The IC-7200 at Dayton 2008
With a dual-fan cooling system, the IC-7200 provides stable high quality output even during high duty cycle operation. USB Port for PC Control. The IC-7200 can be controlled by a PC through a USB port using the CI-V data format. In addition, modulator and received audio can also be transferred over the USB cable. Added Icom IC-7200 digital modes. Version 2.6 of the logbook software includes several new additions and fixes, including: An interface.
by Adam Farson, VA7OJ/AB4OJ
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. |
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).
Key IF-DSP Features:
- Emission types: SSB (2K8J3E), CW (A1A), RTTY (F1B*, F2B), AM (5K6A3E)
- AGC loop management
- Digital IF filter with selectable bandwidth and shape factor, optimized for each emission type
- Digital Twin PBT
- Auto-notch filter
- Manual notch filter with 70 dB stopband attenuation and selectable width
- Twin Peak Filter (TPF) for RTTY
- Digital noise reduction (NR)
- Digital noise blanker (NB)
- Digital RF speech compressor
* F1B transmit only; F1B and F2B receive.
Other Salient Features:
- 6 kHz roofing filter
- USB port for CI-V format PC control and baseband (audio) input/output
- Downloadable Icom USB driver permits simple interface with popular ham radio software
- 201 memory channels
- On-screen Po, SWR and ALC metering
- Speech synthesizer announces S-meter reading, frequency and mode
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:
- The IC-7200 received FCC certification on July 28, 2008. FCC ID: AFJ301500
- IC-7200 Modifications(latest information)
- View IC-7200 interior images
- Download my IC-7200 User Evaluation & Test Report(PDF)
- IC-7200 Review by Peter Hart G3SJX (external link, PDF)
- Download the IC-7200 brochure(PDF)
- Download the USB Driver
- Download USB Driver Guide(PDF)
- Driver information for Silicon Labs USB/UART Bridge (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- TI PCM2901 USB Codec information
- Icom Japan IC-7200 Page(in English)
- 'Roll your own' microphone for the IC-7200 and other Icom radios
- Lennart Deimert SE5X: HM-36 modification
- Stuart Martin K2QDE: IC-7200 Front Panel Illumination
ICOM 7200
#5695 Chris, Did you happen to get this working with Windows 10? I am able to get past the point of certificate validation, then get a message that Windows had an error installing this driver because it doesn't know the settings. Thanks, John |
#5472 On Wed, Mar 22, 2017 at 07:48 am, WA8LMF wrote: [I've always thought PTT control via CAT strings was a bad design. If theThat´s a consequence of using USB, actually. Even if RTS was used properly inside the transceiver, disconnecting the USB cable wouldn´t make it to go low. You would need a specific command sent to the USB UART to do that. That would help, certainly, in case of a reboot, as the computer is supposed to initialize the USB UART. An effective solution to that issue would be some kind of watchdog mechanism in the CAT protocol, demanding some kind of polling from the controlling computer and cutting transmission in case of timeout. But that could bring other issues as well ;) Borja. |
#5470
I was referring to Messenger, UZ7HO, et al directly controlling the Icom radio. If you want to introduce third-party shims, protocol converters, drivers then all bets are off. The CAT7200 tool looks useful, and have now added it to the Icom section of my Ham Software DVD MegaPak collection. The next release of my compilation will be 1 April 2017. [Normally, I want to personally test anything I add to the MegaPak, but since I don't have any recent Icom radios to play with, I am trusting that your account is valid.] Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com Skype: WA8LMF EchoLink: Node # 14400 [Think bottom of the 2-meter band] Home Page: http://wa8lmf.net Live Off-The-Air APRS Activity Maps <http://wa8lmf.net/map> Long-Range APRS on 30 Meters HF <http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/HF_APRS_Notes.htm> |
#5469 Thanks for those replies... now I'm eagerly awaiting the end of the work day to try it out (and the sky to cooperate as well) In hindsight, I should have been more precise in my choice of USB_the_mode and USB_the_cable. I really wanted to make the radio work with USB_the_cable, and this software link looks to be the key to getting it to transmit. As a backup, independently, I also would expect the Signalink route 'should' (in my mind) also work which is why my message is a mixture of 'two' different methods. In both cases, I could see on the waterfall (and hear) packets coming in so I was hopeful. Thanks, Scott Hucker KE8DHP Ortonville MI |
#5468
I've used that software to get CCW Messenger and UZ7HO soundmodem to PTT the radio. I was using the radios built in soundcard so there was no need for external interfaces or soundcards. 73 Chris M1PTT |
