The new Icom IC-7700

ANNOUNCING THE CONTESTER'S RIG

Hot News! New IC-7700 V2.20 Firmware was released on 20 July 2018. Click link below.

Fig.1: IC-7700 front panel.

Fig.2: IC-7700 overall view.

Fig.3: IC-7700 rear panel.

Fig. 4: IC-7700 1st IF roofing filters.

Fig 5. IC-7700 RF BPF bank. Note the large toroidal coils.

Fig.6: IC-7700 200W PA board. Click for larger image.

Fig.7: IC-7700 spectrum scope, ±2.5 kHz span, SLOW sweep. Photo courtesy ON6SAS.

IC-7700 Overview

The new IC-7700 is a self-contained, top-performance HF/6m transceiver closely related to its "bigger brother", the IC-7800. Its main features are:

1. Two independent DSP units.

• One DSP (TI TMS320C6727B) is dedicated to the transmitter and receiver, and the other (TI TMS320C6720B) to the spectrum scope. These are of a later generation than the TMS320C6713 used in the IC-7800.

2. HF/6m transmitter with a MOSFET PA delivering 200W output at full duty cycle.

• The PA utilizes a pair of MRF150 MOSFET power devices.

• The new Rev. 12/13 PA employs a single ST Micro STAC2942 output device.

3. Quiet, built-in switch-mode mains power supply.

4. Single HF receiver with I/Q second mixer, offering +40dBm 3rd-order intercept point*.

• The single receiver should be seen not as a disadvantage, but as a plus. The single receiver allows no-compromise RX performance at a reasonable price; BNC sockets on the rear panel, and CI-V, allow easy connection and synchronization of a second Icom transceiver such as the 756Pro3 as a secondary receiver. Many prospective IC-7700 buyers already own an IC-756Pro3. Add the IC-7700 to your existing Pro3 for the perfect contest station; use the IC-7700 as your main transceiver, and the IC-756Pro3 as a spotting receiver.

• Upgrade from your IC-765 or IC-775DSP, and get the benefits of a spectrum scope.

5. Built-in "Digi-Sel" automatic tracking RF preselector.

• The built-in tracking preselector, and relay-switched front end, offer unrivalled strong-signal HF performance.

6. Built-in high-speed automatic antenna tuner.

• The tuner covers the HF and 6m bands.

7. Selectable 15, 6 and 3 kHz roofing filters (refer to Fig. 4 above.)

   • As provided in the IC-7800. The filters are optimized for lowest IMD. Each filter is mounted on a plug-in daughterboard.

8. Precision OCXO with ±0.05ppm frequency stability and 10 MHz Reference I/O jack

• The precision OCXO with 10 MHz REF I/O allows the IC-7700 to clock other equipment, or to be clocked from a higher-level master clock source.

9. 7" color TFT LCD display.

• The display includes a simulated analogue multi-function meter.

• Rear-panel VGA socket for external video monitor.

10. Multi-function spectrum scope with configurable resolution bandwidth (RBW).

• RBW is configurable by selecting scope span and sweep rate.
• The adjustable RBW permits spectral analysis of received signals. IMD products and spurs can be displayed.

• Fig. 6 is a typical scope screenshot. The green trace is the real-time spectral display; the blue trace is the peak-hold display. Note the low "grass" level in the absence of signals.

11. Built-in RTTY/PSK31 modem requiring only a USB keyboard.

• The built-in RTTY/PSK31 modem allows use of the IC-7700 as a complete digimode terminal, requiring only a keyboard. This is great for semi-portable operation (e.g. Field Day) or when shack space is at a premium.

12. IF-DSP notch filter with adjustable parameters.

• The notch filter shape factor is selectable in 3 steps, and its maximum stopband attenuation is 70 dB.

13. Multi-function noise blanker implemented in DSP.

14. Separate, high-performance 6m receiver front end.

15. Digital voice recorder.

16. Front-panel USB ports for USB memory drive and keyboard.

• The USB memory drive socket permits use of pocket USB memory drives. No CF card is required.

* at 50 kHz test-signal spacing.

