Icom IC-9700 Review, Demo And Walkthrough

Here it is! The all new Icom IC-9700 tri-band direct sampling transceiver. This is a most impressive rig and I will be showing many more videos on this unit. To start, let me show you the rig and talk about some of the features and reasons why this is a total game changer for the hobby.
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[@arthurhunt642]

This would be a perfect companion with my ic 7300. I've just purchased my 7300 and I haven't even turned it on yet. My General expired over 15 years ago so I have to pass an exam for Technician to Grandfather for the General. I know, "Get the stick out..." After seeing how cool these new rigs work, I've got the bug all over again!!

[@arnoldschmidt2753]

Your video has helped me in my quest for a radio that has no holes to fill .

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks for the great review! Led me to purchasing one this past week. I've been spending the last two years since getting my license on an ICOM 7610, so looking forward to exploring some new bands and really interesting ways of making contacts.

[@browntroy101]

Thanks, for the videos! It was a real good surprise, watching you working this radio!

[@garysoutham8746]

This radio WILL be my next purchase for sure. What an amazing radio. Thanks for sharing the info on ham radio's most amazing radio. 73s VE3NCV. Ontario , Canada

[@USBP29]

73 is already plural.

[@garysoutham8746]

Hi and greetings from Ontario , Canada. I am VE3NCV , Gary. This is the most amazing radio I have ever seen and will be my next radio for my shack. I love all the features it has. Thank you so much for sharing. 73s

[@Tex735]

Just about decided that a 9700 is in my near future. Started working from home so I need a base station for 2m/70cm with D-STAR. Very good video!!

[@c.f.leffen2929]

Eric, don’t know if I’ll ever catch-up to you and your videos, but MAN!, you present interesting gear and ideas! Many Thanks!

[@tallmike6598]

Mine was delivered today. I am really looking forward to working this radio.

[@rokuthecat6620]

Your videos are great, as always.

[@Brewdog2001]

This is my next radio once I get the money together. Right now I am just using an Icom V8000 2m mobile for now, and I use my Kenwood HT for 70cm for now. I love my 7300 so this would be a natural next step so I can remember how to run my radios.

[@m1hax]

Beautiful bit of kit.. when I'm out doing SOTA activations I can often tell when the other end is using a 9700 as the audio quality is so good.

[@kenthufford743]

The current price is very good. A ICOM 9100 was over $4,000 with a DSTAR card and 23cm module installed. A ICOM 7300 on sale, and this ICOM 9700 with SDR is about $3,000. Not cheap. If a 9300 is at a current good price, then the 9700 at about $2,000 is good, with what ICOM stuffed into it.

[@3TQVK]

You got it Kent, Cant believe all the negativity. Don't worry the MD-9700 will be out soon and nothing will work but hell It will be worth buying, and all the masochists will love it because its Chinese

[@larryroop5924]

I am impressed with what this radio can do , but I wish it would cover all the VHF UHF SHF modes. 6 meters (Lowband VHF), 2 meters, 220 (1.25 cm) 440 (70cm), 900 MHz (33cm), 1.25 GHz. I am aware that 220 and 900 MHz are not the most popular bands in the U.S. but still if you are going to come out with an all band all mode UHF, VHF, SHF might as well include them all. Just my thoughts on the matter.

[@Skullfocher]

Just wanted to let you know: this unit does NOT do SHF. 1.2-1.3 Ghz is the 23cm band and is in the middle of the UHF band. 13cm (2.3-2.45 GHz) is still in UHF. The SHF band is 3 -30 GHz. Amateur portions of SHF include: 9cm (3.3 - 3.5 GHz), 5cm (5.65 - 5.925 Ghz), and 3cm (10.0 - 10.5 GHz). The IC-9700 is strictly VHF/UHF. Currently there are no SHF capable amateur transceivers on the market. The only way to acquire SHF capability for amateur use is through transverters. Most of which you have to build yourself.

