MISSION RGO ONE - "ARGO ONE"

IRISH LUCK Meets Bulgarian Excellence

I was preparing to invest in a new radio from Mission in Bulgaria and had gone as far as choosing which modules I wanted and joining the long waiting list. The total cost including delivery to the UK was over £1100. 

Radio engineer (and all-round nice guy) Boris Sapundzhiev (LZ2JR) took my order and said he would send the invoice when it was ready for shipping. I was excited but was dreading the wait - I'm not good at waiting!  

Later that day I spotted some eHam Reviews and emailed one of the reviewers to see if he could offer any tips/advice on getting the most out of the radio. To my amazement, he wrote back and explained that he hadn’t used ANY of his radio equipment for many months and told me his RGO ONE was stuck in a cupboard along with his new, unused TS-590SG. He didn’t even have any antennas up. The RGO ONE only had a few hours use logged.

He explained how the radio was configured….

• 80-10M RGO ONE Transceiver
• Heavyweight VFO Dial
• 160M/60M Module
• Auto ATU Module
• 2.8kHz  8-pole Filter
• Bourns Optical 128ppr Encoder
• H-Mode HDR First RX Mixer

 

The only desirable thing he didn’t have installed was the Noise Blanker Module - something I could add later if needed. I asked him how much he wanted and moments later, we shook virtual hands! Talk about lucky!!! ☘️☘️☘️ 

Now bear in mind that the RGO ONE is one of the most highly rated SuperHets around and there’s a long waiting list for them. On the used market they’re rarer than hens teeth!! And it seems that no one has a bad word to say about them.

I contacted Boris to cancel my order and then paid for my secondhand “Little Warrior”.  It took just a few days to arrive on my doorstep. The seller had wrapped the parcel very well and had kindly included some free accessories, one of them being a TYT hand-mic which had a HEIL HC-5 insert worth about £100 apparently. There was also a very nice Icom mic which turned out to actually be the nicer mic according to folks who were courteous enough to do some A/B tests with me. I think that the Yaesu may have beaten the Heil because it was perceived to be nicer to listen to, but I suspect that the Heil will be the better mic for "punching through" to dx stations. We'll see.

There’s something very appealing to the eye about the radio which is very contrary to modern aesthetics. It looks more like a piece of Lab Test Equipment. And that’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned. It’s unique, refreshing and in keeping with Boris's top-performing, "Golden SuperHet" theme.

I think it may have been Practical Wireless who categorised it as a 'Boutique Radio', likening its old-school/new-school architecture to Sean Connery in an Aston Martin DB5 with a high performance Tesla electric engine! 😂

 

The Mission RGO One (pronounced Argo-One as a nod to the TenTec Argonaut) is a hand crafted classic Superheterodyne (9MHz IF Down Conversion to 134kHz)  transceiver covering 80M to 10M or 160M~10M if you have the optional module. It is listed in many places as being "All Mode" but the truth is, there's no AM or FM. At the time of writing, the RGO One comes pre-built and aligned, but I believe it will be available at some point in the future as a modular kit - not unlike Elecraft's 'kits'. I like this format - it makes these radios feel more 'accessible'.

There’s no scopes or waterfalls - it doesn’t even have a sound card. In fact, it doesn’t even have a manufacturer’s name or logo on the front panel (no vanity here).

The radio's compact dimensions (90x200x270mm) make it the perfect candidate for a wide range of situations ranging from a full-time Base Station in the shack, to participating in POTA events and Field Days and generally any outing which involves operating close to the car. It's not particularly suited to SOTA work though.

The radio will transmit as little as 1 Watt but I'd love to see a firmware update to permit milliwatt adjustments - there have been plenty of times where I've managed to make contacts at 100mW on my IC-705 and I'd like to do the same with the RGO.

This Bulgarian beauty is not only gorgeous but it's a very fine transceiver too, with superb ergonomics. The front panel is incredibly simple and straightforward. Pretty much everything you want to do can be done by pressing a button on the front. The only things in the menu system are those rarely adjusted settings.

The big, heavy VFO dial spins smoothly and freely - it feels superb! The other rotaries feel smooth too and the push-buttons are crisp. Each button has two or three functions and they're all clearly labelled. 

The four knobs are 3D printed and are a bit of a let down visually, but they're very easily replaced (see above) - they only cost pennies. I believe that new radios will be delivered with much smarter knobs thanks to an investment into a plastic injection moulding die.

