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Author Topic: ICOM IC-7300  (Read 428881 times)

9V1YC

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #60 on: March 14, 2016, 05:16:12 AM »

thanks for the review James!  Two questions if you have the time:

1.  What do you mean by "Its extremely sharp, but that's to be expected from an SDR" ???

2.  How smooth is the headphone audio during T/R transitions in cw?  Is it smooth like the K3 (swish-swish) or is it a bit harder?  Any audible T/R pops, etc?  Any latency in the sidetone?

73, Barry N1EU

Hi Barry,

1.  The waterfall display is sharp and signals are (visually) well defined on screen.   Very different from an analog rig with a built-in scope/waterfall display (like my v2.0 7600) which is much fuzzier and hard to use. 

2.  I noticed no T/R pops of any kind, and the transitions are smooth to my ears.  To be honest I didn't even think about it. There's no way I would have logged that many QSO's if it had been hard or "poppy". 

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N1EU

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #61 on: March 14, 2016, 06:12:35 AM »

Thanks James!  Sounds like a really great little radio.
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YO9IRF

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    • QRPblog - A blog by YO9IRF / M0HZH
RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #62 on: March 14, 2016, 07:36:39 AM »

James(9V1YC), would you please be so kind and tell us if one can connect and use the IC7300 with an existing SDR sfotware like HDSDR. SDR#, etc? Maybe if one needs CAT control on one software and SDR "features" on another. 
Can there be Tx audio from computer to radio?

Thank you so much for the info :)

73 de CR7AJS - Sergio Rasteiro

All processing in done inside the radio and there's no need for an external SDR software. If you want to see the spectrum on a computer screen, you can use the Icom RS-BA1 software for that (as well as for CAT, remote control etc). The IC-7300 also includes audio interface for digital modes or anything else you might think of. All of this is done via just one USB port, no need for extra cables.

There are more details in the link I posted just before your post on the previous page. (http://www.qrpblog.com/2016/03/icom-ic-7300-review.html)

Razvan YO9IRF/M0HZH.
« Last Edit: March 29, 2016, 11:38:42 PM by YO9IRF »
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K5TED

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #63 on: March 14, 2016, 07:00:51 PM »

James(9V1YC), would you please be so kind and tell us if one can connect and use the IC7300 with an existing SDR sfotware like HDSDR. SDR#, etc? Maybe if one needs CAT control on one software and SDR "features" on another. 
Can there be Tx audio from computer to radio?

Thank you so much for the info :)

73 de CR7AJS - Sergio Rasteiro

waiting for James to test, but can say that the 12kHz IF out should allow you to use HDSDR on receive.
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N5PG

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #64 on: March 14, 2016, 08:52:40 PM »

James(9V1YC), would you please be so kind and tell us if one can connect and use the IC7300 with an existing SDR sfotware like HDSDR. SDR#, etc? Maybe if one needs CAT control on one software and SDR "features" on another.  
Can there be Tx audio from computer to radio?

Thank you so much for the info :)

73 de CR7AJS - Sergio Rasteiro

All processing in done inside the radio and there's no need for an external SDR software. If you want to see the spectrum on a computer screen, you can use the Icom RS-BA1 software for that (as well as for CAT, remote control etc). The IC-7300 also includes audio interface for digital modes or anything else you might think of. All of this is done via just one USB port, no need for extra cables.

There are more details in the link I posted just before your post on the previous page. (http://yo9irf.blogspot.com/2016/03/icom-ic-7300-review.html)

Razvan YO9IRF/M0HZH.

Thanks for your blog link.

If you use RS-BA1 siftware is it a virtual front panel or can you display the spectrum scope by itself ?

P.S. Brochure implies you can display spec scope only:  http://www.icomamerica.com/en/downloads/DownloadDocument.aspx?Document=740
« Last Edit: March 14, 2016, 09:07:21 PM by N5PG »
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YO9IRF

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    • QRPblog - A blog by YO9IRF / M0HZH
RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #65 on: March 16, 2016, 03:15:08 PM »

Icom RS-BA1 has one window for controls and another one for spectrum display (which works only on a few models).






Razvan.
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W9OY

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #66 on: March 17, 2016, 06:23:44 PM »

Thanks to the reviewers!  Very interesting.  Does the display show VFO-A and VFO-B read outs on screen at the same time or do you toggle back and forth?

73  W9OY
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ZS1DFR

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #67 on: March 20, 2016, 06:05:50 AM »

Hi all, I've been watching the thread and seen some of the disparaging remarks. I'm sure we realise this isn't the absolute top-of-the-line rig, but for the price, it's going to take a lot of beating! The question about an IQ output that can be used usefully remains to be resolved  ???

What I can't find detail of in either of the two manuals, nor on any of the blogs and reviews (even Ray Novak on Hamnation), is whether you have any say over which antenna tuner you use to tune the attached antenna? An unbalanced line can clearly be tuned by the onboard ATU, but suppose you use a long wire or a whip and need to attach an AH-4 to tune it. Can you leave the AH-4 attached while you tune via the onboard ATU? I see no toggle arrangement to choose the ATU you want to use.....

Anybody got a decent answer for that?
Thanks,
Dave ZS1DFR
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WA2OLZ

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #68 on: March 20, 2016, 06:38:13 AM »

I believe the AH-4 is controlled by the IC-7300 via the control cable port on back of the rig.  There shouldn't be a need to use the internal tuner if the AH-4 is in play

From the IC-7300 manual:
Using the AH-4 or AH-740
1. Turn ON the transceiver.
••“TUNE” is displayed.
L Each time you push TUNER , “TUNE” is displayed
or goes out, and the AH-4 or AH-740 is turned ON or
OFF (bypassed).
2. Hold down TUNER for 1 second to start manual
tuning.
•• The tuner reduces the SWR to less than 1.5:1 after
2~3 seconds of tuning.
L While tuning, a side tone is heard and “TUNE” blinks
red.
L If the tuner cannot reduce the SWR to less than 1.5:1
after 20 seconds of tuning, “TUNE” goes out.
3. After tuning, “TUNE” is displayed.
L When the long wire antenna cannot be tuned, “TUNE”
goes out. In that case, the AH-4 is bypassed and the
wire is directly connected.
« Last Edit: March 20, 2016, 06:53:52 AM by WA2OLZ »
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N5PG

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #69 on: March 30, 2016, 01:40:02 PM »

Anyone got their hands on one yet?

HRO says big shipment arriving tomorrow.
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AC9LM

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #70 on: March 31, 2016, 08:57:47 AM »

I just got mine!! Not going to have chance to hook it up till later today..
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AC9LM

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #71 on: April 01, 2016, 08:49:27 AM »

Well I got it hooked up yesterday to my OCD... It is really fun to use, and quite well thought out!! Made some contacts,
got excellent audio reports with the mike gain at 60% and the COMP midway. The spectra scope works very well, and after getting the hang of using the touch screen to select a signal, I was getting very close the first hit, with minimal retuning required. Everything is usually 1 or 2 touches away,,

My "other" radio, is an ANAN-10e (I also have a 7100).. I have not directly compared them yet, but these radios are so good on the front ends, the actual comparison is usually the noise reduction, and the ability to understand what is being said (talking SSB). The sound quality from the built in speaker was very good, better than the 7100, I was able to understand SSB slightly better that the 7100. The RF qualities of these radios are very good... (I did not do detailed adjacent channel, or strong just out of band signals in CW yet, where the IP3 and filters become important).. with the RF sections being as good as they are, the thing that really separates radios (for me) when using SSB mode, is the ability of the noise reduction processing to create a more readable signal, when receiving week SSB signals. A good audio chain, and noise reduction can give at least a 3db "boost" in apparent intelligibility. With that said, the gold reference in audio quality for me, is the ANAN series, Power SDR MRX PS and the NR2 setting.... this is the best noise reduction processing I have heard. For the 3 radios that I have experience with, it usually comes down to the audio processing! (for my use cases... mostly SSB)..

It seems that the NR on the 7300, is better than the 7100, this is subjective.. and may be due to the amplifier and speaker, but thats my experience so far. I have not directly compared the 7300 to the ANAN - Power SDR system yet.

The management of the incoming RF:  Attenuator, PRE1 and PRE2 did what I expected them to do, and in one instance with very strong nearby channel, was able to turn on the attenuator (I was getting an overload indication) and clearly pick out the weaker signal without the clipping, after adjusting the filter to block the out of band signal. The cutoff on the filters was steep, and left the low passed signal highly audible.

What I am sure of, is that the 7300 is and Excellent radio, and a joy to use.. AND built in power amp, tuner, user interface etc... very portable, great packaging etc..

So far I am extremely pleased with the radio!!!  I would buy it again!!
« Last Edit: April 01, 2016, 08:52:27 AM by AC9LM »
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N2DTS

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #72 on: April 02, 2016, 02:37:09 PM »

I heard someone on one using the hand mic and it sounded great!
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N4UE

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #73 on: April 03, 2016, 06:35:26 AM »

There are already several reviews here on eHam. There is one chap that rates it 3/5, but he still says its a 'gud' radio. There appears to be a language barrier.
Then again, there is always someone that has to post a low number just to stir the pot. I've seen this many times.
His comments are directly opposed to the other reviews.
I collect older equipment, and the 756PRO I bought new in Tokyo when they were announced, now falls into this category. WOW.

I never thought I'd buy a new radio, but I'm gonna order a 7300 next week. Icom acknowledges this is an 'entry level radio'. I can't wait to see a 7600/7700/7800 version of this new technology.


Hmmmm, I see the 3/5 review was removed. I wonder if the OP was a Yaesu/Kenwood employee? ha ha
I wonder how many 7300s were purchased by Yae/Ken???
When I worked for IBM (printer division) whenever a competitor came out with a new model, we bought several...

ron
N4UE
« Last Edit: April 03, 2016, 11:08:00 AM by N4UE »
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If you're not the lead sled dog, the view never changes......

IW5CI

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RE: ICOM IC-7300
« Reply #74 on: April 06, 2016, 03:37:59 AM »

I own several HF radios (FT-1000 MARKV full filter), ts-870, TS-940, and tons of vintage equipment (all of hybrid made by yaesu and kenwood), my last ICOM was IC-751A and IC-735 which was one of my favourite RTX.
The 7300 has the same size of the 735 and even if it hasn't the slidind door, i like it so much :) .
I am testing the 7300 and at the moment i have no complaints about it.
There is no other HF rig of the same price range that can compete with it. Who will buy a TS-590 or a FT-DX1200 now? no way.
I was thinking of buying a mint icom 781  but i ended buying the 7300 to try this new kind of transceiver.

SDR technology is really awesome for the possibility it can offer to the operator, but i could not mentally support the idea to use my computer instead of a real radio. Using a PC for making audio communications is like using a flight simulator instead of real flying. I need to touch the radio, to rotate the controls and to ear the voice from a radio speaker instead of the PC speaker.
I don't' want to ear or see a facebook or email pop-up while i am ragchewing on the band.
I even not support the PC fans in the background.
So the 7300 is so interesting. I can do real SDR radio without a PC!
The receiver is very good, and the NR works great , also the NB is really effective. The 7300 is very ergonomic and simple to use, i have no complaints at the moment.
I have hooked the usb cable and it is very simple to operate all digital modes.
I have also tried the 12khz mode output thru usb and it's not a problem to use HDSDR or DRM software.
It's very nice to record the audio on the SD card it's a really nice feature for SWL.
The display is very sharp and bright (i still use it with the plastic protection) and the real time spectrum scope is really realtime not the slowmotion panadapter of the more expensive 7600 . here we have a realtime waterfall display , the same of the more expensive sdr radio of the market.
The Icom remote software let you control the 7300 by the internet and have a real remote station without any limitations.

I was planning to install a HF radio station on my RV so i can use radio when i am on holidays , now i have just to bring my laptop and 3G router to use my home station from RV.

I love boatanchors and my favorite radio are heavier that 5 or 6 7300 , i am really pleased with the performance of this rig.
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