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Reviews For: ICOM IC-7700

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

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Review Summary For : ICOM IC-7700
Reviews: 135MSRP: 6999.95
Description:
Description: The ICOM 7700 200W HF/6M has been introduced at the 2007 Dayton Hamvention. ICOM has followed all the success of the beautiful IC-7800 with the smaller, single receiver IC-7700. It utilizes two separate 32-bit floating point TI DSP chips, has a 7-inch wide TFT display, built in RTTY/PSK31 receive and transmit using a USB Keyboard interface, external video connection, high res spectrum scope, plus high voltage MOSFET 200 Watt PA.
Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001354.4
DL6EAT Rating: 2008-07-04
Next to perfect "Icom's 7700" Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my 7700 about 2 weeks ago. I tried to compare at least most of the basic modes (RTTY, PSK not included) with my existing TS870 equipped with Inrad-Filters in 1st and 2nd IF. The 870 came out about 10 years ago and has IF-DSP as well. I am using it about 9 years now...

I expected to run into a hard side-by-side comparison, but was totally surprised about this easy win of the 7700. The receiver is simply outstanding quite; the nervous behavior of the "old-generation" IF-DSP-radio was gone in a way never seen before.
Weak signals are simply much easier to read than before. Thanks to the high sensitivity combined with high IP3, BDR and noise-reduction (see below).

Have you ever tested a Noise Reduction? (Called NR) Here at the 7700 it's redefined! Noise goes down to 20% and every single station can be monitored with no additional distortion - amazing!
Somebody out there who has to use a Noise Blanker every day because of spikes or nearby traffic?
This one cancels noise with ease - no distortion and it can be programmed to your belongings - Cool!
The Spectrum Scope is NOT live - but very close - the great resolution of the big internal 7"-display is somehow made for people like me "Why not watching the things a bit more detailed?"
You can of course also connect an external display as well. Transmitted Audio was considered to be the best - it's only hard to make it superb for everybody as you have to decide on the filter-bandwidth, the audio-equalizer or the compressor-setting...this alone takes a while. One word about the build-in compressor: I never used one - I don't like compression much. The compressor of the 7700 can be considered as a professional tool like used by broadcasting-stations. You see the average output increasing but can't hear much of a difference. How cool is that?
A friend did not believe that the compressor was already "on" - therefore I moved up to full level. Of course you will hear the result, but the audio is still clear and crisp. Another new experience after being licensed for 30 years now. The use of some low compression-values does only what it stands for - somehow a bit more average RF and a bit stronger signal especially under QRM-circumstances but still superb Audio-quality. Very nice made Icom!

Anyhow, try the optical in/output - with 48 KHz the 7700 is ready to become a broadcast-station in seconds. Also here all options to fine-tune the audio are still active.
Well, is it the perfect radio? May be - it is clearly a 5!
Here I found at least some down-sides:
There is no menu (or button) to switch the PA on and off - in my case all the PA's are in the basement of my house (no heat or noise in my shack). If you connect an external USB-keyboard, the number-block does not allow keying the frequency in directly from there (not in FW-version 1.03). Connect a transverter and you will realize the internal PA is not off even when there is of course no RF on the main-antenna-connectors, but PA-idle is still there! Also there is no build-in CW-encoder or decoder in the box - you may smile about this point, but in a radio which allows RTTY and PSK right out of the radio without the use of any computer you may simply expect this.

7800-users please forgive me:
This radio offers more than just design - the build-in features and outstanding receiver-performance combined with a full-duty-cycle 200W-PA has never been offered before at this price-level!
If you can afford it simply buy it!

See you on HF - Good DX!

Andreas, DL6EAT
F6ACY Rating: 2008-07-03
Great transceiver - outstanding quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Since the delivery of this Icom 7700, I have been surprised by the packing quality : impressive.

After a carefully reading of the user manual, I switched to the testing step :
First I found that getting the hand of this transceiver is quick and simple, as the parametrisation.
As soon as I heard it, I was surpsised by the very good reception quality of the 7700 (confirmed later by performing a comparison between some professional receivers, on strong and very weak signals)

To deal with the transmission part, I can tell that everyhting can be very easily tuned. I have received, since the begining, a lot of very good modulation report.

However, some little details could be corrected. The vertical vision angle of the transceiver's LCD is a little bit low. We have to be really in front of it to perceive the full contrast and luminosity.

Another point is about the automatic tuner, which is quite slow, especially on the 40m band. But after 10 days everything seems to be in right order.

To conclude, I can tell that the 7700 is one of the best transceiver I was able to test here in the shack. The double reception is not really a feature that lack for me. I have here some others receiver that can be easily plugged to receive another band.

Stay tuned in 12 months for further impressions.
VE2DC Rating: 2008-06-26
If it only had Dual-Watch it would be perfect... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I finally replaced my 15 year old IC781...
The good...
Great selectivity, sounds good on transmit and receive, great ergonomics, noise blanker actually works, noise reduction very effective, very selective, great notch, spectrum scope, 200W, first general coverage rx that worked at my station without auxilliary filtering to eliminate BCB overload.
The bad...
No Dual-Watch, expensive, subjective drop in volume when noise reduction is engaged, maximum attenuator level is 18db which is not quite enough to prevent BCB overload and distortion at my location (meter still pegged beyond +60).
Overall a very impressive receiver, best I've ever used. See you in the contests!
W9AC Rating: 2008-06-20
Absolutely Enjoyable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Despite the fact that my '7700 failed after two weeks, I still regard the transceiver as a top-shelf product and it's actually more enjoyable to operate than my '7800.

HRO-Atlanta promptly processed my request for a replacement unit. Support from both Icom and HRO has been excellent.

A solid 5.
K4SX Rating: 2008-06-13
Excellent Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
With the introduction of the new ICOM IC-7700 HF transceiver to the US market, there has been quite allot of conversation and speculation as to how the IC-7700 compares with the IC-7800 and operationally with the IC-PW1. Since receiving my IC-7700 a couple of weeks ago, I have had the pleasure of using and comparing both radios. It is my end-user and operational point of view that there is essentially NO detectable difference between the 7700 and 7800 receivers in during normal Amateur usage, using an OCF dipole, on the HF bands.

I performed my first on-the-air receiver comparisons of the 7700 and 7800 on the 6 and 10 meter bands using the identical receiver settings. I found both radios are equally sensitive, have excellent selectivity, and have extremely nice receive audio quality. (The 6M and 10M bands were open within the US during this comparison).

As for ease of operation, it is typical ICOM technology providing a radio geared for ease of use with little or no complexity. I especially enjoyed making my first PSK operation with no problems with W4JSM. RTTY operation is of course just as easy. All you have to do is connect a keyboard to the front of the radio and you are off and running.

Both transceivers are essentially the same physical size. The front of the radios differ somewhat but essentially are laid out the same. The screen on the 7700 as with the 7800 is very nice, bright, and pleasing to the eye.

The cabinet finishes are slightly different between the 7700 and the 7800. The 7700 has a brighter, slightly darker tone, and in my opinion is a nicer finish than the 7800.

Options and features differ slightly between the 7700 and the 7800. With the 7700, you will see there are a few less options and S/W controls than with the 7800. And of course you will notice you do not have the second receiver with the ability to "dual-watch" as with the 7800. Noise Reduction and noise blankers work equally well on both radios. I will say since I do not have much man-made noise I was not able to legitimately test the noise blankers.

Now the critical question of the difference in price. As we all know, the 7800 is priced at approximately $10,600 compared with the IC-7700 priced at approximately $6300. Is it worth paying the extra thousands for the 7800? Tough question! I know there is technology not available in the 7700 you would get in the 7800 but is it worth it??? Having purchased both I can honestly say the 7800 is an extraordinary radio. The very best I have ever had the privilege of owning and I have owned all of the top-end radios over the years except the new Yaseau 9000 series radios and TenTec.

