounds like it has about the same features as my ic756pro2 you keep learning amazing things the radio will do the longer you use it agn tnx Fred

[n2nh]

Quote[/b] (K9FI @ Dec. 08 2005,15:43)]BTW --- a HotFlash http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif regarding DTMF on the '7000' -- if'n you want DTMF encode from "the" mic, you'll have to buy another mic...more specifically the HM-154T <this information directly from Icom>.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Geeze...I hate to see a good radio manufacturer make a client-affecting fauxpaux like that...ooops!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Oh well...there are bigger problems in life you know, eh?

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

73!
Jim, K9FI
At least they give you a mike with this one. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N5EAT]

I sold a TS-2000 a week or so ago. I have to admit, the TS-2000 is one of the nicest, most advanced rigs I've ever used, and was an absolute pleasure to operate. The
thought that went into the design and function of the rig is second to none. I was not about to put that rig in my car...it's just a bit too big for me to mobile about with. Other than that....it was outstanding. Thank heaven that the IC-7000 is good enough that i'm not sick I sold my Kenwood....but I was prepared to be...

[ai7r]

Quote[/b] (aa7bq @ Dec. 07 2005,14:07)]
HI Fred,

Great review. I picked mine up only a couple days after you did at HRO. I haven't had a LOT of time to play but I am super impressed with it.

It's certainly going to take some time to get used to all of the filtering options in real time but it all works as advertised.

You mentioned some things that I didn't know about and was wondering.

Anyone looking for a 706MkIIG in great condition? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

73

Dave
AI7R (ex-AA7TQ)

[N5RLR]

I seem to recall seeing a construction article in QST for an interface that allows a '706's tuner port to communicate with SGC Smartuners. This should work with the '7000 [maybe a lot of trouble to go to, just to use the Tune button on the rig, but hey... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif]

As good as the '7000 sounds first crack out of the box, I personally would have to let a few batches run through the assembly line and have any bugs worked out, before I'd buy one. But, this is just me, with any radio [or even automobile, for that matter]. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[AA7BQ]

Well, they've already had quite a few run through the production line - in the Japanese version. It's a safe bet now.

-fred

[k1lwi]

great review on the ic 7000 fred. i want one hi #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif keep up the good work.
73 wendell

[na6b]

Fred, Thanks for taking time in writing and posting this reveiw.
I am just slightly dissappointed in the spectrum scope sharing the same receiving circuit, and causing that ever-so-little irritating audio "chop".
However if this is the only thing I can complain about so far and in the future, GREAT!
I've also done the same things you did...the video screen, speaker enhancements, all the little things to try and make it's appearance as large as it's capabilities. These things just made my exploration of the 7000 more fun! On another note...sold my TS-870 to purchase this guy. WELL WORTH THE TRADE in my opinion. (Kept my 756 PRO)

Thanks again for the good reading.

Mike

[KC2ESD]

Thanks for the review, But I was wondering if the screen background color can be changed, I don't like the black background to much, I like amber better.

Quote[/b] ] Sorry, I failed to mention in the article that the unit offers three different screen colors. Black, Blue and White. This is shown in the factory literature and so I just assumed that most folks knew it. In addition, I found the screen hard to photograph well and on the pictures I took all the colors looked the same to the camera.

-fred

[N6BOA]

Roses are red,
violets, I guess, are blue...
girls don't need diamonds,
they need the IC-7000!

John, here's my Christmas wish list!

[N6BOA]

Ok, anybody, here's my Christmas wish list AND a Yagii!!!

[Ka0sab]

Fred,

Thanks for your thoughts. I have a 706 mrk2g with over 500,000 miles in the mobile and it's been great!
As for the price, people pay more then that for a laptop, I did!
I ordered a 7000 and I am thrilled with it.
No I don't need TV in mine ,
The old saying here is give people a new rope and they would
still complain.
Well I am going to say the filter system in this rig is great, and in the moblie it is easy to use , when you get used to it.
I started out with a 751 as a mobile rig and have run all the brands, and so far icom has been the best.
The 7000 looks like it's going to be even better. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[kk6fr]

To the sensitive guy about the Kenwood 2000, I could not own one just on looks alone. looks like a melted kids toy.

[N6BOA]

Ed, how about you??? I promise to increase my speed, promise!!!

[kb7rky]

Nice...

Now, be on the lookout for the inevitable flood of 706's that will undoubtely fill eBay and hamfests around the country

Doug, KB7RKY

[AA7BQ]

Quote[/b] ]
WN7T writes:

Hi Fred,

I too am a new Icom 7000 owner. I wrote a reply post to your IC-7000
review, but for what ever reason, I was denighed permission to post a reply
on this forum and have been unable to determine why, as I was successfully
logged in as user "zborg"

I am going to attach below here my reply to your IC-7000 review forum
article. Please post it for me, if you wish.

Thanks, Paul WN7T

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hi gang. Thanks for the great review, Fred. I have had my Icom 7000 online
here at home now for a week, sitting next to my trusty "old" 756 Pro II. I
have enjoyed the heck out of the new radio. I plan to use the rig mobile in
my new Toyota truck, someday, once I finish preparing the truck for amateur
radio use.

