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Reviews For: Icom IC-7850/IC-7851

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Icom IC-7850/IC-7851
Reviews: 30MSRP: 17000
Description:
This is the 3rd generation flagship transceiver of Icom :
IC7850/IC7851 (IC7850 is a 50 years Icom anniversarymodel
of 150 units).

It perfects HF operation with new features such as a
1.2kHz optimized roofing filter to improve in-band
adjacent signal performance. The new radio's up-
conversion design supports a dynamic range that
outperforms competitors' similar models in the 2 to 10
kHz separation tests. Unlike HF rigs that use a
conventional voltage controlled oscillator for the 1st
LO, the IC-7850/IC-7851 employs a direct digital
oscillator (DDS) with a voltage controlled SAW oscillator
(VCSO). This new 1st LO design sets a new benchmark for
phase noise with -150dBc/Hz at 10kHz offset (and
-140dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset). Icom's IC-7850/7851 also
features the spectrum waterfall function found in the
manufacturer's IC-7700 and IC-7800 upgrade models. The
high-resolution waterfall screen shows the changing
amplitude of frequencies over time. An enhanced spectrum
scope promotes fast and accurate scan and can be operated
with PC mouse via USB port.
Product is in production
More Info: http:// http://www.icom.co.jp/world/products/amateur/hf/ic-7851/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
34.7304.9
PD3EEF Rating: 2019-03-17
does all what its said about it Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I give it the benefit of the doubt
it is really a wonderful set I do think the best in the world
why I have had 50 sets from one supplier and started with sdr but iam back with hybrid radios..
why? due to the fact this is the lowest noise floor I have ever seen in my life -the 7800 had -19 dbu and the 7851 -130 dbu...digi select and other s like notch and so on works definitely
the listening factor is amazing but icom makes the prices stiff on their radios in a higher segment .
I do have had all kenwood sets , all yeasu , including the ,,so good,, ft5000 , and all icoms available including the 7300 and the 7610 , now I don't have to change and I do hear stations I have never heard in my life ……
and with a beam its tremendous. also the roofing filters like the variable 1,2 khz is easy and wonderful to listen to.
thank you marcus the delivery guy in Holland , which supplied me with all available sets in existence to try out .
I do advise people who can effort such a radio to buy it.
AD4C2006 Rating: 2018-12-24
SUPER RADIO Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
WELL I guess I have reached the heaven of radios.
After been on hamradio for more than 50 years and been operating more than a hundred radios including high end ones as :
K3
FTDX5000MP
IC-7700
IC-7610
I can tell for sure this the best of all.
Super receiver, the lowest noise floor I have heard, the highest selectivity for SSB I have heard because of that 1.2 Khz RF at first IF that combined with the 1.8 Khz DSP filter makes it sharp selectivity and on CW is a dream, I can be at just 100Hz of a strong station and with the 1.2Khz RF plus the DSP set to 250Hz plus the APF, I won't hear it at all, likewise on SSB I can be at just 1 Khz away from any strong station and with the use of 1.2 RF plus IF DSP filter on same BW I won't hear it neither.
The audio quality either on RX or TX is awsome.
NR is the best I have heard and it won't put distorsion or robotic sound on the received station.
Its expensive, yes it is but its performance and quality is much better than any other non SDR radio on the market.
Thanks again to Icom for having made a wonderful masterpiece radio.

G7EMK Rating: 2018-08-03
What A Dream Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just following on from my comments below. I need to make a correction. You can alter the scope colouring within the menu. One outstanding radio.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by G7EMK on 2018-08-02

Well I have worked the Icom IC 7800 for 14 years since its introduction, so I feel well placed to comment on this radio.The ergonomics remain much the same so the transition was flawless. Don't get me wrong, the receive on the IC 7800 is extremely good, but I must say that the receive on the IC 7851 is outstanding. I can hear stations that I would find difficult to detect with the IC 7800. The scope and the updated screen are a great additions, making viewing pleasureable to the eyes. The split scope is also advantageous. There are however some menu options on the IC 7800 that are not present on the IC 7851, such as option to change the screen layout. You have limited options here, and also the scope colour options on the IC 7800 are not present on the IC 7851. Maybe a future firmare update! However if you have never had the IC 7800 you will be non the wiser. Just cosmetic I surpose. The IC 7851 shows the dedication to the hobby by iCOM, which really keeps then at the forefront of ham radio. Congratulations again iCOM for what is by far the ultimate radio on the market today. Pricy but you get what you pay for, and you only live once.
IZ0GPP Rating: 2018-04-09
Top ranking Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After one year and little more i can confirm my first impression: this radio is outstanding. It's receiver goes flawless in any condition with nothing to report either on low or high bands, the transmitter is powerful and solid within sharp figure without any RF spurious. If i have to find something not excellent (pay attention it's not "good" but "excellent") is the built in speaker: not big issues here but for sure on a piece of equipment of this rank it could be better.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by IZ0GPP on 2017-02-01

I decided to purchase this flagship after long evaluating. It's no more than a couple of weeks but i'm really astonished by this radio since it's the only jap which can compete with the TenTec Orion 2 in terms of the reciever (CW only). The general construction is superb and the user interface is really friendly even in tough situation as rare dx in split. The transmitter is absolutely precise and reliable. The most critical test is still to come: weak signal very close to strong ones. I'll be able to say more in the next future.
PB5X Rating: 2017-09-16
AWESOME Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After writing some reviews regarding the IC-7700 / FTdx 5000mp / Ts-990 (Ofcourse I have owned all those radio's) I honestly must say that this ICOM 7851 is even sensitiver and more quit on receive than the other 3 Radio's. This piece of machine is so quit that sometimes (specially on a dead band) I need to check if the Antenna is hooked up, it is just marvelous for your ears as I am always using a headset to listen.

There is allready a lot been said about this radio but I can say it has also some downsides as all radio's have. E.g. I still do not understand why ICOM decided to use the MONITOR gain in combination with the AF gain. Personally I find that it should be separate like the TS-990. Also the radio it self is more sensitive for RF shield, meaning that sometimes with highpower I had some RF quircks ... after putting some Ferrite clamps on USB-,POWER - and other cables it was solved. Again in comparison with my TS-990 I had no RF shield issues what so ever.

But no worries the 7851 has a lot more Pro's than Con's. For instance, the NB what a dream this is. Last couple of weeks I had S9+ Interference of the new PLASMA TV of the neighbours eldest son. With putting the NB perimeters in such a way I totally blanked this S9+ signal to 0 (I have a nice video of it for anybody who is interested). With the TS-990 this would be impossible. The NR in comparison to the other Radio's I had doesn't come even close as this NR of the 7851 really works.

The spectrumscope is also a dream to operate especially as you can set it in to your pesonal taste (color / wideness / avg / ... )
Even compared to my 7300 I find this spectrumscope super to work with.

Another dream to use in these crowded bands nowadays is the 1.2 Khz Roofing filter what ICOM has designed. Even on SSB it works as I am able to hear a 5/5 station with a 5/9+20 station splattering 2 KHZ away.

Also I hear people talking about the price of this machine and I can say yes it is expensive, but do not forget that you get 2 identical radio's with all bell & whistels in 1 box. The TS990 2nd RX is a ts-590...

So to make a long story short ICOM developed a beautifull piece of machinery. Thank you ICOM..!

So I am curious also on the new ICOM 7610 & 9700 what will be coming very soon.

Thanks for reading my review and if you need additional info please find me on QRZ or www.pb5x.com

73 Roberto "Bob"- PB5X
KC0MFK Rating: 2017-07-02
Very good but pricey Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Took a few days to listen to a 7851 at a friends shack and compare it to several other radios. A very attractive radio with bells and whistles. Compared the radio with an Elecraft K3S and Kenwood TS-590SG listening to weak DX in crowded conditions. All three radios performed very well. I felt like I was comparing an expensive Rolex watch to several Timex models. The comparison surprised me as all three radios did well. The 7851 was equal with the K3S to my ears with the TS-590SG coming in last. The Kenwood NR was lacking. The K3S is a fraction of the cost of the IC-7851. The Sherwood list rates the K3S receiver better than the 7851. There are equal and better performing radios for far less money. But, if you want to own a 7851 they are expensive. It will be interesting to see how the mid-priced IC-7610 performs in the competition.
K0MD Rating: 2017-07-01
Exceptional Receiver Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I owned a 7800 for eight years prior to buying the 7851.
Initial analysis:
1. Compared to the 7800, the 7851 is a quantum leap forward.
2. The receiver is noticeably quieter - under crowded and non-crowded band conditions.
3. The selectivity is much stronger - strong adjacent signals can be within a kHz yet the filtering blocks them fully.
4. The band monitor/scope is substantially better and descriptive.
5. The ergonomics are similar to the 7800
6. Weak signals are better received and managed.
7. There are a few minor upgrades which are welcome such as CW speed display when you turn the speed control and a power output display in addition to the RF meter.

The transition from the 7800 to the 7851 is very simple. Surprisingly or not, it is a substantial upgrade. It is a much better contesting rig and weak signal DX rig.
VK4JK Rating: 2016-11-24
Rolls Royce of modern Tranceivers Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have only recently purchased the IC-7851 within the past month. I also own the IC-7300, which is still a very good radio for what it is, but I have had that radio for a while now so it was time for an upgrade. So far with what features I have used, it cannot be faulted. It will never have a better receive audio or transmit audio over my old faithful Kenwood TS-830S, but for what these modern Transceivers are, they are Brilliant!
M0VMX Rating: 2016-09-05
100% Perfect Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Icom IC-7851 all I can say is wow !
The radio is just perfect in every way, all the buttons and knobs are in the right place the screen is nice and sharp the receiver is just outstanding and works very well indeed with my Ultra beam UB20MX.
N0JR Rating: 2016-07-08
7851 is THE BEST Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The IC-7851 is the best "big" HF transceiver I have owned or used in 58 years of hamming, and I've owned or used most of them. It is the center of my shack and the last big transceiver I expect I will ever buy. I cannot praise it enough; it's receivers are stupendous.