 

The large LCD screen is uncluttered and easy to view in direct sunlight. At night it's well lit. As much as I craved scopes, waterfalls, meters and masses of information on SDR radios, I also recognise the beautiful simplicity of a good LCD design.

 

Around the back (depending on the options you paid for) you get a nicely laid out set of connectors including a single Antenna (SO-239), RX-IN, USB, SPKR, Paddle, ACC1, IF OUT, PTT, LINEAR, TRANSVERTER IN/OUT and of course, GND. Thankfully, the power-connection is via Anderson Power Poles.

In the photo below, you can see that the radio is fitted with twin cooling fans which attach to the large heatsink. I will probably remove these and store them away because I only ever run QRP, so there's no point having them - they just increase the depth of the radio. If I ever upgrade my license, I can always refit them.

 

POWER ON

I connected one of my LifePO4 batteries and switched on, resulting in the LCD lighting up and virtual silence. I turned the AF dial and still there was nothing - even at full volume, I could barely hear a noise. That was the measure of the receivers noise floor - very quiet!

Attaching my EFHW soon lit up the S-Meter and the joy of spinning that big VFO began. To be totally honest, I found the dial to be uber-sensitive and need to see if there's anything in the menu to allow me to slow it down a little. 

There's no 500Hz step available which I really do miss (it's available on most every other radio I own)! On SSB I find that generally,  people transmit on a 1K or half a K frequency. In fact, I've found more and more people using half-k frequencies (like in the video sample below). Having that size step makes tuning so much quicker! 

Anyway I spun the dial and found a station on 20M and the audio sounded nice and rich - it reminded me very much of the ELAD FDM DUO.

 

The audio through the built-in speaker seemed quite loud and I'm sure that it would be fine outdoors as long as you weren't in a particularly noisy environment. Having said that, I prefer a speaker to be forward facing, so at home I plug in my portable Bose speaker and it sounds fabulous! When outdoors I usually use headphones.

Having the RGO and the ELAD side by side is really handy for A-B comparisions. I have them both sharing the same EFHW and it's very easy to compare the two. Needless to say, you have to bear in mind that they are using different external speakers, so one (the Bose) sounds slightly more 'bassy'. 

I need to do more testing when conditions are better and when there are more operators on air, but for now, it seems like there's very little difference between the two receivers. I did, of course, make sure that the ELAD was being used in StandAlone mode and not benefiting from the SW2 PC software. I also switched off the NR/NB.

The ELAD is internationally recognised as being a fine receiver, so it's good to learn that the RGO ONE is on par when tuning into those weaker stations. There was just nothing between them!

I also compared the RGO ONE to my FLEX 6300 Signature Series and the RGO was much nicer to listen to in a direct A-B test. That goes a long way in my book!

Needless to say, the RGO was much easier to use than the ELAD thanks to the superb ergonomics. As much as I love and adore my ELAD, I cannot deny that the ELAD's "modus operandi" is not exactly intuitive. It's fine if it's the only radio in your shack, but when you have multiple radios, it's easy to forget which "F" button does what.

The large LCD of the RGO ONE is also a bonus - so simple, clear and well defined. There's no hunting around looking for information - it's right there in plain sight - even if your eyesight isn't what it used to be! Although I wear reading glasses, I don't really need them to operate this radio. Can't do that on the ELAD because although the screen is crystal clear, it's small 😵.

As an aside, I should perhaps mention that I connected the BOSE speaker to the RGO via a nifty BlueTooth 5 Transmitter from Amazon. 

It basically plugs into your audio device's headphone socket (3.5mm stereo jack) and then transmits the audio via bluetooth so it can be picked up by any bluetooth speaker or headphones. It works superbly!

This was a great purchase at £11 and I might actually get a spare one so that I can connect it to other equipment which lacks bluetooth connectivity. It can also be switched to RECEIVE bluetooth signals instead of transmitting them. 

Over the next few weeks, I used the RGO One as often as I could, including weekends and I was hooked with the radio's performance and ease of operation. All the time I used the ELAD for comparison. At some point in the near future I will be ordering the RGO Noise Blanker and then I can do some more Bulgaria vs Italy tests.

