IC7410 test.pdf

Key Measurements

Summary

PRODUCT REVIEW

144*

ICOM IC-7410 HF and

6 Meter Transceiver

143*

140

20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)

111

140

2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)

107

106

110

20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)

110

2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)

-40

+35

— that have been showing up in offerings

preceding the IC-7410, such as the IC-7600.

20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)

Reviewed by Rick Lindquist, WW3DE

NCJ Managing Editor

ww3de@arrl.org

What’s It Like?

Given its slenderized form factor you

could find yourself doing a bit of juggling to

fit the longish IC-7410 comfortably on your

operating desk. It’s narrower by about an

inch from the IC-756PRO series or IC-7600

models, but it’s certainly deeper. I managed

to perch it atop my IC-756PROIII, so I could

do some side-by-side (so to speak) compari-

sons, but I ended up using a mirror to locate

rear-panel connector since the newer radio

extends about two inches beyond the edge

of its older relative.

The ’7410 offers a pleasing countenance,

with a 10.25 × 6 cm monochrome display

window, accented on the left and bottom

edges with an inset ogee-style half frame.

This is not the more commodious color dis-

play of the IC-7600 or even of the PROIII,

but it is quite sufficient. The IC-7410’s

frequency readout seems larger than life

within the slightly smaller display screen.

The metallic F-1 through F-5 buttons imme-

diately below the display window are easier

to differentiate from the MODE buttons that

I am always pressing in error on my PROIII.

ICOM slightly offset the function buttons

from the five MODE buttons, to minimize

this possibility on the ’7410.

The hefty main tuning knob possesses the

sort of solid counterbalanced feel that puts the

-40

+30

The ICOM IC-7410 is the now discon-

tinued IC-746PRO writ larger — at least

physically, since this radio does not in-

clude 2 meter capability. In nomenclature

it follows the IC-7400, never marketed in

North America but which served as the

IC-746PRO in other parts of the world,

including Europe. 1 ICOM continues to

capitalize on this excellent and popular radio

foundation with the nearly simultaneous

release of the IC-9100, a higher tier model

that does include 2 meters, 70 cm, an optional

23 cm module, satellite features and a heftier

price tag. So, you could say the IC-7410 is

the IC-9100 for the rest of us.

ICOM’s description of the IC-7410 as

“an excellent balance of technology and

performance” may suggest some measure

of compromise, but it’s quite capable. Keep

in mind, too, that ICOM has incorporated

the incremental technological improvements

— faster signal digital signal processing, no

waiting for the radio to “boot up,” for instance

2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)

-30

-20

-35

Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)

-61

-70

-20

Transmit 9th-order IMD (dB)

PR064

Key:

80 M

* Off Scale

Dynamic range and intercept

values with preamp off.

Intercept values were determined

using -97 dBm reference

20 M

Bottom Line

The IC-7410 replaces the

IC-746PRO and adds an improved

receiver, much faster DSP perfor-

mance and new features to the mix,

but drops 2 meter coverage. Although

the new radio does a lot, the ’7410

user interface will be familiar to

users of current ICOM radios.

1 R. Lindquist, N1RL, “ICOM IC-746PRO

HF/VHF Transceiver,” Product Review, QST ,

May 2002, pp 72-78. This review and reviews

of the other ICOM transceivers mentioned

here are available to ARRL members online

at www.arrl.org/product-review .

Mark J. Wilson, K1RO  Product Review Editor  k1ro@arrl.org

October 2011 49

Table 1

ICOM IC-7410, serial number 02001081

operator in the driver’s seat. The knob has a

substantial, easy-to-grip, rubberized outer

ring plus the now customary tuning dimple,

and I preferred it to the PROIII’s main tun-

ing knob. It’s possible to manually adjust the

tuning dial tension with a slider beneath the

knob — no screwdriver needed! ICOM fol-

lowed through elsewhere on the front panel

with larger knobs that offer a more positive

sense of control. Even the inner concentric

controls are easy to maneuver.

The front panel’s bold lettering contrasts

nicely with the dark, smooth (easy-to-clean)

finish, making legends easy to read. This is

a welcome improvement from earlier ICOM

designs, which sometimes sacrificed utility at

the altar of style. I especially appreciated the

conspicuous round XFC and TS buttons, which

are much easier to access than on the PROIII.

