IC-9700

The ICOM IC9700 is an all mode tri-band transceiver covering 2m, 70 and 23cm band. In addition to the traditional CW/RTTY, SSB, AM/FM modes the transceiver also incorporates digital D-STAR DV (voice) and DD (data) modes. A full featured satellite mode is built-in. There are three antenna connectors, one each for 144, 430 and 1200 MHz band. For user interface, operation and dimensions the IC-9700 is a V/UHF counterpart of the IC-7300 for HF. RF direct sampling for 144/430MHz is utilized, on 1200 MHz the down conversion IF sampling method is adopted. In this system signals are digitized by the ADC and processed in the FPGA.

ICOM IC-9700 receive system

The IC-9700 can simultaneously receive on two different bands and two different modes. For example, you can receive on the 430 MHz band in the SSB mode while receiving on the 1260 MHz band in the FM mode. This function can be a significant advantage when participating in contests. Furthermore, the IC-9700 is Full Duplex which enables you to transmit on the main band while receiving on the sub band.

IC-9700 other features :

• Intuitive 4.3'' touch screen display

  The beautifully designed Menu screens enable you to navigate settings and functions with a simple touch. The expanded menu provides quick access to the Satellite and D-STAR functions. Additionally, a touch on-screen keyboard is available for entering alphanumeric memory channel names.

• Spectrum scope

  Real-time spectrum scope and waterfall display, with a simple touch of the scope you can also tune the radio to the desired signals frequency. Audio scope function.

• Satellite communications

  Smooth satellite operation with normal/reverse tracking. The transceiver has 99 satellite memory channels that enable you to store both uplink and downlink frequencies and operating mode. By just selecting a satellite memory channel, all of your satellite settings are completed. Dualwatch operation and full-duplex operation in the Sat mode. Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) follows the frequency change caused by the Doppler effect, thus maintaining a stable receive condition.

• Digital communications

  D-STAR DV and digital data (DD) mode provides 128 kbps data communication. Built-in DV gateway functions.

• Newly designed power amplifier

  The power amplifier outputs stable power with high efficiency (144/430 MHz band: 100/75 watts). The cooling system prevents the PA from overheating, even when operating for a long time. That ensures reliable operation during contests. This amplifier is more energy efficient than previous models.

• More

  Twin PBT, NB, Noise Reduction, SD card slot, TX/RX audio recording/playback, screen capture, built-in server function.

The transceiver can simultaneously receive on two different bands, and two different modes. For example, you can receive on the 1200 MHz band in the SSB mode while receiving on the 144 MHz band in the FM mode. This function can be a significant advantage when participating in contests or searching for weak signals. Furthermore, the IC-9700 is Full Duplex, which enables you to transmit on the main band while receiving on the sub band.

IC-9700 twin PBT :

To reject interference, the Digital Twin PBT (Passband Tuning) narrows the IF passband width by electronically shifting the IF frequency to slightly above or below the IF center frequency. The IC-9700 uses the digital function using the FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) filtering method. Note, each band memorizes the PBT setting.

ICOM IC-9700 Twin PBT

To narrow the IF passband width, shift "PBT1" and "PBT2" to the opposite direction from each other, to narrow the overwrapped area. To shift the IF left or right, set "PBT1" and "PBT2" to the same value. The PBT is adjustable in 50 Hz steps in the SSB, CW, and RTTY modes. Adjustable in 200 Hz steps in the AM mode. In this case, the center shift value changes in 25 Hz steps in the SSB, CW, and RTTY modes, and 100 Hz in the AM mode.

IC-9700 noise blanker :

The Noise blanker eliminates pulse-type noise such as the noise from car ignitions. To deal with various type of noise, you can adjust the attenuation level and blanking depth and width in the NB menu.

ICOM IC-9700 Noise Blanker

LEVEL, adjust the level where the Noise Blanker activates between 0 and 100%. DEPTH, adjust the noise attenuation level to between 1 and 10. WIDTH, adjust the blanking duration time to between 1 and 100.