It's a shame, but I don't do CW and I was well aware that this radio with its clickless pin-diode switching is a CW operators dream! Like many other modern radios, the RGO has Memory-Keying which makes repetitive calling a breeze. I may lend the radio to a friend from the Radio Club to get an independent opinion on CW operation and update this page later.

At one point, I took the radio out of the shack to a well known local hillside called "Winter Hill" which is around 450M above sea level. I connected my SotaBeams 20/40 Dipole and was grinning from ear to ear at the signals booming in. The people I spoke to were mightily impressed with my 5W signal and the "excellent audio" which was commented on multiple times throughout the day. 

I am aware that some people have suffered broadcast station break-in on the ham bands when living close to a Broadcast Radio Transmitter, but I've experienced none of that even though Winter Hill is a Broadcast and Telecommunications Site pushing out up to 100kW of signals to the whole of the North West UK. Having said that, I have discovered that Boris provided a High Pass Filter for this particular radio of mine and the previous owner also carried out a "mod" recommended on the RGO Website.

The Winter Hill outing proved to me that not only was the radio fabulous at pulling in stations from around the globe with relative ease, but it could also handle environments which might normally be considered hostile to amateur radio.

I've decided that the RGO ONE will probably not live in my home-shack, but will instead live at my holiday home (static caravan) on the edge of the Forest Of Bowland. I go there virtually every weekend and that's when I play most radio, so it makes sense to keep it there. The noise levels over there are almost non-existent and there are plenty of places that you can drive up to and find a great operating spot, sometimes with a bench or even a picnic table. That's ideal for the RGO ONE because of its weight (2.3kg).

The RGO One is fairly good on battery life, using about 650mA on RX - that's obviously not comparable to the very energy-efficient KX3 (150mA) and IC-705 (250mA), but then it's not that kind of radio. You wouldn't take an RGO ONE to the top of a mountain and expect to operate all day.  With the RGO, you'll probably always be close to your vehicle and a spare battery. My Zippy 8400 lasts long enough for most of my outdoor radio sessions.

Some might be interested to know that there's a relatively cheap waterproof case from CPC that's suitable for the RGO One. It's not a Pelican, but it's certainly worth the money and keeps the radio safe when transporting it....

So, I think you can deduce from my ramblings that I am very happy with my Bulgarian radio. The company's owner (Boris) has already proved that he's very passionate about this project and it's going to be great to see it grow and be a part of it. He cares very much about his customers and always finds time to answer queries.

So, that's the good. 

Here's the ugly... there is none!

So now I am 99.9% happy and enjoying this wonderful little transceiver. If the 500Hz step size was sorted out in a firmware update, this would be 100%.

I started a FaceBook Group Page and at the time of writing it has well over 300 members who are passionate about this little gem. If you are an owner or thinking of becoming one, please do join us. We all share information, tips and advice.

UPDATE 23 MARCH : Installed Noise Blanker

 

This noise-blanker can be a game changer for those suffering with local noise. It is well worth the money and I strongly recommend the upgrade. Below is a video showing its effectiveness against a modern Yaesu SDR radio...

Noise Blanker in operation

UPDATE Apr 2024 : 

I removed the fans this weekend because I only operate at QRP levels, so no use having them fitted (I've never actually see or heard them running). It leaves me with space in the case for a microphone and power-lead.

UPDATE JUNE 2024 : 

I spotted another for sale locally so I bought it so that I had one for home and one for the holiday home. Then it dawned on me that I was being extravagant, so I sold it on and it lives in someone else's shack now :-)

73, Tom, M7MCQ.

VIDEO SAMPLE…

QSO with a lovely Irish guy on 40M

IMAGES…

INTERNAL PIX & ATU PIX

SPECIFICATIONS:

• QRP/QRO output 1 – 50W [1 watt increments]
• All mode(?) shortwave operation – coverage of all HAM HF bands (160m/60m optional) No AM/FM modes
• High dynamic range receiver design including high IP3 monolithic linear amplifiers in the front end and diode ring RX mixer or H-mode first mixer (option).
• Low phase noise first LO – SI570 XO/VCXO chip.
• Full/semi (delay) QSK on CW; PTT/VOX operation on SSB. Strict RX/TX sequencing scheme. No click sounds at all!
• Down conversion superhet topology with popular 9MHz IF
• Custom made crystal filters for SSB and CW and variable crystal 4 pole filter – Johnson type 200…2000Hz
• Fast acting AGC (fast and slow) with 134kHz dedicated IF
• Compact and lightweight body (5lbs / 2.3kg)
• Custom made multicolour backlit FSTN LCD
• Custom moulded front panel with ergonomic controls.
• Silent operation with no clicking relays inside – solid state GaAs PHEMT SPDT switches on RX (BPF and TX to RX switching) and ultrafast rectifying diodes (LPF)
• Modular construction – Main board serves as a “chassis” also fits all the external connectors, daughter boards, inter-connections and acts as a cable harness.
• Optional modules – Noise Blanker (NB), Audio Filter (AF), ATU, XVRTER, PC control via CAT protocol; USB UART – FTDI chipset
• Double CPU circuitry control for front panel and main board – both field programmable via USB interface.
• Memory morse code keyer (Curtis A, CMOS B); 4 Memory locations 128 bytes each

Classic superhet design – with popular 9MHz intermediate frequency. Filter method DSB to SSB modulation
 

Coverage of the 9 HAM HF bands (160m optional)
 

High dynamic range receiver design including high IP3 monolithic IC in the front end and H-mode first mixer
 

Fast acting IF (134kHz) AGC.
 

Clickless operation – solid state GaAs PHEMT SPDT switches on RX, (bandpass filters; TX/RX) and ultra fast rectifier diodes (LPF)
 

Custom multicolor FSTN LCD (Especially developed for this project)
 

Custom made plastic face plate, unique and ergonomic knob controls
 

Custom made crystal filters – 6,8 pole, CF=9MHz, 2.8kHz, 2.7kHz, 1kHz, 500Hz

Double CPU circuitry control for front panel and mother board, both field programmable via implemented USB hub.

Modular construction with no “flying wires” inside the box. Transceiver is built up on a main – mother board which has two functions. First to serve as a “chassis” and second to fit all the external connectors, daughter boards, inter-connections and acts as cable harness.
 

Plenty of optional modules: Audio filters, Automatic antenna tuner (ATU), Noise blanker (NB), narrow/wide band IF crystal filters.
 

Linear final amplifier PA 50W with precise power adjustment especially for QRP operations. Forget noisy FANs – 25W  – unlimited time!! QRO work – with max power of 50W driving should be sufficient for a kilowatt amplifier.
 

Personal computer control CAT via USB
 

Morse code keyer (Curtis A, CMOS B)
 

Contest and DX-pedition operation conveniences
 

Both Kit & Pre-Built versions will be available for sale

ICOM IC-7100 REVIEW

AN OWNERS P.O.V.  (First published Jan 2020)

The ICOM IC-7100 was never really on my radar. I guess I just didn't really like the idea of that unusual looking control unit. In the beginning I could only focus on BIG radios with a million knobs and buttons and weight and presence!

But after twiddling all those knobs and buttons I soon realised that my tiny shack was getting tinier and the big radios had to be placed at awkward angles on shelves which were at awkward heights. The 7100 soon became more appealing and so I looked further into it and found that it grew on me - so I got one. And I'm glad I did.

First of all, I like the fact that this radio is a "Shack In A Box" with HF, 6M, 4M, 2M & 70cm plus DSTAR (all modes).  I think it's probably the only radio in the world which covers all those bands in a single unit!

I also like that it has good computer connectivity and not only can it be controlled directly through a PC, but it can also be controlled remotely through one!

The radio comes in two parts - the Base, which can be stored away somewhere on a shelf or under your desk, and the Head unit which can be placed conveniently closeby. The two are connected by a single cable (CAT-6 I think). The Head unit has a built-in speaker and sockets for a morse keyer, microphone and headphones.

The Head unit (control-unit) is neat and compact but it still has some weight to it which is nice and it certainly feels like a very high quality bit of kit. Pushing buttons on the unit does not cause it to move around on your desk - it pretty much stays where you put it. Underneath it has four anti-slip feet and the back ones can actually be extended out to make the unit even more stable. There's also a very handy "Tripod Mount" on the underside.

The VFO Tuning Knob is large and comfortable to operate with a nice level of detenting. This can be adjusted by use of a small lever to the side, so that the knob rotation can be tailored to suit your personal preference (either stiff and notched or free and spinning). It's very easy to live with and it's a shame that other radios don't have this - I would have certainly loved the feature on my super-sensitive FT-DX3000 VFO dial!

