I have had my 9700 for about a month now. After 50 years in ham radio, it has increased my enjoyment of vhf and uhf exponentially. It sits next to my 7300 which blew away any radio I have owned previously. Both winners. K2MR
Conrad Senior I consider Ray as a friend but he knows I HATE a touch screen radio.I did not get a chance to speak with him at Hamcation 2020 because he was so busy or I would have shown him the ICOM 910H that I purchased while I was there to go with my ICOM 7600,821H,& 2820H.None of them are Touch Screen and there never will be in my shack.My neighbor has a 9700 and I must say I am not impressed at all.I see a lot of overpriced Hype.
I "HAD" a 910H. It had issues. I had to laugh. Even the one had on the video did the same thing mine did-after it got warm, the green screen started to fade. 144.200 looked like 111.200 and the upper edge, you couldn't tell mode you were in and the buttons were intermittent. I have a 9700 in the mail. Great pre-arrival video-thanks 73
Well, I'll be getting one. Looking forward to using it for 2 & 440. If I wanna moon-bounce on 1230, I'll think about it later, lol. This radio, combined w/ the Yaesu 101MP should make for a very nice shack indeed (2 sdr rigs), linear to come thereafter at some point soon! And I have the antennas to back 'em up, too!
Ray can you explain why The RS=BA1 software will not read the memories stored on the IC=9700? That is another huge screw up on the part of ICOM. You really need to produce good software to match the quality of your radios, instead of junk.
My only issue with the 9700 is the freq drift of the TXCO. It’s so bad that others like Leo Bodner are making GPS lock units. Yes the 9700 has a 10 MHz in but it’s not continuous. It calibrates it but it drifts. You have to keep calibrating it even in a stable temp room.
Rightful remark: the 7300 lacks network and the remote server built in. So, will there be a 7300 v2 with network connection and built-in RSBA server or a interconnect to link 7300 and 9700 to make both accessible through the 9700?
Buy the 7610. I loved my 7300 but I sold it becasue the 7610 takes it to a whole new level. I will be happy for the rest of my life with the 7610 and 9700. I still held on to my 9100 for a second station.
I really like my new IC-7900 but not nearly as much as my IC-7300 because --- my 7300 lets me see and listen to out of band frequencies. AM radio DX etc.... BUT the 9700 should but does not, let me see and listen to things like FM radio DX, CMED, GMRS, etc... This radio should have Broadcast FM/AIR/Marine/GMRS/FRS public service bands etc... very sad about this.... please fix in the next firmware release. along with a GMRS band. also if i had a magic wand i would swap 1200 for 900mhz and GMRS transmit band.
Having to hit “sub” to tweak the tuning on one band in satellite mode is not a good solution. A better solution would be one VFO knob for each band. The FT-847 does this by using the clarifier to make +/- adjustments to the sub band while the VFO knob tunes both bands tracked together. I think I’ll hang on to my FT-847 for working satellites.
@@radioman6489 Perhaps they can make on that is with 220 instead of 1.2 and have one with 1.2. There are amps for 1.2. Also it is a Satellite built rig and 220mhz can't use for satellite and only good in NA and a few other parts of the world. 1.2ghz is world wide. Yaesu FT736r you could chose modules for 6m 220mhz or 1.2ghz.
So if I dont have any interest in the D-star and similar modes but like to use the lower portions only I should just go for the 9100? I dont want to pay extra to have things pre-installed I am never going.to use. Good review.
Great review as always, guys.....love my 9700! Speaking of 9700, I am now grammar police RRR - your description says "AmateurLogic review the IC-9100"....I liked my 9100 too...but there are only glancing blows referencing the 9100...you might want to change to 9700 for better indexing.... meanwhile, back at the ranch....great review....I always learn something new I did not know from weeks of operating it! 73 de Robert K3RRR
You can wax lyrical about these radios all you like but why on earth Icom provide a 10MHz input for calibrating the internal reference only when they could have provided a 10MHz input to stabilise the reference is a mystery to me. The reference stability on the 9700 leaves a bit to be desired, especially on 23cm. And for that matter, why leave out the RS-BA1 server on the 7300? If Icom included an external 10MHz reference input on the 9700 and a RS-BA1 server on the 7300 they two would make a brilliant pair for a remote radio site.
