Icom IC-78 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
HF TRANSCEIVER
i78
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT
READ THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CAREFULLY before attempting to operate the
transceiver.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL. This
manual contains important safety and operating instructions for the IC-78.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
i
PRECAUTIONS
R WARNING HIGH VOLTAGE! NEVER at-
tach an antenna or internal antenna connector during
transmission. This may result in an electric shock or
burn.
R NEVER apply AC to the [DC13.8V] jack on the
transceiver rear panel. This could cause a fire or ruin
the transceiver.
R NEVERapply more than 16 V DC, such as a 24 V
battery, to the [DC13.8V] jack on the transceiver rear
panel. This could cause a fire or ruin the transceiver.
R NEVERlet metal, wire or other objects touch any
internal part or connectors on the rear panel of the
transceiver. This may result in an electric shock.
NEVER expose the transceiver to rain, snow or any
liquids.
AVOID using or placing the transceiver in areas with
temperatures below –10°C (+14°F) or above +60°C
(+140°F). Be aware that temperatures on a vehicle’s
dashboard can exceed 80°C (+176°F), resulting in permanent damage to the transceiver if left there for extended periods.
AVOID placing the transceiver in excessively dusty environments or in direct sunlight.
AVOID placing the transceiver against walls or putting
anything on top of the transceiver. This will obstruct
heat dissipation.
During mobile operation, DO NOT operate the transceiver without running the vehicle’s engine. When the
transceiver power is ON and your vehicle’s engine is
OFF, the vehicle’s battery will soon become exhausted.
Make sure the transceiver power is OFF before starting the vehicle. This will avoid possible damage to the
transceiver by ignition voltage spikes.
During maritime mobile operation, keep the transceiver
and microphone as far away as possible from the magnetic navigation compass to prevent erroneous indications.
BE CAREFUL! The heatsink will become hot when operating the transceiver continuously for long periods.
BE CAREFUL! If a linear amplifier is connected, set
the transceiver’s RF output power to less than the linear amplifier’s maximum input level, otherwise, the linear amplifier will be damaged.
Use Icom microphones only (supplied or optional).
Other manufacturer’s microphones have different pin
assignments, and connection to the IC-78 may damage the transceiver.
WORD DEFINITION
R WARNING
Personal injury, fire hazard or electric
shock may occur.
CAUTION Equipment damage may occur.
NOTE
Inconvenience only. No risk of per of
personal injury, fire or electric shock.
1
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
q
w
e
r
IMPORTANT .............................................................. i
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ........................................... i
PRECAUTIONS ........................................................ i
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................... 1
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES ..................................... 1
2 PANEL DESCRIPTION ................................... 2 –7
■ Front panel ....................................................... 2
■ Function display ............................................... 4
■ Rear panel ........................................................ 5
■ Microphone (HM-36) ........................................ 7
3 INSTALLA TION AND CONNECTIONS ......... 8–12
■ Unpacking ........................................................ 8
■ Selecting a location .......................................... 8
■ Grounding ......................................................... 8
■ Antenna connection .......................................... 8
■ Required connections ....................................... 9
■ Power supply connections .............................. 10
■ Advanced connections .................................... 11
■ External antenna tuners ................................. 12
4 OPERATION................................................. 13–27
■ Selecting a channel......................................... 13
■ Frequency indication ....................................... 14
■ Lock function ................................................... 14
■ Scan function................................................... 14
■ Basic voice receive and transmit..................... 15
■ Mode selection ................................................ 15
■ RF gain and Squelch....................................... 15
■ Functions for transmit...................................... 16
■ Functions for receive....................................... 19
■ Filter selection ................................................. 21
■ Filter setting..................................................... 22
■ Functions for CW............................................. 23
■ Functions for RTTY ......................................... 25
■ Channel comment programming..................... 27
5 SET MODE ................................................... 28–33
■ General............................................................ 28
■ Quick set mode items...................................... 29
■ Initial set mode items....................................... 31
6 EXTRA FEATURES...................................... 34–36
■ Instruction........................................................ 34
■ VFO operation................................................. 34
■ 2-Tone alarm operation ................................... 36
7 INSTALLA TION AND CONNECTIONS........ 37–38
■ Opening the transceiver’s case ...................... 37
■ Optional bracket and carrying handle.............. 37
■ CR-338 HIGH STABILITY CRYSTAL UNIT ......... 38
■ Optional IF filters ............................................ 38
8 MAINTENANCE ........................................... 39–40
■ Troubleshooting .............................................. 39
■ Fuse replacement ........................................... 40
■ Resetting the CPU .......................................... 40
9 REMOTE JACK INFORMATION.................. 41–42
■ CI-V remote control ......................................... 41
■ Data cloning between transceivers ................. 42
10 SPECIFICATIONS ........................................... 43
12 OPTIONS .................................................. 44–45
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
The transceiver comes with the following accessories.
