Most commented posts
- Build your own Hytera cable — 36 comments
- Icom IC-9700 frequency modification — 15 comments
- Icom IC-9700 Power overshoot — 15 comments
- Icom IC-9700 and WSJT-X — 14 comments
- Hytera MD785(G) noise modification — 13 comments
Author's posts
Oct 24 2019
Second VUCC award (144 MHz.)
Thanks to yesterdays’ tropo conditions I was able to complete QSO’s with OE3NHW in JN88 and SP6RGB in JO71. Both QSO’s are confirmed today via Logbook of the World (LoTW) and now I’ve got my 100 Maidenhead squares confirmed on 144 MHz. It was tough! It took me about 2 years to achieve this one. …
Sep 08 2019
IARU Region 1 – 144 MHz contest
Didn’t have much time. In total 50 QSO’s. ODX: GM4ZUK/P, 734 kilometers.
Aug 31 2019
Wouldn’t it be nice…
If the newly announced Icom IC-705 could work as remote head for your IC-9700 (IC-76xx and IC-7700) at home. Or even your remotely located IC-7300? Just like Elecraft does wirt the K3 and the K3 head. Of Flex Radio with the Maestro. Or the IC-7100 with some help of a RemoteRig kit… Since all electronics …
Jul 02 2019
Sporadic E opening towards IM76
Today there were some nice Sporadic E openings on 144 MHz from my locator (JO22) towards IM76. I’ve worked 2 stations about 2.000 kilometers away. Normally I always mis Sporadic E openings on 144 MHz but today I was lucky to be in the shack on time to prepare for the 144 MHz NAC this …
Jun 30 2019
GridTracker from N0TTL
I stumbled across a nice program for grid hunters on the VHF and above bands, reading an article on the local radio club’s website. The program is called GridTracker and is written by N0TTL. Versions are available for Windows, Linux and Mac OSX. Perfect to see if new grids are workable via digimodes like FT8.
Jun 16 2019
VUCC (144 MHz) update, June 2019
The more maidenhead grids you collect, the more difficult it gets. While I’ve collected enough grid squares for the 50 MHz VUCC via LoTW I’m still in need for the last 17 on 144 MHz. It should be doable all via tropo using SSB or FT8 (of Meteor Scatter during the september Perseids shower). Anyone …
Jun 16 2019
IARU R1 50/70 MHz contest (part 1)
This weekend the IARU Region 1, 50 and 70 MHz contest took place. For the first hour I was trying to work some local hams in FT8 VHF-contest mod since this is an allowed mode in the contest. and worked some UK stations via Tropo. Then for about 1,5 hour I worked some stations in …
Jun 14 2019
Icom IC-9700 firmware update v1.11
Less than a week after releasing firmware v1.10, Icom just released v1.11. This update fixes an issue where the IC-9700 may hang up on a multifunction dial operation. Two Icom users reported issues with me with there IC-9700 frozen up. I hope this will solve the issue they’ve experienced. Firmware IC-9700 v1.11 can be downloaded …
Jun 07 2019
Icom IC-9700 firmware update v1.10
Icom just released new firmware for the IC-9700. The version is bumped from v1.06 to v1.10 and should fix the ‘drift problem’ which some experience. Icom also added a new function: The 10 MHz ref. input can now be used to permanently sync the external 10 MHz source to the internal oscillator, instead of only …
May 22 2019
May 2019 NAC contest on 432 MHz
Due to a lack of time I was only in the shack for about an hour to work 12 stations. ODX was SK7MW (764km) as always. I worked 10 grid locators.
May 15 2019
IC-9700 mod: enable AF out on mic
To enable the AF output on Pin 8 of the MIC socket (AFO line), solder a bridge across test point CP421 on the DISPLAY board. Schematic: Service manual, p. 10-17.Board layout: Service manual, p. 7-10, to left of R421
May 08 2019
May 2019 NAC contest on 144 MHz
Only worked 3 hours. 37 QSO’s in 20 grids. ODX: SK7CY (639km). My result: 3th place in the Netherlands
May 07 2019
May 2019 VHF/UHF contest
Spend some hours in the shack. The (temporarily) results (I wasn’t active on 1296 MHz this weekend):
May 05 2019
Icom IC-9700 Service Manual
The IC-9700 Service Manual is available. Download it here. The document is in English, dated March 2019 and contains specifications, inside views, interface information, the adjustment procedure, the part list, mechanical parts, board layouts, the wiring diagram, the block diagram and a schematic diagram. In total the document is 93 pages and about 10 Mbyte …
Apr 28 2019
IC-9700 Fan mod stabilizes TCXO
Another interesting post appeared today on the IC-9700 reflector. It describes how to improve frequency stability. I have modified my IC-9700 to keep the fan continuously running at a reduced speed by fitting a 6.8V Zener diode across the appropriate switching transistor. (N.B. I have documented the process with pictures of where I installed the …