The screen is nice and crisp and clear. Illumination is good and it can be controlled for brightness and contrast. It is a shame, however, that it's not colour. Icom should have maybe included it as standard or offered it as an option. Having said all that, I am perfectly happy with the 7100's display and when I'm using the radio I never give it a second thought. It almost looks as good as a Paperwhite Kindle!

The IC-7100 is extremely easy to use - straight from the box, without even reading the manual. It's all very intuitive and the Touch-Screen really adds to it. To me, at least, everything is 'just right' and when I want to do something new, I always seem to find the relevant options quickly and easily. Icom have included some physical push-buttons on the head-unit, most of which make sense, but I must admit that if I had been on the design team, I'd have done something different with them. Still, that's just my opinion and there's probably others out there who think it's spot on.

The Touch-Screen makes the IC-7100 a dream to work with - it's like Point & Shoot! You want to change something? If you can see it on the screen, you can usually change it just by touching that part and an option window appears. At the bottom of the screen is a row of 5 context-sensitive, virtual buttons and these form part of the MENU system - there's actually 3 sets of them - you cycle through them by pressing the physical MENU button.

Once inside the Menu System, it's all very easy to choose your options and then get back to listening to radio. I have hardly ever reached for the Manual and even less so, the advanced manual! And I don't even think it's because I've had other Icoms - it's because the Icom system is just so good!

So how does the radio perform? Well I guess it's all relative to what you've had before and in my case, I've had some pretty special rigs - Elecraft KX3, Flex 6300, Yaesu DX101D, Elad FDM Duo and currently, an IC-7610. So I'll be (unfairly) comparing the IC-7100 to those.

One has to accept right at the beginning that a £1400 'Shack In A Box' is never going to be as sensitive as a dedicated HF transceiver costing twice as much, but in every day life, there is very little difference. Sure, the tiniest, most faded signals can better be pulled out of the distance with the premium HF radios, but the IC-7100 is no slouch!! It has really surprised me when making direct comparisons with my other radios. Flicking the antenna switch from one to the other has often resulted in me trying my best to find an advantage that the "superior" radios have over the little Icom.

So if there's a minute difference, it's of no significance to rag-chewers and everyday users. DXers will want lower floor noise, more sensitivity and better filters, but they'll have to pay a chunk more money for that and they won't have VHF, UHF and DSTAR. Everything in life is a compromise and so too is the IC-7100.

The  32-bit floating point DSP supports many digital processing features such as digital IF filter, twin PBT and manual notch filters. Of course, these high-grade digital processing features work on all ham bands, from HF to the 70cm band. 

The Noise Reduction on this radio is superb in IMHO and works wonders in letting you hear weak signals on noisy SSB bands. I was quite surprised by how good it was. The PBT is another fantastic tool in getting rid of unwanted noise. It works by electronically modifying the IF PassBand width to reject interference and although it took me a while to get the best out of these tools, it was well worth the effort and practise. Up to now, I haven't honestly used the Notch Filters so it would be unfair to comment on them.

On the desk, you soon start to appreciate how very very convenient it is to have a compact radio that can be placed virtually anywhere. I tend to have mine sitting just underneath my computer monitor where it's out of the way but still easily within reach and very visible. The 45 degree angle on the screen seems to be perfect wherever you position the radio and there's no darkening of the screen when viewed from the sides. With your wrist on the desk, the VFO dial falls naturally to hand and playing radio is just a pleasant experience.

Most radios have a meter which allow you to cycle through a range of displays such as SWR, POWER, ALC, Etc. But the IC-7100 does one better than that - it will show you ALL of them at once including temperature, current and voltage. Nice!

The speaker within the control-unit is perfectly adequate for listening to VHF or UHF frequencies in FM mode where the signals are generally clean and bright once they've broken through your squelch, but if you are trying to dig something out of the dirt on HF you'll probably want to plug in an external speaker to the base unit (or the control-unit). Alternatively of course, you can plug in a headset or headphones.

The HM-151 is the supplied DTMF Microphone which looks identical to the mic which came with my ELAD FDM DUO, so I did a recording of my transmissions using the ELAD software and compared the 151 to the 198. The HM-151 was the clear winner!! I have also seen a video on YouTube where a guy spends hours recording transmission and making comparisons between his HM151 and a host of other mics including expensive HEIL headsets - and the HM-151 beat them all!