Comparing the two radios is somewhat like comparing the E-Series Mercedes with the S-Series Mercedes. Both are exceptional cars and comparable in many ways. But the S-Series Mercedes is in reality better of the two. It remains still a question of money. Owning both the 7800 and the 7700, I can honestly say I do not regret either purchase and would not sell either one or trade either one for another manufacturer product. Would I go back and do it again, YES!

The last item I will offer is the use of the 7700 with the IC-PW1 solid-state amplifier. Not a problem! Works perfectly. I have both the 7700 and 7800 connected to the PW1. I would also add one comment and that is the IC-PW1 amplifier is an exceptional amplifier capable of more than the advertised 1000w PEP output. It does it with ease. And the built-in antenna tuner works great. I strongly recommend the IC-PW1 with the ICOM radios.

Well that's it. I have gave you my opinion for what it's worth. I hope this helps in some small way.
WD0M Rating: 2008-06-08
Nonpareil Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having had the time to spend some hours in front of the 7700, I'm deeply impressed with the quality of construction, the aesthetics and performance of the transceiver. Icom has produced an excellent, nonpareil engineering masterpiece.

Packaging is excellent - the boxes weigh half as much as the 7700! It may help to have two people move and unpack it. I left the rack mount handles on the rig, as it makes it easier to position it on the desk.

Compared to my 756 Pro that served me well for nearly 8 years, the 7700's performance is light years ahead. The noise reduction feature works very well, dramatically reducing "ear fatigue", while making signals pop out of the background. The 756 Pro's similar feature left you with the "head in a barrel" noise that was disconcerting. That doesn't happen with the 7700.

The Audio Peak Filter is an especially welcome function that also helps bring weak signals to the forefront in the CW mode. Most impressive!

I may become more active on the low bands - dreaded QRN is significantly reduced, and at times, 40M can "almost" sound like FM with the noise reduction and noise blanker functions engaged.

Ergonomics are excellent. The knobs and buttons fall easily to hand, and are placed with aforethought so the most commonly used functions are easily engaged with minimal movement. Users of the 756 Pro series will adjust quickly to the 7700.

Much has been said about the display screen - and it's all true. It's exceptionally crisp, easily modified to your taste, and the band scope is superb. Having become addicted to using the one on the 756 Pro, I'll never have a rig without one.

Thanks Icom!

73,
Joe WDØM

YL3DQ Rating: 2008-06-07
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The masterpiece by ICOM.Performance, design, ergonomics - every aspect advised.
73! de YL3DQ/YL5T,
happy owner :-)
K0RI Rating: 2008-05-26
Met expectations Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Had the 7700 since late March. Also have a 756proIII. CQ WPX CW was first contest. Rig meet all my expectations. APF/TPF 600/300/150Hz CW filters worked good, especially on 20m QRM. Band scope quick way to ID 10m activity. NR effective for summer QRN reduction. Interface to N1MM s/w was a breeze. Liked larger LCD display to reduce operator fatigue. I would purchase again and probably last HF XCVR I will buy.
HB9TNW Rating: 2008-05-19
Best mid-highrange rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Icom IC-7700 impressions

I had this new radio almost a few week now and I am very satisfate. I compare the IC-7700 with my other rigs (FT1000D and FT1000 MarkV Field).

The IC-7700 have a lot of functions. All functions are very simple to use. ICOM unterstands to create an very effective and ergonomic operator interface. Easy to learn and easy to use.

All the filters-funktions works great. The noise blanker works also very effektive and have a lot of possibilty of adjustment.

The receiver works fantastic. If you dont use preamps, so you may think to have no antenna connected.

For my opinion the IC-7700 is actually the best mid-highrange rig.

Best Job, ICOM !

73 de Celso, HB9TNW
ZL1TAP Rating: 2008-04-30
great radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had the radio for just over a week and its great easy too get round with out the manual.The manual is well put together and easy to read.Am using the 7700 with a heil pr781 it sounds great and am getting good reports.So am very happy with this buy you pay alot of money for the 7700 but it has been right thing too do for me