Etikett: ic-9700

Some test with the internal LNA (P.AMP) of the IC-9700 and external LNA. What combinations will give the best SNR? Note that all tests are done without any type of professional equipment – only by looking at the waterfall and listening with my ears.

I have used my VHF and UHF yagis and external LNAs Mini-2 and Mini-70 mounted just below the antennas. I have aprox. 16 meters of high quality LMR-400 cables between the IC-9700 and antennas/LNAs.

VHF – beacon SK1VHF at 144.447 MHz

Without internal P.AMP and external LNA	Not possible to hear beacon
With only internal P.AMP	Possible to hear beacon
With both internal P.AMP and external LNA	Better SNR but needed to reduce RFGain to get good SNR
With only external LNA	Best SNR! No need to reduce RFGain.

Note on VHF: The difference between using both internal P.AMP + external LNA and only external LNA is not huge, but is clearly audible.

UHF – beacon SK1UHF at 432.405 MHz

Without internal P.AMP and external LNA	Not possible to hear beacon
With only internal P.AMP	Possible to hear beacon
With both internal P.AMP and external LNA	Better SNR but needed to reduce RFGain to get good SNR
With only external LNA	Best SNR! No need to reduce RFGain.

Note on UHF: Almost the same result as VHF, but the external LNA gives better result and SNR compared to VHF.

Summary:

If you do not have an external LNA it is mandatory to use the internal P.AMP on the IC-9700 for very weak signals.
If you have a good external LNA mounted close to the antenna it is best to turn off the internal P.AMP to get best SNR.

I have been looking for a headset for my IC-9700 and read that many are very pleased with the Koss SB-45 (SB/45) PC headset with electret microphone element.

I got one for 20 EUR via the Swedish eBay site Tradera. I made a DIY adapter for the Icom standard 8-pin Mic connector – just connected pin 7 ”Mic ground” and pin 1 ”Mic input” to a 3.5mm female connector.

This is the pinout for the Icom 8 pin connector:

Here are some very short audio samples – first with the standard Icom mic and the second with the Koss SB-45. I’m using USB and maybe not exactly on the correct frequency when I did the recordings:

Some useful links:

• Very good post by HL1ZIX / KE0EYJ about the SB-45 with IC-7300
• Koss SB-45 on Amazon
• If you would a ready made adapter – 8-Pin MIC/Headset Adapter HS-01C for ICOM TRX
• Reviews on eHam

In september 2022 I did a portable test via the RS-44 satellite during a high elevation pass. I was just outside my house.

I did actually managed to hear myself. But… lot of stuff to handle at the same time: Arrow pointing, VFO, MIC… My tripod was to unstable.

I have the highest respect for everyone working linear satellites portable!

I need a lot more practice before making any roving. Practice = lot of time, that I do not have.

Equipment used:

• Icom IC-9700 (used 10 watts output)
• Lipo battery (11.1 volt, a little low for the IC-9700)
• Standard MIC
• Audiotronica HIFI headphones
• Arrow Yagi
• Hyperflex 5 coax cables
• I tripod that did not work so well…

On YouTube there are several videos about setting up the spectrum scope of the Icom IC-705 and IC-9700. Last in this post I have linked one of these videos and I have actually done every step. It is now much better then the original settings.

I’m using colours like the one in SDR-Console software because that is how I’m used to have it.

The REF adjustment is very good to adjust when needed, to get the best contrast in the scope.

Also adjusting the SPAN to what you would like to see at the moment is a great function.

But, the best improvement for me was to change CENTER Type Display to Carrier Point Center (Abs. Freq.).

Here is the video from Ham Radio DX channel: