information about Ham Radio equipment
Jul 29 2020
Today I’ve put the rotary mast in and mounted the 144 and 432 MHz beam. I lifted the mast up for now, but the pre-amps and cabling still need to be connected coming days. Hope to be back on the 1st weekend of August in the contest and the NAC/DIGI contest beginning August. And do …
Jul 26 2020
This weekend Klaas (PC2K) and I were busy on the roof. The mast base is in place now. Today I’ve replaced the old ventilation chimney with a more descent cable passthrough. This one is 12cm in diameter, so enough to fit all cables. If time allows the rotary pipe will be mounted next Wednesday. The …
Jul 21 2020
Last week the new mast is lifted in the roof by a multi-crane who was working nearby. Thanks Peter! The old mast(parts) are gone and antennas removed. Now I have to find to remove the gravel on some places, put 33mm thick rubber mats and then we can lift the mast on the permanent place. …
Jul 12 2020
The new antenna mast is (custom) build and in. We’ve made a base of 150x100cm with 4 60*40 tiles as ballast. On the base there are 4 extensions of 200cm with a 60*40 ballast box. The base has a 150cm mast which is tiltable. Such is quite unseen for a flat rooftop mast. But with …
Mar 24 2020
Since half februari, my antennas are down. The mast couldn’t handle the 3th storm in 2 weeks time. I have to rebuild the flat rooftop base. This will take a couple of months. I didn’t have time for it yet due to my vacation in Florida and when returned, the Corona spread had some consequences …
Aug 31 2019
If the newly announced Icom IC-705 could work as remote head for your IC-9700 (IC-76xx and IC-7700) at home. Or even your remotely located IC-7300? Just like Elecraft does wirt the K3 and the K3 head. Of Flex Radio with the Maestro. Or the IC-7100 with some help of a RemoteRig kit… Since all electronics …
Jun 14 2019
Less than a week after releasing firmware v1.10, Icom just released v1.11. This update fixes an issue where the IC-9700 may hang up on a multifunction dial operation. Two Icom users reported issues with me with there IC-9700 frozen up. I hope this will solve the issue they’ve experienced. Firmware IC-9700 v1.11 can be downloaded …
Jun 07 2019
Icom just released new firmware for the IC-9700. The version is bumped from v1.06 to v1.10 and should fix the ‘drift problem’ which some experience. Icom also added a new function: The 10 MHz ref. input can now be used to permanently sync the external 10 MHz source to the internal oscillator, instead of only …
May 15 2019
To enable the AF output on Pin 8 of the MIC socket (AFO line), solder a bridge across test point CP421 on the DISPLAY board. Schematic: Service manual, p. 10-17.Board layout: Service manual, p. 7-10, to left of R421
May 05 2019
The IC-9700 Service Manual is available. Download it here. The document is in English, dated March 2019 and contains specifications, inside views, interface information, the adjustment procedure, the part list, mechanical parts, board layouts, the wiring diagram, the block diagram and a schematic diagram. In total the document is 93 pages and about 10 Mbyte …
Apr 28 2019
Another interesting post appeared today on the IC-9700 reflector. It describes how to improve frequency stability. I have modified my IC-9700 to keep the fan continuously running at a reduced speed by fitting a 6.8V Zener diode across the appropriate switching transistor. (N.B. I have documented the process with pictures of where I installed the …
Apr 22 2019
Easter. It means a long weekend off. Time for me to be busy in the shack. I started with a ride to SM/Ikea to buy some cupboards. One to the left of the desk to house the VHF and UHF amplifiers and rotators, the other one on the desk to make more room for radio’s. …
Apr 19 2019
Icom just posted a new firmware version for the IC-9700. The version is v1.06 and has these improvements: Improved accuracy of the automatic reference frequency calibration. Fixed unintended indication on the DR screen. Eliminated RX audio gap when changing the IF filter in the DV mode.
Apr 18 2019
Today, Robin (G1MHU) posted some pictures on Facebook. Embedding the pictures doesn’t work but follow this link to see them. Looks like Icom already added a foam block on the TCXO for stability. But. There is enough room to add a heater, cooler, whatever inside the box.
Apr 17 2019
Many people are confused about the 10 MHz reference lock input on the IC-9700. And so was I. While all of us expected the VCXO was locked to the 10 MHz input (which in most cases will be locked to a GPSDO) it isn’t. Unlike the new IC-7610, which is locked, the 10 MHz input …
