IC-910H_review_PW_2001.pdf

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1、 A JOY TO OPERATE THE ICOM IC-9IOH The loom 1C910H transceiver po:Mded Richard GORSN and Tefly G7VJJ with a great deal of pleasure on the v.h.f. and u.h.f. bands. Despite being in the middle of moving to a new home when asked to review the IC910H, keenPW reviewer W hen I was asked to review lcoms ne

2、w IC-910H s.s.b., c.w. and n.b.fm. transceiver covering the 144 and 430l1Hz bands, with the ability to incorporate 1.3GHz (23cm band) as well, I realised I had to enlist some help! I hadnt done any serious operating on either the 144 or 430MHz bands for a while. Additionally, due to an impending hou

3、se move, my antennas and shack were packed away, so I called my father-in- law Terry Wood G7VJJ for help. Terry has good antennas and was very keen to lend a hand reviewing the IC-910H. Professional Looking The transceiver is very professional looking, and although the IC-910H is not a large rig, it

4、 has the look and feel of a base station and is smartly finished in grey. One of the first things that we noticed was the well labelled and sensibly laid out controls. Oefr out and it use c.w. For v.h.f. n.b.rm. operation the receiver is double conversion with a 455kHz second i.f. When operating on

5、u.h.f. the receiver operates in double conversion mode for s.s.b. and c.w (using a 71MHz 1st i.f.) and as a triple conversion on n.b.fm. (71, 10MHz and 455kHz). Running at lOOW the rig will draw up to a maximum of 23A on transmit on 144MHz and a maximum 75W on 430MHz. The optional 1.3GHz module prov

6、ides an output power of I-lOW. If youre keen on operating portable its worth noting that the IC-910 draws anything from a minimum of 2A to a maximum of 3.5A on receive (on 1.3GHz). Impressive Display The front panel of the Icom IC-910H is dominated by the large display, tuning dial and the well orga

7、nised and impressively backlit display. This shows the main band frequency at the top in large characters and the sub band frequency in slightly smaller characters immediately below. Richard Newton GORSN wasnt phased at all! He just recruited his fatherinlaw Terry G7VJJs shack and antennas! The radi

8、o is supplied with a fist microphone, power lead and some spare fuses. An informative and well-written instruction manual is also provided. And although this is definitely a radio that you can plug in, switch on and operate immediately -if you want the full Operating the transceiver is a delight and

9、 manipulating the frequencies in either the Main band dial or sub band dial is wonderfully easy. Switching from main band to sub band, bringing the sub band to the main band and even swapping between the two v.f.o.s and memories on each Inside view showing the main chassis (underside) on the IC-91OH

10、. band is very straightforward. In fact it was a lot easier to do rather than write about it! value - you must read the instruction manual. Measuring 241 x 94 x 239mm deep the IC-910 weighs a reassuring 4.5kg. This increases slightly to 5.35kg when the optional 1.3GHz band unit is installed. On v.h.

11、f. the Ie-9IOs receiver works as a single conversion superhet (1O.8MHz Lf.) on s.s.b. and Practical Wireless, October 2001 Impressive Features The IC910 is armed with some very impressive features and has all the bells and whistles I would 23 hope to see on any selfrespecting base station. Its equip

12、ped with direct entry keypad; Voice Operated Transmit (VOX), and a userdefined microphone gain control with a compressor that can be switched in as desired. It also has a RF Gain/Squelch control that can be set up in difTerent configurations to suit different operating styles. On the air the Icom IC

13、91OH is well equipped to cope with the bands at their busiest and help work that illusive DX. Theres a rather effective attenuator ofTering protection against distortion from large signals. Additionally, the auto frequency control is useful in the n.b.f.m. and a.m. modes to track received signals th

14、at drift a little in frequency. Lastly, I was pleased to see one of my favourites, the RIT and intermediate frequency (i.f.) Shift facility. The i.f. Shin facility is especially useful when youre working a DX station and theres strong adjacent channel inference. By using the Shift the operator can s

15、lightly adjust the receivers i.f. pass band frequency within 1.2kHz, providing an Satellite Operations Another advanced feature that the Icom IC91OH otTers is Amateur Radio Satellite operations. However, I must confess Ive not tried this mode. But I have been impressed by others efforts and their ra

16、ther impressive antenna arrays. The lcom IC91OH seems to otTer the wouldbe satellite operator a myriad of choices. Its able to operate both satellite mode B (435MHz up link and 145MHz. downlink) and also satellite mode J (144MHz uplink with a 430MHz down link) which can be further extended with the