IC-910H had very poor LO design (phase noise problems) and the IC-9700 lacks locking to an external clock (you just can calibrate it manually) - what the heck ICOM!?
I will just keep my ICOM 910H & ICOM 821H which combined they cost me less than $1000.I HATE touch screen radios so you could not give me the 9700 or any radio with a touch screen for FREE.I do D-STAR with my ICOM 2820H.I don't do any other Digital modes other than DMR & ICOM does not make a DMR radio.I see the 9700 & 7300 as a bunch of overpriced HYPE.I'll keep what I have for the VHF/UHF & my 7600 for HF/6 meters.Get yourself a PAR OA-144 & PAR OA-432 for your mobile & you will love it.
Under ultra high power TV fm radio towers this things is vhf weak signal perfection no other 2meter radio has ever worked in this area over 20 years of trying ic 9700 is for real .......Ke6iev.
It really is stupid to prevent people who might want to use this radio remotely, from being able to access the memories stored in the radio. I spent days programming this radio and now that you have drivers for this radio in RS-BA1, you expect me to manually program 225 frequencies? That is hours or days of work, when the software should be able to copy all that in 15 seconds.
Conrad, I feel your pain. I have the same complaint about the RS-BA1 with my IC-7610. It is not the radio's shortcoming - it has a very rich set of CI-V commands to support that capability. RS-BA1 totally ignores it. It is an example of iCOM's reluctance to put as much effort/value into the software/computer usability of their products as they do their RF performance. I think they have shown some considerable effort in this area with their latest transceivers but still fall short with RS-BA1. They are not a software company.
I say ( not I think) That Icom Radios That Icom QUALITY CONTROL is awful. Starting with the 756 and the Pro series Pro ! or II or pro III needed to be sent back for repairs Even there Flag ship radio7851 has issues..........COME ON ICOM get youe QUALITY CONTROL to be much better the 7610 is a scary buy. I was hoping to purchase one. NOPE ! There best radio was the IC-781, cause the Govt was buying them...... RAY wake up QUALITY CONTROL.......
So Icom says. with the 910H, we made a lot of stuff optional, my bad, but with the 9700 we've included lots more. Yeah, well I still don't believe you Icom and that's why my money goes to Yaesu of Kenwood...
The 9700 and 7300 replace the 9100?!? Ahhhh, nope. One of the biggest disservices icom has ever done to themselves is fail to include dstar in the 7300. The 7300 has to be the best selling HF base radio in decades and icom should of seen that coming and made the sensible inclusion of dstar or atleast had the option. Having dstar in the 7300 would of sold consumers on dstar and therefore on other dstar radios inc. The 9700. I'd buy an IC-7301 radio with dstar. Thoughts?
I have had my 9700 for about a month now. After 50 years in ham radio, it has increased my enjoyment of vhf and uhf exponentially. It sits next to my 7300 which blew away any radio I have owned previously. Both winners. K2MR
I love listening to you three guys... so informative and sooooo funny at times!
Always nice seeing Ray with the guys. Thanks.
Conrad Senior I consider Ray as a friend but he knows I HATE a touch screen radio.I did not get a chance to speak with him at Hamcation 2020 because he was so busy or I would have shown him the ICOM 910H that I purchased while I was there to go with my ICOM 7600,821H,& 2820H.None of them are Touch Screen and there never will be in my shack.My neighbor has a 9700 and I must say I am not impressed at all.I see a lot of overpriced Hype.
I would like to see a demo of 1.2Ghz dd mode
I "HAD" a 910H. It had issues. I had to laugh. Even the one had on the video did the same thing mine did-after it got warm, the green screen started to fade. 144.200 looked like 111.200 and the upper edge, you couldn't tell mode you were in and the buttons were intermittent.
I have a 9700 in the mail. Great pre-arrival video-thanks
73
Just bought one of the IC-9700's and love it. Did a lot of research including this video before making decision.
Well, I'll be getting one. Looking forward to using it for 2 & 440. If I wanna moon-bounce on 1230, I'll think about it later, lol. This radio, combined w/ the Yaesu 101MP should make for a very nice shack indeed (2 sdr rigs), linear to come thereafter at some point soon! And I have the antennas to back 'em up, too!
