Specifications

June 2009 51
PRODUCT REVIEW
Mark J. Wilson, K1RO

Product Review Editor

[e-mail]
Bottom Line
Key Measurements
Summary
Reviewed by Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK
ARRL Assistant Editor
The IC-7200 combines some of the IC-
7000’s brains with the IC-718’s brawn.
1,2
With the ’7200, ICOM has created a trans-
ceiver with many of the digital features users
expect in a modern radio, but packaged in a
compact, rugged IC-718 size case that just
begs to be taken along for the ride. With re-
ceiver coverage from 30 kHz to 60 MHz and
transmitter coverage from 160 to 6 meters
at 100 W in SSB, CW and RTTY and 25 W
in AM, the IC-7200 will keep you on the air
whether from home, car or boat.
Front Panel
The IC-7200’s front panel is neat and
uncluttered. On the left are the front-firing
speaker, microphone and headphone jacks
and two dual function knobs. The center
section contains the display, six function
buttons and the main tuning dial. The right
hand section contains a group of 17 buttons
and a dual function knob.
As with all microprocessor controlled
radios, the number of controls belies the
complexity beneath. Most of the buttons
serve two functions. The primary function
is selected with a short press of the button;
the secondary function by holding it down
for about a second. Each action, press or
hold, activates a different set of functions.
This control philosophy has been used on
ICOM radios for quite a while and quickly
becomes second nature.
Additionally, ICOM has made the front
panel water resistant. While not waterproof,
it will tolerate an occasional blast of spray
on your boat or a spilled coffee cup during
a contest.
Rear Panel
The ’7200 runs on 13.8 V dc and requires
about 20 A. A fused power cable is supplied.
The radio incorporates an electronic keyer
with the
KEY jack on the rear panel. The
external speaker jack accepts a 3.5 mm plug.
A single SO-239 UHF connector is provided
for the antenna connection. The rear panel
has a bumper that protects the connectors
from rough handling.
Here’s a new feature: a universal serial
bus (USB) interface. Transmit and receive
audio can be sent over the USB interface,
along with CI-V commands for transceiver
control. In order to use the USB interface,
you must download free driver software
from ICOM, and a detailed manual is avail-
able too. This driver looks like a standard
sound card to applications software, so your
existing digital mode software should work
ICOM IC-7200 HF and
6 Meter Transceiver
The IC-7200 is a compact, easy-
to-operate HF and 6 meter trans-
ceiver that offers many features for
voice, CW and digital mode operat-
ing. Rugged, water-resistant pack-
aging makes it attractive for portable
and emergency stations.
1
M. Wilson, K1RO, “ICOM IC-7000 HF/VHF/
UHF Transceiver,” Product Review, QST,
May 2006, pp 64-71. QST Product Reviews
are available on the Web at www.arrl.org/
members-only/prodrev/.
2
S. Ford, WB8IMY, “ICOM IC-718 HF Trans-
ceiver,” Product Review, QST, Jul 2000,
pp 63-67.
pr037
80 M
20 M
Dynamic range and intercept
values with preamp off.
Intercept values were determined
using -97 dBm reference
Key:
-20
-70
I
9
TX
Transmit 9th-order IMD (dB)
-58
-20
-35
TX
I
3
Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)
-32
-40 +35
I
3
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
-11
-40
23
I
3
20
20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
20
+35
50
110
I
3
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
67
50
110
I
3
20
99
100
20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
70
140
82
83
2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
2
70
140
138
137
20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
20