I have used a Kenwood TS-50 for years on the road. Due to it's, er,
somewhat limited set of features and dated performance, I was really excited
about the debut of the new "baby pro." But then, after months (and months)
of twisting in the wind, enduring delay after delay for the little rig to
hit the street, the guy in brown FINALLY showed up at my door last Friday.
Wooh! Early Christmas here we come! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I like to operate 160 mobile. I use a High-Q 160-5 and a Metron MA1000b for
this purpose, when I can. The Icom 7000 seems like the perfect rig for such
skullduggery. Now, if only Icom would get around to releasing the mobile
mounting and separation kit, all would be jake here at WN7T/M. But
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! There is a backorder on this
little option from Icom. Some wags are tauntingly suggesting the separation
kit MAY be available by next February! Can you say "Bite me?"

I have been using the radio for almost nightly roundtables on the local
1.992 MHz watering hole here in the NW. Propagation on 160 this time of
year and cycle can be a real roller coaster ride. I live in the big city on
cornflake sized lot. My homebrew 160 vertical is almost always fed 1500
watts from the homebrew 3cx1200a7 amp, just to be heard. With typical
losses, I am luck to achieve a 100 watt ERP here. And man made noise on the
vertical in the city on 160? Forget about it! I almost always use a
shielded magnetic loop receiving loop for ears around here with a KD9SV
(Swiss army) preamp, front-end saver, and relay sequencer. My 756 Pro II is
quite happy with this marriage. So how well has the 7K performed so far on
160 compared to my 756 Pro II?

Not Bad! The rig's receiver has good ears. The IF DSP NR circuit is as
good (or better) than the one in my Pro II. The Pro II's IF DSP NR circuit
tends to add a lot of unwanted bass response to a received signal,
particularly at higher settings. The baby pro 7K has distinctly less bass
boost response with its IF DSP NR incarnation. Perhaps this is true of the
Pro III, as well? Beats me, as I have never played with one here. I have
been pleased with the weak signal ability of the 7K on nasty, noisy 160
meter band conditions. The rig's preamp (necessary with a receiving loop
antenna) sounds good, but don't overload it! If I switch from my ICE BB
filtered input from the receiving loop via the KD9SV box to listening with
the vertical transmitting antenna while the rig's preamp is on, lookout!
All kinds of IMD splatter hits the fan.

There is a natural translation from the Pro II to the 7000 in terms of
control functions, as Fred mentioned in his review. But FORGET about using
the baby pro's band scope to spot weak signals. I have become completely
spoiled rotten by the 756 Pro II's lovely band scope. The viewing area of
baby pro's band scope is just too darn small for practical weak signal band
spotting. There is a menu option in the 7K to run single sweeps at the
press of a button. Submarine fans can think of this as a single "ping"
versus lighting up the entire ocean with your SONAR. This may allow
practical band spotting while in the middle of a QSO without having to press
buttons like a chimp on acid.

The first thing one may notice about the "7K," when looking at its rear end,
is the lack of a discrete amplifier "Send" RCA phono plug (like on the back
of the TS-50). Both "Hsend" for HF/6 meters and "Vsend" for 2 & 0.7 meters
(along with external ALC control) must be tapped out of the accessory plug
(a 15 pin DIN).

Also, although understandable with respect to the Icom IK-4 SS amp, the
output for 6 meters is only available through antenna connector #1 (i.e. for
HF/6). This is unfortunate, as many hams may wish to employ a low pass
filter for HF to keep the harmonics under control. There are a bevy of
triband antennas for 6, 2 & 70 cm which could have been nicely fed from
antenna connector #2.

Here are a few other observations I have made with the new baby pro:

There is no ability to adjust the bass/treble of the transmit audio via menu
setting. I spent quite a few minutes mining for this capability in the
Owner's manual. The mike gain versus staying within the proper ALC range is
somewhat touchy. The factory default setting of 50% is too hot and the
transmit audio sounds muffled with the factory mike (with speech in close
proximity to the mike) at its default gain setting. In addition, switching
on the compressor, even at its lowest setting (1, 0 = off), will result in
distorted audio unless you further reduce the mike gain setting. I
typically run 45% max mike gain without the compressor on, and maybe 40%
mike gain with it on (max!). The stock mike has a lot of bass response with
my voice. I found it helped a lot to set the wide SSB filter to a 300 HZ
bottom cutoff frequency (default on wide is 100 Hertz).

Another really, really annoying feature (or lack thereof) is the absence of
a (global) transmit delay function menu, like found on the Pro II. This is
something that is really needed to properly control the relay sequencing
when using slaved ancillary devices (amps, preamps, etc.).

The use of a non-standard DC connector is somewhat unfortunate, given the
profusion of old ones lying around here. The new Molex connector is about
30% smaller than the old style, which saves on ass-end real estate on the
baby pro.

There is an annoyingly loud audio "pop" upon power up of the unit, despite
audio gain setting.

The whisper quiet internal cooling fan is totally awesome!

Finally (and I apologize for this verbose critique), WHAT? NO TV? YOU MUST
BE JOKING! And here I was, ready to strap that 30" plasma display on my
truck's front bull bar!

73
Paul WN7T




Nice comments Paul. I would add that the new power connector is the same one Kenwood used on the TS-480. I hated it at first (because it was different) but I can see that it's a better engineered plug. -fred

[WN7T]

Thank you for posting my Icom 7000 comments, Fred.

Also, thanks for sorting out my log in error!