17、addition of the 1.3GHz module to encompass the satellite mode L. Even the leom IC910H instruction manual advises the new operator to seek advice and further information before attempting satellite working. I felt. this was a very good idea! Band Sweep extra edge on ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?to complete t

18、he contact. The antennas used by GORSN when operating from G7VJJs shack to evaluate the IC910H J ust before the on air results I must mention the band sweep function, which I liked very much. In principle this operates as a simple band scope. However, the most As an optional extra you could also cho

19、ose to install Digital transceiver. (photo COOrtesy of Tffry Wood G7VJJ . Signal Processing (DSP) unit for your main band. Additionally, if youre feeling particularly flush you could install a second unit to provide this on the sub band as well. (The optional DSP I1lter also provides an automatic no

20、tch filter). The learn IC91OH is well equipped with 99 regular memory channels and six scan edge memories. It also incorporates a call frequency for each band Optional Extras Many optional extras are available for the IC91OH. Amongst these are external weatherproof masthead preamplifiers cont.rolled

21、 from the radio. Once installed theyre activated (by a selection in the IC- 91Os user set-up menu) and then turned on and otTby a front panel button. You can also add a high stability crystal unit to further improve the overall frequency stability, together with a nan ow c.w. filter. The transceiver

22、 provides voice capability on narrow band f.m. (n.b.f.m.), a.m and s.s.b as well as c.w. You can even t.ransmit c.w. using the builtin c.w. keyer and the Up and Down buttons on the microphone! I actually put out a Morse CQ call on 144.050MHz but got no reply, a relief to tell the truth as I am a lit

23、tle rusty on c. w! The Icom IC91OH also offers Data modes at 1200 or 9600bps via dedicated mini data ports on the rear of the radio. Although the rig does not have an FSK mode fOl RITY, PACKET 0 1 AMTOR, etc., these are operated using ASFK in either the n.b.f.m 01 s.s.b modes. You can also add a hig

24、h stability crystal unit to further improve the ovemll frequency stability. And for the c.w operator a narrow c.w. filter in the main and sub band can be fitted. Theres also a voice synthesiseI unit which can be added to help operators with sight problems. interesting feature is that it doesnt disab

25、le the received audin when its in operation. Using the band sweep means that you can monitor the calling frequency and see a visual representation of where the activity is. This is then indicated by segments on whats normally the SMeter. (The sweep time interval is userselectable via the set up menu

26、). Ready To Go! At last we were ready to go! Operating from Terrys shack not too far away from my own QTH on the outskirts of Bournemouth (about 30m above sea level) we had the JC91OH connected to his 9 element horizontally polarised 144MHz beam. We also had a white stick style collinear for the 144

27、 and 430MHz bands. Even though the review ,adio was equipped with the 1.3GHz module, we didnt have an antenna capable of transmitting on that band. However, I listened round using a discone antenna but didnt hear any transmissions. Ten-y and I threw caution to the wind and fired up the Icom IC91OH a

28、nd first tried calling on 144.300MHz, the s.s.b calling frequency. Then I heard F61FR calling CQ Contest from JN09TT a distance of 400 kilometres or so. I went back to him and received a 53 report (he was an excellent signal with us). Spurred on by our success we renewed our CQ calls and had a very

29、enjoyable chat with Roger Powell GOAOZ, located near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. Rogel gave us some excellent reports saying that the IC910H sounds very nice, crisp communications quality audio and went on to say that the transmitted audio was sharp. We started otT the QSO with GOAOZ receiving a 4 and

30、2 report. However, after raising the antenna to Product Icom IC9IOH v.h.f.lu.h.f. Transceiver Cost: 1299 (lcom RRP) Company: leam (UK) Ltd. Contact: Sales Tel: (01227) 741741. Pros & Cons Pros: A joy to operate, The received audio was excellent, The large tuning control knob and the easy way that yo

31、u can change tuning steps and switch between v.f.o.s made trawling the bands 50 simple. Cons: If youre keen on operating portable its wonh noting that the IC91 OH draws anything from a minimum of 2A to a maximum of 3.5A on receive (on I.3GHz). Summary You can get it out and use it straight away. But

32、 after an hour or so with the manual and playing around and you will be having great fun and using more and more of the advanced features. The IC 910H can also be computer controlled using the optional C/. V convener and the plug on the rear of the radio. Terry and I had great fun operating the Icom

33、 IC910H, However I did feel almost gui/ry about having so much fun as the IC91 OH has the air of a serious rig. It has the potential to be a very competent piece of hardware for the discerning and serious v.h.f.lu.h.f operator. Thanks Thanks for the loan of the review IC910H go to leom (UK) Ltd . Se