Qty.
q DC power cable.................................................... 1
w Hand microphone (HM-36) .................................. 1
e Fuse (FGB 20 A; for DC cable) ............................ 1
r Fuse (FGB 4 A; internal use) ............................... 1
■ Front panel
q POWER SWITCH [PWR]
➥Push momentarily to turn power ON.
•Turn the optional DC power supply ON in advance.
➥Push for 1 sec. to turn power OFF.
➥While pushing and holding [SET], push [PWR] to
enter the
initial set mode
. (p. 28)
w MICROPHONE CONNECTOR [MIC]
Accepts supplied or optional microphone.
•See p. 45 for appropriate microphones.
• See p. 7 for microphone connector information.
e HEADPHONE JACK [PHONES] (p. 11)
Accepts headphones.
• When headphones are connected, the internal
speaker or connected external speaker does not
function.
r AF CONTROL [AF] (inner control)
Varies the audio output level from the speaker.
t RF GAIN/SQUELCH CONTROL [RF/SQL]
(outer control; pgs. 15, 31)
Adjusts the squelch threshold level. The squelch removes noise output from the speaker (closed condition) when no signal is received.
•The squelch is available for all modes.
•The control can be set as the squelch plus RF gain
controls or squelch control only (RF gain is fixed at
maximum) in initial set mode.
y RIT CONTROL [RIT] (inner control; p. 19)
➥Shifts the receive frequency ±1.2 kHz for clear re-
ception of an off frequency signal.
• Rotate the control clockwise to increase the frequency, or rotate the control counterclockwise to
decrease the frequency. “ ” appears on the
display.
u IF SHIFT CONTROLS [SHIFT]
(outer control; p. 20)
Shifts the center frequency of the receiver’s IF
passband.
•Rotate the control clockwise to shift the center frequency higher, or rotate the control counterclockwise to shift the center frequency lower.
i LOCK SWITCH [LOCK] (p. 14)
Push momentarily to turn the dial lock function ON
and OFF.
• The dial lock function electronically locks the chan-
nel selector.
o CHANNEL SELECTOR
Selects an operating channel, sets conditions in the
quick/initial set mode items, etc.
!0 PREAMP SWITCH [P.AMP] (p. 19)
Push to turn the preamp ON or OFF.
!1 FC SWITCH [CH]
➥Push to change the indication, channel comment
or stored frequency. (p. 14)
☛This key action only for some versions.
➥
Push for 1 sec. to entering into VFO mode. (p. 35)
!2 MEMORY CHANNEL UP/DOWN SWITCHES
[√ DN]/[UP ∫]
➥Push to select the operating channel. (p. 13)
➥Push for 1 sec. to start scanning. (p. 14)
➥Push to select the
quick/initial set mode
items
while
quick/initial set mode
is selected. (p. 28)
➥Push to select the digit of channel comment while
editing. (p. 27)
2
2
PANEL DESCRIPTION
PWR
Speaker
Function Display
@1 @0 !9
!7
!5
!4
!6
!3
!2
!0
!8
!1
o
iuytre
w
q
3
2
PANEL DESCRIPTION
!3 ATTENUATOR SWITCH [ATT] (p. 19)
Push to turn the 20 dB attenuator function ON and
OFF.
