Icom IC-7300

Technical description IC-7300

IC-7300 - the most successful transceiver in recent years! Everyone has it, everyone wants it. Why is that? Quite simple:

• Complex technology (SDR), yet simple operation.
• Good receiver, excellent waterfall display
• Lots of accessories, lots of know-how among friends

With the IC-7300, Icom was the first of the three major Japanese amateur radio manufacturers to bring a genuine SDR (Software Defined Radio) transceiver for amateur radio onto the market. The special feature of this device is that the HF signal is digitised immediately after the bandpass filter. So instead of first mixing down the received signal as with a traditional receiver, a powerful analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) is used to switch immediately to the digital level. The signal is then further processed by a special and fast digital chip (FPGA - programmable logic unit). These are the crucial components of an SDR - the AD converter and the subsequent digital logic, and of course the software used there. The reception range extends from 30 kHz to 74.8 MHz.
The transmission path is constructed in the same way: the modulation is digitised, processed by a DSP (digital signal processor) and the FPGA chip on the digital level and then converted to the analogue level, filtered and amplified. This achieves very good spectral purity and excellent phase noise values. The transmitter of the IC-7300 offers max. 100 W transmitting power (25 W in AM) and is equipped with a built-in antenna tuner.
The receiver offers excellent preselection with 15 automatically switched band filters before the AD converter. To keep losses as low as possible, high quality coil filters are installed. Due to the filtering, the AD-converter is only supplied with the signals that are to be received. This allows the dynamic range of the AD-converter to be better utilised. The result is a very good Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range (RMDR) of 97 dB and a 15 dB lower phase noise at 1 kHz intervals compared to the predecessor model IC-7200.

Application description IC-7300

With a SDR, the IC-7300 represents a new generation of shortwave transceivers. Visually, the most striking feature is the IC-7300 transceiver's high-resolution and 4.3 inch / 10.9 cm colour touch display. In addition to the frequency and operating mode, it also shows an S-meter, the time and the frequency spectrum. The display is also a control element; similar to a smartphone, you can trigger many functions by touching the screen. Due to the powerful digital electronics, a constantly updated display of the waterfall spectrum is possible during reception, the speed is adjustable. This spectrum can be adjusted in width from 5 to 1000 kHz. A magnifying glass function allows you to zoom in on an area of interest by tapping on it, and a second tap adjusts the transceiver to the new frequency. This makes it very easy to survey the band, whether in a contest or hunting for rare DX.
The IC-7300's features are rounded off by a wide range of functions for convenient operation. The 101 memories can be displayed, organised and programmed via the touch display. The Audio Scope shows the modulation characteristics and filter settings. All settings and memories can be stored on an SD memory card, as can QSO recordings with transmit and receive paths and CQ calls.
The connections on the back of the IC-7300 correspond to the accessory and remote sockets that have been standard at Icom for many years; this means that existing accessories can be used without any problems. A USB socket offers further connection possibilities for a computer (CAT, sound card, …). The remote control software RS-BA1 can also be used with the IC-7300 and, of course, a morse key and a linear output stage. The HM-219 handheld microphone is included.
With a width of 240 mm, but a height of only 94 mm and a depth of 238 mm as well as only 4.2 kg, the IC-7300 is a compact device despite all its functions and transmitting power. The power supply of 13.8 V / 21 A can be drawn from a mains adapter, but also mobile – a mobile mount is also available – or on a field day or expedition.