34、a Street, Herne Bay. Kent CT6 8LD. Tel: (01227) 741741. 24 Practical Wireless, October 2001 !III-Reui,ew.- the full height of Terrys Tenna mast (approximately 10m) and turning the beam we enjoyed a 5 and 9 each way contact that Roger described as being Armchair copy, Roger was about 114km away using

35、 a Kenwood TS-711E running about BOW into his home-brewed 16- element beam. We were then called by James Roff 2EIEMK. James was about 72km away from us in a village called Willcot near Pewsey in Wiltshire. J ames was running his lOW maximum from a Yaesu FT-lOO into a 9- element beam. James. reported

36、 ? ? ? ? ? our audio was very good, describing it as Loud and punchy. spoke to Kevin Danks GOoBI who was not far away from us near Christchurch. Kevin was using the Yaesu FT-817 and reported our signal as being Impressive (rarely I am called impressive!). Thanks Kevin! As we were not too far away fr

37、om each other we went for a QRP contact and I turned the IC-910H down to the minimum 5W and Kevin dropped from his 5W down to 500mW. We still received Kevin as a strong 5 and 1 signal. Nick 2ElIDX in Heltfordshire, at a Hampshire. Rex said that Bournemouth was a difficult path from his direction and

38、 complemented us on the Nice strong signal, he went on to say that the IC-910 Sounds very nice. Rex was using an learn IC-2100 and was about 7501 or so above sea level running about 25W. We achieved a 5 and 9 report after putting the antenna up to full height. This was a trip of about 60km. Finally

39、Terry spoke to a good friend of ours, Bob Knight G6DZM while he was mobile on the way to the Dorset town of Blandford Forum to a local club meeting. Bob was also very impressed with the good audio from the IC-91OH, saying that he had no problem hearing us even with the mobile flutter. I guess at the

40、 most distant Bob would have been about 25km away over less-than-ideal terrain. He also took the time to help us out with tests on the 430MHz band. We went onto vertical polarisation and had a good s.s.h. contact with James, although it was somewhat more difficult than 144MHz, so we went back to v.h

41、.f. to finish arT our QSO. Rear panel view of the transceivEr showing die-cast heat-sinking louvres vents, and v.h,f, u.h.f. and 1.3GHz antenna connectors (see texl). Jam Packed We were then called by George Aldeman G3BNE in Sidcup in South East London. George had been very patient as hed been waiti

42、ng during our QSO with J ames. George gave his locator as J OOIBJ, this translates to a distance of about 150km. George was operating a Kenwood TR- 751E with a 9-element beam. He gave us a great report saying that we were 5 and 1 rising 5 and 3 and with the odd aircraft reflection we rose to 5 and 7

43、! During the QSO George explained he was employing DSP. He told us that hed found the better the received audio was - the better the OSP actually worked. He used this as a way to demonstrate that the audio from the Icom IC-910H was very good indeed. George commented that the modulation was excellent

44、 even when we went down in the noise occasionally. Joy To Operate At this point I have to say that the lcom IC-910 was a joy to operate. The large tuning control knob and the easy way that you can change tuning steps and switch between v.f.o.s made trawling the bands so simple, The received audio wa

45、s excellent, it was so easy to heal even a distant or weak signal and then be able to turn the beam and make a contnct. Although the optional masthead pre- amplifier is undoubtedly a good idea for serious contesting or DX hunting, the ract remains that the IC-91O seems sufficiently sensitive for an

46、enjoyable and productive every-day QSO. The contacts just kept coming! We Practical Wireless, October 2001 distance of about 200km also gave us a very favourable report. He was using the Kenwood TS-2000 with lOW into a 14- element beam. Having now satisfied ourselves that the Icom IC-910H was compet

47、ent on s.s.b we decided to give a go on n.b.f.m. Again we had little joy on 430MHz, but tuning round the 144MHz band we heard a French repeater on 145.325MHz, which provided a clear 5 and 2 signal. This was a good indication that this band was up. We were soon in contact with Rex MIDLN from just sou

48、th of Winchester in In my opinion the learn IC-910H is just jam packed with useful stufT like the band sweep, together with full CTCSS, auto repeater shift and quick access memo pads for rapidly storing interesting frequencies. Despite these facilities I think that the main attraction of this menu d

49、riven rig is that its so easy and simple to operate. Honestly it really is! I would like to say a quick thank you to Terry as not only did I take over his shack to do this review. I also commandeered his computer to write it as 1 had packed mine away for the move! YJ/ Richard GOR SN on the air from G 7V JJs borrowed loft shack where he reports Ihal the Ie 91 OH provide a great experience for both operators. (photo (ourtesyof Terry Wood G7VJl). 25