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Author Topic: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100  (Read 559 times)

KO4OWB

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Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« on: May 18, 2021, 02:14:50 PM »

I'm considering an IC-7100, mainly for uhf/vhf paired with a Diamond X300, while I decide on a HF yagi. The ICOM is available with rebates bringing it down to $800. Any other comparable brands/models with equivalent features to consider?

Sorry, but my laptop took a dump and my tablet has issues searching forums.
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Rick
KO4OWB

W4NBO

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2021, 03:07:05 PM »

You will get pro's and con's about any rig. For a do nearly all rig, its seems fine. I bought one a few months ago. Have not had a chance to use it alot but its my token modern rig along with a KX2 as all my many other rigs are vintage. I like the built in filtering, NB, smooth vfo, touch screen display, and general coverage receiver among other features. There is a IC-7100 FB page and some reviews on the web as well as here on eham. Youtube vid's etc. Its the only rig I have that is 100w on 6 meters which was probably the main selling point for me as I still have a 4 el 6m beam up. I sold a FT847 several years ago which seemed lacking on HF selectivity especially. So far the 7100 seems considerably better. Just my 2 cents.
73
Chuck
W4NBO
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KO4OWB

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2021, 07:00:57 PM »

Thank you, Chuck.  Good info.  I joined a local club and 2 members are quite happy with their IC-7100's.  I'm also interested and have been anxious to assist my local ARES team, what with hurricane season beginning shortly here in Florida.
👍
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Rick
KO4OWB

KQ4KK

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2021, 09:05:38 PM »

The 7100 is a great 100 watt HF radio, and 50w on 2m and 440. It can be programmed and CAT controlled all by a standard USB cable. Has a SD card slot.
The design is over 8 years old, so it is not SDR, no waterfall, nor built-in GPS.
It can do DSTAR on all bands, 160m thru 440.
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G8FXC

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2021, 04:40:13 AM »

I have one which I keep on or boat for maritime mobile operation. It is a decent radio in that context - all bands from 160m to 70cm and all modes in a convenient package. Space in a boat is at a premium and it is good to be able to hide the main body of the radio away in a locker and just have the small control head out on the chart table.

It is an elderly design now and does not have all the features or performance of the current generation of entry level radios. Also worth bearing in mind that the transmitter is less aggressive than many modern radios. It is unclear whether or not it was intentional on ICOM's part, but the ALC and compression circuits have response characteristics which make it difficult to drive the output up to the levels that we are used to getting out of a nominally 100W rig these days. There are a variety of modifications published that tweak time constants to improve this, but they all seem to have undesirable side effects.

Don't get me wrong - I'm fond of mine and will be using it tomorrow somewhere along the south coast of England. It is a good fit for mobile or maritime mobile operation, but I probably would not choose one for a fixed rig given the current state of the art.

Martin (G8FXC)
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K1SPD

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2021, 06:20:03 AM »

I have owned my IC-7100 for 5 years and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.
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WB8LBZ

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2021, 07:57:35 AM »

It is a butt ugly radio - period. That being said, it has lots of capabilities that come standard. I have done a demo using FLDigi on a Raspberry Pi on a large screen TV for Jamboree on the air at the local radio club(built in sound card/serial port). I have used one mobile on HF/VHF/UHF in my daily driver. You won't see them popping up for sale like they did when the 7610 first came out but the were available for a while. I like the SD card back up feature as I can basically clone my radio. I once has 5 of these but sold 3 of them to hams locally (no gain in price). I'm keeping 2 for now. One is a back up that I have hooked to my Windows 10 logging computer and the other is in a box on the shelf as a back up to the back up.

73, Larry  WB8LBZ
El Paso, TX
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AC0HE

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2021, 08:11:20 AM »

The Icom IC-7300 can often be had for $999. Compared to the IC-7100 at $800, that is a significant upgrade worthy of finding $200.
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KO4OWB

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2021, 08:59:09 AM »

The Icom IC-7300 can often be had for $999. Compared to the IC-7100 at $800, that is a significant upgrade worthy of finding $200.

Agreed.  I was trying to keep the transceiver a bit under $1000 and add in $150 for a Diamond x300. Fortunately, my wife couldn't care less if I spent more so the 7100 is definitely gaining points.
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Rick
KO4OWB

KK6RPX

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2021, 11:29:40 AM »

I use one for portable operations and it does great for that. The separate console is great for me, I can use it in the bunk or on the table outside. I think it is a little light on the output, my measurements show more like 80 watts on a Bird meter. I find it is a little sensitive to input voltage so I have a dc to dc supply that keeps it at 13.8V.

For shack operation I would consider the IC-7300.
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K5WLR

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2021, 06:42:07 PM »

Just to bring this back into focus, the OP was looking at an IC7100 with a Diamond X300 antenna. The X300 antenna is a dual band (2 meter/70cm) antenna. The IC7300 does not cover those bands. The IC7100 does. Just wanted to get back on track here.

BTW, I've had an IC7100 in my mobile for a few years and it works very well both HF and VHF/UHF. I did replace the microphone and never looked back.

Hope this helps...

73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
« Last Edit: May 19, 2021, 06:52:16 PM by K5WLR »
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KO4OWB

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2021, 06:55:23 PM »

Just to bring this back into focus, the OP was looking at an IC7100 with a Diamond X300 antenna. The X300 antenna is a dual band (2 meter/70cm) antenna. The IC7300 does not cover those bands. The IC7100 does. Just wanted to get back on track here.

Thank you. I came to that conclusion after comparing the specs. I'm pretty much hooked on the 7100.
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Rick
KO4OWB

K5WLR

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Re: Thoughts on ICOM IC-7100
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2021, 07:39:05 PM »

You're very welcome Rick. BTW, I use a Little Tarheel II antenna for HF in the mobile. I really like the IC7100. It replaced a flaky IC706MkIIG and the IC7100 is head and shoulders better than the 706!

Enjoy your new rig and know that you have some room to grow with it when you get your General ticket!

73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
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