(Press XFC to listen to your transmit frequency

when split; TS changes the tuning step.)

The four “stem” controls on the front

panel’s lower lip are shorter and sturdier

than on earlier ICOM models, although it

can be a bit difficult to discern the unpainted

pointers on these shafts. The stem controls’

legends are above the shafts and much easier

to read than the ones on the PROIII. These

make available adjustments for (L–R) KEY

SPEED , BK-IN DELAY , COMP and MONI

GAIN . I appreciated not having to dig to adjust

the keyer speed.

None of the front panel buttons on the IC-

7410 are illuminated (for example, to indicate

that a given function is enabled). I missed this.

You must rely instead on smallish text legends

along the lower portion of the main display

(below the frequency readout) to determine

if a function is enabled. That display can get

pretty busy once you’ve switched on a few

things. This forces the operator to pay pretty

close attention. I found it extremely easy to

neglect to disable the NOTCH feature, for

example, after having used it earlier.

The menu system on the IC-7410 hear-

kens back to the system ICOM introduced

with its revolutionary IC-706 series in the

mid 1990s. IC-706 and ’746 users will feel

nearly immediately at home with this in-

terface, although it is easier to use than the

initial incarnation. In fact, the radio itself is a

bit of an amalgamation of the PRO and ’706

series — not that there’s anything wrong with

that — and some of its finest features remain

hidden until you need them. The menu text

consists of light, segmented characters.

These are serviceable but not always easy to

decipher. I found the similar menus on the

IC-706 series more readable.

There are actually three menus, all acces-

sible via the front-panel MENU button: Press

it quickly, and the M1 and M2 menus allow

selecting a few common parameters using the

F-1 through F-5 keys. These F key selections

are mode dependent. For example, in SSB

mode M1 has a TBW (transmit bandwidth)

Manufacturer’s Speciications

Measured in the ARRL Lab

Frequency coverage: Receive, 0.03-60 MHz;

Receive and transmit, as speciied.

transmit, 1.8-2.0, 3.5-4, 5.33200, 5.34800,

5.35850, 5.37300, 5.40500, 7-7.3, 10.1-10.15,

14-14.35, 18.068-18.168, 21-21.45,

24.89-24.99, 28-29.7, 50-54 MHz.

Power requirement: 13.8 V dc ±15%; 13.8 V dc; receive 1.9 A (no signal, max

receive, 3 A (max audio); transmit, 23 A audio), 1.7 A (backlight off);

(100 W out). transmit, 18 A (100 W out). Operation

conirmed at 11.4 V dc (89 W output).

Modes of operation: SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY. As speciied.

Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing

SSB/CW sensitivity: 2.4 kHz bandwidth, Noise Floor (MDS), 500 Hz DSP ilter,

10 dB S/N: 0.1-29.99 MHz, 0.16 µV; 3 kHz rooing ilter:

50-54 MHz, 0.13 µV. Preamp off 1 2

0.137 MHz –129 –135 –136 dBm

0.505 MHz –134 –141 –142 dBm

1.0 MHz –134 –141 –142 dBm

3.5 MHz –135 –142 –144 dBm

14 MHz –134 –141 –143 dBm

50 MHz –131 –140 –142 dBm

Noise igure: Not speciied. 14 MHz, preamp off/1/2: 13/6/4 dB

AM sensitivity: 6 kHz bandwidth, 10 dB S/N: 10 dB (S+N)/N, 1-kHz, 30 % modulation,

0.1-1.799 MHz, 12.6 µV; 1.8-30 MHz, 2 µV; 6 kHz bandwidth:

50-54 MHz, 1.6 µV. Preamp off 1 2

1.0 MHz 1.27 0.56 0.51 µV

3.8 MHz 1.15 0.49 0.43 µV

50.4 MHz 1.84 0.68 0.57 µV

FM sensitivity: 15 kHz bandwidth, 12 dB SINAD: For 12 dB SINAD, 3 kHz deviation,

28-29.7 MHz, 0.5 µV; 50-54 MHz, 0.32 µV.

15 kHz bandwidth:

Preamp off 1

29 MHz

0.54

0.21

0.18 µV

52 MHz

0.56

0.25

0.20 µV

Spectral display sensitivity: Not speciied.

Preamp off/1/2: –94/–101/–109 dBm.

Blocking gain compression: Not speciied.