#5467 Thanks for clarifying the hardware interface issues in the '7200. This sounds nearly identical to recent Yaesu radios and the external Yaesu SCU-17 sound card interface. They do the exactly same thing: an internal USB hub with a serial chip and audio chip. However, the Yaesus' are capable of either CAT commands over the virtual serial port data lines, or the classic RTS/DTR handshake pin PTT wiggles. They even use the same SiLabs chip. (SiLabs USB<-->serial seems to be a favorite of the Japanese radio designers. Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu all use it, rather than the much more common FTDI chips.) BOTTOM LINE: The IC-7200 radio is completely dependent on the application on the PC being able to send Icom-specific 'TRANSMIT' and 'RECEIVE' CAT commands over the virtual COM port link. APRS Messenger DOES NOT support sending CAT command strings. Like many applications , it can only wiggle RTS/DTR serial port handshake pins for PTT, or use VOX. As a result, Messenger will not work with the 7200's built-in interface. [I've always thought PTT control via CAT strings was a bad design. If the computer locks up after sending 'TRANSMIT', or the serial COM link fails, you now have a radio stuck in transmit with no way to send the 'RECEIVE' command needed unkey it. The only resort is turn the radio's power off. With classic serial port RTS/DTR keying, just unplugging the interface cable will unkey a stuck transmit scenario. Not to mention the added burden to sound card app developers to support numerous constantly-changing radio mfr/model-specific proprietary command formats instead of the generic universal RTS/DTR pins.] Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com Skype: WA8LMF EchoLink: Node # 14400 [Think bottom of the 2-meter band] Home Page: http://wa8lmf.net Live Off-The-Air APRS Activity Maps <http://wa8lmf.net/map> Long-Range APRS on 30 Meters HF <http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/HF_APRS_Notes.htm> |
#5466 On Tue, Mar 21, 2017 at 10:58 pm, WA8LMF wrote: Indeed, the Icom IC-7200 (I own one) has a bult-in USB interface. Inside the IC-7200 there is a USB hub (really!) connecting to a USB audio codec and a USB-serial converter. The USB audio codec is a standard USB audio device (no special driver should be needed) and the USB-serial converter is a Silabs chip (CP2102GMR).b) Should CCW work with a 7200 under USB control (and abandon theSignalink)? So you shouldn't need a Signalink or any additional interface. Actually the USB interface was one of the reasons why I got the IC-7200. Now, some caveats: if the audio interface appears as a stereo unit, beware. The A/D converter is connected to both channels, so you can receive on either of them. But the D/A converter has only one channel connected: the left channel. The right channel is floating (look at the schematic in the service manual). So, always select the left channel for transmission or, if possible, configure it as mono rather than stereo. However, how does the internal soundcard handle PTT keying? Is it VOXRegarding the USB-serial interface and PTT, neither RTS nor DTR will work. DTR is just connected back to DSR and RTS is connected both to CTS and DCD. This is visible on the service manual (page 27, chip IC3203:CP2102GMR; the audio codec is to its left, IC3202:PCM2901E). I use the IC-7200 with WSJT-X and I use CAT for PTT keying. A suggestion: avoid using automatic baudrate for CI-V and use a fixed speed instead. I had some stupid problems (CI-V commands failing now and then) when using automatic speed. Since I fixed it to 19200 bps I have had no more issues. Remember to set the rig modulation source to 'U' (USB) for data modes. It's a menu item. I don't have the radio here and I don't remember the exact options but there are three audio inputs: M (mic), A (aux port behind the radio) and U (USB, the audio codec connected to USB). Let me know if you need further help. I haven't used the APRS programs and I am running WSJT-X on Mac OS X but I can help with the radio anyway. 73, Borja - EA2EKH |
#5464 When using the Icom's built in soundcard you will need to trigger the PTT via CAT command or build a PTT interface to close the appropriate PIN on the rear DIN connector. The Icom's virtual COM port is for CAT control only not the classic PTT scheme. The last time I used CCW Messenger it didn't support CAT control so no PTT via CAT. But you can use an addition piece of software that creates another virtual COM port for the CCW messenger (or any software that expects to use COM port for PTT) that then keys the radio via CAT command. John Wiseman GM8BPQ, Famed for the BPQ32 packet software, has created that program: I used that software a few years ago to get CCW Messenger and UZ7HO soundmodem to PTT the radio. I was using the radios built in soundcard so there was no need for external interfaces or soundcards. 73 Chris M1PTT |
#5462 On 3/21/2017 10:11 PM, Scott Hucker via Groups.Io wrote:
This will depend on how adjustable your receiver filter passbands are. If you operate with the standard 'dial frequency' of 10.147.600 USB, then classic AX.25 FSK packet will yield 1600 and 1800 Hz audio tones. AT the same dial settings, Messenger 'digimodes' will occupy a 500 Hz spread centered around 2100 Hz; i.e. from 1850 to 2350 Hz. As a result, the receiver IF/bandpass adjustments ideally should yield an audio response from about 1500 Hz to 2400 Hz; i.e. a bandpass of 900 Hz centered at 1950. [I have been able to get these signals through a traditional 500 Hz CW filter on my older Kenwoods by verrry carefully tweaking the PBT (pass band tuning) control, taking advantage of the fact that the filter's skirts were not very sharp. With modern DSP-generated 'brickwall' filter passbands, the nose of the filter will need to be wider.] See this page on my website: <http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/SSB_Frequencies.htm>
COM port is irrelevant for Signalink! Traditionally, sound card interfaces have wiggled the RTS handshake line of a COM port for PTT keying. Today of course, most PCs don't have COM ports, forcing you to deal with the horrible USB<-->serial converters a.k.a. 'dongles'. The Signalink neatly avoids the mickey-mouse serial port keying schemes. It uses an internal VOX to sense transmit audio tones without need of a COM port.