BEAR IN MIND TOO that the HM-151 (which was designed purely for the 7100) provides you with a great deal of control. It permits you to change frequency, change bands, change modes and much, much more!

Having said that, there's always someone who's looking to squeeze the most out of their mic by making alterations. If you're one of those guys, LOOK HERE for some help from Bob Nagy (AB5N). I'd strongly suggest asking for lots of audio-reports from lots of different people, using different bands and playing around with the settings before committing to a modification.

I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of Bob's 'MOD KITS' on UK eBay of all places, so I might just give it a go when I've got some free time (I've got other kits to build).

DSTAR : 

I use this digital mode frequently on my Kenwood TH-D74 handheld. I initially found it more user-friendly and trouble-free than Yaesu's System Fusion! Because I cannot reach a DSTAR repeater from where I live with the handheld, I use an OpenSpot.

Setting up DSTAR was a total pain in the ass on the Kenwood (not helped by the fact that no one at the local radio club had a clue and no one on the online forums seemed to know anything about setting up a D74) but eventually I got my head around it. I was hoping that the IC-7100 might be different but it's not. You basically have to setup memories not only for the Gateways/Reflectors but also to make an initial Connection and then you switch to another memory channel to CQCQCQ (or that's my understanding of it LOL). I purchased RT Systems programming software to make the whole process of setting up DSTAR far easier - I'll update this section later.

Another great feature of the IC-7100 is the SD CARD that sits in the front of the base-unit. It can be used to store all the radio's memories and also to record QSO's or even store pre-recorded voice messages which can be transmitted at the push of a button. It's simple to make a backup copy of the card and even share it at the Radio Club with fellow 7100 owners. Speaking of the Base-Unit, there's another small, but sensible feature - the fan is at the front of the case instead of at the back where it's normally stuffed up against a wall with restricted airflow.

The connections on the rear panel are well spaced and easy to identify. The unit works well with a range of ATUs and a simple interface guarantees a fully integrated operation.  I use an MFJ-993B in the shack.

Playing with FT8 and other such digital modes is a breeze with the IC-7100 because the soundcard is built-in and everything goes through a single USB port (my ELAD uses three). Control software like HAM RADIO DELUXE or WIN4ICOM works well with the radio and one of the unique features is the ability to use the IC-7100 remotely using Icom's own RS-BA1 software.

WIN4ICOMSUITE

HAM RADIO DELUXE

ICOM RS-BA1  V2

 

I have a small shack in the corner of a shared 'Hobby Room' and my desk is filled with Flight Simulation paraphernalia, MFD's, keyboard, mouse, etc. The unit fits in any gap remaining and I can quickly and easily remove it for portable operation.

Using a shielded CAT-6 cable which came with my BT Router, I sometimes just take the head unit into the adjacent lounge and sit comfortably on the couch playing radio. Absolutely brilliant! If I could be bothered to have a cable routed around the outside of my bungalow to the conservatory, I could do the same there. Or now that Ofcom have changed the rules, I can just connect from anywhere using IP software (RS-BA1).

 

 

Before I finish, I'd like to discuss a couple more features, one of which is good to have and that's the SWR SWEEP. It's great for evaluating a new antenna quickly. You can set the radio to sweep a band or a portion of it and see on a graph where the SWR is low or high. Almost like having an antenna analyser.

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

The final feature is the built-in scope - it's non-active like the FT-991. Personally, I prefer to use an RSPdx to provide a large and accurate scope and waterfall on my big PC screen. 

The RSPdx shares the same antenna as the IC-7100 but is protected from the 7100's transmissions by an MFJ-1708B. The 1708B detects the 7100's TX and puts the RSPdx to ground until the transmission is over. Very handy devices and incredibly good value for money.

So overall, I'm really very pleased with the radio and I'm very glad I bought it. It fits in well with everything I do. It allows me to work on 160M right through to 70cm 😮😮😮.  It has RX from as low as 30kHz.  It can operate remotely, it receives the AirBand (an area of interest to me) and the Scan speed of the memories is nice and fast.

Since writing this post, I have fitted an IF OUT to my 7100 using this kit which is fitted internally (requiring soldering).

Below is a piece from someone FAR smarter than me - KV5R. I would strongly recommend  that you look at his review of the IC-7100 - it's much more thorough than mine and the rest of his blog is a mine of information. Click Here.  

Low SSB Power?

