The new Icom IC-7300 SDR HF/6m Transceiver

by Adam Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ

********  Hot News! Firmware V1.30 is now downloadable from the Icom Japan Global website. Click link below. ********

The IC-7300 is the first direct-sampling/DUC SDR transceiver from a Japanese amateur radio manufacturer.

Fig.1: IC-7300 front view. Click for larger image. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.2: IC-7300 rear panel. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.3: IC-7300 spectrum scope screen. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.4: IC-7300 autotuner. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.5: Internal speaker, baffled by die-cast chassis. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.6: Top interior: RF, PA Units. Courtesy IØGEJ.

Fig.7: Bottom interior: ATU, Main Unit. Courtesy IØGEJ.

Fig.8: Simplified IC-7300 RX & TX block diagram. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.9: IC-7300 RMDR & phase noise curves. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Fig.10: Audio spectrum analyser/oscilloscope screen. Courtesy IØGEJ.

Fig.11: Firmware upgrade screen*. Courtesy JP7GRU.

Fig.12: Band/frequency entry keypad menu.

Fig.13: Frequency change on touch-screen. Courtesy IØGEJ.

Fig.14: The IC-7300 at Orlando HamCation 2016. Courtesy Icom America Inc.

Fig.15: Audio SA & scope, at Orlando Hamcation. Courtesy IØGEJ & AB4BJ.

Fig.16: Screenshot capture (NPR test).

Fig.17: Screenshot capture: SWR graph, 75Ω load.

Fig.18: Screenshot capture: Spectrum scope resolution BW ≤ 50 Hz.

Fig.19: Spectrum scope with Dave N9EWO's settings. Click for PDF.

We are pleased to announce the new IC-7300, which was unveiled at Tokyo HamFair 2015 (August 22-23, 2015).

Here are some salient features:

• HF/6m, 100W output on all bands

• EU version: HF/6m/4m (50W on 4m)

• SSB/CW receiver sensitivity, preamp on: (2.4 kHz, 10dB S+N/N): HF 0.15μV (-123 dBm), 6m 0.12μV (-125 dBm)

• Separate HF and 6m receiver preamps (Preamp 1 for HF, Preamp 2 for 6m)

• Modes: SSB (J3E), CW (A1A), RTTY (F1B), AM (A3E), FM (F3E)

• Frequency stability: 5 * 10^-7 (-10...+60°C)

• Direct-sampling SDR (software-defined radio) receiver architecture

• ADC: Linear Technology LTC2208-14. ADC driver: Linear Technology LTC6401-20. FPGA: Altera EP4CE55F2317N. DSP: TI TMS320C6745 (375-456 MHz, low power consumption). DAC: Intersil ISL5857IAZ.

• ADC sampling rate: 124.033 megasamples/sec

• Receiver signal path: RF preselector - ADC - FPGA - DSP - DAC - AF stage

• 15 bandpass filters in RF preselector

• New "IP+" feature turns on ADC dither and randomizer to extend ADC dynamic range when strong signals are present

• Selectable 16 dB attenuator for LF/MF RX range (30 kHz - 1.6 MHz)

• ADC overflow (clip) indicator: OVF displayed on screen

  • Turn down RF GAIN when OVF display appears

• Digital up-conversion (DUC) transmitter architecture using FPGA driving DAC

• Transmitter signal path: Baseband amplifier - ADC - DSP - FPGA - DAC - RF BPF - ALC - PA - LPF

• FPGA also performs digital down-conversion, frequency control and decimation (RF sub-band to baseband) digitally

• FPGA executes TX functions: digital up-conversion (baseband to RF band) and frequency control

• Improved phase noise performance due to low-noise ADC clock source (typ. RMDR: 97 dB at 1 kHz offset)

• Fully-digital FFT spectrum scope and digitally-generated screen image; FPGA drives display processor via digital bus

• Real-time, high-resolution spectrum scope includes waterfall

• Scope span range ±5 kHz to ±1 MHz; amplitude range 80 dB; peak hold (continuous or 10 sec. hold time)