Depends on what you mean by 'under USB control'. If you mean just mode and frequency control remotely from the PC, then you will still need the SignaLink. If you mean the 7200 has a built-in 'soundcard' (i.e. some sort of USB audio chip built in), then you have the functional equivalent of the SignaLink (i.e. an audio device at the end of a USB cable) already and shouldn't need the SignaLink at all. However, how does the internal soundcard handle PTT keying? Is it VOX activated (like the SignaLink), or does it use a virtual COM port inside the radio to emulate the classical COM port PTT scheme. If it provides a virtual COM port for PTT keying, then you WILL have to:
Best settings for what? RF frequency vs audio frequency? VOX vs serial port keying? Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com Skype: WA8LMF EchoLink: Node # 14400 [Think bottom of the 2-meter band] Home Page: http://wa8lmf.net Live Off-The-Air APRS Activity Maps <http://wa8lmf.net/map> Long-Range APRS on 30 Meters HF <http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/HF_APRS_Notes.htm> |
#5461 As KE8DHP-63, I had been using my FT-991 with dial 10.1476 USB and 2100 Hz in MFSK-16 USB connected by Signalink. Being in Michigan, I was quite excited to have heard a packet from Sunset Beach, Cape Town, SA. Unfortunately my FT-991 suffered a frozen screen, so, it's off to be fixed. Meanwhile, I bought a 2nd rig, one of the new IC-7200's. I am using the same Teledyne TD-90 dipole antenna with new LDG IT-100 tuner. The antenna is only ~15 ft AGL. Same antenna used success to send and receive packets wth the 991. With this IC-7200, FLdigi FSQ and PSK31 are fine using the USB drivers (and not the Signalink), however, CCW Messenger didn't want to transmit. So, I got a Signalink jumper kit and cable and have gone back to the Signalink control (and not the USB cable). With the Signalink, the IC-7200 is transmitting based on the current draw, the power supply is supply ~150 W and the TX is set to 73W (same I was using when the 991 worked fine). I noticed the IC-7200 default filter is quite a bit narrow than the 991's, so, I had widened that all the way. I beaconed 1 per hr for 24 hrs. I also manually beaconed. PSKreporter.info makes me think the 30m band should be cooperating. Based on this email stream, I'm now set up on 10.1482 dial, USB and 1200 Hz and I've set the filter to 250 and PSK-63. It's only been an hour... Now this was a very old email string. I thought I had found the 10.1476 USB dial with 2100 as the proposed best solution to catch all packet types. I've got a lot going on, and need to split the problem somewhat. a) When using the signalink, on the CCW startup screen, do I select the COM port or not for the port that cooresponds to the cable? b) Should CCW work with a 7200 under USB control (and abandon the Signalink)? c) Which is the best settings? Scott Hucker KE8DHP Ortonville MI USA |
#323 Hi Dan, toggle quoted messageShow quoted textI added the 1500 Hz option as it is the best audio frequency to use with the IF DSP feature in the Icom IC-7200. I know that Edgar, DL5MCQ uses 1500 Hz with his IC-7200 running with a 250 Hz bandwidth with very good results. To transmit APRS over PSK-63 on a radio frequency of 10.1497 MHz with an audio frequency of 1500 Hz you will have to set your dial frequency to 10.1482 MHz USB. 73, Chris, G4HYG --- In cross_country_wireless@..., 'dan_n3fcx' <dan_n3fcx@...> wrote:
|
#322 WHAT SETTINGS DO I SET ON THE 7200 TO USE ON HF APRS HF WITH CROSS COUNTRY SOFT WARE . TNX DAN N3FCX |