Ray can you explain why The RS=BA1 software will not read the memories stored on the IC=9700? That is another huge screw up on the part of ICOM. You really need to produce good software to match the quality of your radios, instead of junk.
I want the IC-9700 for receiving digital sats. Is it true the 9700 does not have enough bandwidth to receive 9600 baud signals? Thanks, CE4JDM
My only issue with the 9700 is the freq drift of the TXCO. It’s so bad that others like Leo Bodner are making GPS lock units.
Yes the 9700 has a 10 MHz in but it’s not continuous. It calibrates it but it drifts. You have to keep calibrating it even in a stable temp room.
Rightful remark: the 7300 lacks network and the remote server built in. So, will there be a 7300 v2 with network connection and built-in RSBA server or a interconnect to link 7300 and 9700 to make both accessible through the 9700?
Buy the 7610. I loved my 7300 but I sold it becasue the 7610 takes it to a whole new level. I will be happy for the rest of my life with the 7610 and 9700. I still held on to my 9100 for a second station.
ghostbear1573 you can’t work 6 & 10 meter repeaters with a tone either because they don’t have a tone board. How stupid is that?
the Data jack can also be used a a CI-V port
I really like my new IC-7900 but not nearly as much as my IC-7300 because --- my 7300 lets me see and listen to out of band frequencies. AM radio DX etc.... BUT the 9700 should but does not, let me see and listen to things like FM radio DX, CMED, GMRS, etc... This radio should have Broadcast FM/AIR/Marine/GMRS/FRS public service bands etc... very sad about this.... please fix in the next firmware release. along with a GMRS band. also if i had a magic wand i would swap 1200 for 900mhz and GMRS transmit band.
Having to hit “sub” to tweak the tuning on one band in satellite mode is not a good solution. A better solution would be one VFO knob for each band. The FT-847 does this by using the clarifier to make +/- adjustments to the sub band while the VFO knob tunes both bands tracked together.
I think I’ll hang on to my FT-847 for working satellites.
Always enjoy these videos.
Where is the driver for RS-BA1? You say you can use it, but I don't see how to configure it with the 9700?
I would rather have the 220 MHz than the 1.2 gig. I don't know anyone that has 1.2 complete waste of time the 220 megahertz would be used a lot more.
A lot of 1.2 are on EME very nice they included 1.2ghz.
@@mikefinn2101 you need an amp for 1.2,, everyone I talk with wants 220... No where to be found
@@radioman6489 Perhaps they can make on that is with 220 instead of 1.2 and have one with 1.2. There are amps for 1.2. Also it is a Satellite built rig and 220mhz can't use for satellite and only good in NA and a few other parts of the world. 1.2ghz is world wide. Yaesu FT736r you could chose modules for 6m 220mhz or 1.2ghz.
So if I dont have any interest in the D-star and similar modes but like to use the lower portions only I should just go for the 9100? I dont want to pay extra to have things pre-installed I am never going.to use.
Good review.
Why is the power calibration a %? Surely the Watts is more usefull?
Is there a stylus available? I dont like touching the screen.
Will you guys be coming to Huntsville for the show this year?
Great review as always, guys.....love my 9700! Speaking of 9700, I am now grammar police RRR - your description says "AmateurLogic review the IC-9100"....I liked my 9100 too...but there are only glancing blows referencing the 9100...you might want to change to 9700 for better indexing.... meanwhile, back at the ranch....great review....I always learn something new I did not know from weeks of operating it! 73 de Robert K3RRR
You mention uk users running 1000w - this breaking the license conditions - 400W max allowed (at the antenna)
You can wax lyrical about these radios all you like but why on earth Icom provide a 10MHz input for calibrating the internal reference only when they could have provided a 10MHz input to stabilise the reference is a mystery to me. The reference stability on the 9700 leaves a bit to be desired, especially on 23cm. And for that matter, why leave out the RS-BA1 server on the 7300?
If Icom included an external 10MHz reference input on the 9700 and a RS-BA1 server on the 7300 they two would make a brilliant pair for a remote radio site.
And 9700 killed 9600 packet mode support.