73
Paul WN7T

[w5lda]

Quote[/b] (kk6fr @ Dec. 08 2005,18:00)]To the sensitive guy about the Kenwood 2000, I could not own one just on looks alone. looks like a melted kids toy.
You sure raised the intelligence level with that remark

[w2nsf]

GREAT review, Fred. Thanks a lot. 73 Jim

[n7wr]

I have had my IC 7000 for a few days and in my opinion it is an excellent transceiver and well worth the money. Outstandingly quiet receiver. Transmit audio reports with DSP on "mid" setting get excellent reports using Heil HC 4 element mic. Still waiting for separation cable. Screen can be viewed from severe angle and does not wash out in bright light. Ultimately I will have two--one in the shack and one mobile. If it keeps performing as it has this first week I think it will be in my shack for years.

[W0GI]

Thanks for a great review, Fred.

I do however have some issues with the comments about Kenwood and Yaesu. #Certainly you aren't comparing the 7000 to a Mark-V are you? #The comparison would be between the 756ProIII and the Mark V.

I am not sure how much time you have spent with the Mark-V, but I have had one for a few years, and I have yet to add a filter, as you can really deal with QRM in stock form. The setup isn't straight forward, but after spending some time with the rig, you can really work the QRM.

Before discounting the Mark-V as some kind of old technology that doesn't compete, consider this.

MARK V # # # # # # # # # # # # # #756 ProIII

$2150 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # $3000
Included Power supply # # # # Optional Power Supply
200 W Output # # # # # # # # # #100 W Output
True Dual Receive # # # # # # # Dual Watch (same band)
Just Displays Freqs. # # # # # #Cool Display

I prefer the Mark-V, and have owned both. #The filtering on the 756 is superior from a test equipment standpoint, but for my use on the bands, it's a wash.

I find the Mark-V NR and NB to be superior to the 756.

In the end, they both do the job, and there are many that love the 756, and prefer it to a Mark-V.

I replaced my TS-950SDX with the Mark-V, and still prefer the ergonomics of the 950, but the MARK-V has a bit better receiver, and far better DSP.

As a pure CW rig, I think the original FT-1000D or the IC-765 with the right filters are better then any newer rigs. #Wish I had both.

My point, is that giant displays and 32bit DSP are fine, and are useful, but there is more to a rig, then just flash and high tech features.

I think Yaesu competes in the market just fine with their Mark-V and Mark-V Field. #I am sure that after Yaesu runs out of folks willing to pay $11,500(not me) for a rig, they will replace the Mark-V. #They are most likely designing right now.

I have seen a lot of marketing going on, but there are a lot of Kenwood 950's, Icom IC-765's, Yaesu FT-1000's, and other fine rigs out there in use, and they work very well, and in real use, as good as they need to perform.

That said, the 7000 is a cool rig, and a step forward, yet for $1500, my FT-100D and Atas work well enough for me in the Mobile.

Again, great review, but keep in mind, that some of us have older rigs, not because we are cheap, but because we actualy like them.

73 - W6NJ

[Ka0sab]

I have to ask has anyone checked too see if the 706 cable will work to serarate??

[ke5bge]

Great review. Nice new toy.

[n7wr]

706 cable will not work. The cables for the 7000 are in stock and shipping but the actual remote mount hardware is not

[k4kal]

MARS and TV Modification information can be found on the Yahoogroups IC-7000 Discussion Group.
This is the best review that I have read so far on this Rig, Congratulations to the reviewer for there efforts, and the pictures. I'm still going to wait until Dayton 2006 for the prices to come down, and the excitement purchases level off.:)

[K3UD]

Quote[/b] (kk6fr @ Dec. 09 2005,01:00)]To the sensitive guy about the Kenwood 2000, I could not own one just on looks alone. looks like a melted kids toy.
Sometimes first impressions are the lasting impressions. When I saw the first print ad for the TS-2000 my first thought was that it looked like a melted boom box. However, I did take a trip to the Ham Station in Evansville IN to take a look at it and put it on the air. While it seemed like a very capable radio I knew that I would never warm up to the cosmetic design and gave it no further thought.

On the other hand while many hams love the design I wonder if it is the reason why it has received a lukewarm reception frm the ham community. I also took a long look at the TS-480 when it came out but knew that the always remote faceplate would be the deal killer.

Sometimes it is the little things you don't like about a product that keeps people away. Over a year ago I wanted to purchase a Ten Tec Jupiter because I was intrigued by the software defined design. I asked Ten Tec if I could download and run software updates via my Macintosh computer. I was told that I would need a PC. End of discussion.

I wonder how many otherwise good radios lost acceptance by those who might have been interested in purchasing but were put off by things that had nothing to do with the performance of the radio.

73
George
K3UD

[WB2WIK]

I haven't used this rig yet, but made my first contact with a new IC-7000 owner on Monday evening 12/05: This was N7WR, who said I was his first or second contact with it.

He spent a lot of time making adjustments (no problem, I was in no hurry and he was experimenting with menu settings and such) but no matter what, the rig didn't sound good to me on SSB. The narrow setting was horrendous; the wide setting was sloppy; the mid setting was so-so, to my ears. I tried listening on all three of my receivers, plugging the 'phones into each one (TR-7, TS-850S, 75A4) and the IC-7000 sounded the same to me in all three: Just kind of a "hollow" sound, like DSP on the verge of positive feedback and about to ring into oscillation.

This sound was made much worse if the speech compressor was engaged, so the rig sounded much better without that. We did "experiment" with several mike gain settings and compression settings, as well as the N-M-W adjustments, over a period of several minutes, but to me the rig never sounded good.

That said, the new owner raved about everything else and seemed very pleased with it. Signals were strong and I could certainly hear the enthusiasm over the air...contageous enough that now I'll be running over to HRO to check one out. I hope they have one set up at their "station," with antennas, so I can sit and use it a little while.