!4 TUNER SWITCH [TUNER] (p. 18)
➥Push to turn the antenna tuner function ON and
OFF.
➥Push for 1 sec. to manually tune the tuner.
• An optional antenna tuner must be connected.
• When the tuner cannot tune the antenna, the tuning circuit is bypassed automatically after 20 sec.
!5 SET SWITCH [SET]
➥Push for 1 sec. to enter the
quick set mode
.
(p. 28)
➥Push and hold [SET], then push [PWR] to enter
the
initial set mode
. (p. 28)
➥Push to change the meter function; (p. 16)
•PO: indicates the relative RF output power.
•ALC: Indicates ALC level.
•SWR: Indicates the SWR over the transmission
line.
!6 MIC COMPRESSOR SWITCH [COMP] (p. 17)
Turn the Mic. compressor function ON and OFF.
!7 KEYPAD
The keypad can be used for several functions as
described below:
➥[0] to [9]
— For entering operating channel number. (p. 13)
— Selects a character during channel comment
programming. (p. 27)
➥[ENT]
— Direct channel number input. (p. 13)
➥[TXF]
— Transmit frequency indication. (p.14)
— Selects a space and changes the editing digit
during channel comment programming. (p. 27)
!8 NOISE BLANKER SWITCH [NB] (p. 19)
➥Turns the noise blanker ON and OFF. The noise
blanker reduces pulse-type noise such as that
generated by automobile ignition systems. This
function is not effective against non pulse-type
noise.
➥Push [NB] for 1 sec. to enter the noise blanker
level setting condition.
!9 TONE SWITCH [TONE]
☛
This key action may differ according to version.
➥Selects the call channel and emits a distress
alarm tone from the speaker. (p. 36)
➥Transmits a distress alarm or alarm testing signal
when pushed for 1 sec. (p. 36)
•Cancel the distress alarm tone emission, or distress alarm transmission.
➥Selects the tuning step item in the
quick set mode
directly.
➥No function is assigned.
@0 CALL SWITCH [CALL]
➥Push to select call channel.
•Push again to return to previous condition.
@1 MODE SWITCH [MODE] (p. 15)
Push to change an operating mode.
•Push [MODE] for 1 sec. during SSB mode to
switch between LSB or USB.
•Push [MODE] for 1 sec. during CW or RTTY
mode, to switch between CW and CW reverse or
RTTY and RTTY reverse. “ ” appears on the
display.
4
2
PANEL DESCRIPTION
■ Function display
q LOCK INDICATOR (p. 14)
Appears when the dial lock function is in use.
w RECEIVE INDICATOR
Appears while receiving a signal or when the
squelch is open.
e TUNE INDICATOR
➥Appears or disappears when the connected au-
tomatic tuner is tuned completely, depending on
connected antenna tuner type.
➥Flashes while tuning.
r TRANSMIT INDICATOR
➥Appears while transmitting.
➥Flashes while transmit frequency is indicated.
t ALARM INDICATOR
☛This indicator appears only some versions.
Appears while 2-tone alarm is emitting or transmitting
y FUNCTION INDICATORS
➥“P.AMP” appears when preamp is activated.
➥“ATT” appears when the RF attenuator is acti-
vated.
➥“NB” appears when the Noise Blanker is acti-
vated.
➥“BK” appears when the semi break-in function is
selected in
quick set mode
.
➥“F-BK” appears when the full break-in function
activates in CW mode. (p. 23)
➥“VOX” appears when the VOX function is se-
lected in
quick set mode
.
➥“COM” appears when the speech compressor ac-
tivates in SSB mode.
➥“SCAN” appears during scanning.
•Flashes when scan is paused.
u SIGNAL/SQL/RF-GAIN METER
➥Functions as an S-meter while receiving.
➥Functions as a Power, ALC or SWR meter while
transmitting. (p. 16)
i VFO/MEMORY INDICATOR
➥“MEMO” appears during regular operation.
☛This indicator appears only some versions.
➥“VFO” appears during VFO operation.
o CHANNEL NUMBER READOUT (p. 13)
Shows the selected channel number.