[@kenkerr9868]

Enjoyed talking to you on D-STAR on 30C. I AM a “fan.” Look forward to seeing linear satellite QSO KZbins and EME KZbins with the IC-9700. 73

[@billyshears2514]

My kenwood ts 2000 x is fully paid and I love it.

[@frankc932]

Great video. Like this Radio. If it ever goes on sale might have to get one.

[@billvet6]

Think I need one of these.

[@lenny0272]

Great stuff..Now i must have this radio...

[@flyboybobio3431]

Great video Eric. Can’t wait for your Sat. Video.

[@warrenksanbornjr.6643]

Very nice rig and yes the 7300 and the ic-7851 are really nice rigs

[@marshall9923]

Nice video, thanks for making it. I have a 9100 exclusively to do SATs. Any decision to migrate to 9700 will be based on a review of the 9700's SAT operation. So, would love to see more 9700 SAT mode demonstrated. Also, agree with earlier post, let's see you work EME with the 9700.

[@filipetorchiamiranda]

Awesome video ! I'm between Yaesu 991A and this IC9700. looks like the IC9700 is much easier to use. I'm only going to stay on VHF/UHF, at least until I get my General License.

[@billvet6]

My 9700 is being delivered today.

[@williamarnold4349]

Hello from Bradenton. I will tell you what I want to see, I want to see one on my desk!

[@529bigboy]

Eric, I would appreciate if you can expand more and do some more testing on the voice read out option for visually impaired people. Does it only read out the frequency? Does it read out S meter readings and most important for totally blind operators does it read out the items in the menu? It will be really great if Icom can start to offer the same level of voice read out as Kenwood, it will give totally blind operators like myself so much more options.

[@markrhall3440]

Thanks for the great video! I bought one of these 9700 units 2 weeks ago and absolutely love it! Works awesome! When you get time, maybe you can do a short video on how to add a hotspot to DStar, that’s the only thing I haven’t quit figured out! Keep up the good work! Mark N5UAL

[@mrshankj5101]

awesome radio!

[@JimN5QL]

Wow! Wow! Fantastic rig. How many episodes is it going to take for you to go through all that stuff? I have never done moon bounce but I've seen a few videos and I am anxious to see how that 9700 works on moon bounce!

[@w.rustylane5650]

It's either this or the Yaesu 991a. The IC 9700 is about $500.00 more than the Yaesu 991a. I'm trying to make up my mind on which is the better radio. I'm leaning toward the IC 9700. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee.

[@arupian666]

3:30 SHF doesn't kick in till 3.0GHz. 1.2GHz is still in UHF territory.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Get the Adaptive Notch Filter code module installed to allow you to dig out those weak signals.

[@lostman346]

Hi I saw in your CB video you were in a radio store was wanting to know location. Just got my license. Thanks 73's

[@HamRadioConcepts]

That was in my bedroom, green screen background effect.. No store LOL

[@aakoksal]

I wish it had cross-band capability... Hoping Icom can implement that with a firmware update; that will be the day I'll grab one of these...

[@N3OST]

I would really love to see that radio on my desk :)

[@harrybalz69]

miami swl radio yes in fact he does have fans, many of us out here enjoy what Eric does here. Ya notice that no matter what the post, there is always that one guy that has to be "that guy", don't be "that guy". Eric, keep up the good work many appreciate the time it takes for you to put all of this together. I am rather disappointed with the 9700 with the limited vhf/uhf receiver, was expecting a bit more out of a rig at this price. The 991A keeps looking better and better. Thanks for taking the time, de KK4ME

[@shortcircuit161]

1.2GHz is UHF not SHF. Decent Video. Thanks!

[@tglenn3121]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful and informative. You mentioned GPS. Is that what the SMA connection is for on the back of the rig?

[@enigmarbs2886]

Very nice video, Eric. I love the IC-7300 design of the rig...but...the IC-9700 is heavily overpriced. 2000€ in Germany ( means 2250 USD ) is much to much for this rig with only VHF/UHF/SHF and not even HF.

