Icom 7100 Review: The Ultimate Ham Radio’s Powerhouse
The icom 7100 is a highly-rated radio with excellent features and performance. This versatile rig is perfect for amateur radio operators who demand a high level of performance and functionality from their equipment.
The icom ic-7100 is a high-end radio that offers excellent performance and features for amateur radio operators. With a sleek design and intuitive displays, this rig is ideal for both experienced and novice users. The 7100 features a built-in sd card slot, improved dsp filtering, and a large touchscreen display that allows for quick and easy operation.
Additionally, the radio supports multiple modes, including am, fm, ssb, and cw, making it highly versatile. Overall, the icom 7100 is a top-performing radio that offers excellent features and performance for any amateur radio operator.
Design And Build
The icom 7100 is a well-built radio that delivers exceptional performance in a small size. Its modern design takes into account the latest technology and user feedback to provide an enjoyable user experience.
Physical Description Of The Icom 7100
The icom 7100 measures 167 x 58 x 225 mm, making it a space-saving radio suitable for various setups. It’s a portable radio that you can easily carry around. The weight of the radio is approximately 2. 5 kg, and it feels substantial in hand.
Buttons And Controls
The icom 7100 features a well-laid-out panel that provides you with easy access to its vital functions. The radio has a variety of buttons and controls that make tuning and operating a breeze. The buttons are well-marked, and their functions are easy to grasp.
The radio has ergonomic buttons and controls that are made for effortless operation.
Front And Rear Panel
The icom 7100 offers a full-color, high-resolution 4. 3-inch touchscreen that displays all the necessary information including the frequency, mode, s-meter, and signal strength. The smartphone-style display provides intuitive operation and makes navigation a breeze. The radio also has a speaker on the front, which provides excellent sound quality.
At the back of the icom 7100, you will find a variety of ports, including 2 antenna ports, a usb port, an audio input and output port, and a power port.
Display Control
The icom 7100 display control section allows you to customize the display to your liking. You can change the channel name, background color, and font size. The radio provides you with up to 500 memory channels, and you can customize every channel to include the name, frequency, and other details you require.
Accessories And Additional Features
The icom 7100 has a variety of optional accessories that help you get the most out of your radio. You can opt for a remote head that allows you to separate the display from the main unit, giving you more flexibility in installation.
The radio also has an optional gps unit that allows you to add your current location to your transmissions.
Additionally, the icom 7100 boasts a built-in voice recorder that lets you record incoming and outgoing calls. The radio also features a noise-canceling function that filters out background noise, allowing you to focus on the conversation at hand.
The icom 7100 is a well-designed radio that delivers excellent performance in a compact size. Its intuitive interface, ergonomic buttons, and controls make operating the radio, a pleasure. With its customizable display, built-in voice recorder, and optional gps unit, the icom 7100 is an excellent radio for various purposes.
Performance And Functionality
The icom 7100 is a high-performance transceiver that offers a wide range of features, making it a popular choice among amateur radio enthusiasts. In this review, we will explore the performance and functionality of the icom 7100, and assess what makes it such a desirable tool for hams.
How The Icom 7100 Performs
The icom 7100 is a versatile radio that is suitable for a variety of operating modes. Its performance is second to none, thanks to its dsp technology that ensures clear and reliable communication under any circumstance. The radio’s wide frequency coverage, from hf to uhf bands, makes it easy to operate on all the amateur radio bands available.
Additionally, the icom 7100 is capable of receiving multiple signals at once, making it a useful tool for monitoring different frequencies simultaneously.
Modes Of Operation
The icom 7100 can operate in different modes such as ssb, cw, rtty, am, fm, and dv. The ability to switch between various modes of operation enables users to communicate with other hams using different modulation methods, giving them an edge when dealing with signals that are more difficult to receive.
Transmit And Receive
The icom 7100 has a wide range of transmitting power, up to 100 watts on some bands, giving you the ability to communicate over long distances. The radio also has excellent receiver sensitivity and selectivity, which ensures that you can receive even weak signals in noisy environments.
This comprehensive package ensures that users can enjoy clear communication on any band, any time.
Audio Quality
The icom 7100 comes with an inbuilt speaker and a jack for an external speaker. It delivers excellent audio quality, with crisp and clear sound that enables easy listening even in noisy environments. The audio output power can be adjusted, giving users the option to tailor their settings to their preferences.
Digital Signal Processing
The icom 7100 features dsp technology that enables filtering and processing of signals, enhancing output, and reducing noise. The radio has multiple filters that allow users to narrow down or broaden their reception bandwidth, filtering out unwanted signals to ensure clear communication.
This feature makes the icom 7100 ideal for users located in urban areas where interference is high.
Automatic Antenna Tuner
The icom 7100 comes with a built-in automatic antenna tuner that can handle a wide range of impedance matching without requiring additional hardware. The antenna tuner automatically matches impedance to ensure efficient communication without requiring any additional configuration. This feature is especially useful when operating in varied frequency bands and saves time, making the icom 7100 an excellent tool for portable and emergency communication.