If it can receive broadcast TV signals while in motion (mobile), I might lose the rig to the kids on long trips...probably best not to tell them about this feature.

WB2WIK/6

Quote[/b] (K3UD @ Dec. 09 2005,11:06)]I wonder how many otherwise good radios lost acceptance by those who might have been interested in purchasing but were put off by things that had nothing to do with the performance of the radio.
Or how about the opposite-how many truely poor performers become good sellers because of neat bells, whistles, and a pretty screen?

And where does this idea that the TS2000 looks "melted" come from? I really liked the looks of mine.

[k3aad]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I will add my $.02. Got my 7000 3 days ago. Had it up and running within 20 minutes. Works great. I have a 706 MK II G (for sale). I haven't found a problem yet. Agree with the comments about 2 clocks and the restrainer on the main tuning knob. Menu operation is very similar to the 706 though topics are different and many more of them. Setup is a breeze. I suspect one could use the same type expansion cable for the mic as the 706 but don't know that for sure. You are correct about the separation cable. Come on ICOM, give us a break. By the way, the carrying handle, if you want one, is $20.

Al - WA3YTA

[KF6IRK]

Thanks to all for sharing your views and experiences with this new radio.

I DO like the features the new IC7000 offers, but based on all that I've read so far, I also see some room for some improvement.

I purchased one of the original IC706 radios when they first hit the market for roughly $1,300.00 and paid the extra $60.00+/- for the RMK706 kit. Then the upgraded MkII came along, and finally the MKIIG was out there for only $725.00 INCLUDING the RMK706 ... almost 50% less than the cost of the original model for a more refined version.

It is apparent that the 706MkIIG was well worth the wait, so I'll wait for the IC7000 MkIIG to come around. By then, they'll have the digital TV receiver circuitry in there too.

As for old / antiquated radios? ... I will continue to run a very nice TS440 out in my garage. I do have an original IC756 PRO-"0" in my office with no plans to upgrade anytime soon. As for the current Kenwood line-up ... a TS480's faceplate blends in with my wife's decor in the living room and should work fine there for many years to come.

KF6IRK

[w9mt]

I have been drooling over the IC-7K ever since the preliminary sales information has been circulating. I'm happy to hear the good initial reports.

In the home qth I run a TenTec Jupiter 538 and an IC-746pro side-by-side. My pro is a low s/n unit that has never seen (thank heaven) the dreaded driver IC problem and I really love its ability to dig out the "weak ones" when used in combination with a ClearSpeech base unit. I have never been a fan of Icom's DSP noise reduction (makes things sound weird), but feel their noise blanker and auto/manual notching are first-class. The pro's adjustable filtering and RTTY decode work like a dream for me too. I find the 746pro to be a much more "professional radio" than the Jupiter, although I prefer the TenTec for casual rag-chewing and for its more intuitive U/I.

I have used a 706mk2g for mobile for 5 years already using ProAm Hamstick clones on HF and a no-name mag mount antenna for 144/440. That rig has never disappointed me, and I find that the narrow SSB filter fixes a lot of problems on 40m receive. Its NB was on all the time while mobile and works great.

I expect the 7K to be a combination of all that's good with my 706mk2g and my 746pro. Good job, Icom.

I have only one question: Why didn't you, Icom, include 220MHz coverage? I know the band's an orphan in most parts of the country, but here in the Chicago area there is reasonable activity and the RF circuitry appears broadband enough to host this. I miss not having this band on the 706mk2g and would miss it on the new 7K. Even Kenwood put 220 (albeit at lower xmit power) on their TH-F6A talkie. I really don't want to have to cart around my IC-3AT and Mirage brick to cover all bands 160 to 440 in my car, without gaps.

If the 7K covered 220 in addition to all of the other things it does, I'd start selling multiple radios right away to get one. Any comments, guys?

73, Tony (W9MT) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[n7vr]

Hi Fred,

I just have a couple of comments.

First, when you are finished playing, you can send it to me fror a bench test and evaluation. No promises of return though http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Second, all kidding aside. I do appreciate your shareing your experiances and findings. What you are sharing is the information most reviews miss and most of us wish to know. Please keep up enjoying the service.

73
Jim Fuller
N7VR

[Ka0sab]

Ok this is my final writing on this radio.
I have now tried it on all the HF bands and it is great!
As for all the bells, If you think it's not worth it because you don't need color screen, fine don't buy it, but it helps me being able to see what is going on just by the color, so I don't need to put on my reading glasses!
The filtering is very good.
As for the way it sounds, look at the good writings that are here.
TURN DOWN the Mic. gain , as someone wrote on here, and wow what a improvement it made.
I have made 20 contacts and they have all said with the mic gain turned down to 40% it sounds great.
Now for direct sun light I find it is easier to read then my 706MIIG, that being said I can still read it well, try reading your cell phone in the sun. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif No matter what you do in direct sun light, it will take some of the readabilty away by glare or brightness.
I would like to thanks Icom for putting the button on the mic that I can push and not have to look at the read out and it will talk to me ans let me know what freq. I am on.
More bells and whistles, but it can be a safety item for a mobile. I hope this one will last 500,000 mile like the 706.
Everyone have a good Christmas!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KB9KLC]

Quote[/b] (w9mt @ Dec. 09 2005,15:26)]I have been drooling over the IC-7K ever since the preliminary sales information has been circulating. I'm happy to hear the good initial reports.