[@ericlessard6653]

9100 can be equipped for the same 100watt vhf 75 uhf 10 watts 23cm +it has hf with 9100. Im going to wait til they redo the 9100. My 7100 does 1.2ghz with a transverter!

[@villiersman951]

what a sweet piece of gear

[@dwayne5530]

I like it but not $2000 like it. Wish they'd make a dumb down smaller*cough* cheaper model for base station use but maybe without all the bells and whistles. I wish someone would make a 2M/70CM,220 with waterfall and DMR unit Good video none the less

[@timdbl7804]

HI, thanks for the demo. Are you aware that it seems you did not have the pre-amp in on receive?

[@timdbl7804]

P.S. I have heard that the RX noise figure is about 4dB on 23cm (although I have not seen that corroborated) so an external (preferably masthead) preamp would be a good idea to use.

[@turtlekoff1]

Nice job YZI!

[@Devin82m]

Nice looking radio, but that price tag is ridiculous.

[@keesvanoosbree5911]

NO KIDDING!!

[@brian.7966]

if you think about it its not,,, it has 2m 7cms and 23 cms,

[@keesvanoosbree5911]

I guess. I'd love to get it for the satellite work and the moonbounce. Sounds like a good radio for all of those things. 73 de KE0STO.

[@ki4ttl]

I mean the IC-7300 started out at that price now look at it now. Have patience. It will come down.

[@TenguSteel]

PLEASE make a video about using the D-STAR Access Point features

[@paulrose6359]

I just bought one to replace my Kenwood TS 790. I wish Icom would give us the choice of 220 over 1.2 gig but other than that this radio is the only game in town for a VHF/UHF all mode base radio.

[@Skullfocher]

220 band is trash. No one uses it. At least 23cm is used for EME.

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

Hi Eric when you stop by your friends house with the MB1 have the camera handy!!! 73’s K4BBC

[@robkc5ret126]

Eric, sorry for taking away any of the FANfare (pun intended) but I can't sit idly by and let an opportunity go by. Great video, looking forward to more. I'm like others, I'll have to wait until the rig is cheaper. The 7300 price has dropped significantly in the last year or two. I could have done without the 1.2ghz frequency, and since the 1.2ghz module for my current VHF UHF rig (IC-910H) lists for over $600, when you can find it, I can only assume if 1.2ghz were an option, instead of a requirement, the 9700 could have been initially offered for around $1500 to $1600. At that price point, I'd have one right now. Just to rub some salt in the wound, I'll be one of your "fans" that will donate to your cause, so you can get some "payment" for your efforts. 73 de KC5RET

[@justanotherguy3850]

One obvious missing band is 6 m. One would expect the VHF UHF / SHF radio would have 6m. It looks like a slick radio but I think I will stick to my venerable Yaesu ft-847. It may seem Antiquated compared to the single conversion radio that doesn't even have the ability to monitor Public Safety but it works from 160 to 70 cm.

[@brian.7966]

yes but where do you stop with that one..

[@justanotherguy3850]

@@brian.7966 it stops at 1.2 gig. 1296. As I said, to be a true VHF/UHF/SHF it would cover 6 meters as well. Easy enough to fix with an elecraft transverter but it should already have it in my opinion. You may correct @Two hHands and a Radio that it is a marketing gimmick to get you to buy the 7300 and therefore you have a matching set. The 7300 enjoys very good reviews but it's not enough radio for me. My next radio will be the Icom 7851 because I want only the absolute best. For the average home station and users budget come which actually matches my budget LOL, they would make a matching set. IC 9700 and IC 7300 side-by-side. They should make a nice pretty looking thing that goes between the two radios that allows you to switch One microphone between the two radios. You can make your own I'm just saying that they could give you a larger speaker that is similar in design to the two radios and have a microphone switch on it. They probably charge $500 for the speaker though.

