New Transceiver from ICOM: IC-7100

ICOM has shown the new IC-7100 at the JARL show in Tokyo. The interwebz is buzzing with information, including a preliminary data sheet.

My scan of the preliminary datasheet indicates that this radio is in the class of the IC-7000 or even the IC-706. It covers all modes on HF plus 6 Meters, 2 Meters and 70 cm. (It also has the 70 MHz band which is a nice add for the European countries that have that band.) The radio includes DV (D-STAR) modulation capability and has a new touchscreen user interface. The slanted control panel is meant to make the touchscreen more accessible.

A new HF plus VHF/UHF radio always gets my attention (see my plea for an FT-950 with 2 Meters).  I am starting to think that the real benefit of this rig is the addition of D-STAR capability, which would a good but not essential feature to have.

What do you think?

73, Bob K0NR

Update (30 Aug 2012): Universal Radio has the radio on its website.
There’s a good video look at the radio here.

Bob Witte, KØNR, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Colorado, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

9 Responses to “New Transceiver from ICOM: IC-7100”

  • harry k7zov:

    VIRUS WARNING. I JUST DOWNLOAD THE DATASHEET AND WAS GOING TO EMAIL IT TO MY HAM BUDDY. MY EMAIL WAS BLOCKED FROM SENDING. IT SAID THE PDF HAD A VIRUS ATTACHED. BE FOR WARNED.

    73
    HARRY K7ZOV

  • Mike Ve3wdm:

    Good morning Bob, I think the touch screen is long over due and for mobile op’s it may be a big help. I hope the touch screen is of good quality as it can be a pain touching and touching to get on action done….or touching for a function and getting something else instead. Touch screen is great as long as it does what it’s told to do….or would that be what it’s touched to do.
    Mike

  • k8gu:

    If they can add 70 MHz for the EUs, why can’t they add 222 MHz for us? Inquiring minds want to know…

  • jeff n1kdo:

    This thing has a touch screen, but it still needs 16 buttons? And a zillion more buttons on the mic? That does not say a lot about the usability of the touch screen interface. It really looks to me like the touch screen is way too small — or maybe I just have big fingers.

    And… built in D-STAR? Really?

  • Michael - N5TGL:

    A black and white display? Seriously? In 2012?

    Jeff: you know, they had to put buttons all over it or it wouldn’t be a “real radio” yaknow. 🙂

  • w2xad craig:

    I am afraid to ask for what the price will be. probably 1699.00 to 2000.00+

  • ac7af:

    I agree with k8gu why not 222mc

  • Dave M1CTK:

    This is great for 4m here in the UK with Es etc but it will cost some crazy amount I am sure, far more than the US 🙁

  • Pete:

    Also why no 136 and 500kc/s bands they are all bands allocated at WRAC. In the UK we have 500 and 136 like most contries. What has ICOM got against these popular bands??????

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