In the home qth I run a TenTec Jupiter 538 and an IC-746pro side-by-side. My pro is a low s/n unit that has never seen (thank heaven) the dreaded driver IC problem and I really love its ability to dig out the "weak ones" when used in combination with a ClearSpeech base unit. I have never been a fan of Icom's DSP noise reduction (makes things sound weird), but feel their noise blanker and auto/manual notching are first-class. The pro's adjustable filtering and RTTY decode work like a dream for me too. I find the 746pro to be a much more "professional radio" than the Jupiter, although I prefer the TenTec for casual rag-chewing and for its more intuitive U/I.

I have used a 706mk2g for mobile for 5 years already using ProAm Hamstick clones on HF and a no-name mag mount antenna for 144/440. That rig has never disappointed me, and I find that the narrow SSB filter fixes a lot of problems on 40m receive. Its NB was on all the time while mobile and works great.

I expect the 7K to be a combination of all that's good with my 706mk2g and my 746pro. Good job, Icom.

I have only one question: Why didn't you, Icom, include 220MHz coverage? I know the band's an orphan in most parts of the country, but here in the Chicago area there is reasonable activity and the RF circuitry appears broadband enough to host this. I miss not having this band on the 706mk2g and would miss it on the new 7K. Even Kenwood put 220 (albeit at lower xmit power) on their TH-F6A talkie. I really don't want to have to cart around my IC-3AT and Mirage brick to cover all bands 160 to 440 in my car, without gaps.

If the 7K covered 220 in addition to all of the other things it does, I'd start selling multiple radios right away to get one. Any comments, guys?

73, Tony (W9MT) #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
My TH-F6A does as much on 222 as on the other bands. #Are you sure you didn't mean the Yaesu VX6? #I totally agree though come on you guys include 222 in the radios...I'm sure some will buy it.
73

[K3UD]

Quote[/b] (ne0p @ Dec. 09 2005,15:00)]Quote[/b] (K3UD @ Dec. 09 2005,11:06)]I wonder how many otherwise good radios lost acceptance by those who might have been interested in purchasing but were put off by things that had nothing to do with the performance of the radio.
Or how about the opposite-how many truely poor performers become good sellers because of neat bells, whistles, and a pretty screen?

And where does this idea that the TS2000 looks "melted" come from? I really liked the looks of mine.
Melted was the first word that came to my mind when I saw it for the first time. Just a personal perception on my part. When I saw the other poster commenting about it being melted I realized that I was not the only one who percieved it that way. Perhaps we both should have used terminology like "styling flaw", but strictly as ones opinion.

73
George
K3UD

[AI3W]

I wonder how one uses the RTTY function - external keyboard? And why didn't they include PSK in it too! The defacto low power communicator.

73 DE AI3W, Rick

[n2mh]

Fred,

Thanks for the great review. I have several comments and a question...

Re: separation cable needing 10 connections vs. modular connections only capable of 8 connections... If Icom put their mind to it, they could multiplex everything and only need 3 wires (unbalanced) or 4 wires (balanced). The separation cable is aptly named: it separates another $80 from the buyer.

Re: USB connector... I'd be leary of using a usb connector in the mobile - it is not a locking connector and all the vibration would tend to loosen it and make it fall out. (I know, it happened on my laptop and made it freeze up.) Besides, as connectors go, it's a rather large connector compared to others. I do like your idea of Bluetooth or maybe even 802.11b or g.

Re: TV functionality has been disabled.. It was reported that this was done so that an automobile driver would not be able to see the screen while driving. This may be true but I would submit there is another reason. Very shortly, if not already, the FCC is going to require that anything defined as a TV be capable of receiving both NTSC and HDTV. I would suspect that Icom does not want to put the engineering into the product to receive HDTV. So, to avoid having to meet that requirement, they disabled the TV function and magically, they are no longer a TV.

See http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-190A1.pdf

Now, the question... With all the magic that the DSP's can do, is there a mode where they can null out AC line noise when operating mobile? That would be a real advance in technology and perhaps alone worth the kilo buck and a half.

73, Mark, N2MH

[KB2UBH]

Excellent review! I have been waiting to hear about this radio since I first seen the add.

I wonder how it will hold up in the extreme cold in upstate NY used as a mobile?

I have never owned an Icom product, but this radio has caught my attention. Soon as the FCC gets around to dropping the code I may have to get one.

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (w9mt @ Dec. 09 2005,15:26)]My pro is a low s/n unit that has never seen (thank heaven) the dreaded driver IC problem ...
Tony:

FYI: You can send your 746Pro to ICOM and they will replace the infamous diodes (if not already done) and do any other upgrades that have been put in place -- all for the cost of shipping it to Bellevue WA.

I bought a used, low-number 746Pro and sent it west as soon as I got it. They had it out there two weeks and sent it back prepaid. FREE.

They will do this for any rig still in production. Once the production ends, however, any problems become regular repair issues subject to continuing availability of parts.

Something you might want to think about doing, since I suspect the 746Pro's run is coming to an end.

73

[nd3r]

Nice rig. I am an Icom man all the way. Still use the 735. When I work enough overtime, I will purchase at least a Pro-III. When I get stupid and work every day of the week like I have been, I want a 7800! Don't run mobile yet but would if I had this rig!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N5RP]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Cannot wait until the maturation period is over so I can put one in my 1970 VW camper bus. TV, Full spectrum, all for nice camping and portable radio. My wonderful IC-706 can go to my Mercedes. The new technology goes to my bus.