User  Manual Erratum

Contrary to the statement on p. 3-5 of the earlier IC-7700 user manual, the numerical keypad is not backlit and does not light when the F^.INP key is pressed. This has been corrected in all newer editions of the manual, from ENG_1 onwards. The correct procedure reads as follows:

Icom Japan IC-7700 Ver. 2.10 Firmware Upgrade:

• Download the Ver. 2.20 upgrade and accompanying manual here.

• This upgrade was released on 21 May 2015.

• Note: All versions of the IC-7700 are upgradeable to Ver. 2.10.

• View  the new Ver. 2.0 and higher spectrum scope/waterfall and audio scope screen modes.

• Watch my IC-7700 Ver. 2.0 Firmware presentation at Dayton 2014.

Rev. 12 IC-7700:

This  IC-7700 version was released in April 2011. It incorporates redesigned PA200W and FILTER Units. The new PA200W uses a single STMicroelectronics STAC2942B dual MOSFET power device in its output stage. The serial number prefix begins with "1" e.g. 1201234 (US/Canada), 1301234 (EU), 1701234 (UK).

The previous serial number ranges begin with "0" e.g. 0201234 (US/Canada), 0301234 (EU), 0701234 (UK), and have the earlier PA200W (2 X MRF150) and FILTER Units.

Q: Why was Dual Watch omitted?

A: Provision of Dual Watch would most likely have pushed the price well above the USD 6K target.

Q: Then how can I monitor my transmit frequency in split operation?

A: By pressing the XFC (Transmit Frequency Check) button.

The IC-7700 received FCC certification on February 11, 2008. FCC ID: AFJ300900

The official Icom Japan IC-7700 page and brochure* (in English)

Icom America's IC-7700 page

The Icom Canada IC-7700 page

The comprehensive IC-7700 brochure*   mirror

IC-7700 Upgrade Model brochure*   USA/Canada   Europe

Dayton 2007 pre-release brochure*

Icom Japan IC-7700 pre-release brochure* (in English)

IC-7700 User Manual V6

Icom Japan Firmware Updates page

IC-7700 V2.20 Firmware Update

Firmware Manuals:  V2.20   V2.10    V2.00 (the big one!) 

RS-BA1 V1.96, compatible with IC-7700 Firmware V2.20.   RS-BA1 User Manual V9.

Note on USB Memory Drives - removing proprietary formatting

Some IC-7700 Interior Views

Connecting an Icom Radio to a PC*, by John White VA7JW

AGC in the IC-756Pro3, IC-7600, IC-7700 and IC-7800

AGC and Noise Blanker in an IF-DSP Receiver

IC-7700 Noise Blanker Demo: 20m SSB signal with severe impulse noise. NB off  NB on

The IC-7700 Drive Gain Control

The IC-7700/IC-7800 "Digi-Sel" Preselector

The IC-756Pro3 as 2nd receiver with the IC-7700

View or download the 15-minute Icom Japan IC-7700 Promotion Movie (in English)

My IC-7700 User Review & Test Report

Noise Power Ratio (NPR) Testing of HF Receivers* including IC-7700

IC-7700 MW Broadcast Band Tests

On-Air IC-7700 Microphone Trials with VA7JW and VA7OJ

Frank, DF9VH's IC-7700 PA Repair Description

Biasing MOSFET Power Transistors

Bob W6OPO's PA Stress Test

Glenn McNeil, VK4BG: IC-7800 PA Power Device Replacement Notes. (Also applicable to the IC-7700)

Use the IC-7700 as a bench spectrum analyser!

The IC-7700 Spectrum Scope: RBW & Grass Levels

My friend Matt KK5DR's IC-7700 User Review

IC-7700 eHam Reviews

IC-7700 Presentation at North Shore ARC, North Vancouver BC, October 2008

My IC-7700 Meets a K3 (Rev. 2, July 2011) by Jeff Smith VE1ZAC

Comparing the IC-7700 and IC-7800*, by George Bethea K5JZ

How close were we with the "IC-7X00"?

* PDF document.

Copyright © 2007-2018, A. Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ. IC-7700 information courtesy Icom Inc. Images courtesy Icom Inc. except where noted.

Last updated: 09/03/2018