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Reviews For: ICOM IC-7000

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-7000
Reviews: 349MSRP: TBA
Description:
HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver.
2 × DSP
Digital voice recorder (DVR)
Improved AGC loop performance
2 × MNF (Manual Notch Filter)
2-mode band scope
2.5-inch color TFT display with TV screen receive capability
Remote control Microphone
Digital IF filters

Available mid 2006
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com/products/amateur/7000/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
003494.2
AK4IH Rating: 2011-09-07
Broke Quickly Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ok, I ordered my IC-7000 from an 'outlet' store that shall remain nameless on August 1st; it died September 1st. I had set the power to 25% and used it on the same 'system' that I had used my Kenwood 2m/70cm dual band radio. It worked on 10m for 1 QSO where I was told the audio quality was in a barrel (low) (SWR 2.0, 30 second QSO). (10m antenna attached to HF output, dual band whip on UHF/VHF output)

The outlet store would not back the product more than 10 days and the radio is now in the shop. It died on 2M. Checked the Kenwood out on the same antenna the SWR was between 1.3 and 1.2.

Did not even take all the components (add on accessories / mobile mounts) out of their boxes before it failed. very disappointed.

While operating on 2 m the radio worked well. The menus took a while to learn but not excessive and the manual was readable with a nice diagram of needed buttons blackened on a wireframe diagram of the radio. Other than the quick death the radio was fine but 1200.00 is a lot to pay for anything I can't use.

73's AK4IH
KD4TOQ Rating: 2011-08-20
Very good mobile Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the IC7000 more than 5 years. I used an Icom706MkII for about 8 years before that. The IC706 was a good mobile and I hesitated buying the IC7000 because I didn't think it would be that much better. I was wrong. The IC7000 is a much better mobile radio than the 706. I have experienced operating with reduced noise since installation of the 7000. I have it installed in a 2001 Kia Sportage/The antenna is a Tarheel 75A. Generally if I can hear a station I can work them. If you are the type of Ham that disdains reading manuals yoou will have a difficult time mastering this radio. It has many features that the operator will find are not intuitive so you must read the manual. I recommend this radio. I own all of the major brands of transceiver so I am not brand loyal.
N2PLI Rating: 2011-08-19
I regret buying this radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Hi.. I bought this radio in 2010,This is the 2nd time Iam sending back for a bad uhf Final or pa or transistor what ever its called.It gets a lot of noise the reciever has bad ears. The filter the dsp section doesnt do antthing for the reciever plus the mic has a lot of problems .I dont know maybe its me I got a lemon,if you where thinking of buying this radio I would consider something else.. 73ss
W5JET Rating: 2011-08-16
Great Little Radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I wanted a back up radio for my IC7600 so I first bought a Kenwood 480 SAT. It had some problems on transmit so I sent it back and I took an IC7000 instead. I mention all this to say that the Icom receiver seem better in every way than the Kenwood receiver did in the short time that I had it.

Since I learned here that there was probably a problem with the Icom mic being sub standard, I sent it off and had it modified before using.. I get great audio reports and I love the receiver..

Btw, using this radio with a big speaker really makes the radio seem big. While it's not directly compatible to my IC7600, under normal conditions, it's close.. :-)
WA2WNJ Rating: 2011-08-06
GRATE Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Use it in the car.@ at home love it..
ZL1GKB Rating: 2011-07-29
Feature packed mobile rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the IC-7000 for a little over a year. I've gotta say. it's amazing how many features the designers have packed into such a tiny chassis.

Firstly the user interface: I've found the menu, function key and control logic to be very intuitive. I spent a few evenings with the downloaded manual after I ordered the radio and got to grips with the basic features. Once I got to use the rig, I was ready to explore and get familiar the various tools available to dig out signals from the mud.

Many of the common menu functions like storing VHF/UHF channels, adjusting RF power, split rx/tx operation, Voice recording/storage/CQ playback, decoding RTTY, dialing the passband tuning for maximum readability, RIT/clarification, adjusting mic gain for optimum ALC, DNR levels, dual notch filters, audio compression levels, etc are so intuitive that I didn't have to refer the manual after the initial introduction.

I have found that the small colour screen is a great place to "hang out" while listening to the bands.

I can't understand the reports of this rig being deaf on HF without the pre-amp engaged. I've found that the pre-amp is rarely required to improve readability, even on the higher HF bands. Here's some advice on those who think it's deaf on HF - connect the HF antenna to "ANT1" not "ANT2". Having said that, the receiver could do with a boost on weak signal VHF/UHF. A quick adjustment in the service menu sorts that problem out - no problems at all! Another notable issue is that the front end is a little susceptible to Intermod from the nearby MW broadcast towers on the 160 band and to a much lesser extent the 80M band.

