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73 Review by Joe Holman KA7LDN Number 9 on your FeedblM:k card The ICOM IC-970H VHF/UHF Multiband All-Mode Transceiver A great rig for both satellite and local communications. ICOM AmeriCa 2380 1161h Avenue N E Bellevue WA 98004 (206) 454-8155 Price Class: $300() Recently I had the opportunity to use an ICOM 1G-970H VHF/UHF (i.e .• 2m and 7OCm) multiband transceiver. This is a fullfeatured multi-mode rig designed with the satellite operator in mind. II's also a fine rig for terrestrial contacts both on SSBJCW and FM. Dimensionsand Front Panel Layout The IC·970H is a big rad io: 16.7 " W x 5 .9 ~ H x 16.0· 0, approximately the same size as tCO M 's IC·765 HF radio. The trent panel altha radio supports " bigger-the-belter" controls. The tuni ng knob is 2 " in diameter, and the basic control knobs are 0.75" in diameter. In the center of the lront panel, there is a 4 ,5" x 2.5 " black-on-yellow LCD display which provides the following information: - Main and sub mode of operation . - Main and sub operating frequencies. - General coverage RX on/off. - RIT Change of frequency (only for main). - Main and sub VFO (A or B) selection. - Main and sub memory channels. «Sub receiver S-meter. - Tuning pitch indicators. - Main and sub duplex ind icator. - scan indicator. - Tonefsquelc h/beep indicator. - Split operation ind icator. Also, the rad io has a large S meter, 2 .75 ~ x 1 .75 ~ , that is placed directly 10 the left of the LCD display. On the very left side of the radio, you can find the SA TELUTE switch which provides the following six tracking configurations (and which proved to be very useful during my satellite experimentation and operation with the radio): - OFF- Main and sub frequencies do not track. - ,. (Normal)- M ain and sub frequencies change in same direction. - R (Reverse}-Mai n and sub frequencies change in opposite direction. - SAn - Used for programming uplink and downlink pa irs to memory, no tracking takes place. - sAn -N- Allows selection 01 uplink/downlink Photo. The fCOM-970 multiband VHF/UHF transceiver. memory channel, tracks in same direction. - SATL·R- Allows selection of uplink/downlink memory channel, tra cks in opposite direction. I'll discu ss more about the SATELLITE switch in the "Satellite Memories" section. Manual The manual is 48 pages long , The majority of the man ual describes what each of the control functions and connections on the front and rear panels do . The remaining sections of the manual provide general operating procedures for packet and satellite operation, and provide details (with many internal views of the radio and replaceable components) abou t how to install optional accessories and modify factory set internal controls. I was impressed with the level of detail presented in this manual. It is one of the best that I have seen ICOM produce. See Table 1 for a complete listing of the 1G-970H's specifications. Receiving and Tran smiu ing During my voice communications, I spent most of my time operating on AQ-13 , I made OSOS on this satellite for just about threefourths of the entire pass on two different days. This allowed me to test the 1C-970H during various operating conditions, such as when the squint angle of the satell ite 's antenna was greater than 20 degrees, less than 20 degrees, and on the two major modes used: Mode B (70cm up and 2m down) and Mode J (2m up and 70cm down). For antennas, I used the KLM 18C (12.0dBi gain) for 7OCm, and an old beat-up Cushcraft 10-element beam (10.5 dBi gain) on 2m . The preamplifiers were the ICOM AG-3S (15 dB gain, NA noise) for 70cm, and the ICOM AG· 25 (15 dB gain, NA noise) lor 2m , mounted at the antenna feedpoint. For leedline, I used an SO-foot run of Belden 9913 (2.6 dB loss per 100 feet) for 7OCm , and a 5O-100t run of RG-.8/U foam (2.0 dB loss pe r 100 feet) for 2 meters. Most of my AQ-13 OSOs were made on Modes B and J . Wh ile operating on AQ-13, I worked the following stations (all contac ts were on Mode B, unless otherwise noted): AA6PJ, KC71T, DD5LO, ON1LST, PE1H XD , FC1GNV, PAflSTE, OE5WHN, SM2SW U, JA9WMS, UA00B (both B and J), J R2UOE, and VK4KZR (Mode J only). As you can see, I made contacts with many locations around the world. In addition, I used my 1C-275H and 1C-475H during these passes to compa re the versatility of the IC-970H's uplink and downlink systems. The first thing that caught my attention wa s the IC·970H's audio. Its audio is much more robust (better bass) tha n what my 1C-275H or 1C-475H produces . Good audio always makes satellite communicat ions more enjoyable. For receiving, the 1C-970H has compa rable sensitivity to both the IC·275H and the 36 73AmateurRadiO Today - March. 1991