!0 BLANK INDICATOR
Appears when no frequency programmed channel
is selected.
!1 SPLIT INDICATORS (p. 13)
Appears when the duplex channel, in which different frequencies between transmit and receive are
programmed, is selected.
!2 RIT INDICATOR (p. 19)
Appears when the RIT function is in use.
!3 CHANNEL READOUT
Shows the memory names, or stored frequency of
the selected channel.
!4 REVERSE INDICATOR (p. 15)
Appears when the CW reverse or RTTY reverse
mode is selected.
!5 WIDE/NARROW FIL TER INDICATORS (pgs. 21, 22)
➥“ ” appears when the wide IF filter is selected.
➥“ ” appears when the narrow IF filter is se-
lected.
!6 MODE INDICATORS (p. 15)
Indicates the temporarily selected operating mode.
!6 !4
!5
u
oi
r
e
w
!0
!3
!1
t
y
q
!2
5
2
PANEL DESCRIPTION
■ Rear panel
q ANTENNA TERMINAL [ANT] (p. 9)
Connects a 50 Ω antenna with a PL-259 connector
and a 50 Ω coaxial cable.
w DC POWER SOCKET [DC 13.8V] (p. 10)
Accepts 13.8 V DC through the supplied DC power
cable.
e TUNER CONTROL SOCKET [TUNER] (p. 11)
Accepts the control cable from an optional antenna
tuner.
r REMOTE JACK [REMOTE] (p. 11)
For use with a personal computer for remote operation of transceiver functions, and data cloning between transceivers.
t EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK [EXT SP]
Connects an 8 Ω external speaker, if desired.
•When an external speaker is connected, the internal speaker does not function.
y ACCESSORY SOCKET [ACC] (p. 6)
Enables connection to external equipment such as
a TNC for data communications or a linear amplifier, etc.
u ELECTRONIC KEYER JACK [KEY]
Accepts a paddle to activate the internal electronic
keyer.
• Selection between the internal electronic keyer
and straight key operation can be made in initial
set mode.
i ALC INPUT JACK [ALC]
Connects to the ALC output jack of a non-Icom linear amplifier.
o SEND CONTROL JACK [SEND]
Goes to ground while transmitting to control external equipment such as a linear amplifier.
• Max. control level: 16 V DC/2 A
!0 GROUND TERMINAL [GND] (p. 9)
Connects the terminal to ground.
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rtyuio!0
Rear panel view
When connecting
a straight key
When connecting
a paddle
(dot)
(com)
(dash)
(⊕)
6
2
PANEL DESCRIPTION
DD
ACC SOCKET INFORMATION
• ACC socket
•When connecting the ACC conversion cable (OPC-599)
ACC PIN # NAME DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATIONS
1 8 V Regulated 8 V output.
Output voltage : 8 V ±0.3 V
Output current : Less than 10 mA
2 GND Connects to ground. —
Input/output pin.
Ground level : –0.5 V to 0.8 V
3 SEND Goes to ground when transmitting.
Input current : Less than 20 mA
When grounded, transmits.
4 BDT Data line. —
5 BAND Band voltage output.
6 ALC ALC voltage output.
Control voltage : –4 V to 0 V
Input impedance
: More than 10 kΩ
7NC — — —
8
13.8 V
13.8 V output when power is ON. Output current : Max. 1 A
9 TKEY Key line. —
10 FSKK RTTY key input.
Ground level : –0.5 V to 0.8 V
Input current : Less than 10 mA
11 MOD Modulation input.
Input impedance
: 10 kΩ
Input level : Approx. 100 mV rms
12 AF
AF detector output.
Output impedance
: 4.7 kΩ
Fixed, regardless of [AF] position. Output level : 100–300 mV rms
13 SQLS
Squelch output. SQL open : Less than 0.3 V/5 mA
Goes to ground when squelch opens.