The icom 7100 is a high-performance transceiver with excellent functionality and reliability, making it a popular choice among amateur radio operators. Its compact size, cutting-edge dsp technology, automatic antenna tuner, and a wide range of operating modes make it an excellent tool for various applications, including emergency communication, fieldwork, and everyday operation.
User Experience
Icom 7100 Review: User Experience
Using the icom 7100 radio is an enjoyable and seamless experience. The radio’s design is user-friendly, which makes it a great choice for new or experienced hams. Here are some key points to consider:
Ease Of Use:
The icom 7100 is a user-friendly radio with an intuitive interface. The buttons and knobs are easy to locate and use, allowing you to access essential functions and settings quickly. Even first-time users will find it simple to operate.
Programming And Configuration:
The process of programming and configuring the icom 7100 radio is a breeze. The software used to operate the radio is effortless to use, making it a simple task even for those new to ham radio. With only a few clicks, you can upload or modify configurations.
Memory Channels:
The icom 7100 has an extensive memory channel capacity, capable of storing up to 505 channels. It also features alphanumeric tagging, allowing you to organize your channels to your preference.
Menu System:
The icom 7100 has a vast and well-organized menu system, making it simple to navigate through different settings and functions. Consequently, you can make adjustments and changes effortlessly.
Features:
The icom 7100 is loaded with features that make it stand out in the ham radio market. These include:
- Digital signal processing (dsp) for clear speech transmission and reception
- Built-in tuner designed for automatic antenna tuning
- D-star compatibility for digital voice and data communication
- Voice memory function to record up to 10 seconds of spoken audio
- High-resolution spectrum scope display for audio and visual monitoring
Overall, the icom 7100 radio is an incredible device for amateur radio enthusiasts. Its exceptional user experience, coupled with its expansive range of functions, makes it a worthy investment for seasoned and novice hams.
Price And Availability
The icom 7100 is a popular ham radio that has been gaining widespread attention for its multi-mode capabilities. If you’re in the market for a new ham radio, you may be wondering about the price and availability of the icom 7100.
In this review, we’ll cover all of the essential details concerning the price of this radio, its availability on the market, and how it stacks up against other similar ham radios.
Price Point
The icom 7100 can be classified as a mid-range ham radio. Its retail price is around $1200, which places it at a slightly higher price point than some of the budget options available. However, given the features and functions that come with the icom 7100, it still remains a popular choice for many ham radio enthusiasts who are willing to pay a bit extra for the added capabilities.
Availability Of The Icom 7100
The icom 7100 is widely available in most countries. You can find it in both local and online stores, making it relatively easy to purchase regardless of your location.
Comparison With Similar Ham Radios On The Market
The icom 7100 is a versatile ham radio that’s packed with features, making it an attractive choice for many. However, it’s always a good idea to check how it compares to other similar ham radios currently available on the market.
Here’s a brief comparison:
- Icom ic-7300: This ham radio is a step up from the icom 7100 in terms of price and capabilities. It has a slightly larger color touchscreen display and supports more operating modes.
- Yaesu ft-991a: Another popular choice among ham radio enthusiasts, the yaesu ft-991a offers similar features to the icom 7100. However, it has a higher price point and a slightly steeper learning curve.
- Kenwood ts-590sg: The kenwood ts-590sg is another mid-range ham radio that’s comparable to the icom 7100. It offers similar features and functions, but its retail price is slightly lower.
For its price point, the icom 7100 is a versatile and feature-packed radio that’s worth considering if you’re looking for a mid-range ham radio. Its availability both online and offline makes it easily accessible, so you won’t have to spend hours searching for it.
While there are other similar ham radios on the market, the icom 7100 still holds its own when it comes to features, capabilities, and overall value for the price.
Frequently Asked Questions On Icom 7100 Review
What Are Some Key Features Of The Icom 7100?
The icom 7100 has a touch screen, built-in gps, hf/vhf/uhf bands, d-star capable, and 50 watts output power.
Is The Icom 7100 Easy To Use For Beginners?
The icom 7100 is very beginner-friendly thanks to its intuitive user interface, compact design, and extensive manual.
How Does The Icom 7100 Compare To Other Transceivers?
The icom 7100 provides exceptional performance and value, holding its own against more expensive radios.
Can The Icom 7100 Be Used For Emergency Communications?
Yes, the icom 7100 can be used for emergency communications thanks to its wide frequency range and d-star capabilities.
What Accessories And Antennas Are Compatible With The Icom 7100?
The icom 7100 is compatible with many accessories and antennas, including the ah-710 folded dipole antenna and sp-35 speaker.
Conclusion
After reviewing the icom 7100, it’s safe to say that this radio is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile, user-friendly, and high-performance device. Its impressive combination of features, including the multi-band coverage, intuitive touch screen interface, and built-in dsp filtering, make it an amazing addition to any radio enthusiast’s collection.
Additionally, the radio’s compact design makes it an ideal mobile unit, whether you’re interested in using it for emergencies or just for general communication with other hams around the world. Overall, the icom 7100 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality radio, that offers a variety of features in a compact and portable package.
So, if you’re ready to take your radio experience to the next level, the icom 7100 is the perfect choice for you.
