IC-78

ICOM
IC-78

Specifications

Compact HF desktop transceiver with 30 KHz to 30 MHz double-conversion receiver and 100 Watt max RF output transmitter. Basic features as IF shift, noise blanker, CW keyer, built-in antenna tuner control circuit. Ideated in Japan.

Reference market : amateur-radio

IC-78 specifications

General

Frequency coverage
Receive	0.0300 ~ 29.9999 MHz [1]
Transmit	1.6000 ~ 29.9999 MHz [2]
Mode
CW / FSK (RTTY) / LSB / USB / AM
Tuning step
1 / 10 / 100 Hz / 1 / 5 / 9 / 10 / 100 KHz

Receiver

Sensitivity
SSB / CW / RTTY	0.16 uV (1.6~30 MHz, 10dB S/N)
AM	13 uV (0.5~1.6 MHz, 10dB S/N) 2.0 uV (1.6~30 MHz, 10dB S/N)
Selectivity
SSB / CW / RTTY	> 2.1 KHz (-6dB) < 4.5 KHz (-60dB)
AM	> 6 KHz (-6dB) < 20 KHz (-40dB)
RF preamplifier
Yes [3]
RF attenuator
20 dB
Spurious and image rejection
> 70 dB (1.6~30 MHz)
IF-shift range
± 1.2 KHz (SSB / CW / RTTY) ± 0.25 KHz (CW-N / RTTY-N)
NB (Noise Blanker)
Yes, with level adjust
RIT (Receiver Incremental Tuning)
± 1.2 KHz
Frequency stability
± 200Hz max within 60' warm-up ± 30Hz/h max with temperature of 25°C ± 350Hz max with temperature from 0°C to +50°C
IF (Intermediate Frequency)
1°	n/a
2°	455 KHz
Squelch sensitivity
SSB / CW / RTTY	5.6 uV (threshold)
CW features
Semi break-in / full break-in Pitch control from 300 to 900 Hz (default 600 Hz) Reverse mode L/USB

Transmitter

Output power
SSB / CW / RTTY	2 ~ 100 W
AM	2 ~ 40 W
Spurious emission
< -46 dB
Carrier suppression (SSB)
< 40 dB
Unwanted sideband suppression (SSB)
> 50 dB
Microphone
600Ω
CW features
6~60 wpm Keyer

Features

Memory
99 regular memories 1 VFO
Display
1 Hz frequency resolution 30-segments signal meter bar
Antenna
SO239 50Ω
Power supply
13.8 ±15% VDC external
Power consumption
2A RX, typ 1.3A RX, squelch ON 20A TX, max power
Audio power
2 W on 8Ω
Audio output
Jack 6.35 mm headphone Jack 3.5 mm external speaker
Connections
Jack 8-pin (microphone) Jack 3.5 mm (CI-V remote control) Jack 6.5 mm (CW keyer) RCA (ALC) RCA (send) Socket 13-pin (accessories) Socket 4-pin (AH-4 antenna tuner)

Mechanical and environmental data

Operating temperature
from -10°C to +60°C
Dimensions
240 (W) x 95 (H) x 239 (D) mm, projections not included
Weight
3.8kg

Guaranteed range 0.5~30 MHz.
Not guaranteed for some frequency bands, varies according to version.
For 1.6~30 MHZ. The preamplifier operate below 1.6 MHz but sensitivity may be reduced in some cases.

IC-78 description :

The ICOM IC-78, former and export only version of the IC-718 radio device, is a compact HF transceiver. Features such as 99 memory channels, high C/N ratio on PLL, direct channel entering, data communication capabilities and more, offer easy operation for anyone. The transceiver delivers a powerful 100W of output power and its one-piece die-cast aluminum construction, combined with a large heat sink, helps keep internal temperatures down and ensures that operation is stable at high duty cycles. The IC-78 is equipped with a large LCD, easy to read, and a minimum number of switches. This allow for superior feature selectability, also keys access functions directly with no secondary function key. A well-designed double-conversion system to help minimize image and spurious responses for better signal fidelity, is also built-in. The combination of the low IMD first mixer and new PLL circuit allows superior basic receiver performance.

When the optional CR-338 crystal unit is installed, it allows up to ±0.5 ppm of extremely high stable operation. An optional 2nd IF filter can be installed into the transceiver, providing 5 passband widths selectable. These the optional IF filters available : FL-53A for 250Hz@6dB (CW/RTTY-N modes), FL-52A for 500Hz@6dB (CW/RTTY-N modes), FL-222 for 1800Hz@6dB (SSB-N mode), FL-96 for 2800Hz@6dB (SSB-W mode), FL-257 for 3300Hz@6dB (SSB-W mode).

IC-78 filter construction on 2nd IF

With an optional IF filter installed into the IC78 the filter selection switches the passband width as shown in the table:

Standard Filter / Bandwidth
SSB	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
CW	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
RTTY	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
AM	6 kHz [normal] 2.4 kHz [narrow]
FL-52A Filter / Bandwidth
SSB	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 0.5 kHz [1] [narrow]
CW	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 0.5 kHz [narrow]
RTTY	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 0.5 kHz [narrow]
AM	6 kHz [normal] 2.4 kHz [narrow] 0.5 kHz [1] [narrow]
FL-53A Filter / Bandwidth
SSB	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 0.25 kHz [1] [narrow]
CW	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 0.25 kHz [narrow]
RTTY	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 0.25 kHz [narrow]
AM	6 kHz [normal] 2.4 kHz [narrow] 0.25 kHz [1] [narrow]
FL-96 Filter / Bandwidth
SSB	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.8 kHz [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
CW	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.8 kHz [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
RTTY	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.8 kHz [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
AM	6 kHz [normal] 2.4 kHz [narrow] 2.8 kHz [1] [narrow]
FL-222 Filter / Bandwidth
SSB	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 1.8 kHz [1] [narrow]
CW	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 1.8 kHz [narrow]
RTTY	6 kHz [1] [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal] 1.8 kHz [narrow]
AM	6 kHz [normal] 2.4 kHz [narrow] 1.8 kHz [1] [narrow]
FL-257 Filter / Bandwidth
SSB	6 kHz [1] [wide] 3.3 kHz [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
CW	6 kHz [1] [wide] 3.3 kHz [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
RTTY	6 kHz [1] [wide] 3.3 kHz [wide] 2.4 kHz [normal]
AM	6 kHz [normal] 2.4 kHz [narrow] 3.3 kHz [1] [narrow]

Can be used when the expanded filter selection is turned on in the initial set mode.

IC-78 review

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