IC-910H had very poor LO design (phase noise problems) and the IC-9700 lacks locking to an external clock (you just can calibrate it manually) - what the heck ICOM!?
Icom really screwed up the the external locking. DUMB DUMB DUMB
Solved, if you don't mind voiding warranty. Let's hope ICOM is listening and prepared to respond.
th-cam.com/video/eU0sSYXMhCQ/w-d-xo.html
LOVE my ICOM 910H & I'll take it any day over the 9700.
What's that SMA connector for? see:
th-cam.com/video/COrRTRze0Sk/w-d-xo.html
I will just keep my ICOM 910H & ICOM 821H which combined they cost me less than $1000.I HATE touch screen radios so you could not give me the 9700 or any radio with a touch screen for FREE.I do D-STAR with my ICOM 2820H.I don't do any other Digital modes other than DMR & ICOM does not make a DMR radio.I see the 9700 & 7300 as a bunch of overpriced HYPE.I'll keep what I have for the VHF/UHF & my 7600 for HF/6 meters.Get yourself a PAR OA-144 & PAR OA-432 for your mobile & you will love it.
Tommy you or George want to come to Heidelberg, MS and buy my IC-910H? ja ja ja ja Time to upgrade Ray! 73 De WV1Q Sarge
AL Thunderfoot I am keeping my 910H & 821H and saving big money and I don’t have to even touch the screen on either of them. LOL 😂
@@1OFGODSOWN I'm going to be buying an IC-910H tomorrow I love those radios. 👍
This radio is for dx on vhf, uhf and satellites .
Buy this for d star and repeaters is a total waste of 💰
Under ultra high power TV fm radio towers this things is vhf weak signal perfection no other 2meter radio has ever worked in this area over 20 years of trying ic 9700 is for real .......Ke6iev.
No-one in the UK will legally be running 1000W on VHF amateur bands - 400W limit.
It really is stupid to prevent people who might want to use this radio remotely, from being able to access the memories stored in the radio. I spent days programming this radio and now that you have drivers for this radio in RS-BA1, you expect me to manually program 225 frequencies? That is hours or days of work, when the software should be able to copy all that in 15 seconds.
Read it out via CI-V and then back into the remote?
Conrad, I feel your pain. I have the same complaint about the RS-BA1 with my IC-7610. It is not the radio's shortcoming - it has a very rich set of CI-V commands to support that capability. RS-BA1 totally ignores it. It is an example of iCOM's reluctance to put as much effort/value into the software/computer usability of their products as they do their RF performance. I think they have shown some considerable effort in this area with their latest transceivers but still fall short with RS-BA1. They are not a software company.
@@uploadJ Sure. But that is a PIA, tedious kluge.
A nice video before you go to sleep or can't sleep...
I want one. 😍😍😍
You can have mine because I'll keep my ICOM 910H & ICOM 821H & be just as happy or happier because of all of the money I saved not buying one. LOL
Very clumsy radio to use..
I say ( not I think) That Icom Radios That Icom QUALITY CONTROL is awful. Starting with the 756 and the Pro series Pro ! or II or pro III needed to be sent back for repairs
Even there Flag ship radio7851 has issues..........COME ON ICOM get youe
QUALITY CONTROL to be much better the 7610 is a scary buy. I was hoping to purchase one. NOPE ! There best radio was the IC-781, cause the Govt was buying them...... RAY wake up QUALITY CONTROL.......
Tell you the truth I never had a problem with the IC-7600. Great radio
So Icom says. with the 910H, we made a lot of stuff optional, my bad, but with the 9700 we've included lots more. Yeah, well I still don't believe you Icom and that's why my money goes to Yaesu of Kenwood...
...always has, always will...
The 9700 and 7300 replace the 9100?!? Ahhhh, nope. One of the biggest disservices icom has ever done to themselves is fail to include dstar in the 7300. The 7300 has to be the best selling HF base radio in decades and icom should of seen that coming and made the sensible inclusion of dstar or atleast had the option. Having dstar in the 7300 would of sold consumers on dstar and therefore on other dstar radios inc. The 9700. I'd buy an IC-7301 radio with dstar. Thoughts?
I’d rather have an RX antenna port and backlite key in a 7300plus. DStar can just go away. That’s my thought.