[@HillCountryDemo]

I would like to see what kind of video output this rig has on an external monitor, a large monitor so you can really see the scope function.

[@RateMyRadio]

None, but you could use Icom's RS-BA1 v2 software to display the scope.

[@sgtatarms7517]

SHF....? 1,2GHz isn’t that still UHF...? SHF starts at 30GHz as far as I know. Correct me if there’s different views on those intervals...

[@Skullfocher]

SHF is 3 to 30 GHZ. EHF is 30 to 300. GHz.

[@Skullfocher]

Uh Eric, you are aware that the SHF band is 3.0 to 30 GHz and that 23cm (1.2-1.4 GHz) is in the middle UHF band, right???

[@ce1sept757]

A little too expensive for my blood, my present setup works great for low end weak signal work which is all I do. There is a lot of ft8 activity on 2m!

[@P47JugAl]

DStar is what I want. Thanks.

[@DJ369-Miami]

It's a solution looking for a problem....I have NEVER heard CW or RTTY on VHF or UHF. If the coast was closer to 500 I might consider it just because but not at 2 grand.

[@johnkershaw9575]

Eric, Love the channel. Have a dumb question. I'm looking at the Diamond X6000A Triband Base Antenna for an ICOM 9700. The antenna is an N-type. There are 3 different antenna jacks on the back of the radio. One for each band. Can I just plug the antenna in the N-type and the one jack will pass the signal to the other bands or do I have to split it for each for each jack. I know it's a dumb question so everyone be kind. :) Thanks. Great job at Hamvention. JJK

[@HamRadioConcepts]

NO such thing as a dumb question.. Get a Diplexer, tri-band. I think Diamond makes one.. One side plugs into all 3 jacks, with the appropriate frequencies , and it has 1 combined output... so that is what I am shopping for now. The same antenna with the same diplexer.

[@johnkershaw9575]

Thanks my friend I haven't met yet. Just looked at the Diamond web site. They have a triplexer that will work just fine. Have a great weekend. JJK

[@stevie4772]

how I wish I could have one of this radio

[@G0NMY]

I cannot get the DTCS squelch paging system to work on FM have tried but it sends no tones or respond to any received tones. Can you make a video on setting it up and storing it to a memory on 430 and 1297 MHz?

[@myradiovideos]

Thanks for the video. We would like to see Sensitivity measurements between different radios. When showing the back of the radio, you did not mention the 10 MHz input for calibrating the LO of the radio. Turns out this is not a 10 MHz input so you can permanently lock the radio to an external 10 MHz GPS reference.. That was disappointing to here..

[@indiana146]

Im in uk this year im going to pass my foundation license and im now Looking for a bàse station

[@Dg-zj6jo]

amazing

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks

[@clanmaster2136]

What a radio

[@sm6wet]

First question to Icom. Seeing the box the first seconds of the video..... why does is say VHF / UHF Transceiver. Can you get this radio without the 23cm or did Icom make a typo on the box?

[@johnhawkinson7655]

VHF goes from 30 MHz to 300 MHz (10 m to 1 m wavelengths). UHF goes from 300 MHZ to 3000 MHz (3 GHz). (1 m to 10 cm wavelengths). SHF goes from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (10 cm to 1 cm wavelengths). 2 m is in the VHF band; 70 cm and 23 cm are both in the UHF band. The box is correctly labeled.

[@sm6wet]

@@johnhawkinson7655 My mistake, your so right. I was confused about what we in Sweden call microwaves and draw the paralell to SHF. I know that apperantly 70cm is microwaves officially but in Sweden we tend to start the microwaves at 1Ghz so... Thanx for clearing it up.

[@bmwrider1]

How about a video using the 9700 with SSTV? I am wondering if you can use SSTV with d-star?

[@RateMyRadio]

We've used ours with EasyPAL high res SSTV and an FM repeater. DSTAR is a good question, I'd say if possible the results wouldn't be nearly as good due to the compression being optimised for voice.