My rig has the Chinese mic (still stock) and its audio (SSB TX set to 200/2900) gets good reports. In fact I had a recent QSO with a guy who prided himself on his ability to recognise the IC-7000's supposed inferior SSB TX audio on air who was completely oblivious to the fact I was talking to him on one. On VHF/UHF FM, its TX audio is OK but not in the same league as my Yaesu FT-7900.

I use the buttons on the mic a lot - the Mode, XFC and the manual frequency entry features are handy and I just love the band selection and stack registers. I've got F1 assigned to toggle the simple bandscope.

Regarding reliability: I've had no problems with this rig with the exception of the VFO optical encoder: about 8 months ago, it started "sticking" on a frequency pair at one stage, where the VFO became unusable but taking the removable head unit off the rig and slapping it around fixed the problem. It hasn't missed a beat since.

I always considered myself a "Yeasu guy" but this unit has really impressed me. It's definitely a keeper and when I upgrade the home station (considering an IC-7600), it's going offroad mobile in my ancient Land Rover.
N0AH Rating: 2011-07-27
Learning curve is almost prohibitive from using Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been around the block on several radios over the years, but trying to figure this rig out is only complicated more by the thickest manual I have ever seen come with a radio. The best I could do was to get it to work split CW and get lucky with discovering the filter settings after a couple of days salvaging a week long DX'pedition. Performance, well, it was as good of a receiver as I've used in it's class- I have used the 756, Pro, and Pro III, since the 756 came out in the late 1990's.......but the connection from my experience operating these rigs never helped much in figuring out the depth of menus and their lack of relationships on many levels. Yes, split was easy, RIT was not....A $10 DVD to show operator set up is truely worth the money- I can see why certain small business are making money off simplifying radios of today's era, but the 7000's learning curve is an extreme headache- but it sure has one awesome receive-
VE7HJ Rating: 2011-07-16
Great All Round Radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had wanted the IC-7000 for almost 5-years. I tried lots of other radios 857D and 706 MKII G. But this one is a keeper. My operating has many elements from my QTH to QRP, Mobile and Camping.
I have a headset that I used with a few radios and decided to have Bob Nagy install his 7000 microphone element. WOW! The microphone drives the radio and adds 23-35 percent more punch. My audio reports on the HF bands are "you sound like FM quality" I use ham sticks and LNR End Fedz antenna's with great success. I check the radio for heat but the internal meter is running in the safe zone. I bought the SP-21 and did the hole mod which makes for a nice sounding speaker.
The filters and DSP really does the job. You need to try different combinations until you get the noise reduction and sound you are looking for. I run my rig off of a 45 amp sealed battery at home to get away from AC noise that travels through the house wiring and into a typical power supply. I have a smart charger connected to the battery which does not add any noise.
I highly recommend Bob Nagy’s modification to your microphone. The stock one is not even in the ball park with drive and audio quality.
My view, buy a rig that meets your needs. Make sure you have a good antenna, microphone and headset. Then go play and have fun.

73 - VE7HJ
VU2YK Rating: 2011-07-06
Awsome on CW Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I realized full potential of this rig only after I used some others. My recent acquisition is a Kenwood TS-480HX, an amazing radio in it's own right. But if you are like me and a dedicated CW fan, you will value this rig for it's enormous capabilities in CW receive, like IF DSP enabling multiple narrow filter options and dual passband filters plus twin notch filters. Both work amazingly well. The 480HX is my favorite on SSB. Excellent audio reports and 200 watts sure helps. But it's on CW that the 7000 shines. It does get hot, but after having used the 706Mk2G for a few years, I was comfortable with this issue as also with the menus.

On SSB I use stock microphone and sounds good. When I use my Heil Traveler headset, I get some funny comments on audio. I think it's possibly a matter of adjustments. I mostly use the wide TBW setting (200-2900). The HF receiver is superb, preamp or no preamp. Since I use the 706 in the car, this one stays in shack for CW duty.

A Very good radio, 73
VU2YK
WZ3O Rating: 2011-07-05
Very good rig!!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
OK, 2nd one in 8 months, love it, this one's getting a 5 since gave the last one a 4, kinda balances out, NO!?...

I use 7" external monitor & HRD, that combo does a fine job. Feature rich & does take a bit to "fine tune", but play & "fiddle" away & have fun...after all isn't that what being a Ham's all about...

Cheers