Much has been written (and YouTubed) about the 7100’s SSB power. Indeed, out of the box you plug in the mic and talk and see about 13 watts on the meter. This is because it has a very fast ALC, pulling average talk power (and typical meters) way down. But the PEP is actually there! On mine, a bit over 100 watts PEP, on a ’scope. There is no need to mod the radio, either with the capacitor mod, or the jumper mod. Version 5 of the firmware brings up average power some, though it still needs to be run with a fairly high ALC indication, and maybe a 1 on compression. If you are used to running SSB voice with little or no ALC indication, well, forget that, and run the 7100's ALC at about 40-80% indication. Also, Icom has corrected the initial ALC overshoot problem, but adding a capacitor to slow down the ALC is a bad idea, as it may cause ALC overshoot, perhaps arcing your amp or tuner. KV5R 

Sadly, Howard has not posted anything or updated his QRZ page for a couple of years, so I'm not sure if he's still 'on air' 😢

M7MCQ

_______________________

SPECIFICATIONS

Receiver: 0.030–199.999MHz*2 400.000–470.000MHz*2 Transmit 1.810–1.999MHz 3.500–3.800MHz 7.000–7.200MHz 10.100–10.150MHz 14.000–14.350MHz 18.068–18.168MHz 21.000–21.450MHz 24.890–24.990MHz 28.000–29.700MHz 50.000–52.000MHz 70.000–70.500MHz 144.000–146.000MHz 430.000–440.000MHz
Mode	USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM, DV, FM, WFM(Rx only)
No of memory channels	495 regular, 4 call, 6 scan edges, 900 D-STAR repeater channels
Antenna connector	SO-239×2 (one each for HF/50/70MHz and 144/430MHz, 50Ω)
Operating Temp. range	−10°C to +60°C
Frequency stability	±0.5ppm (0°C to +50°C @ 430MHz)
Power supply requirement	13.8V DC ±15%
Current drain (at 13.8V DC)	Tx: 22A (HF/50/70MHz) 16A (144/430MHz) RX: 1.2A/0.9A (Max. audio/standby)
Dimensions (W×H×D, projections not included)	Main unit 167×58×225 mm Controller 165×64×78.5 mm
Weight (approx.)	Main unit 2.3 kg Controller 0.5 kg

*1Showing EUR(#03) version. Varies according to version.
*2Some frequency bands are not guaranteed.

Transmitter

Output power (at 13.8V DC)	SSB/CW/RTTY/FM/DV: HF/50MHz: 2–100W 70MHz: 2–50W 144MHz: 2–50W 430MHz: 2–35W AM: HF/50MHz: 1–30W 70MHz: 1–15W
Modulation system	SSB: Digital P.S.N. modulation AM: Digital low power modulation FM: Digital phase modulation DV: GMSK digital phase modulation
Spurious emissions	Less than −50dB (HF bands) Less than −63dB (50MHz) Less than −60dB (70/144/430MHz)
Carrier suppression	More than 50dB
Unwanted sideband	More than 50dB