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

I've been wanting to try it but haven't yet. Should be no problem since SSTV is just voice band frequencies.

[@3TQVK]

@@RateMyRadio Jarrod, No 128K Maybe slow bitmap photos via D-Rats Peter

[@mikemcdonald5147]

ok probably stupid questions but how many memory does it have? im guessing you can scan your memory as well? should be a yes at this price and can both main band and sub band scan independently?

[@mark6831]

Eric I like to see you work that thing on d-star

[@KKG51]

Probably a silly question but is there a 144/440 dual polarized beam being made? I've always been interested in weak signal SSB on the VHF/UHF bands.

[@carmelob97]

Greating, very well. Nice video about ICOM IC9700, the first that I can understand. i attend the video about satellites and DSTAR. I'm interesting about the functions of LAN port. if I can give you an advice maybe in the next vdeo if you could talk a little more slowly, maybe there will be someone else like me who is not very skilled with the understanding of English. already I can understand many things with your videos unlike others that I think you eat the words. mine is just a suggestion. congratulations on the purchase of the IC9700 Icom, I hope to be able to buy it soon, I'm just waiting for more compatibility with Ham Radio Deluxe and for the price to decrease. See you on air. Greetings to all and best regards. 73 of iT9GHW Carmelo

[@dj_ath]

Wow very nice.

[@debrapoot5434]

how much does this radio cost?

[@bobthorpe1961]

So many things you can do on this radio....but no one else can so now everyone needs one...wow so thats how marketing works...

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

Life is all about what you want, not what you need. Been that way for a long time now....

[@MrDgonz18]

Hi, I know you are busy, I wrote about a week ago on the dstar jumbospot programming: I have 2 Jumbospots , when I try to configure my D51 Plus2 with the callsign followed in the 8th spot by the letter B and then try to save it comes up with a "duplicate" and it will not let me save (different frequencies) Thank You in advance, KN4TYX

[@candlstudios]

What is the receive range of the IC-9700? Can't determine if it will receive outside the amateur bands.

[@daveborchard2019]

The 9700 is an interesting radio for the VHF and UHF bands. But you kind of need to have s tall tower on those bands, unless you use repeaters. I also think that 6 meters should have been included. Some HF radios have 6 meters, but 6 meters has always been associated with the VHF spectrum, not the HF spectrum. Cross polarized antennas will severely attenuate your signals. You really need both horizontal and vertically polarized antennas. The DV mode is interesting. I thought about getting a DV USB device for the computer, but is DV directly through the Internet still ham radio? It seems a little fake. I’d like to see the RB-1 generation 2 videos. You could demo your 7300 going to remote locations linked to your 7300 over the Internet using a hot spot, and operate HF from a beach, instead of using a “go” kit.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

My 2 meter Yagi is only 15 feet on a push up pole and I can work up the east coast of the US on SSB in the spring time during openings. And you can do EME at ground level

[@miketel01]

Nice video Chris - can you check into d star net with it if you still have it?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

I do my weekly DSTAR net every Saturday 9pm EDT on REF078A if you want to join in.

[@hobojon44]

what if yaesu comes out with a sdr ft991a how alike would they be?

[@RegNatarajan]

This radio is the answer to a question nobody's asking.

[@alexcuster1280]

Dec 2023 Im buying one tomorrow

[@OFFICALVA3DLO]

How's the speech operation work on the radio im part blind,,, id like to hear how it sounds with SPEACH operation thanks,..VA3DLO

[@tryton1000]

Will the rig duel receive dstar?

[@ki4ttl]

tryton1000 great question!!!

[@gcaines3057]

Can the IC-9700 do cross band repeat say with an ID-51? Can find any info on this anywhere.