z o ; ? « D April 26, 27, 28, 1991 ~ Early Reservat io n Information • General Chairman. Dave Grubb. KCBCF • Giant 3 day flea market. f:xhibits • License exams· Free bus service Flea market tickets and grand banquet tickets are limited. Place your reservations early. please. Flea Market Tickets A maximum of .3 spaces per person (nontransferable), TIckets (valid all .3 days) will be sold IN ADVANCE ONLY. No spaces sold at gate. Vendors MUST order registration ticket when ordering flea market spaces. Special Awards Nominations are requested for "Radio Amateur of the Year." "Special Achievement.. and 'Technical Achievement" awards. COntact: Hamvention Awards Chairman. Box 964. Dayton. ON 45401. License exams Novice thru Extra exams scheduled Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. Send FCC form 610 (Aug. 1985 or later) - with requested elements shown at top of form. copy of present license and check for $5.25 (payable to ARRL/VEC) to: Exam Registration, 88,30 Windbluff Point. Dayton, ON 45458 • Asst. General Chalrman. Ross Brown, WA8DQN 1991 Deadlines Award Nominations: March 1 License Exams: March 26 Advance Registration and banquet: USA ~ April 4 canada ~ March 31 Flea Market Space: Spaces will be allocated by the liamvention committee from all orders received prtor to February 1. Notification of space assignment will be mailed by March 15. 1991. Checks will not be deposited until the selection process is complete. Information General Infonnation: (5 13) 454-1456 or, Box 964, Dayton, on 45401 lodging Information, (513) 223-2612 (No Reservations By Phone) Flea Market Infonnation: (513) 767·1107 Lodging Please write to Lodging, Dayton ttamvenuon. Chamber Plaza, 5Ut & Main Streets, Dayton. OU 45402 or refer to our 1990 Namvention program for lodging infonnation which includes a listing of hotels and motels located in the areas surrounding Dayton. IiAMVENTION is sponsored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association Inc. ----------------------------------,-- Advance Registration Form Dayton flamventlon 1991 Reservation Deadline - USA-ApIiI 4, canada-March 31 flea Market Reservation Deadline: february 1 Enclose check or m oney order for amount Indlcated and send a self a d d r essed stamped (#10) envelope. Please Type or Print your Name and Address clearly. now Many Admission (valid all 3 days) Grand Banquet @ $10.50' @ $22.00" $,--- $,--- Alt. Act. Luncheon (Saturday) @ $8.00 (Sunday) @ $8.00 Flea Market $25/1 space (Max. 3 spaces) $50/2 acijacent Admission Ucket must $150/3 adjacent $, _ be ordered with flea market tickets • $13.00 at door Total $ _ •• $24.00 after April 24th. If available 7 3 Make checks Name _ payable to - Address City State__ Zip _ _ Mall to - ::==== Dayton "AMVENTION Dayton namvenuon Box 1446 Dayton. 0" 45401
Page 1 and 2: I • • Hams in Space!
Page 3 and 4: MFJ, Bencher and Curtis team up to
Page 5 and 6: THETEAM PUBLISHER/EDITOR Wayne Gree
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Page 10 and 11: • • The SAHEX STS-37 Mission Th
Page 12 and 13: telemetry on one side and Fuji-OSCA
Page 14 and 15: Number 5 on your Feed~c:knrc! Weath
Page 16 and 17: f7 ,.. '0 ' ''~, " ~H~ '~" '" " LT(
Page 18: i • Choice Selection. Nc:M' }OU c
Page 21 and 22: Introducing the only HF amateur rad
Page 23 and 24: Number 7 on your FHdback card Eleme
Page 25 and 26: KITTY SAYS: WE ARE NOWOPEN 7 DAYSA
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Page 35 and 36: , • ALlNCO'S DR·590T DUAL BAND T
Page 37: , REMEMBER...A LOW COST POWER PACK
Page 41 and 42: tuning is common, and can be elimin
Page 43 and 44: VERSATILITY! MEASURE POWER FROM 2rn
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Page 51 and 52: AR models give you fTl()(e than 20d
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Page 55 and 56: • tions during daylight, so don '
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Page 67 and 68: Table 2. Sample of Packets ReceIved
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