Gain compression, 500 Hz bandwidth,

3 kHz rooing ilter:

20 kHz offset

5/2 kHz offset

Preamp off/1/2 Preamp off

3.5 MHz 144/138/136 dB 118*/111* dB

14 MHz 143/140/135 dB 117*/111* dB

50 MHz 139/139/134 dB 117/111 dB

Reciprocal mixing (500 Hz BW): Not speciied.

20/5/2 kHz offset: –101/–88/–78 dBc.

ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing (500 Hz DSP bandwidth, 3 kHz rooing ilter)**

Measured Measured Calculated

Band/Preamp

Spacing

Input Level

IMD Level

IMD DR

IP3

3.5 MHz/Off

20 kHz

–28 dBm

–135 dBm

107 dB

+26 dBm

–14 dBm

–97 dBm

+28 dBm

14 MHz/Off

20 kHz

–28 dBm

–134 dBm

106 dB

+25 dBm

–13 dBm

–97 dBm

+29 dBm

0 dBm

–64 dBm

+32 dBm

14 MHz/1

20 kHz

–34 dBm

–141 dBm

107 dB

+20 dBm

–20 dBm

–97 dBm

+19 dBm

14 MHz/2

20 kHz

–40 dBm

–143 dBm

103 dB

+12 dBm

–27 dBm

–97 dBm

+8 dBm

14 MHz/Off

5 kHz

–36 dBm

–134 dBm

98 dB

+13 dBm

–24 dBm

–97 dBm

+13 dBm

0 dBm

–28 dBm

+14 dBm

14 MHz/Off

2 kHz

–46 dBm

–134 dBm

88 dB

–2 dBm

–97 dBm

–29 dBm

+5 dBm

0 dBm

–23 dBm

+12 dBm

50 MHz/Off

20 kHz

–23 dBm

–131 dBm

108 dB

+31 dBm

–12 dBm

–97 dBm

+31 dBm

October 2011

QS1110-ProdRev01

Receiver

Receiver Dynamic Testing

Second-order intercept point: Not speciied.

Preamp off/1/2, +65, +65, +65 dBm.

52 MHz, +77 dBm.

DSP noise reduction: Not speciied.

Variable, 20 dB maximum.

Notch ilter depth: Not speciied.

Manual notch: 52 dB, Auto notch: 55 dB,

attack time 100 ms.***

FM adjacent channel rejection: Not speciied.

29 MHz, 77 dB † ; 52 MHz, 79 dB. †

0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08

FM two-tone, third-order IMD dynamic range:

20 kHz offset, both preamps on: 29 MHz,

Time (s)

Not speciied.

77 dB † ; 52 MHz, 79 dB † .

10 MHz channel spacing: 29 MHz, 115 dB,

Figure 1 — CW keying waveform for the

IC-7410 showing the irst two dits in full

break-in (QSK) mode using external keying.

Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM. The

upper trace is the actual key closure; the

lower trace is the RF envelope. (Note that

the irst key closure starts at the left edge

of the igure.) Horizontal divisions are 10

ms. The transceiver was being operated at

100 W output on the 14 MHz band.

52 MHz, 114 dB.

S-meter sensitivity: Not speciied.

S9 signal at 14.2 MHz: preamp off, 50 µV;

preamp 1, 23.4 µV; preamp 2, 8.9 µV.

Squelch sensitivity: SSB, <5.6 µV, FM,

At threshold, both preamps, SSB, 0.63 µV;

<0.32 µV.

FM, 29 MHz, 0.1 µV; 52 MHz, 0.1 µV.

Receiver audio output: >2 W into 8 W at

2.04 W at 10 % THD into 8 W .

10% THD.

THD at 1 V RMS, 0.85%.

IF/audio response: Not speciied.

Range at –6 dB points, (bandwidth): ‡

CW (500 Hz): 280-795 Hz (515 Hz).

Equivalent Rectangular BW: 509 Hz.

USB: (2.4 kHz): 197-2770 Hz (2573 Hz).

LSB: (2.4 kHz): 200-2770 Hz (2570 Hz).

AM: (6 kHz): 165-3138 Hz (5946 Hz).

AM: (9 kHz): 163-4496 Hz (8666 Hz).

Spurious and image rejection: HF and 50 MHz,

First IF rejection: 14 MHz, 105 dB;

(except IF rejection on 50 MHz): >70 dB.