Receiver

Intermediate frequencies	SSB/CW/AM/FM/RTTY/DV: 124.487MHz, 455kHz, 36kHz WFM: 134.732MHz, 10.700MHz
Sensitivity	(HF: Preamp-1 ON, 50/70MHz: Preamp-2 ON, 144/430MHz: Preamp ON) SSB/CW (BW=2.4kHz at 10dB S/N): 1.8–29.995MHz: 0.15μV 50MHz: 0.12μV 70MHz: 0.15μV 144/430MHz: 0.11μV AM (BW=6kHz at 10dB S/N): 0.5–1.8MHz: 13μV 1.8–29.995MHz: 2μV 50MHz: 1μV 70MHz: 1μV 144/430MHz: 1μV FM (BW=15kHz at 12dB SINAD): 28–29.7MHz: 0.5μV 50–54MHz: 0.25μV 70MHz: 0.25μV 144/430/440MHz: 0.18μV DV (at 1% BER): 28–29.7MHz: 1μV 50MHz: 0.63μV 70MHz: 0.63μV 144/430MHz: 0.35μV WFM (at 12dB SINAD): 76–108MHz: 10μV
Sensitivity for RED (Less than) Preamp ON SSB, AM, FM: at 12 dB SINAD	SSB (2.4 kHz): 1.8–2.999 MHz 10 dBμV emf 3.0–29.995 MHz 0 dBμV emf 50/70 MHz band –6 dBμV emf 144/430 MHz band –6 dBμV emf AM (4 kHz, 60% modulation): 1.8–2.999 MHz 16 dBμV emf 3.0–29.995 MHz 6 dBμV emf 50/70 MHz band 0 dBμV emf 144/430 MHz band 0 dBμV emf FM (7 kHz, 60% modulation): 28–29.700 MHz 0 dBμV emf 50/70 MHz band –6 dBμV emf 144/430 MHz band –6 dBμV emf
Selectivity	SSB (BW=2.4kHz, sharp): More than 2.4kHz / −6dB Less than 3.4kHz / −40dB CW (BW=500Hz, sharp): More than 500Hz / −6dB Less than 700Hz / −40dB RTTY (BW=500Hz): More than 500Hz / −6dB Less than 800Hz / −40dB AM (BW=6kHz): More than 6.0kHz / −6dB Less than 10kHz / −40dB FM (BW=15kHz): More than 12kHz / −6dB Less than 22kHz / −40dB DV (12.5kHz spacing): More than −50dB
Spurious and image rejection ratio	More than 70dB (HF/50/70MHz) More than 65dB (144/430MHz) (except 1/2 IF through on 50/70MHz, IF through on 144MHz)
Audio output power	More than 2.0W (10% distortion, 8Ω load, 13.8V DC)

USEFUL VIDEO GUIDES......

CLICK HERE

UPDATE NOV 2021:

I hit a problem which others may come across whereby the radio suddenly switches off. I talk about it in >> THIS POST <<

 

UPDATE 2024

Here I am in June 2024, still LOVING this absolute gem of a radio! 

As you can see from this blog, I've been fortunate enough to try out a LOT of modern radios - the best available - and they all bring something to the table, but none of them bring together the 7100's unique blend of features in a single package in such a compact, practical and enjoyable form factor.

Please Icom, please, please, please -  why not bring out an updated version of this magnificent radio with a TFT colour screen and a live scope. Call it IC-Heaven!

Thanks for visiting - please take a minute to leave a comment below 

73, Tom, M7MCQ.

OLLITER OL-SDR

A NEW AND EXCITING SDR TRANSCEIVER?

I recently came across a website which was boasting the imminent release of an all new SDR radio which will be available as a receiver or a low-power transceiver which could be used as a QRP station or attached to a linear amplifier.

In addition to the new radio, there's also some very nice looking new software.

Details are a little sketchy at the moment, but hopefully Olliter will soon be putting Beta units out for appraisal and then we'll know a lot more about their on-air performance and how much they're likely to cost.

I get the impression that the radios (and optional Power Amps) may be available as kits (modular like Elecraft).

Visit their website for more info....

https://www.ol-power.com/sdr-en.html

73, Tom, M7MCQ.

LAKE ELECTRONICS QRP METER

A LUCKY FIND!

I’ve been looking for a nice little QRP WATT METER for ages and it seems like no one makes one any more. MFJ’s 813 has been discontinued and any retailer who has one left on their shelf is asking stupid money - and it’s not that good anyway!

So when I spotted this rare Lake Electronics PM-20 at last weekend’s radio rally, I quickly pounced on it and forked out a tenner to make it mine. It has two measurement ranges : 0-1000mW and 0-20W. 

It seemed to be in mint condition and I couldn’t wait to get home to try it out. Sadly, things didn’t turn out too well, because it wasn’t working - at all 😓

I opened up the case to see if there was anything obviously wrong, but the inside looked even better than the outside, so I closed it back up and emailed one of Bolton Wireless Club’s members to seek help. Ross (G6GVI) very kindly offered to have a look at it during the next Club Meet.

At the Club, Ross explained where I should take some DVM readings and provided me with some additional guidance in the form of circuit diagrams. He also gave me a diode in case that was part of the problem.

Tonight, I reopened the case and briefly put a continuity meter across the PM-20 meter terminals to see if the coil was actually functioning and sure enough, the needle went full scale. Great! Before doing anything else, I decided to swap out the diode with the one Ross had supplied. I’m happy to report that the meter is now working!! 👌

I then spent some time adjusting the pots to get a readout which matched the indicated output of three QRP transceivers.

I’m really pleased to have this meter up and running and I thank Ross for his valuable help.

73 de Tom, M7MCQ.