Icom has officially unveiled its highly anticipated new transceiver during the Tokyo Ham Fair 2024.
The ICOM IC-7760 is a new innovative transceiver designed to enhance flexibility and efficiency in amateur radio operations expecially Contest and DX Hunting
IC-7760 Features
- Separated Control Head and RF Deck: The IC-7760 utilizes a remote control head connected to the RF deck via a commercially available LAN cable, allowing for flexible installation and space-saving configurations. This setup enables the RF deck to be positioned closer to the antenna, reducing desktop clutter and noise from cooling fans.
- In-House Remote Operation: Users can operate the IC-7760 from various locations within their home using a wired LAN network, without the need for a PC. This feature allows the control head to be moved freely as long as a LAN connection is available, enhancing operational convenience.
- Dual Independent Receivers: The transceiver features independent MAIN and SUB receivers that allow simultaneous reception of signals on different bands or modes, improving operational capabilities during contests or monitoring.
- Advanced RF Direct Sampling System: The IC-7760 employs a direct sampling system that converts RF signals into digital signals, processed by an FPGA. This design minimizes distortions and enhances signal clarity.
- 200 W Output with Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD): The transceiver can deliver 200 W of output power continuously, utilizing DPD technology to correct non-linear distortions, thus ensuring clean signal transmission.
- Dual Display and Spectrum Scopes: The control head features a dual display system, allowing users to monitor both MAIN and SUB bands simultaneously with enhanced visibility and operability.
- Built-In Antenna Tuner and SD Card Slot: The IC-7760 includes a mechanical relay-type internal antenna tuner for quick tuning and an SD card slot for data storage, including voice recordings and user settings.
Overall, the IC-7760 represents a significant advancement in amateur radio technology, combining flexibility, power, and modern digital processing capabilities to enhance user experience.
Enhanced experience in DX Hunting and Contesting
The IC-7760 offers several key features that enhance the experience of DX hunting and contesting for amateur radio operators:
Dual, Independent Receivers
The IC-7760 has independent MAIN and SUB receivers that allow simultaneous reception of signals on different bands or modes. This is particularly useful during contests or when monitoring multiple frequencies, as operators can effectively track and manage multiple communications at once. The dual spectrum scopes provide real-time visual feedback of both the MAIN and SUB bands, facilitating better decision-making and strategy during operations.
200 W Output with Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD)
The transceiver can deliver 200 W of output power continuously, utilizing DPD technology to correct non-linear distortions. This ensures clean signal transmission, even at high power levels, which is crucial for effectively reaching distant stations during DX hunts. The 100% duty cycle operation allows for extended periods of transmission without overheating.
Flexible In-House Remote Operation
The IC-7760 can be connected to the control head and RF deck through a wired home LAN network, allowing the control head to be moved freely within the house. This flexibility enables operators to position the RF deck closer to the antenna, reducing noise and improving signal quality. The ability to operate from various locations, such as the living room, enhances convenience during long contest sessions or DX hunting.
Automatic Contest Serial Numbering
The IC-7760 features an automatic contest serial numbering function that is powerful in CW and RTTY contests. Each time the pre-programmed memory is transmitted, the serial number is automatically counted from 001. This feature ensures reliable copying of the contest number, reducing errors and speeding up the exchange process.
Overall, the IC-7760’s combination of dual receivers, high-power output with clean transmission, flexible remote operation, and contest-specific features make it an excellent choice for amateur radio operators engaged in DX hunting and contesting activities.
Advantages of the DIGI-SEL feature in contesting
The IC-7760’s DIGI-SEL (Digital Pre-selector) feature offers several key advantages for amateur radio contesting:
Effective Rejection of Out-of-Band Interference
DIGI-SEL is highly effective in rejecting strong out-of-band signals, such as those from broadcasting stations or multi-multi contest operations. It filters out unwanted signals before they reach the A/D converter, preventing overflow issues.
Improved Preamp Performance
In the IC-7760’s direct sampling system, DIGI-SEL prevents overflow rather than signal distortion. This allows the preamp to work together with DIGI-SEL, enhancing the intended signal first before filtering out unwanted out-of-band interference. The preamp can take full advantage of the A/D converter’s dynamic range.
Specialized Bandpass Filters
The IC-7760 employs sharp, specialized bandpass filters (BPFs) for each amateur band. These efficient BPFs attenuate out-of-band interference signals in the RF stage, preventing overflow at the A/D converter. The HF bands use 11 separated BPFs, an improvement over previous models.
By effectively rejecting out-of-band interference, the DIGI-SEL feature helps maintain signal integrity and receiver performance during the high-intensity conditions of amateur radio contests. This allows operators to focus on making contacts without worrying about overload issues from nearby stations or broadcasters.
Benefits of the dual, independent receivers in the IC-7760
The dual, independent receivers in the IC-7760 offer several significant benefits that enhance operational efficiency and flexibility for amateur radio operators:
- Simultaneous Reception: The IC-7760 allows for the simultaneous reception of two signals across different bands or modes without interference between the MAIN and SUB receivers. This capability is particularly useful during contests or when monitoring multiple frequencies, as operators can effectively track and manage multiple communications at once.