[K3HVG]

That Kenwood radio does look like a sad, chocolate rabbit left out in the sun!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ne0x]

sounds like the icom coolaid drinkers now have something to throw away 1500 bucks on, ill stick to my lowly 857 that performs great, and sadly for the 706 guys who cant hear me when i can hear them. wait maybe this new 1500 buck one will actually be able to hear something?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif? tongue firmly planted in cheek , ron ne0x http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[M3GID]

I thoroughly enjoyed this comprehensive "operators review" Fred, if only they could do this for every rig, I just about understood everything and these were the answers to the questions that usually don't get answered until you are already saddled with your rig! I want to have a bandscope rig in the shack but am not willing to compromise on quality and durability - does a small rig like the IC-7K come with risks that a bigger rig like the Pro III does not? Yeah price is affordable but does it compare favourably with current rigs in terms of performance. I currently use an FT897 (yeah bought the filters - internal 240v PSU and the bolt on FC-30 all at additional cost = £1465 UK Pounds!!) or will I just be getting a band scope over what I currently have??

Thanks again for the review Fred,

Merry Christmas to all

73 de Geoff

[AB8RU]

Well if they work the bugs out say model II maybe wouldn't be such a bad rig. price well new toy guys !

[W9WF]

A friend in LasVegas went to AES and noted that the display IC7000 was very warm. Could this pose a problem?

[ke5c]

I've run an FT-857 mobile (mostly HF) for two and one-half years. #It is a terrific mobile rig, especially for the money. #The amazing thing is that Yaesu got it right on the first try. #I am considering the IC-7000 now as a replacement/upgrade, but I keep thinking how it took ICOM three tries to get both the 706 and the 756 PRO right. #So did ICOM get the IC-7000 right the first try or do I need to wait for the IC-7000 II/III?

[NC0B]

The separation cable looks idential to the 706 Mk II G versions. You may not have used a Mk II G, but a lot of the functions you described are identical. It is a shame the band scope is not real time. The scopes in the 781 / Pro III etc. are very helpful, but on HF the "push a button and scan" scopes on other radios have seemed useless to me.

I had a Pro II in the car for field day, and the display was invisible. Went back to my Mk II G. We need to know how the 7000 display functions mobile in bright light. Also what happens when you get in the car in the summer and the temperature is 130 degrees? The Mk II G seriously fades out until the A/C cools the car down.

The noise blanker in the Mk II G is ineffective on ignition noise, and it seriously distorts SSB audio if the signal is over S 9. How does this compare?

The Mk II G, if used on 6 or 2 meters with a good base station antenna, has serious desense problems due to the lack of a front end. My old IC-211A run circles around the Mk II G on 2 meter simplex due to 20 dB of desense issues. What happens on the 7000 when connected to a Ringo, for example? I doubt there is room for any more front end in the 7000 than in the Mk II G.

What about PA / ALC overshoot on the 7000? The Mk II G drives my Alphas crazy with a 125 watt spike when keyed on CW or AM. If an amp needs 65 watts drive for full output, you can imagine what happens to the amp during the ALC spike. Has Icom fixed this problem?

Anyone know if the 706 will now be discontinued?

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (W9WF @ Dec. 12 2005,04:04)]A friend in LasVegas went to AES and noted that the display IC7000 was very warm. #Could this pose a problem?
That kind of information is not supposed to leave Vegas! Things always get warm there...

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Every TFT screen I own feels warm to the touch after it has been on for a while. Doubt that it means anything, unless it were really hot.

I looked at the 7k seriously for a while, but decided it was just a little too small (I do not do mobile at all) for my klutzy hands.

I solved my own problem by just now ordering up a new IC756ProIII from the folks at GigaParts. Merry Christmas to me!

One thing I like about the IC-Pros (both 746 and 756) is the digital-specific SSB mode they offer. I did not see any mention of such a thing with the 7K, and since it is primarily a mobile rig, I doubt that it would be a practical addition. Makes running PSK and other soundcard modes a delight, however.

Thanks for the revue, Fred. All of you proud new owners have my best wishes for lots of fun and no "issues" to with which to contend.

I bet ICOM comes out with a fix for the mic button issue.

73

[ke4zhn]

A ham friend of mine put one on the air just a couple of nights ago. This rig sounds excellent even with the factory hand mike! Beautiful transmit audio and he loves the features. A very nice rig. In fact it sounded nearly as good as his IC 7800 does! To my ear this is probably one of the best sounding out of the box rigs on the market with no mods, no audio racks and no fancy mikes.

[Ka0sab]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif After having my 7000 for a alittle over a week now and trying it on all the HF Bands, I find it has the best ears I have ever had on my mobile rigs..
Having used Kenwood 440/ Icom 706MKIIG/ Yaseu 900 .
I have never had the kind of filteration that this rig has nor the readabilty, Fred is right it has a very sharp screen even in the sun.
I have been told it is the best mobile sounding rig they have heard for a bear foot rig. This has been 9 out 10 contacts that I made, and so far I have made 36 contacts.
What really amazed me, today I was talking on 7.580 net back east when a fellow on a base station here in CA. came on top of them, I told him there was a net there and he said, well I am on a base station in CA. and I don't hear anything, I replied I am in a mobile in Modesto Ca. and I hear them just fine! He didn't understand how a mobile could hear and not him and he moved off.
Talk about making you perk up... WOW.
Anyway you guys can debate all you want,, but with 1.2 million miles Mobile on the road. Iam very happy with this radio and yes it does cost a little more, but the cost has not gone up as much as the gas prices!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[W9WF]

Sorry, I didn't mean the display itself, the radio on display. (the whole radio was very warm)

[W9WF]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Dec. 12 2005,12:50)]Quote[/b] (W9WF @ Dec. 12 2005,04:04)]A friend in LasVegas went to AES and noted that the display IC7000 was very warm. #Could this pose a problem?
That kind of information is not supposed to leave Vegas! Things always get warm there...