IC-9700 notch filter :

The transceiver has Auto Notch and Manual Notch functions. Auto Notch automatically attenuates beat tones, tuning signals and so on. It can be used in the SSB, AM and FM modes. Manual Notch attenuates beat tones, tuning signals and so on by manually adjusting the filtering frequency. It can be used in the SSB, CW, RTTY and AM modes.

IC-9700 IF filter :

The IC9700 has 3 filter passband widths for each mode. You can set the IF filter to wide (FIL 1), mid (FIL 2) or narrow (FIL 3). You can also set the filter shape for each operating mode. SHARP to emphasize the passband width of the filter, signals that are out of the passband are extremely filtered out. SOFT, the filter shoulders are roundly formed as in analog circuits, this decreases noise components in the high and low frequencies and increases the Signal-to-Noise of the target signal. Here the passband range available.

The transceiver has a built-in RTTY decoder and encoder. Using contents set in the RTTY TX memory, you can do basic RTTY operations without using an external device or software.

ICOM IC-9700 RTTY decode screen

With the built-in demodulator and decoder, received signals are displayed on the RTTY Decode screen. The Twin Peak Filter (TPF) changes the audio frequency response by boosting the mark and space frequencies for better reception of RTTY signals, or for decoding the AF output signal on a PC.

IC-9700 satellite communications :

Both SAT Mode B (435 MHz uplink, 145 MHz downlink), Mode J (145 MHz uplink, 435 MHz downlink) and Mode L (1270 MHz uplink, 435 MHz downlink) can be operated. Normal and reverse tracking are selectable. In normal tracking both downlink and uplink frequencies simultaneously increase or decrease in the same steps when you rotate the main dial. In reverse tracking downlink frequency follows the tuning dial rotation, however, the uplink frequency changes in the reverse direction.

IC-9700 spectrum scope and waterfall display :

This is the first time for an Icom VHF/UHF transceiver to have a real-time spectrum scope and waterfall display comparable to an HF high tier transceiver. With the high-speed spectrum scope, you can instantly see the operating band condition. With a simple touch of the scope, you can tune the radio to the desired signals frequency. You can also view the receive signal history using the waterfall display.

IC-9700 audio scope :

Making good use of the Audio Scope function, various audio characteristics, such as microphone compressor level, filter width, notch filter width, and keying waveform in the CW mode can be monitored. Transmit or receive audio can either be displayed on the FFT scope and the oscilloscope. The FFT scope also has an waterfall.

ICOM IC-9700 audio scope

Touch screen buttons: ATT, selects the attenuator for the FFT scope (0, 10, 20, or 30 dB). HOLD, sets the Hold function to ON or OFF (freezes the current audio spectrum). LEVEL, selects the Oscilloscope level (0, –10, –20, or –30 dB). TIME, selects the Oscilloscope sweep time (1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 300 ms/div). EXPD/SET, short touch selects the Expanded or Normal screen, touch for 1 second enters the Audio Scope SET screen.

ICOM IC-9700 Mini scope screen: spectrum scope & audio scope together

The Mini scope screen can be simultaneously displayed with another function displays, such as the RTTY Decode screen and the Audio Scope screen. See figure.

IC-9700 maintenance :

Two fuses are installed in the IC9700 to protect the transceiver. In the DC power cable (25 Ampere) and in the inside circuitry (5 Ampere). For replace the circuitry fuse see below.

ICOM IC-9700 fuse replace

IC-9700 rear panel and connections :

ICOM IC-9700 rear panel and connections

IC-9700 photo gallery :

ICOM IC-9700 photo

IC-9700 price

We have collected for your convenience the ICOM IC-9700 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 1979.00	2023-mar	Brand-new
EUR 1669.00	2021-oct	Brand-new
EUR 2500.00	2019-may	Brand-new