- Identical Performance: Both receivers maintain the same performance quality, ensuring that operators receive clear and reliable signals regardless of the band or mode being used. This uniformity enhances the overall user experience and effectiveness in diverse operating conditions.
- Dual Spectrum Scopes: The transceiver features dual spectrum scopes that provide real-time visual feedback of both the MAIN and SUB bands. This allows operators to monitor changing band conditions simultaneously, facilitating better decision-making and strategy during operations.
- Advanced RF Direct Sampling System: The independent receivers utilize a direct sampling system that converts RF signals into digital signals, processed by an FPGA. This design minimizes distortions typically encountered in analog processing stages, resulting in clearer reception and improved signal integrity.
- Enhanced Monitoring Capabilities: With the ability to display both MAIN and SUB bands, operators can easily observe and react to band conditions, making it easier to identify weak signals or potential contacts that may otherwise be missed.
Overall, the dual receivers in the IC-7760 significantly enhance operational capabilities, allowing for more effective communication and monitoring in various amateur radio scenarios.
How does the IC-7760’s DPD technology improve signal quality
The IC-7760’s Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) technology significantly enhances signal quality by addressing non-linear distortions that occur during amplification. Here are the key benefits of this technology:
- Correction of Non-Linear Distortions: DPD works by applying an inverse distortion to the signal before it reaches the final amplifier. This proactive correction helps to ensure that the transmitted signal remains clean and free from unwanted artifacts, resulting in clearer communication.
- High Output Power with Clean Transmission: The IC-7760 can deliver up to 200 W of output power while maintaining signal integrity. The DPD technology allows for high power transmission without compromising the quality of the signal, making it suitable for various operating conditions.
- Improved Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) Characteristics: The use of DPD in conjunction with high-performance components, such as the 450 W-class LDMOS-FET, enhances the overall IMD performance of the transceiver. This means that the IC-7760 can handle complex signals more effectively, reducing the likelihood of distortion during transmission.
- Dynamic Range Utilization: DPD enables the transceiver to take full advantage of its dynamic range, especially when used in combination with the preamplifier. This synergy allows for better reception of weak signals while filtering out unwanted out-of-band interference.
Overall, the DPD technology in the IC-7760 plays a crucial role in achieving high-quality signal transmission, making it a valuable feature for amateur radio operators seeking reliable and clear communication.
IC-7760 Technical Specifications
RX antenna
- BNC type RX IN/OUT connectors for a receiver antenna or external BPF/preamp connection
CW mode
- FPGA-controlled CW keying waveform shaping
- Multi-function electronic keyer
- CW pitch control from 300 Hz ~ 900 Hz (5 kHz step)
- Auto repeat function
- Normal or short Morse number style
- Double key jack system
- Full break-in and semi break-in
- CW auto tuning
- APF (Audio Peak Filter) function adjustable filter shape, width, and AF level
- 136 kHz band operation (EUR version only)
Receiver
- 30 kHz ~ 60 MHz receiver (Some frequencies are not guaranteed.)
- Two types of preamps
Preamp 1: Improves intermodulation
Preamp 2: High gain preamplifier - 3 dB ~ 45 dB variable attenuator (3 dB step)
- IP+ function improves 3rd order intercept point performance
- Main/Sub band tracking function for diversity reception
- Twin peak audio filter for the RTTY mode
- RTTY/PSK encoder and decoder
- Adjustable AGC time constant from 0.1 to 6 seconds (FM mode is fixed)
Transmitter
- TX monitor function
- All mode power control
- VOX (Voice Operated Transmission) capability
- BNC type transverter connector
- Microphone equalizer
- Adjustable transmit bandwidth
- 50 CTCSS tones
- Transmit Power Limit function for each band
Operation
- Memo pad stores up to 10 operating frequencies and modes
- Quick split function
- Quick Dualwatch function
- RF gain and squelch control with a knob
- RIT and ⊿TX variable up to 9.999 kHz
- UTC/local clock and timer function
- 1 Hz pitch tuning and display
- Dial lock function
- Adjustable main dial brake
- External speaker jacks for Main and Sub receivers
- Screen saver function
- Multi-function meter (S-meter, Power, ALC, COMP, SWR, Id, Vd and TEMP)
- Auto tuning step function
- AH-730 external antenna tuner control (When the AH-730 is connected, output power of the specified antenna terminal is automatically set to 100 W or less)
- MAIN/SUB AF mute
- Adjustable LCD/LED backlight
- USB port for optional RC-28, keyboard, mouse and USB flash drive connection
Rear Panel
ICOM IC-7760 Price
Looking for the IC-7760 Price? When the IC-7760 was first announced, US and European dealers reported the launch without providing an official price. However, the initial price set in Yen was approximately $6000 or 5400 €.
Just a few weeks later, European dealers began publishing the official IC-7760 Price at around 6650 €, significantly higher than the original estimate.
Icom UK announced instead the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) £5,700.00 including VAT.
At time writing ICOM US dealers did not yet announced the USD pricing.
To get the most up-to-date IC-7760 Price, we recommend checking with authorized ICOM dealers. You can find useful links to official amateur radio dealers here.