• Scope features: selectable reference level (-20 to +20 dB), sweep speed, averaging & VBW (video bandwidth)

• Audio spectrum analyser/oscilloscope screen (as in IC-7851, IC-7800, IC-7700)

• Large colour TFT touch-screen display; screen selection via menu

• Frequency change by touching scope screen

• Screenshot capture to SD card in PNG or BMP format by pressing POWER key (configurable via menu)

• Multi-dial knob opens on-screen menus; menu items selected by touching screen

• Band selection and 10-key numeric "keypad" via touch-screen menus

• Familiar Icom NR, NB, Twin PBT, DSP filtering and notch controls

• RTTY decoder/display function

• Built-in relay-type high-speed autotuner with latching relays

  • Tuner matching range: 16.7 - 150Ω (3:1 VSWR)

  • "Enforced tuning" function for emergency operation with poorly-matched antennas (reduced output)

• Rear-panel socket for AH-4 external autotuner

• Rear-panel SEND and ALC RCA jacks.

• ALC control voltage 0 ~ -4V. ALC input resistance 3 kΩ.

• Acoustically-baffled speaker for excellent receive sound

• Front-panel SD card slot

• Rear-panel USB port for CI-V and audio/baseband/12 kHz DRM IF input/output

• RS-BA1 compatibility (the spectrum scope with the waterfall can be observed on the PC screen)

• Compact size: 240(W)×238(D)×95(H) mm, 4.1 kg.

*Note on Firmware:

The latest IC-7300 firmware release is V1.30 (20 July 2018).

Sidebar: A note on the new IP+ feature From the Japanese-language IC-7300 Instruction Manual. Translated by N. Oba JA7UDE IP plus (IP+) Feature: This feature improves the receiver IMD (Intermodulation Distortion) by making the best use of the direct sampling architecture. It optimizes the level of the ADC (Analogue/Digital Converter) for strong input signals in order to reduce distortion. It also minimizes the reduction in sensitivity for weak signals and improves IP3 (3rd order intercept point). Fig.20: IP+ Softkey. Courtesy Icom Inc. Push FUNCTION. The FUNCTION window opens. Touch IP+. Every touch toggles the IP+ feature ON or OFF. ON for better IP (linearity), OFF for better sensitivity. Fig.21: IP+ Indicator. Courtesy Icom Inc. Push EXIT to close the FUNCTION window. The IC-7300 IP+ (Intercept Point Plus).feature activates on-chip Dither and Randomization in the ADC.  IP+ has two selectable modes; ON (optimum linearity) and OFF (optimum sensitivity). Further reading: ADI Tutorial MT-004

FCC ID: AFJ376500, granted 24 February 2016.

Industry Canada Certification: 202D-376500.

Links:

My IC-7300 User Evaluation & Test Report

Icom Japan IC-7300 Product Description Page:  US/Canada  EU

Icom Japan Firmware V1.30 Page 

IC-7300 Firmware Update Information V1.30

Icom America IC-7300 Page

Icom America Blog: IC-7300

Icom UK IC-7300 Page

IC-7300 Basic Manual Rev. 4

IC-7300 Full Manual Rev. 5

Tips for USB Port Settings

IC-7300 Block Diagram & Schematics

IC-7300 and IC-7850/51 USB Port Setting Manual V1.0

TX Factor Video: Configuring the RS-BA1 software with the IC-7300

IC-7300 Product Brochure:  US/Canada   EU

IC-7300 Preliminary Brochure

IC-7300 Video from Tokyo HamFair 2015, by IZØKBA

IC-7300 HamFair Video with commentary in English

The IC-7300 at Orlando HamCation 2016, by AB4BJ

Dave, N9EWO's IC-7300 Review (enhanced)

Dave N9EWO's Spectrum Scope Settings

IC-7300 Group

Inrad RX-7300 RX antenna jack kit for the IC-7300

Copyright © 2015-2018 A. Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ.  All rights reserved. Images: contributors as noted.

Last updated: 09/30/2018