IC-7700

The ICOM IC7700 achieves first-class performance on HF/50 MHz bands. The transceiver use two 32-bit floating point DSP and a double conversion system with 2nd-stage image rejection mixer. Three roofing filter of 15kHz, 6kHz and 3kHz provides high blocking dynamic range. The transmitter's power amplifiers use a combination of push-pull final with two MRF150 transistors, having proven reliability in professional communications. These devices generate a stable 200 Watts of output power from HF to 54MHz. The radio has a built-in RTTY and PSK31 modulator/demodulator. By simply connecting a USB key-board, you can immediately start enjoying these modes. In addition, you can also pre-program transmit messages in the internal message memory or a USB memory stick and transmit them even without typing a message from a USB keyboard.

Advance receiver performance. The IP3 performance of a radio can be improved by sacrificing sensitivity, but ICOM considers this a poor choice. To achieve real high-performance, ICOM reviewed all of the analog receiver circuitry. The IC7700 employs mechanical relay BPF switching, a digitally tuned pre-selector, and three hi-spec 1st IF filters in a clean and simple double-conversion superheterodyne design. By balancing the analog and DSP functions, the IC-7700 provides superior sensitivity simultaneously with a superb dynamic range of 110dB, and +40dBm IP3 (even in USB mode with 2.4 kHz filter bandwidth).

IC-7700 dynamic range, IP3 and IP2

An IP2 point of more than +110dBm means the 2nd order distortion from strong broadcast stations will be completely eliminated. The endless pursuit of leading analog circuit engineering makes it possible to achieve this leading edge level of performance.

IC-7700 components :

The well-selected components provide premium performance. Mechanical relays: using gold contacts have excellent deterioration resistance and superior conductivity. Roofing filters: the IC-7700 uses custom made 1st IF filters, selected especially for excellent IMD characteristics. Large coils: to reduce secondary distortion, large coils and capacitors are used in the high-amplitude filter switching circuits.

ICOM IC-7700 components.
Relays, roofing filters, coils, DSP, power transistors, optical interface

DSP: the transmitter and receiver use a 32-bit floating point Digital Signal Processor, offering the high performance of 1800 MFLOPS processing. Also, the spectrum scope DSP achieves 1200 MFLOPS of peak performance. Power amplifiers: the amplifiers use a combination of push-pull final with two MRF150 transistors, having proven reliability in ultra professional communications. These devices generate a stable 200 Watt of output power from HF to 54 MHz. Optical interface: the IC-7700 has the S/P-DIF digital interface for audio output and modulation input. By connecting an external device, flexible audio tuning is possible while keeping good sound quality.

IC-7700 features :

General

• The transmitter and receiver use a 32-bit floating point DSP, offering the high performance of 1800 MFLOPS processing.
• The spectrum scope DSP achieves 1200 MFLOPS of peak performance.
• RTTY /PSK31 operation without PC connection.
• Digital voice recorder.
• 7-inch wide color TFT LCD.
• USB ports on the front panel.
• High stability OCXO unit.
• A 10MHz reference signal can be input to the radio or output for use by external equipment.
• 4 antenna connectors.
• S/P DIF optical digital interface.
• Firmware upgrade for maintaining the best performance.

• General coverage receiver covers from 30kHz to 60MHz.
• CW/AM auto tuning function.
• High specification inband IMD.
• Band pass filters utilizes high-grade mechanical relays.
• To reduce secondary distortion large coils are used in the high-amplitude filter switching circuits.
• Digital pre-selector available between 1.5 to 30 MHz.
• 4 pre-amplifiers, two for the HF bands and two for the 50MHz band.
• 4-step attenuator (6/12/18dB and OFF).
• Two AGC loops.
• Twin peak audio filter.
• Digital twin PBT.
• Variable noise blanker.
• Noise reduction.
• Manual notch filter and auto notch filter.
• BNC type input/output connectors for receiver antenna.

• Microphone equalizer and adjustable transmit bandwidth.
• Low distortion RF speech compressor.
• Tx monitor.
• 50 CTCSS tone encoder and decoder.
• All mode power control.
• VOX capability.
• High speed automatic antenna tuner covering HF to 50MHz band.

• Multi-function electronic keyer with adjustable keying speed, dot-dash ratio and paddle polarity and bug key function.
• Memory keyer.
• DSP controlled CW keying waveform shaping.
• Frequency lock function for split operation.
• The normal (default) CW carrier point is selectable from USB and LSB.
• APF (audio peak filter) function with soft/sharp filter shape.
• Double key jack system.
• Full break-in function.
• CW pitch control from 300 to 900Hz.

• Set mode function for flexible and speedy setting.
• Memory pad stores up to 10 (or 5) operating frequencies.
• Quick split function enables split operation with a single action.
• SSB/CW synchronous tuning.
• RIT and XIT.
• Quick RIT/XIT clear function.
• UTC/Local Clock and timer function.
• 1Hz pitch tuning and 1Hz indication.
• 101 memory channels with 10-character comment.
• Built-in voice synthesizer announces operating frequency, mode and receiving signal strength.
• Programmed scan, memory scan, select memory scan, VSC scan and frequency scan.
• Auto tuning step function.
• Band edge beep.
• Main dial tension control and dial lock.
• CI-V interface capability and RS-232C connector for PC connection.
• BNC type Transverter connector.
• Triple band stacking register.
• FFT scope wave averaging function.
• Screen saver function.

