ICOM IC-7300 IC-
Technical
Product Review
by Mark Spencer, WA8SME
Mark J. Wilson, K1RO, k1ro@arrl.org
Icom IC-7300 HF and
6 Meter Transceiver
Icom’s software dened radio (SDR) in a box with knobs.
Reviewed by Steve Ford, WB8IMY
QST Editor
wb8imy@arrl.org
Calling a piece of
technology a “gamechanger” is to invoke
a cliché of the highest order, but it’s difficult to avoid when
discussing the Icom
IC-7300. A gamechanger is usually defined as a product that
has the potential to disrupt a
market. When a game-changer appears
on the scene, competitors are challenged,
buying preferences change, and the market
veers off in a new direction (the introduction
of the Apple iPhone is a classic example).
The game-changing aspect of the IC-7300
is not the fact that it is a software defined
radio (SDR). Hams have been exposed to
SDR technology for more than a decade,
and QST has reviewed several highly competent SDRs from other manufacturers.
Instead, what makes the IC-7300 disruptive is that it offers the performance and
flexibility of SDR with a touchscreen in
a user-friendly package that is unlike any
other — and it does this at a price point
that is guaranteed to be attractive to a large
segment of the amateur community. It’s
similar in concept and price point to Icom’s
previous generation IC-7410, but offers
more features and better performance in
many areas.
SDR with Knobs
For those who may be unfamiliar with the
technology, a software defined radio takes
the analog signal arriving at the antenna
1
R. Lindquist, WW3DE, “Icom IC-7410 HF and
6 Meter Transceiver,” Product Review, QST
Oct 2011, pp 49 – 54.
1
,
input and “samples” it
at an extremely high
rate, effectively con-
verting the analog
signal into a stream
of digital information. Once a signal
has been converted
to data, it can be pro-
cessed by software in
ways that are not pos-
sible — or at least practical
— with analog technology.
Any form of modulation can
be decoded, noise can be removed
(or greatly suppressed), and extraordinarily
sharp filters can be applied to the result.
To transmit, the process is essentially reversed. Software massages the desired
signal, which is then converted to analog
and amplified.
In the early days of Amateur Radio SDR,
a receiver board performed quadrature
mixing on the incoming RF signal, creating in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) analog
Bottom Line
Icom’s IC-7300 is a 160 – 6 meter,
100 W, software defined radio (SDR)
in a conventional package. Aimed at
the “entry level” segment of the market, it offers a wide range of features
and excellent performance often
found in higher-priced transceivers.
QST® – Devoted entirely to Amateur Radio www.arrl.org Reprinted with permission from August 2016 QST
Figure 1 — The IC-7300’s rear panel has connections for a CW paddle for the internal keyer or
external key/keyer; an external speaker; ALC and TR switching for an amplifier; remote control via
the optional RS-BA1 software or an Icom CI-V device; a USB port for radio control and digital mode
operation; an ACC socket for connecting a TNC or PC for digital modes, and a jack for connection to
any of Icom’s accessory antenna tuners or tuned antennas.
Key Measurements
Summary
Icom IC-7300 HF and
6 Meter Transceiver
RM
500
Hz
102
–47
114
123
123
90
97
123
123
95
…
–30
–57
*
…
–58
–95
–122
–139
5
kHz50kHz
60
20
20 kHz Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range
BG
70
20
20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
I
3
50
20
20 kHz 3rd-Order IMD Dynamic Range (dB)
RM
60
2
2 kHz Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range
BG
70
2
2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
I
3
50
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order IMD Dynamic Range (dB)
I
3
TX
–20
Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)
I
9
TX
–20
Transmit 9th-Order IMD (dB)
–35
bw
–55
TX
Transmit Keying Bandwidth (dB)
–80 –140
θ
–110 –150
TX
PR107
Transmit Phase Noise (dB)
Key:
20 M80 M
*
Typical
…
Note: Measurements with preamp off and IP+ on.
See text and Table 1.
Worst case band, 10 meters
140
140
110
140
140
110
–42
–35
–70
–70
–95
Table 1
Icom IC-7300, serial number 02001161
Manufacturer’s Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab
Frequency coverage: Receive, 0.03 – 74 MHz; Receive and transmit, as specified;
transmit, 160 – 6 meter amateur bands. (5.255 – 5.405 MHz, 60 meters).
Power requirement: Receive, 0.9 A (standby), At 13.8 V dc: Receive, 1.05 A (maximum
1.25 A (maximum audio); transmit, 21 A at volume); transmit, 18.5 A (typical);
maximum power output at 13.8 V dc ±15 %. 5 mA (power off).
Modes of operation: SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY. As specified.
Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing
CW sensitivity, <0.16 µV (1.8 – 29.999 MHz, Noise floor (MDS), 500 Hz bandwidth:
preamp 1 on), <0.13 µV (50 MHz preamp 1 With IP+ (Dither) Off (See text)
on), <0.16 µV (70 MHz, preamp 1 on). Preamp Off 1 2
0.137 MHz –85 –83 –82 dBm
0.475 MHz –96 –116 –118 dBm
1.0 MHz –114 –123 –125 dBm
3.5 MHz –133 –141 –143 dBm
14 MHz –133 –141 –143 dBm
28 MHz –132 –141 –143 dBm
50 MHz –130 –139 –141 dBm
With IP+ (Dither) On (See text)
3.5 MHz –123 –135 –139 dBm
14 MHz –124 –136 –140 dBm
28 MHz –122 –135 –138 dBm
Noise figure: Not specified. 14 MHz, IP+ off, preamp off/1/2:
14/6/4 dB; 50 MHz, 17/8/6 dB.
AM sensitivity: 10 dB S/N, <12.6 µV 10 dB (S+N)/N, 1-kHz, 30% modulation,
(0.5 –1.8 MHz preamp 1 on); <2.0 µV 9 kHz bandwidth:
(1.8 – 29.999 MHz, preamp 1 on); <1.0 µV Preamp Off 1 2
(50 and 70 MHz preamp 2 on). 1.0 MHz 12.20 4.16 3.71 µV
3.8 MHz 1.64 0.61 0.56 µV
29 MHz 1.82 0.66 0.58 µV
50.4 MHz 2.19 0.76 0.66 µV
FM sensitivity: 12 dB SINAD, <0.5 µV 12 dB SINAD, 15 kHz bandwidth:
(28 –29.990 MHz, preamp 1 on), 0.25 µV Preamp Off 1 2
(50 and 70 MHz, preamp 2 on). 29 MHz 0.50 0.17 0.16 µV
52 MHz 0.62 0.21 0.17 µV
Spectral sensitivity: Not specified. Preamp off/1/2: –100/–114/–118 dBm.
Blocking gain compression dynamic range: Blocking gain compression dynamic range,
Not specified. 500 Hz bandwidth†:
20 kHz offset 5/2 kHz offset
Preamp off/1/2 Preamp off
3.5 MHz 123/118/116 dB 123/123 dB
14 MHz 123/118/116 dB 123/123 dB
*
50 MHz 122/118/116 dB 122/122 dB
Reciprocal mixing dynamic range: Not specified. 14 MHz, 20/5/2 kHz offset:
preamp off, IP+ off: 114/107/101 dB;
preamp off, IP+ on, 114/108/102 dB.
ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing (500 Hz bandwidth)
Measured Measured
Band (Preamp/IP+) Spacing IMD Level Input Level‡ IMD DR
3.5 MHz (off/off) 20 kHz –133 dBm –53 dBm 80 dB
–97 dBm –16 dBm
3.5 MHz (off/on) 20 kHz –123 dBm –33 dBm 90 dB
–97 dBm –16 dBm
14 MHz (off/off) 20 kHz –133 dBm –56 dBm 77 dB
–97 dBm –16 dBm
14 MHz (two/on) 20 kHz –140 dBm –38 dBm 102 dB
–97 dBm –38 dBm
14 MHz (off/off) 5 kHz –133 dBm –56 dBm 77 dB
–97 dBm –16 dBm
14 MHz (two/on) 5 kHz –140 dBm –40 dBm 100 dB
–97 dBm –39 dBm
14 MHz (off/off) 2 kHz –133 dBm –56 dBm 77 dB
–97 dBm –21 dBm
14 MHz (off/on) 2 kHz –124 dBm –29 dBm 95 dB
–97 dBm –21 dBm
Reprinted with permission from August 2016 QST ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio
®
www.arrl.org
Manufacturer’s Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab
QS1608-ProdRev04
14 MHz (one/off) 2 kHz –141 dBm –63 dBm 78 dB
–97 dBm –34 dBm
14 MHz (one/on) 2 kHz –136 dBm –36 dBm 100 dB
–97 dBm –34 dBm
14 MHz (two/off) 2 kHz –143 dBm –64 dBm 79 dB
–97 dBm –34 dBm
14 MHz (two/on) 2 kHz –140 dBm –40 dBm 100 dB
–97 dBm –39 dBm
50 MHz (off/off) 20 kHz –130 dBm –41 dBm 89 dB
–97 dBm –15 dBm
50 MHz (two/on) 20 kHz –139 dBm –41 dBm 98 dB
–97 dBm –30 dBm
Second-order intercept point: Not specified. Preamp off/1/2:‡
14 MHz, +69/+45/+41 dBm;
21 MHz, +65/+67/+67 dBm;
50 MHz, +71/+71/+71 dBm.
DSP noise reduction: Not specified. 15 dB (maximum).
Audio Output: >2.5 W into 8 Ω at 10% THD. At 10% THD, 2.4 W into 8 Ω.
THD at 1 V
FM adjacent channel rejection: Not specified 29 MHz, 82 dB; 52 MHz, 79 dB.