SQL closed :
More than 6.0 V/100 µA
13
10 11 12
9
1234
Rear panel
view
8765
➀ FSKK ➄ AF
➁ GND ➅ SQLS
➂ SEND ➆ 13.8 V
➃ MOD ➇ ALC
➀ 8 V ➄ ALC
➁ GND ➅ NC
➂ SEND ➆ 13.8 V
➃ BAND
13
9
10 11 12
1122334
5
4
8877665
ACC 1
2
4
1
ACC 2
5
3
76
7
2
PANEL DESCRIPTION
■ Microphone (HM-36)
•DESCRIPTION
q UP/DOWN SWITCHES [UP]/[DN]
Change the selected readout frequency or memory
channel.
• Continuous pushing changes the frequency or
memory channel number continuously.
• The [UP]/[DN] switch can simulate a key paddle.
Preset in the CW P ADDLin initial set mode. (p. 32)
w PTT SWITCH
Push and hold to transmit; release to receive.
•MICROPHONE CONNECTOR
(Front view)
CAUTION: DO NOT short pin 2 to ground as this
can damage the internal 8 V regulator.
q
w
y GND (PTT ground)
t PTT
r Main readout squelch switch
q Microphone input
w +8 V DC output
e Frequency up/down
u GND
(Microphone ground)
i Main readout AF output
(varies with [AF])
•HM-36 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
+
+
q
w
ert
y
u
i
4700 p
4700 p
10 µ
0.33 µ
MICROPHONE
MIC
ELEMENT
2 k
470
DOWN UP
PTT
RECEIVE
TRANSMIT
MICROPHONE CABLE MICROPHONE PLUG
[MIC]
FUNCTION DESCRIPTION
Pin No.
w +8 V DC output Max. 10 mA
e
Frequency up Ground
Frequency down Ground through 470 Ω
r
Squelch open “Low” level
Squelch closed “High” level
3
8
INST ALLATION AND CONNECTIONS
■ Antenna connection
For radio communications, the antenna is of critical importance, along with output power and sensitivity. Select antenna(s), such as a well-matched 50 Ω antenna, and feed
line. 1.5:1 or better of Voltage Standing W ave Ratio (VSWR)
is recommended for your desired band. Of course, the transmission line should be a coaxial cable.
CAUTION: Protect your transceiver from lightning
by using a lightning arrestor.
■ Unpacking
After unpacking, immediately report any damage to the
delivering carrier or dealer. Keep the shipping cartons.
For a description and a diagram of accessory equipment included with the IC-78, see ‘Supplied accessories’ on p. 1 of this manual.
■ Selecting a location
Select a location for the transceiver that allows adequate air circulation, free from extreme heat, cold, or
vibrations, and away from TV sets, TV antenna elements, radios and other electro-magnetic sources.
The base of the transceiver has an adjustable stand
for desktop use. Set the stand to one of two angles depending on your operating conditions.
■ Grounding
To prevent electrical shock, television interference
(TVI), broadcast interference (BCI) and other problems, ground the transceiver through the GROUND
terminal on the rear panel.
For best results, connect a heavy gauge wire or strap
to a long earth-sunk copper rod. Make the distance between the [GND] terminal and ground as short as possible.
R WARNING: NEVERconnect the [GND]
terminal to a gas or electric pipe, since the connection could cause an explosion or electric shock.
Antenna SWR
Each antenna is tuned for a specified frequency
range and SWR may be increased out-of-range.
When the SWR is higher than approx. 2.0:1, the
transceiver’s power drops to protect the final transistor. In this case, an antenna tuner is useful to match
the transceiver and antenna. Low SWR allows full
power for transmitting even when using the antenna
tuner. The IC-78 has an SWR meter to monitor the
antenna SWR continuously.
PL-259 CONNECTOR INSTALLATION EXAMPLE
30 mm ≈9⁄8 in 10 mm ≈3⁄8 in 1–2 mm ≈1⁄16 in
q
Coupling ring
w
e
30 mm
10 mm (soft solder)
10 mm
Soft
solder
1–2 mm
solder solder
Slide the coupling ring
down. Strip the cable
jacket and soft solder.
Strip the cable as
shown at left. Soft solder the center conductor.
Slide the connector
body on and solder it.
r
Screw the coupling
ring onto the
connector body.