50 MHz, 81 dB. Image rejection:

14 MHz, >144 dB; 50 MHz, >141 dB.

Transmitter Transmitter Dynamic Testing

Power output: HF and 50 MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY, HF: CW, SSB, RTTY, FM typically

FM, 2-100 W; AM, 2-27 W.

1.2-102 W, AM, 0.27-27 W;

50 MHz: CW, SSB, RTTY, FM,

1.2-95 W, AM, 0.2-24 W.

f c -4

f c -2

f c

f c +2

f c +4

Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression:

HF, >70 dB; 50 MHz, >70 dB.

Frequency in kHz

>50 dB on HF, >63 dB on 50 MHz.

Meets FCC requirements.

Figure 2 — Spectral display of the IC-7410

transmitter during keying sideband testing.

Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM using

external keying. Spectrum analyzer resolution

bandwidth is 10 Hz, and the sweep time is 30

seconds. The transmitter was being operated

at 100 W PEP output on the 14 MHz band. This

plot shows the transmitter output ±5 kHz from

the carrier. The reference level is 0 dBc, and

the vertical scale is in dB. Note that the keying

sideband level rises slightly at the edges, to

the –60 dB range.

SSB carrier suppression: >40 dB.

57 dB.

Undesired sideband suppression: >55 dB.

>70 dB.

Third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD)

3rd/5th/7th/9th order (15 m, worst case):

products: Not speciied.

HF, 100 W PEP, –30/–35/–54/–61 dB;

50 MHz, 100 W PEP, –31/–34/–43/–59 dB.

CW keyer speed range: Not speciied.

6 to 48 WPM.

CW keying characteristics: Not speciied.

See Figures 1 and 2.

Iambic keying mode: Not speciied.

Mode B.

Transmit-receive turnaround time (PTT release

S9 signal, 85 ms at speaker, 16 ms at

to 50% audio output): Not speciied.

accessory jack.

Receive-transmit turnaround time (tx delay):

SSB, 45 ms; FM, 8 ms.

QS1110-Prodrev03

Not speciied.

Composite transmitted noise: Not speciied. See Figure 3.

Size (height, width, depth): 4.6 × 12.3 × 13.5 inches; weight, 22.5 pounds.

Price: $2000; FL-430 (6 kHz) and FL-431 (3 kHz) rooing ilters, $125 each.

*No blocking occurred up to threshold of receiver overload.

**ARRL Product Review testing now includes Two-Tone IMD results at several signal levels.

Two-Tone, 3rd-Order Dynamic Range igures comparable to previous reviews are shown

on the irst line in each group. The “IP3” column is the calculated Third-Order Intercept Point.

Second-order intercept points were determined using –97 dBm reference.

***Single beat note. Reduces two beat notes up to 55 dB with attack time depending of separation

of signals, typically 400 ms.

† Measurement was noise-limited at the value indicated.

‡ Default values, sharp setting (smooth setting is available). Bandwidth and cutoff frequencies

are adjustable via DSP. CW bandwidth varies with PBT and pitch control settings.

[

Frequency in Hz

Figure 3 — Spectral display of the IC-7410

transmitter output during composite noise

testing. Power output is 100 W on the 14 MHz

band. The carrier, off the left edge of the plot,

is not shown. This plot shows composite

transmitted noise 100 Hz to 1 MHz from the

carrier. The reference level is 0 dBc, and the

vertical scale is in dBc/Hz.

October 2011 51

choice on F-4 , while in CW mode, the same

key opens one of two selectable KEY menus,

and in RTTY mode it opens the decoder

screen. Pressing and holding the primary

MENU button takes you into SET MODE , let-

ting you enable or adjust those parameters

less-traveled. I found menu scrolling to be

counterintuitive. You press the ∨ key to as-

cend the menu tree and the ∧ key to descend.

The power supply connector is not com-

patible with earlier ICOM gear, so if you’re

upgrading from a previous model (such as

my ’756PROIII) you’ll need to change some

station wiring. The ACC (accessory) socket

is a 13 pin DIN connector. ICOM included a

compatible DIN plug with color coded pig-

tails, obviating the need to solder directly to

the connector. The SEND jack to key a linear

amplifier is an RCA phono connector. The

contacts are rated for a maximum of 16 V at

0.5 A, compatible with any modern power

amplifier. The rear-apron ground connection

uses a fairly short Phillips head screw with two

flat washers and one lock washer on its shaft.

