The IC-7300 is the first direct-sampling SDR transceiver

The IC-7300 is the first direct-sampling SDR transceiver from a Japanese amateur radio manufacturer.

IC-7300 front view. Click for larger image. Courtesy Icom Inc. IC-7300 front panel. Click for larger image.

IC-7300 rear panel. Courtesy Icom Inc. IC-7300 rear panel.

We are pleased to announce the new IC-7300, which was unveiled at Tokyo HamFair 2015 (August 22-23, 2015).

Here are some salient features:

• HF/6m, 100W output on all bands
  
• EU version: HF/6m/4m (50W on 4m)
  
• Modes: SSB (J3E), CW (A1A), RTTY (F1B), AM (A3E), FM (F3E)
• Direct-sampling SDR (software-defined radio) receiver architecture
• Receiver signal path: RF BPF - ADC - FPGA - DSP - DAC - AF stage
  
• Digital up-conversion (DUC) transmitter architecture*
  
• Transmitter signal path: Baseband amplifier - ADC - DSP - FPGA - DAC - IPA - HPA*
• ADC sampling rate: 124 megasamples/sec
  
• Improved phase noise performance due to low-noise ADC clock source
• Fully-digital FFT spectrum scope and digitally-generated screen image; FPGA drives image processor via digital bus
• Real-time, high-resolution spectrum scope includes waterfall
  
• Large colour TFT touch-screen display; screen selection via menu
• Frequency change by touching scope screen
• Multi-dial knob opens on-screen menus; menu items selected by touching screen
  
• Familiar Icom NR, NB, Twin PBT, DSP filtering and notch controls
• Built-in relay-type high-speed autotuner
  
• Rear-panel socket for AH-4 external autotuner
• Acoustically-baffled speaker for excellent receive sound
• Front-panel SD card slot
• Rear-panel USB port for CI-V and audio/baseband input/output
  

Icom IC7300 SDR REVEIW

Many thanks for your thorough and thoughtful comments on the IC-7300. As you are doubtless aware, I have tested a fair number of direct-sampling SDR's over the past few years as well as legacy (conventional) transceivers. I have learned from this test activity that a direct-sampling SDR receiver is a totally different "animal" than a legacy receiver, and requires a completely different approach to performance testing. The old "touchstone" metrics of DR3 (3rd-order IMD dynamic range), BDR (blocking dynamic range) and IP3 (3rd-order intercept point) are completely meaningless in the context of an ADC.

I have covered these matters in a paper I gave at our club, at APDXC 2014 and at several other venues. The paper is entitled "HF Receiver Testing: Issues and Advances." Here is the link:

New ICOM IC 7300 ( ENGLISH VERSION )

ICOM IC 7300

High Quality Real-Time Spectrum Scope 

RF Direct Sampling System 

Class Leading Phase 

Noise Characteristics 

Large Touch Screen Color TFT LCD 

Built-in Automatic Antenna Tuner

Easy-to-Hear Sound Quality

High Quality Real-time Spectrum Scope

Now, a serious spectrum scope is NOT a “privilege” of high-grade models. The highresolution real-time spectrum scope comes loaded with the IC-7300. Its real-time spectrum scope with waterfall function provides top-level performance in resolution, sweep speed and dynamic range.

New ICOM IC 7300 ( ENGLISH VERSION )

Here are some salient features:

• HF/6m, 100W output on all bands
  
• EU version: HF/6m/4m (50W on 4m)
  
• Modes: SSB (J3E), CW (A1A), RTTY (F1B), AM (A3E), FM (F3E)
• Direct-sampling SDR (software-defined radio) receiver architecture
• Receiver signal path: RF BPF - ADC - FPGA - DSP - DAC - AF stage
  
• Digital up-conversion (DUC) transmitter architecture*
  
• Transmitter signal path: Baseband amplifier - ADC - DSP - FPGA - DAC - IPA - HPA*
• ADC sampling rate: 124 megasamples/sec
  
• Improved phase noise performance due to low-noise ADC clock source
• Fully-digital FFT spectrum scope and digitally-generated screen image; FPGA drives image processor via digital bus
• Real-time, high-resolution spectrum scope includes waterfall
  
• Large colour TFT touch-screen display; screen selection via menu
• Frequency change by touching scope screen
• Multi-dial knob opens on-screen menus; menu items selected by touching screen
  
• Familiar Icom NR, NB, Twin PBT, DSP filtering and notch controls
• Built-in relay-type high-speed autotuner
  
• Rear-panel socket for AH-4 external autotuner
• Acoustically-baffled speaker for excellent receive sound
• Front-panel SD card slot
• Rear-panel USB port for CI-V and audio/baseband input/output
  
  
  

Still in Japan Review IC-7300

The radio is about half the size of the IC-7600. The touch panel is very responsive and menus are easy to access. Back panel has the common Icom connectors, however no IF or video out. Waterfall is on the display panel only. Audio is clear, as much as you can judge with a noisy Ham Fair environment. Solid feel along the previous lines. I give it a big thumbs up for being Icom's first SDR and the ability to be programmed via USB. Around $1200 or so I assume. Will be a big winner. Have a few original flyers if anyone is interested :-)

Stefan, VE4NSA

Icom block-diagram new IC-7300

The FT-991 is an traditional superheterodine quadri-bands! The  new IC-7300 adopt the latest  RF direct sampling method (BPF >A/D >FPGA >DSP >D/A – see the Icom block-diagram below) and it is equipped with a high-performance real-time band scope on large TFT display!