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Every TFT screen I own feels warm to the touch after it has been on for a while. Doubt that it means anything, unless it were really hot.

I looked at the 7k seriously for a while, but decided it was just a little too small (I do not do mobile at all) for my klutzy hands.

I solved my own problem by just now ordering up a new IC756ProIII from the folks at GigaParts. Merry Christmas to me!

One thing I like about the IC-Pros (both 746 and 756) is the digital-specific SSB mode they offer. I did not see any mention of such a thing with the 7K, and since it is primarily a mobile rig, I doubt that it would be a practical addition. Makes running PSK and other soundcard modes a delight, however.

Thanks for the revue, Fred. All of you proud new owners have my best wishes for lots of fun and no "issues" to with which to contend.

I bet ICOM comes out with a fix for the mic button issue.

73
Not the display itself, the whole radio on display was very warm.

[n4qa]

Thanks for the info, Fred.
K1EL's K-40 with K-40FILT...and an AT keyboard... should round out the IC-7000's RTTY and CW keyboarding experiences.
But, I have to wonder about the IC-7000's QSK CW characteristics when using only paddles, given Icom's performance with the IC-703 and similar rigs.
All the other bells and whistles notwithstanding, $1500 for a rig with lousy QSK would just be too much...

72.
Bill, N4QA

[KC0KJF]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Dayummmm now you did it, have to have me one.

[K9QAM]

Hi Fred,
Any news of a Mic adapter so I can use my Heil Pro Headset ??
73s
Ron K9QAM

[W9WHE]

It is a SHAME it does NOT cover 440 MHZ. If they could get it to cover 440, I really could see myself replacing my FT-100D!

W9WHE

Quote[/b] ]YES, the radio covers all of 440, specifically, 430-450 right out of the box. All mode, too.
-fred

[n7wr]

A couple of things...there is a mic adaptor available from Heil to allow the pro set to be used with the 7000. Also, the 7000 does cover 440

[n4zkf]

Quote[/b] (K7FE @ Dec. 07 2005,15:47)]Nice review Fred. Did Icom clear up the 706 receiver overload/distortion problem when using the noise blanker?

Now give the 7000 a try in the car and let us know how it performs in the presence of CPU hash, ignition noise and transmitter RFI with the extender cable. I have two 706's for Mobil and portable work and may trade them in on a 7000 or two.

73,
Terry, K7FE
It doesn't. I have had one a week now. I own a 05 F-150 super crew 4X4 and the radio is a noise nightmare!
Now it's probably the truck I understand.
This is my mobile office. I have a Laptop running off an inverter. Both of them eat the radio up. The ignition noise eats the radio up.
I have the NB at 100% and doesn't take care of it. You can turn the NL on and it changes the tone of the audio so bad you can't understand anyone. Unless I have the truck off. It's a $1500 useless boat anchor.
Dave/n4zkf

Quote[/b] ]The good news is that you can probably sell the 7000 for full price on eBay. I use mine in a room full of computers and telephones, and it sits right beside two flat screen monitors. It's as quiet as a mouse. I don't even have a decent ground on the rig. Noise should always be attacked at the source, not at the receiving end. -fred AA7BQ
.

[N2JBO]

Fred,

Awesome review, very informative.
Do you use that TFT Display in the vehicle ?

I like that as an add on feature...

I can't wait to get an IC-7000 for myself.
I want to put that in my Explorer in a month or so...

73 de Dave - N2JBO "Just Being Obnoxious"

Quote[/b] ]No, I didn't put it in my car, but, the display was specifically designed as a "headrest monitor" for a car. I ended up getting rid of the display because I just got used to the small, clear display in native mode. -fred AA7BQ
.

[K9FI]

FWIW - (personal opinion here...please don't have me killed and eaten!!)

I added a new Heil iCM mic with the HSTA-706 adapter yesterday to my '7000' -- WooHoo!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

All I can say is that when you take the learned advice from a professional such as Bob Heil, it pays off in spades!

The following is a snippet from the Heil Sound website ( http://www.heilsound.com ) regarding 703 & 706 radios --- I think that it is safe to say that the 7000 is in this "class", at least relative to its microphone type:

http://heilsound.com/amateur/harmonics.htm#DC

**********


ADJUSTING YOUR TRANSMITTER WHEN USING HEIL MICROPHONES

The Heil 'Key Element' HC-4 'DX Dream Machine' and HC-5 Full Range microphone elements are purposely designed to be down in gain by -10 dB over the 'stock' microphones. We do this to reduce the pick up of unwanted background noise (amplifier blowers, TV sets, cars outside).

Every one of the 'matching' stock microphones (that only means they are painted the same color as the transmitter !) have W -A -Y too much gain. They are O.E.M. mics with elements designed for paging or public address systems....NEVER SSB communications.
<u>
The specialized HEIL microphones must be close talked ( 1 - 2 ") and you must adjust your microphone gain at least +10 dB higher in gain. When adjusted and used in this correct fashion, your will have a much easier to understand signal with terrific dynamic range. </u>

When using your HEIL microphone with ICOM transceivers, you will have to make another few adjustments. ICOM has traditionally had a very low level mic preamp. Starting with their 701, 720, 730 and 740 - they didn't even HAVE a mic preamp. It was built inside their FET microphone case. As the market began demanding to use other DYNAMIC microphones ICOM began increasing the gain of their mic preamps - model by model.