A wing nut would have been easier to manage.

Two SO-239 coax antenna ports are avail-

able on the rear apron. If your station setup

only requires a single coax connection to your

transceiver, you can disable the unneeded port,

so you don’t inadvertently transmit into an

open load. Very thoughtful! The IC-7410 does

not provide the means to connect a separate

receive antenna, such as a Beverage.

Figure 4 — The

uncluttered rear panel of the IC-7410.

He further notes that the receiver actually is

usable down into the VLF range — 30 kHz

(–99 dBm minimum discernable signal).

“Many receivers tested are pretty dead down

there,” he said. “This receiver is very sensi-

tive at 137 kHz and 505 kHz — spots where

some nations already allow amateur activity.

You may think that that doesn’t matter much,

but it does if you’re using an active antenna

or a small loop antenna.”

Flexible DSP IF filters and twin pass-

band tuning (PBT) with a graphical display

of passband setting have become hallmarks

of this generation of ICOM transceivers. The

IC-7410 augments these with optional nar-

row filters for the 1st IF (64.455 MHz), which

install easily. Each has a unique socket, so

you cannot inadvertently install them incor-

rectly. While ICOM does not refer to these as

roofing filters in the Instruction Manual , the

display does show an R ahead of the current

filter setting. This appears to be a “rose by

another name” situation, since the net effect

is the same. Narrower filters at this point in

the circuit will reduce the impact of other

in-band signals on the signal you’re trying

to pull out, especially when the band is busy

(think Field Day or pileup).

Pressing and holding the F-5 button

changes the optional 1st IF filter selections —

stepping through the default 15 kHz (roofing

filter passband), 6 kHz and 3 kHz settings.

Quickly pressing the F-5 key changes the

second IF (36 kHz) DSP filter contour from

“sharp” to “soft.” It takes a little practice to

make this button do just what you want, and

you may have to squint at the display to see

the setting itself.

The sharp and soft contours did not make

much difference to my ear on CW signals,

although narrow filter settings seem more

likely to sound “ringy” in the sharp profile

as opposed to the soft. You may detect a

smoother, even more pleasing sound with

SSB audio by enabling the soft contour on

a given DSP filter setting. The soft setting

also seems to ameliorate some noise profiles.

By the way, the IC-7410’s noise reduction

(NR) appeared superior to the PROIII’s NR.

That makes sense, since the IC-7410 is more

closely related to the IC-7600 and its more

advanced DSP technology.

I thought a few things could be improved.

The IC-7410 offers two levels of RF pream-

plification but just one level of attenuation. I

missed having multiple levels of attenuation

to deal with noise and interference on the low

bands. The AGC attack, at least at default

settings, seemed a bit severe. Static crashes

actually killed the audio momentarily until

it recovered. The speaker crackled a bit at

higher AF GAIN settings.

Worth Mentioning (or Repeating)

The IC-7410 retains the most useful

features of its predecessors. Take the voice

squelch control (VSC), for example, intro-

duced with the IC-746PRO. The VSC checks

all signals for “voice components” before it

breaks squelch. This feature is really cool,

especially if you tend to monitor an HF fre-

quency for activity (for example an emergency

or traffic net). This means, too, that while

scanning, the radio does not stop on every

carrier, cable birdie or kerchunker, and it’s

available on AM and FM, as well as on SSB.

The automatic antenna tuner is excellent.

It uses variable capacitors instead of clacking

relays, and it works essentially as advertised

— quickly and quietly. It can be set to auto

start on HF or to start when PTT is activated

on a new frequency. You can even set “band

edges” for an especially narrowband antenna

system. A rear-apron jack allows connection

of an external ATU as well.

While the ’7410 does not have a spectrum

scope, it does have what ICOM dubs a simple

band scope ( SCP ). At first glance, this might

not seem a very useful operating aid, but it

certainly came in handy during the ARRL

June VHF QSO Party. I was expecting it

to operate much in the same manner as the

similar utility on the IC-706 series, but it’s

way faster. At any of the available settings it

scanned the given swath of spectrum nearly

instantly, leaving “blips” on the horizontal

line representing signals detected (the re-

ceiver is muted during scanning). The scan

limits depend upon how closely you want

the band scope to check for signals — every

How Does It Play?