RF Direct Sampling System — A First in Amateur Radio*

Instead of the conventional superheterodyne system, the IC-7300 utilizes the RF direct sampling system — a first in an amateur radio transceiver. This technology is seen in Software Defined Radios and other radio equipment. RF signals are mostly processed through the FPGA (Field-Programmable GRate Array), making it possible to eliminate physical mixer and filter devices and offer a high performance real-time spectrum scope in a compact body. * Researched by Icom, among major amateur radio manufactures.

[ICOM7300] video IC 7300

Large Touch Screen Color TFT LCD

The IC-7300 has a large color TFT LCD and it can be used as a touch screen. This user-friendly interface provides intuitive operation. Using the software keypad of the touch screen, you can easily set various functions and edit memory contents.

Multi-dial Knob for Smooth Operation

When you push the multi-dial knob, menu items are shown on the right side of the display. You can select an item with a touch of the screen and adjust levels by turning the multi-dial knob. This combination of the multi-dial knob and touch screen offers quick and smooth operation.

Built-in Automatic Antenna Tuner

The high-speed automatic antenna tuner is built into a compact chassis (240 (W) x 238 (D) x 95 (h) mm; 9.45 x 9.37 x 3.74 in). You can easily carry the radio and enjoy field operation.

Easy-to-Hear Sound Quality

To offer optimum sound quality, a new speaker unit is employed and is allocated sufficient space in the aluminum die-cast chassis.

Other Features

    • Voice memory function
    • Memory keyer functions for CW and RTTY
    • RTTY decode log function
    • Screen capture
    • SD card slot
    • USB for CI-V and audio input/output
    • Large cooling fan system
    • Multi-function meter
    • 101 memory channels (99 regular and 2 scan edge channels)
    • Multiple CW functions
    • Digital noise reduction
    • 100W output power on HF/50MHz bands and 50W on 70MHz band* (*Europe versions only)
    • SSB, CW, RTTY, AM and FM modes

Icom reveals first SDR IC-7300

Icom reveals first SDR, IC-7300 Saturday, August 22nd 2015, during the Tokyo Ham Fair 2015, Icom revealed their first Software Defined Radio (SDR) HF transceiver, the IC-7300, sporting HF+6m covera...

IC-7300 Icom
HF+50MHz (SSB/CW/RTTY/AM/FM) 100W

IC-7300M – 50W
IC-7300S – 10W

    High Quality Real-Time Spectrum Scope
    RF Direct Sampling System
    Class Leading Phase Noise Characteristics
    Large Touch Screen Color TFT LCD
    Built-in Automatic Antenna Tuner
    Easy-to-Hear Sound Quality

Innovative IC-7300 HF/50/70MHz Transceiver launched at Tokyo Ham Fair 2015

Icom Inc. had a huge amount of interest on its stand at last weekend’s Tokyo Ham Fair 2015 with the unveiling of the IC-7300 HF/50/70MHz Transceiver.

The launch, which caught most people by surprise, saw the manufacturer introduce a new base station transceiver incorporating the latest RF direct sampling system, a first for an Amateur radio transceiver*.
The IC-7300 transceiver, an aesthetically, attractive looking base station, features a 4.3 inch touch screen colour TFT LCD screen with a high performance real time band scope.

A first for an Amateur radio transceiver, the IC-7300 uses a RF Direct Sampling System, a technology normally seen in Software Defined Radios. RF signals are mostly processed through the FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), rather than by physical devices enabling high performance real-time spectrum scope in a compact body.

The IC-7300 includes a built-in integrated wide-frequency Automatic Antenna Tuner making ideal for field operation. The radio provides 100 watts output power on HF/50MHz bands and 50 watts on 70MHz (European versions only).

Icom Inc. has produced a pre-release leaflet for the IC-7300 which you can download from this page. This information is preliminary and a full document will be made available nearer to the product’s launch.
So far, we have no details about pricing and availability.

To download this leaflet, click on the link on the side bar of this page.
*Researched by Icom Inc, among major Amateur radio manufacturers

Ian Lockyer
Marketing Manager
Icom UK Ltd

ICOM 7300 sdcard on the front

i wonder what the sdcard on the front is for.

Assuming it works like the ID-31/51/5100 and IC-7100 the SD will be able to record QSOs and store configurations (so you can have different setting and memories for different modes or operators or to clone radios). You can also use the SD card to save voice memories.

By default those radios will record any QSO once you've transmitted (the PTT is the start trigger) but if you are just listening or want to record something in a non-amateur band you can also manually start and stop a recording from the menu.

IC-7300 - New Videos on YouTube

IC-7300 - New Videos on YouTube
I just came across this new YouTube video showing the radio from the Tokyo Ham Show.