While some may lead you to believe that coils and capacitors are all created equal, at Icom we know design excellence. Rather than using switching diodes that can introduce distortion, the IC-7700 design utilizes high-grade mechanical relays along with large capacitors and toroidal coils, resistant to magnetic saturation, providing superior linearity, and greatly reducing distortion.

ICOM IC-7700 band-pass filter board

The DIGI-SEL (digital pre-selector) is a very narrow, user adjustable, pass band filter designed to automatically track the operating frequency, attenuating interference from out-of-band signals. While the pre-selector's pass-band remains centered on the operating frequency, on the fly adjustments are possible via front panel controls. The DIGI-SEL is especially useful for multi-transmitter operation and near strong broadcast stations by reducing the 2nd, 3rd, and even higher order IMD components from other stations.

ICOM IC-7700 digital pre-selector board

The IC-7700 has a total of 4 preamplifiers, two for the HF bands and two for the 50 MHz band. The purpose of preamplifiers is to improve receiver sensitivity for the pursuit of higher gain and a better noise figure. The IC-7700 employs a noiseless feedback design with push-pull amplifiers. Using feedback transformers, the preamplifiers provide a high IP3 while keeping a low noise figure.

IC-7700 roofing filters :

The transceiver employs three hi-spec 1st IF filters of 15 kHz, 6 kHz and 3 kHz before the 1st IF amplifier. Icom ordered special customized high specification devices to improve IMD and achieve better impedance characteristics. As a result, the 3 kHz 1st IF filter provides approximately 134 dB of blocking dynamic range (at 14.1 MHz, with 5 kHz separation of interference signal) and allows you to pull out a weak signal in the presence of strong adjacent signals.

ICOM IC-7700 roofing filters board

The 2nd-stage image rejection mixer processes signals to reject spurious image responses. In conjunction with the hi-spec roofing filters, image rejection of greater than 100dB is realized. The analog image rejection mixer's linearity makes it possible to use a simplified receiver design. This improves the distortion performance of the receiver.

IC-7700 AGC loops :

The radio has two AGC loops. The AGC voltages detected in front of and behind the digital IF filter in the DSP unit. The first AGC loop prevents the saturation of the 1st IF amplifier from strong signals outside the pass-band filter, and improves the dynamic range in the presence of strong adjacent signals. The other AGC loop detects the AGC voltage at the digital IF filter output which has only passed the intended signal and draws the full potential from the digital IF filter.

ICOM IC-7700 dual AGC loop line

The IC-7700 accommodates both the "on-the-fly" operator as well as the most avid "tweaker" operator by providing tunable AGC preset and manual AGC level controls. The AGC time constants can be set in the 3 presets (slow, medium and fast), adjustable from 0.1–6 seconds (0.3–8s in AM) delay. Then the addition of the AGC VR control enables the user to "tweak" or fine tune the AGC reaction time.

IC-7700 high stability OCXO :

Frequency control of the IC-7700 is maintained by the high stability Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO). The oscillator achieves frequency stability of ±0.05 ppm across the specified temperature range, meaning that the frequency will deviate only 5 Hz out of every 100 MHz! This specification is equivalent to that of specialized measuring equipment such as signal generators or spectrum analyzers.

ICOM IC-7700 high stability OCXO unit

Also, a 10MHz reference signal can be input to the transceiver or output for use by external equipment.

IC-7700 RTTY/PSK31 operation :

The transceiver has a built-in RTTY and PSK31 modulator / demodulator. By simply connecting a USB keyboard, you can immediately start enjoying these modes. In addition, you can pre-program transmit messages in the internal message memory or a USB memory stick and transmit them even without typing a message from a USB keyboard. Also, received messages can be stored to a USB memory stick and transferred to your PC.

IC-7700 power amplifiers :

The radio uses two MRF150 power transistors connected in push-pull configuration. The power amplifiers provide a reliable 200 Watt of output power up to 50 MHz band. The digital PSN modulator using a DSP unit consistently reproduces an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, providing clean and clear transmission. The PA amplifier uses a 48 Volt supply to provide output power with low IMD on all bands.

ICOM IC-7700 quad cooling fan system

The effective quad cooling fan system makes it possible to generate 200W full power output, even during full duty cycle operation.

IC-7700 photo gallery :

ICOM IC-7700 photo

IC-7700 price

We have collected for your convenience the ICOM IC-7700 sale price (Euro) and its trend over time. Useful to guarantee a cheaper purchase of this radio and to put it for sale in the second-hand market. Of course offers, accessories, warranty terms and conditions can lead to different figures.

Price	Date	Condition
EUR 3423.00 (2999GBP)	2023-mar	Second Hand
EUR 5439.00	2021-oct	Brand-new
EUR 5450.00	2018-oct	Brand-new
EUR 5250.00	2018-oct	Brand-new