If I had just one word to describe the

IC-7410 it would be competent , and the

numbers from the ARRL Lab support this

impression — not the best but very good. In

reciprocal mixing testing for two-tone IMD

(see Table 1), the IC-7410 stacks up as essen-

tially identical to the IC-7600, and blocking

gain compression was superior. The ’7410

pretty much blows away the IC-746PRO’s

much older technology, but it’s right on par

with the higher tier IC-7800, at least in terms

of two-tone IMD on 14 MHz. The numbers

are even very good on 50 MHz.

ARRL Lab Engineer Bob Allison,

WB1GCM, noted an oddity while testing

the ’7410’s blocking gain compression at

5 kHz and 2 kHz spacings. “I experienced

receiver overload at the point when the block-

ing signal caused the audio to drop by about

0.5 dB, such that strong noise jumps up at this

threshold and the desired signal becomes ab-

sent,” Allison recounted. “Raising the level of

the blocking signal further caused an unrelated

audio tone to bleed through.” For example, he

said, if the radio is tuned to 14.020 MHz (pre-

amp off) and a 50 dB over S-9 signal shows

up at 14.018 MHz, the receiver will overload.

“Needless to say,” Allison added, “the block-

ing figures are still very good.”

Allison reports that he was unable to de-

tect any receiver images during lab testing.

October 2011

1 kHz, 2 kHz, 5 kHz etc. You then tune to

the blip to hear what’s there. You can use this

tool to seek activity on one of the three band

stacking registers, then swapping to a second

band register to dial up the signal without

tuning away from your original frequency.

You can monitor SWR and relative

power output (there’s no level or percent-

age readout) at the same time, although I

still prefer a “real” meter or at least a digital

representation, such as the virtual meter on

the IC-7600. The IC-7410 has an LCD bar-

graph style meter, which can be set up to hold

peaks for 0.5 second. Speaking of SWR, the

IC-7410 lets you read and graph your antenna

system’s SWR curve, right on the screen.

You can plot up to 13 points in various steps.

Transmit briefly to plot the SWR on each

step, and when you’re done, the screen will

graphically display the SWR profile of the

antenna system under test.

As with the IC-7600, the IC-7410 offers

a single USB connection to your computer.

This link may be used to control the radio

from your logging program or other software

and/or to route audio to and from the radio or

decoded RTTY to your computer. To make

use of it you first must download and install

the USB-to-UART bridge driver from the

ICOM website, where you select the driver

that’s appropriate for the radio and your

computer’s operating system. This is a rea-

sonably trouble free process. It did take a bit

of juggling and tweaking to get the software

to recognize the radio, however.

I was able to use the USB interface to

control the radio (I checked it out with

N1MM Logger and Ham Radio Deluxe —

N1MM has a specific IC-7410 driver, but

HRD does not) and to play “canned” contest

audio files from my PC at the same time

(sorry, phone contesters, but the IC-7410

does not have a voice-keyer). As with the

IC-7600, however, you cannot set the USB

interface to route the audio from your con-

testing software and from the microphone

at the same time. The menu lets you pick

one source or the other (or ACC , which lets

you feed audio to the radio via the accessory

jack on the rear apron, or MIC, ACC , which

lets you route audio simultaneously via both

inputs). It’s possible to work around this

by programming some rather clumsy CAT

strings. As we suggested in the IC-7600 re-

view, however, this appears to be a software

issue, not an ICOM issue. 2

WID ranges plus ESSB . You also can adjust

high-pass and low-pass filter settings for

received audio.

While the IC-7410 does not have a voice

keyer, it does have an excellent CW memory

keyer that is similar in implementation to

those in the ’746 and ’756 series radios. You

can set the menu to display either the memory

keyer “root” menu first or the “send” menu

first. As with other ICOM radios, CW keyer

memories are loaded by using the function

keys and tuning knob to select and enter char-

acters one at a time. This takes some getting

used to. As with past ICOM transceivers of

this heritage, you still must roll your own

external keypad to access your CW memories

without going through the menu.

The radio is capable of full-break-in

(QSK) CW, although as a veteran CW

operator I didn’t find it much better than

semi-break-in.

The radio can decode RTTY signals, but it

needs an external encoder to transmit it (FSK

or AFSK). The IC-7410 makes it a bit easier

to use sound card based data modes, and you

can use the USB connection to pass baseband

audio between the radio and your computer.