[@3TQVK]

51`00 does

[@johngelston752]

So my dual band Ringo and dual band beam are useless with this radio since there are different antenna connections for each band? That sucks

[@dash8brj]

I saw this as well, it basically means you have an additional purchase of either a diplexer, or triplexer for eash multi band antenna,

[@matthewandrew1947]

I have this radio and a diamond dual band vhf/uhf vertical base antenna, I just bought a duplexer and in less than 5 min, work both bands, no problem.

[@k2icc]

What would be the use of the 10 MHz reference signal jack on the back for?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

KD2QMZ great question. You will see soon coming up I have a use for it

[@k2icc]

Thanks. 73

[@ericlessard6653]

What happened to making the 23 cm contact?

[@homefront3162]

Ham Radio Dubsteps

[@dalerockall6840]

Hi, I have a question please. I am seriously thinking about getting the ICom IC9700 but i am stuck for space in the back garden. My question is, can i connect a duel band antenna to the 2M connector on the back of the radio. This would give me 2m and 70cm. Thank you for your advice in advance.

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

You can, but you will only have 2m operation. You could use the antenna for both bands by just running the radio's 2m and 70cm ports into a switch and then out to your antenna. That way all you'd have to do is flip the switch to go between the 2 bands. Small compromise to make as compaired to running another coax and installing another antenna if you dont want to...

[@lostman346]

I live in the same area as you can you recommend a good radio shop

[@brian.7966]

Can you tell me please where to change the Kilometer to miles ?? I have been unable to find it....thank you,,UK.

[@thanksforthehelp5059]

Menu > Set > Display > Display Unit >

[@joereaves943]

Hello, Does this radio do out of band Receive ? Not only do I use Ham Radio but, do GMRS and MURS for Local Neighborhood watch. My IC-7100 is set up to operate outside the ham bands - RX and TX. Thanks, Joe / W7Joe

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

It dosen't on 2m as of the 1.21 firmware update. Only real downside to the rig for me.

[@5x9withQSB]

I've hear the 10mhz reference is a bit of a let down

[@RateMyRadio]

So far that seems to be correct; it is for adjusting your radio only rather than continually disciplining the TXCO. 73, Jarrad VK3BL

[@skiprussell8153]

What size of power supply will run this IC-9700? Please let me know..

[@RateMyRadio]

Our 40amp supply runs it no worries; I suspect it tops out at 20amps, so a 30 amp power supply should be the recommended best practice minimum.

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

30A should be more than enough.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

I so want one but dang what a price. Gotta save my pennies for that one.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

Do like me & purchase a 910H.I am looking forward to it's arrival early next week.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

Hi Eric, Another great video. Very sharp looking rig w/lots of features. F.y.i. - the 23 cm band is NOT SHF, but still UHF. As is the 13 cm band, which this rig doesn't cover. SHF starts @ 3 GHZ. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_spectrum#ITU Anyway, looking forward to all of your upcoming events ids on the 9700! [p.s. just as a friendly reminder, since that is a borrowed rig; don't forget to do a factory reset in order to wipe your D-Star data clean!] 73 John

[@AdamosDad]

An Icom IC-9700 and an Icom IC-7300 to do what a Yaesu FT 991A can do at more than twice the price, why not?

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

because Icom > Yaesu, thats why!

[@N9IBZED]

What about crossband repeat will the 9700 do that

[@LegacyLost]

Nice video sir I hear Ed & John all the time on .550 all the way at s.e. Volusia ...73 KN4AQJ

[@anthonyhollister290]

Can this rig do cross band repeat ?

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

As of yet, I dont belive so. That would be pretty epic if a firmware update would allow that. My Yaesu 8900 in my truck does xband repeat and I love the feature.

[@BE-gs7vr]

I had high hopes of being able to work with this unit. The Hype was extraordinary for what I read about it. Went trhough the tutorials and after all was completed I found that it was extremely hard to finally operate. I believe that it would take a NASA Engineer , a Rocket Scilentist, to work with this unit and get it to what it is hyped up to be. Imagine an astronaut trying to get back to earth using this technology and can't get it working. What a Shame.