9
3
INST ALLA TION AND CONNECTIONS
■ Required connections
PWR
MICROPHONES (p. 45)
SM-20
or SM-6,
SM-8
HM-36
GROUND (p. 8)
Use the heaviest gauge wire
or strap available and make
the connection as short as
possible.
Grounding prevents electrical
shocks, TVI and other
problems.
ANTENNA
[Example]: 1.8–30 MHz bands
DC POWER SUPPLY
PS-85
CW KEY
A straight key can be used when the
internal electronic keyer is turned
OFF in “CW PADDL” in
initial set
mode
. (p. 32)
AH-710
•Front panel
•Rear panel
10
3
INST ALLA TION AND CONNECTIONS
■ Power supply connections
Use an optional PS-85
DC POWER SUPPLY
when operat-
ing the IC-78 with AC power. Refer to the diagrams
below.
CAUTION:
Before connecting the DC power cable,
check the following important items. Make sure:
•The [PWR] switch is OFF.
• Output voltage of the power source is 12–15 V
when you use a non-Icom power supply.
•DC power cable polarity is correct.
Red : positive + terminal
Black : negative _ terminal
CONNECTING A VEHICLE BATTERY
NEVER connect to
a 24 V battery.
NOTE: Use terminals for
the cable connections.
CONNECTING NON-ICOM DC POWER SUPPLY
CONNECTING PS-85 DC POWER SUPPLY
DC power
socket
DC power cable
DC power
socket
PS-85
Connect to an AC outlet
using the supplied AC cable.
DC power supply
13.8 V 20 A
_
+
AC outlet
AC cable
Grommet
Supplied
DC power cable
_ black
_
black
12 V
battery
20 A fuses
Supplied
DC power cable
+
red
+ red
Crimp
Solder
3
INST ALLA TION AND CONNECTIONS
11
■ Advanced connections
PWR
MIC
The AFSK modulation signal can be
input from [MIC]. (p. 25)
HEADPHONES
•Front panel
ANTENNA
Connects a linear amplifier, etc.
[REMOTE] (pgs. 41, 42)
Used for computer control and transceive operation,
and cloning operation between transceivers.
[SEND], [ALC]
Used for connecting a
non-Icom linear amplifier.
EXTERNAL SPEAKER (p. 44)
SP-21, etc.
ACC SOCKETS (p. 6)
AT-120,
AT-130, or
AH-4 (p. 44)
AH-2b
or long wire
with
•Rear panel
3
INST ALLA TION AND CONNECTIONS
12
■ External antenna tuners
CONNECTING AN ANTENNA TUNER (p. 44)
Coaxial cable (from the tuner)
Long wire or optional AH-2b
Control cable
Ground
IC-78
Ground
AT-120/AT-130/AH-4
4
OPERATION
13
■ Selecting a channel
The transceiver has 99 memory channels. However,
the number of channels can be restricted in
initial set
mode
(p. 32) depending on your needs. A total of 3
ways of channel selections are available to suit your
operating style.
D Using the channel selector
Rotate the channel selector clockwise (channel number increases) or counterclockwise (channel number
decreases) to select desired channel.
This is the most useful way of channel selection.
D Using up/down switches
Push [√ DN]/[UP ∫] on the front panel or the microphone to select the desired channel.
This way is convenient when changing a small number of channels.
• When a duplex channel (different frequencies be-
tween transmit and receive) is selected, “ ” appears.
D Using the keypad
Enter the number of the desired channel number using
the keypad (0 to 9), then push [ENT].
This way is convenient for remembering the usage and
stored channel number, or when changing large a
number of channels.
• When a duplex channel (different frequencies be-
tween transmit and receive) is selected, “ ” appears.
• When a blank channel (no frequency is programmed)
is selected, “ ” appears.
Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 99
Rotate the
channel selector
Push [√ DN]/[UP ∫]
switch
to select a
channel
or
• Example 1— selecting channel 8
Push
Push
Push Push
Blinks
• Example 2— selecting channel 25
Push
Blinks
Blinks
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