One thing you cannot do, however, is use the

terrific twin-peak RTTY filter system when

running AFSK. (This filter boosts the MARK

and SPACE frequencies for better copy.) You

can only use it when operating true FSK, ac-

cessible via a rear-panel connection.

Press the SPEECH key, and a pleas-

ant, digitized female voice announces the

frequency, mode and S-meter reading. The

menu gives you a choice of hearing these in

English (default) or Japanese. Voice speed

and volume are adjustable. In addition you

can set this feature to announce the mode

each time you press a mode button, and you

can disable the S meter announcement. This

is a terrific feature for visually impaired

operators! For the North American market,

ICOM may want to consider adding Spanish

and French to its list of available languages.

ARRL Lab testing determined that the

dial accuracy was dead on. The SET MODE

also offers a means to tweak the radio onto

the calibrator’s frequency to keep it honest,

but you shouldn’t have to do that. The manual

says this factory setting differs for each radio.

In this same vein the IC-7410 has a built-in

calibrator. Somehow I had managed to switch

it on while fumbling thorough some menus.

Hearing the calibration signals made me

wonder if I’d broken the radio.

I had to engage in a delicate dance be-

tween the MIC GAIN and COMP settings. You

don’t want to use too much compression —

good advice with any radio — since there’s

plenty to go around. The compression meter-

ing puzzled me, though, as I never could get it

to kick up into the higher reaches of the scale

at any combination of settings. The COMP

control is one of the little “stem” controls,

while the MIC GAIN is a genuine front-panel

knob (this is a stem control on the PROIII

and similar radios).

Other observations:

 You can set “user band edge” frequen-

cies — a total of 30 band edge frequencies.

These may come in handy in households

where not all operators hold Amateur Extra

class tickets.

 The radio includes a transmit time-out

timer ( a la your handheld VHF-UHF trans-

ceiver) with a choice of 3, 5, 10, 20 or even

30 minutes if you’re especially long-winded!

 There are separate “Quick Split” menus

for HF and for 50 MHz.

 The main tuning dial has two settable

rates making rapid frequency excursions.

These are essentially “fast” and “faster.”

 The SET MODE lets you lock out either

the manual or automatic NOTCH (there are

separate settings for SSB/CW and AM). This

eliminates the need to toggle through both

when you really only use one notch mode,

as I tend to do.

 If the power amplifier temperature

gets too high, the IC-7410 will cut its output

power in half and display LMT above the TX

icon on the display. I never saw this happen.

 A look at the rear apron reminded me of

the times I’d purchased a new vehicle without

some of the features of the top-of-the-line

model. On the dashboard and elsewhere

were “blanks” to plug the spots where the

controls for the optional luxury features, such

as heated seats or mirror defrosters, would

go. Similar blanks are prominent on the

IC-7410’s rear panel, since the radio shares

a chassis with the IC-9100. These blanks

cover the spots where you’d find interfacing

connections for VHF and UHF accessories

available on the IC-9100.

Beating the Heat

ICOM took pains with the IC-7410 to ad-

dress problems of semiconductor failures that

some IC-746 series transceiver owners have

reported. For the driver, the IC-746, including

the PRO, employed a µPC1678G (330 mW

dissipation at a supply voltage of 5 V dc).

These were said to run hot, making them more

subject to premature failure. The finals were

2SK2975s. As does the IC-756PROIII and its

successor IC-7600, the ’7410 uses a pair of

RD15HVF1 HF MOSFETs (12.5 V and rated

at 15 W typical output with 0.6 W maximum

input) as the driver and a pair of RD100HHF1

HF MOSFETs for the power amplifier. These

units can put out 100 W apiece.

The upgraded device complement in the

IC-7410 coupled with a much larger heat

sink, copious vents on the top of the case, and

a quiet, efficient blower ought to minimize

significantly the possibility of heat-related

component failure. The design of the heat

sink is the primary reason why the IC-7410

is longer, although a bit narrower, than its

Various and Sundry

Transmit bandwidth is adjustable, but it

sounded good to other ops at the default set-

tings when I was using my Heil ProSet Plus!

headset. There are adjustable NAR , MID and

2 R. Lindquist, WW3DE, “Product Review —

ICOM IC-7600 HF and 6 Meter Transceiver,”

QST , Nov 2009, pp 54-59.

October 2011 53

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