The IC-7200 at Dayton 2008

by Adam Farson, VA7OJ/AB4OJ

Hot News! Icom has resumed IC-7200 production. New IC-7200's will be at the dealers early in 2017.

IC-7200 at Tokyo HamFair 2007. Photo: N. Oba, JA7UDE.
IC-7200 at Tokyo HamFair 2007. Click for interior views. Photo: N. Oba, JA7UDE.

Once again, we are honored to present a new Icom HF/6m transceiver in advance of the 2008 Dayton Hamvention.

The above photo illustrates the IC-7200 as presented at Tokyo HamFair 2007. The IC-7200 is a compact 100W-class HF/6m HF transceiver, utilizing Icom's well-known and proven IF-DSP architecture and feature set. Note the rugged "manpack" styling. More information will be provided here as it becomes available.

30 Dec. 2016: Great News! Icom has resumed IC-7200 production, and Icom America will soon be shipping this popular radio to US dealers. The street price has not yet been finalized, but indications are that it will be in the USD 900 range.

The IC-7200 was previously discontinued due to parts availability issues, but Icom Japan has successfully re-engineered the product to use currently-available parts. The new production run will be substantially identical in specifications and performance to the discontinued version.

This is good news for IC-7200 enthusiasts who have wished for the return of this rugged, reliable, go-anywhere radio.

IC-7200 display on the Dayton 2008 Icom stand.
IC-7200 display on the Dayton 2008 Icom stand.

Here are a pair of IC-7200's as displayed on the Icom stand at the 2008 Dayton Hamvention.

One of the most striking attributes of the IC-7200 is its construction. This is not an "ordinary" base station radio. It is an outdoor, EMCOMM-capable radio. Features such as the high-stability master oscillator, the gasketing around all the panels, and the 100W power output are perfect for those first responders sending E-Mail via an HF network from a USB-connected laptop.

Icom Japan have now announced the IC-7200 on their website, at a domestic MSRP of JPY 104790 (incl. tax).

IC-7200 front panel. Photo: Lidio Gentili, IØGEJ.
IC-7200 front panel. Photo: Lidio Gentili, IØGEJ. Click for larger image.

Key IF-DSP Features:

* F1B transmit only; F1B and F2B receive.

Other Salient Features:

What, no ATU? It will be noted that the IC-7200 is not equipped with an internal ATU. This makes a lot of sense in an entry-level transceiver; by omitting the internal tuner limited to a 3:1 VSWR range, the radio manufacturer can pack more performance into a smaller, simpler package and allow the user to select an ATU as required.

Icom offers an excellent line of accessory autotuners: the IC-AT180, IC-AH3 and IC-AH4. Alternatively, one can leave the tuning aspect to the people specializing in that technology (such as MFJ, LDG and SGC). The configurability and high quality of these "aftermarket" tuners makes them a much more attractive proposition than a limited-capability internal ATU.

Generally, no ATU is required when using the IC-7200 as an exciter for a modern solid-state or tube amplifier.

Links:

Text copyright © 2007-2008 A. Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ. Image copyright rests with respective authors. All rights reserved. 
Last updated: 09/25/2019

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