The 736,745,751,761 and others still were -10 to -15 dB LOW in gain. The HEIL HMP in-line preamp will - in some cases - bring back the gain needed on these models.

Finally the 746,706,756 and the remarkable 756 PRO does NOT - does NOT need the HMP preamplifier.
<u>
You DO, however have to adjust your ICOM transmitter properly. You will use compression ALWAYS. Adjust to about 8 to 10 dB (1 o'clock ). At this level the ICOM compressor acts simply as a preamplifier. The microphone gain will adjust to about 1/2 to 3/4 open and then adjust the internal transmit equalization of the DSP for the tonal quality you want to transmit.</u>

You do this adjustment by actually listening to yourself in another nearby receiver with a good pair of headphones to reduce feedback.

Monitor circuits are NOT the way to do this... they do not reflect the affect that the receiver filters have on your signal. Only this way will you know EXACTLY how you sound to the outside world.

Because of component tolerances, different production runs, etc. there are some cases where the late model WILL need extra mic preamplification so it is heavily recommended to try the above settings with your ICOM radio, first.

Always remember that it is best to call us at 618-257-3000 Monday through Friday 10 - 4 CST. This is the BEST way to communicate technical conversations and questions. E-Mail is not a place to have in depth TECHNICAL discussions.

Best Regards,
BOB HEIL, K9EID


**************

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Bob's website (and personal) advice sure made a positive difference on this end!

Very 73!
Jim, K9FI
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[KC0W]

I just worked a guy on CW who was running a new Icom IC-7000. His CW tone was VERY "hard" sounding. I do not know if this was just his rig or not.


Tom kcØw

[WD8OQX]

Just a thought - hopefully the ones that have the 7000 (or in the know) can answer this - given all the adjustments there is, could it be that something isn't set right causing all the problems people are having?

(I.E.) If I remember right the 7000's have DSP on TX as well as RX wouldn't that affect CW as well as audio if the passband was off?

[ei2glb]

i see a review of the radio stating it has low output power on vhf/uhf 20/10w the are susposed to have 50w on vhf can anyone confirm this i'm planning to buy one for mainly 6/2m

[kb7uxe]

WOW!
It's started already.. Look at the 706's fer sale.. and the pirce is plumiting!
And I'm still using my 12ax7 rock transmitter and my whisker reciever on 3.696 mhz.

One day I'll git me one of the 706's, then I'll have 2 frequencies!

[n4zkf]

Quote[/b] (n4zkf @ Dec. 15 2005,14:17)]Quote[/b] (K7FE @ Dec. 07 2005,15:47)]Nice review Fred. # Did Icom clear up the 706 receiver overload/distortion problem when using the noise blanker?

Now give the 7000 a try in the car and let us know how it performs in the presence of CPU hash, ignition noise and transmitter RFI with the extender cable. #I have two 706's for Mobil and portable work and may trade them in on a 7000 or two.

73,
Terry, K7FE
It doesn't. I have had one a week now. I own a 05 F-150 super crew 4X4 and the radio is a noise nightmare!
Now it's probably the truck I understand.
This is my mobile office. I have a Laptop running off an inverter. Both of them eat the radio up. The ignition noise eats the radio up.
I have the NB at 100% and doesn't take care of it. You can turn the NL on and it changes the tone of the audio so bad you can't understand anyone. Unless I have the truck off. It's a $1500 useless boat anchor.
Dave/n4zkf

Quote[/b] ]The good news is that you can probably sell the 7000 for full price on eBay. #I use mine in a room full of computers and telephones, and it sits right beside two flat screen monitors. #It's as quiet as a mouse. #I don't even have a decent ground on the rig. #Noise should always be attacked at the source, not at the receiving end. -fred AA7BQ
.
Yes, but it's not there with my FT-100. Guess I need to go back in time. It will be on Ebay this weekend if AES won't take it back.

[np4h]

Quote[/b] (N2JBO @ Dec. 16 2005,05:46)]Fred,

Awesome review, very informative.
Do you use that TFT Display in the vehicle ?

I like that as an add on feature...

I can't wait to get an IC-7000 for myself.
I want to put that in my Explorer in a month or so...

73 de Dave - N2JBO "Just Being Obnoxious"
Hello Friends...

Have been looking at the IC-7000 myself and I am a bit concerned about the noise on vehicles. I see reference to two Ford vehicles, here David has an Explorer. I used to have one and noise was a problem. I suggest you take it to a Ford dealership and have a filter placed on the gas pump. That is where the noise is generated. It is done for free as a warranty job in order to correct the defect. They consider it to be a defect, that's why it's done for free. You can get more information on the job at the Ford or ARRL website. It help out nicely. Best wishes to all!

73,

Nomar - NP4H
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[k6lcs]

>>...The separation cable looks idential to the 706 Mk II G versions...

They are not interchangeable - they each are unique.

>>...doesn't do 440...

Uh, the Icom IC-7000 certainly does operate on 440.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS

[N2JBO]

Anyone running HF in late model Ford Vehicles, have some issues.

I found the fix to cure the RFI problems that stem from
the Fuel Pump...

Good article with pictures.

RFI issues in Ford Vehicles (http://97vette.com/sporttrac/rfi_fix/rfi_fix.html)