RMS
, 0.2%.
FM two-tone third order dynamic range: 20 kHz spacing, 29 MHz, 82 dB*;
Not specified. 52 MHz, 79 dB.* 10 MHz spacing,
29 MHz, 97 dB; 52 MHz, 99 dB.
Squelch sensitivity: SSB, 5.6 µV, FM, <1 µV. At threshold: 1.58 µV 14 MHz (SSB,
preamp off); 0.08 µV (29 MHz, p2 on).
Notch filter depth: Not specified. Manual notch, 52 dB; auto-notch, 52 dB
(45 dB two tones). Attack time, 198 ms
(single tone), 2080 ms (two tones).
S-meter sensitivity: Not specified. S-9 signal, (preamp off/1/2):
14 MHz, 70.7/31.2/18.8 µV;
50 MHz, 78.4/37.5/24.5 µV.
Audio filter response: Not specified. Range at –6 dB points:**
CW (500 Hz): 342 – 860 Hz (518 Hz);
Equivalent Rectangular BW: 514 Hz;
USB (2.4 kHz): 234 – 2632 Hz (2398 Hz);
LSB (2.4 kHz): 250 – 2656 Hz (2406 Hz);
AM (9 kHz), 166 – 4477 Hz (8622 Hz).
Transmitter Transmitter Dynamic Testing
Power output: 2 – 100 W; 1 – 25 W (AM). HF, 0.7 – 104 W typical; 50 MHz,
0.5 – 97 W. 70 W typical at minimum
specified dc voltage input.
Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: HF, typically 64 dB, 57 dB (worst case
>50 dB (1.8 – 28 MHz); >63 dB (50 MHz). 160 m), 50 MHz, 76 dB.
SSB carrier suppression: >50 dB. >70 dB.
Undesired sideband suppression: >50 dB. >70 dB.
Third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD) 3rd/5th/7th/9th order, 100 W PEP:
HF, –42/–38/–46/–57 dB (typical)
–30/–37/–44/–58 dB (worst case, 10 m);
50 MHz, –26/–37/–39/–44 dB (100 W);
50 MHz, –33/–37/–44/–62 dB (80 W)
CW keyer speed range: Not specified. 6 to 48 WPM, iambic mode B.
CW keying characteristics: Not specified. See Figures 2 and 3.
Transmit-receive turn-around time (PTT release S-9 signal, AGC fast, 15 ms.
to 50% audio output): Not specified. QSK transmit to receive time, 35 ms.
Receive-transmit turn-around time (tx delay): SSB, 14. ms; FM, 15 ms (29 MHz
Not specified. and 52 MHz).
Composite transmitted noise: Not specified. See Figure 4.
Size (height, width, depth, including protrusions): 4.0 × 9.4 × 10.7 inches. Weight, 9.3 lbs.
Price: $1500.
†
Blocking occurs at ADC overload threshold. Blocking level is same for IP+ on or off.
‡
There was no intercept of the IMD input signal and receiver IMD at the S5 (–97 dBm) level.
Figures are at threshold of ADC overload or spurious receiver response. Second-order
intercept points were determined using S5 reference.
*Measurement was noise limited at the value indicated.
**
Default values; bandwidth is adjustable.
QS1608-ProdRev02
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
Time (s)
Figure 2 — CW keying waveform for the Icom
IC-7300 showing the first two dits using external
keying. Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM.
The upper trace is the actual key closure; the
lower trace is the RF envelope. (Note that the
first key closure starts at the left edge of the
figure.) Horizontal divisions are 10 ms. The
transceiver was being operated at 100 W output
on the 14 MHz band.
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
–50
–60
Response (dB)
–70
–80
–90
–100
fc-4 fc-2 fc+2 fc+4
Frequency in kHz
QS1608-ProdRev03
f
c
Figure 3 — Spectral display of the Icom
IC-7300 transmitter during keying sideband testing. Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM using
external keying. Spectrum analyzer resolution
bandwidth is 10 Hz, and the sweep time is 30
seconds. The transmitter was being operated
at 100 W PEP output on the 14 MHz band, and
this plot shows the transmitter output ±5 kHz
from the carrier. The reference level is 0 dBc,
and the vertical scale is 10 dB/division.
0
–
20
–
40
–
60
–
80
–
100
–
120
Level in dBc/Hz
–
140
–
160
–
180
100 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz 100 kHz 1 MHz
14 MHz
50 MHz
Frequency Offset
Figure 4 — Spectral display of the Icom IC-7300
transmitter output during phase noise testing.
Power output is 100 W on the 14 MHz band
(red trace) and 50 MHz band (green trace). The
carrier, off the left edge of the plot, is not shown.
This plot shows composite transmitted noise
100 Hz to 1 MHz from the carrier. The reference
level is 0 dBc, and the vertical scale is in dBc/Hz.
QST® – Devoted entirely to Amateur Radio www.arrl.org Reprinted with permission from August 2016 QST
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