IC-738

ICOM
IC-738

Specifications

Prices

The IC-738 is an CW/SSB/AM/FM transceiver delivers 5 to 100 Watt operation on HF amateur-radio bands with 500 kHz to 30 MHz general coverage receiver. Features: RF preamplifier / attenuator, PBT, Notch filter, RIT / XIT, VOX, CW keyer, full break-in / semi break-in, speech compressor, double band stacking register stores Two frequencies along with modes in each band, built-in antenna tuner, Two antenna inputs. Ideated in Japan, year of introduction 1994.

Reference market : amateur-radio

IC-738 specifications

General

Frequency coverage
Receive	0.5000 ~ 29.9950 MHz
Transmit	1.8000 ~ 1.9999 MHz 3.5000 ~ 4.0000 MHz 7.0000 ~ 7.3000 MHz 10.1000 ~ 10.1500 MHz 14.0000 ~ 14.3500 MHz 18.0680 ~ 18.1680 MHz 21.0000 ~ 21.4500 MHz 24.8900 ~ 24.9900 MHz 28.0000 ~ 28.7000 MHz
Mode
CW / LSB / USB / AM / FM
Tuning step
1 / 10 / 20 / 50 Hz 1~10 kHz (programmable) 0.001~1 MHz (programmable)

Receiver

Sensitivity
CW / SSB	<0.15 uV (1.8~30 MHz, 10dB S/N, pre ON)
AM	<13.0 uV (0.5~1.8 MHz, 10dB S/N) <2.0 uV (1.8~30 MHz, 10dB S/N, pre ON)
FM	<0.5 uV (28~29.7 MHz, 12 dB SINAD, pre ON)
Selectivity
CW-N [1]	250 Hz (-6dB)
CW-N [2]	500 Hz (-6dB)
CW / SSB	>2.1 KHz (-6dB) <4.0 KHz (-60dB)
AM	>6.0 KHz (-6dB) <20.0 KHz (-40dB)
FM	>12.0 KHz (-6dB) <30.0 KHz (-50dB)
RF preamplifier
Yes
RF attenuator
20 dB
Spurious and image rejection
>70 dB
PBT (Passband Tuning)
Yes
Notch filter
Manual	~20 dB
NB (Noise Blanker)
Yes
RIT (Receiver Incremental Tuning)
±9.999 kHz
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Fast, slow
Frequency stability
±200 Hz from 1' to 60' after power on. ±30 Hz/hr with temperature +25°C after 60' power on. ±350 Hz with temperature from 0°C to +50°C. ±0.5 ppm with temperature from -30°C to +60°C [3]
IF (Intermediate Frequency)
1°	69.0100 MHz (AM) 69.0106 MHz (CW) 69.0115 MHz (SSB / FM)
2°	9.0100 MHz (AM) 9.0106 MHz (CW) 9.0115 MHz (SSB / FM)
3°	455 kHz
Squelch sensitivity
SSB	<5.6 uV (pre ON)
FM	<0.3 uV (pre ON)

Transmitter

Output power
CW / SSB / FM	5 ~ 100 W
AM	4 ~ 40 W
Spurious emission
<-50 dBc
Carrier suppression (SSB)
>40 dB
Unwanted sideband suppression (SSB)
>50 dB
Microphone
600Ω
XIT (Transmitter Incremental Tuning)
±9.999 kHz
CW features
Full / Semi break-in 7~41 wpm Keyer
Antenna tuner
Impedance range	16.7 ~ 150Ω
Minimum operating power	8 W
Tuning accuracy	<1.5:1
Insertion loss	<1 dB

Features

Memory
89 regular memories 10 split memories 2 for scan edge 2 VFO
Display
10 Hz frequency resolution
Selective calling
CTCSS [4]
Antenna
2 x SO239 50Ω
Power supply
13.8 VDC (±15%)
Power consumption
1.6A RX (squelched) 2.1A RX (max audio) 20.0A TX (max RF power)
Audio power
2.6W on 8Ω
Audio output
Jack 6.35 mm (headphone) Jack 3.5 mm (4~16Ω external speaker)
Connections
Jack 8-pin (mic) Jack 3.5 mm (CI-V / PC) Jack 6.35 mm (straight CW key) Jack 6.35 mm (paddle CW key) RCA (SEND) RCA (ALC) 7-pin DIN (ACC2) 8-pin DIN (ACC1)

Mechanical and environmental data

Operating temperature
from -10°C to +60°C
Dimensions
330 (W) x 111 (H) x 285 (D) mm, projections not included
Weight
8.6 kg

With optional FL-101 (IF = 9 MHz) or FL-53A (IF = 455 kHz) filter.
With optional FL-100 (IF = 9 MHz) or FL-52A (IF = 455 kHz) filter.
With optional CR-282 high-stability crystal unit.
With optional UT-30 programmable tone encoder unit.

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IC-738 fuse replacement :

If a fuse blows or the transceiver stops functioning, try to find the source of the problem, and replace the damaged fuse with a new, rated fuse. The IC-738 has two types of fuses installed for protection. A power cable fuse (20 Ampere) and a circuitry fuse (4 Ampere). The DC power cable fuse replacement is a siple task. For circuitry fuse replacement perform the procedure described below.

ICOM IC-738 fuse replacement

The 12V DC from the power cable is applied to all units in the IC-738, except for the power amplifier, through the circuitry fuse. This fuse is installed under the top cover.

IC-738 in comparison with IC-736 :

	ICOM IC-738	ICOM IC-736
RX frequency range	500 kHz to 30 MHz	500 kHz to 30 MHz 50 to 54 MHz
TX bands	1.8 to 29.7 MHz	1.8 to 29.7 MHz 50 to 54 MHz
TX power	5 to 100W (SSB/CW/FM) 4 to 40W (AM)	5 to 100W (SSB/CW/FM) 4 to 40W (AM)
Power supply	13.8V DC	120/230V AC
Weight	8.6 kg	10.5 kg

IC-738 price

We have collected for your convenience the ICOM IC738 sale price (UK Pounds) 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
GBP 392.00 (475USD)	2022-may	Second Hand Tested. Comes with new mic and new power cord. Original box
GBP 417.00 (629USD)	2012-apr	Second Hand Comes with HM-36 mic, DC cord, original owner's manual, original box

IC-738 review

KF0XQ

12 march 2023

Bought this radio new in 1996, it was my first modern HF radio. Added the tone board when purchased, added the 500 Hz CW filter set a few years ago. Still looks and plays well, used mostly for Field Day and testing other components (amps, tuners, etc.).

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DU6RCR

6 november 2022

Had it for 15 years, very good radio. Made thousands of contacts with it would rate it very good transceiver, still have it in operations.

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