That’s an interesting test Hayden, I have exactly the same setup but never transmit data with more than 4 watts drive for the SSPA. I haven’t done any tests as such, but using the rig for extended sessions on 2M FSK441 meteor scatter the DF is pretty stable. At night I turn the rig off at the power switch but still connected to the supply, the GPSDO running 24/7, does the 9700 still sync in standby ?
I don't believe it does sync in standby Alan. FSK441 is pretty fast transmission too, so perhaps you don't see it? In addition I guess the 4W of output power doesn't sufficiently warm the oscillator up enough for the fan to make a difference?
Meteor scatter is wideband and has significant doppler shift compared to the weak signal modes, so the drift won't be an issue there. This drift is a real problem on modes like jt65, ft8 and wspr where 100 hz or so drift will put you right out of the decoder bandpass.
@@manosmargaronis3082 I use this for an external antenna - www.ebay.com.au/itm/External-Marine-GPS-Antenna-for-Garmin-Boat-GPS-GPSMAP-with-BNC-Connector/392366587193?hash=item5b5adefd39:g:wN4AAOSwNo1dajL1&frcectupt=true The GPS unit I linked previous needs about a 20-30dB attenuator on the output as the level is quite high into the 9700
Anything else new in the firmware worth getting excited over? Trying to decide whether to buy a 9700, but the drift issue puts me off. Should it? Or am I being silly?
@Kim Davis I hope to have my Foundation licence in a few weeks. Was thinking about the 9700 for 2m/70cms, and then either TS590SG, FT891 or IC7300 for HF. Just when I think I've decided I see another comment or review that makes me lean another way 😊
The new firmware also has a "Photo" mode which may be of interest. czcams.com/video/xV7-W-JCPLA/video.html As for purchasing one, I'd still go ahead and do it. In most cases it's only affecting WSPR operations and there is still solutions either on the way or currently available for GPS locking (see the video description)
What alternatives to the IC9700 are there for 2m digital modes? I can't see anything decent that isn't a 'shack in a box' which I don't want. I'd love a 9700, but this drift bothers me. I guess I am worried about buying one, for ICOM to then release a hardware modified upgrade that resolves this. *Edit* Just realised that I made the same comment a while ago. Apologies! I'm still no further foward in making the decision, but I am licenced now! My callsign is M7JHA 😊
@@jeffgrey1566 The minikit has a small coupler that you physically mount on top of the 9700's internal oscillator on the PC board, and it converts your 10 MHz GPSDO reference output to a 49.152 MHz signal that gets transmitted into the rig's oscillator circuit and causes it to lock to the external reference. This causes the radio to stay locked to the GPS constantly. This is how the radio should have been designed to work from the factory.
Unbelievable they did not install a tcxo or ocxo high stability reference oscillator in as the standard oscillator in it. What were they thinking? Is this due to the chip and component shortage in China? Call ranger radios for help, I'm sure they have a good stable replacement reference oscillator that would fix it immediately. Come on Icom, what a embarrassing joke for such a fine radio. Are y'all taking tips from Yaesu, like the ft991 failing finals issue, damn.
Just like Yaesu did with the ft991 and failing finals. After 3 repair attempts by Yaesu service I gave up. Yeasu has really become crap. I'm concerned that the big 3 are all going to be producing crap as chips are unavailable. I'm just going to continue using my older hf rigs that are easily repaired since they are not all surface mount parts inside. My ft991 is now strictly a receiver on hf but vhf and uhf power output is good. Really pisses me off .I really liked it when new but it's been nothing but a pain in the ass.
The 7900 drifts because it doesn’t use the GPS to phase lock the oscillator. If it did it would be dead solid in frequency. GPS locked oscillators don’t drift.
The GPS input on the back of the radio is simply a calibration which the radio does periodically but not in real time. It's simply moving the reference frequency in software compenstaing for the drift.
That’s an interesting test Hayden, I have exactly the same setup but never transmit data with more than 4 watts drive for the SSPA. I haven’t done any tests as such, but using the rig for extended sessions on 2M FSK441 meteor scatter the DF is pretty stable. At night I turn the rig off at the power switch but still connected to the supply, the GPSDO running 24/7, does the 9700 still sync in standby ?
I don't believe it does sync in standby Alan. FSK441 is pretty fast transmission too, so perhaps you don't see it? In addition I guess the 4W of output power doesn't sufficiently warm the oscillator up enough for the fan to make a difference?
Meteor scatter is wideband and has significant doppler shift compared to the weak signal modes, so the drift won't be an issue there. This drift is a real problem on modes like jt65, ft8 and wspr where 100 hz or so drift will put you right out of the decoder bandpass.
I was told by a local emporium (Sept 2020) in the UK that the drift issue is now sorted in the firmware, but I'm not convinced.
Can the drift cause a problem on 2M FT8?
Can you please tell me about the GPS Receiver you have for 9700? Thanks
czcams.com/video/EgF6-JbGUXA/video.html
@@HamRadioDX Thank you very much for the immediate response. Is it suitable for Icom 9700? Im looking for an external Gps antenna.Thanks
@@manosmargaronis3082 I use this for an external antenna - www.ebay.com.au/itm/External-Marine-GPS-Antenna-for-Garmin-Boat-GPS-GPSMAP-with-BNC-Connector/392366587193?hash=item5b5adefd39:g:wN4AAOSwNo1dajL1&frcectupt=true
The GPS unit I linked previous needs about a 20-30dB attenuator on the output as the level is quite high into the 9700
Anything else new in the firmware worth getting excited over?
Trying to decide whether to buy a 9700, but the drift issue puts me off. Should it? Or am I being silly?
@Kim Davis How do you like the 7300? It looks really nice.
@Kim Davis I hope to have my Foundation licence in a few weeks. Was thinking about the 9700 for 2m/70cms, and then either TS590SG, FT891 or IC7300 for HF. Just when I think I've decided I see another comment or review that makes me lean another way 😊
The new firmware also has a "Photo" mode which may be of interest. czcams.com/video/xV7-W-JCPLA/video.html
As for purchasing one, I'd still go ahead and do it. In most cases it's only affecting WSPR operations and there is still solutions either on the way or currently available for GPS locking (see the video description)
Hope to hear you on the air soon! Are you planning on using your 9700 for SSB digital, or just FM/DStar operation?
They are on sale in Australia too. I'm tempted in getting one.
What alternatives to the IC9700 are there for 2m digital modes? I can't see anything decent that isn't a 'shack in a box' which I don't want. I'd love a 9700, but this drift bothers me. I guess I am worried about buying one, for ICOM to then release a hardware modified upgrade that resolves this.
*Edit* Just realised that I made the same comment a while ago. Apologies! I'm still no further foward in making the decision, but I am licenced now! My callsign is M7JHA 😊
There are options to GPS lock the rig. Google Mini-kits GPS-9700 or Leo Bodnar 9700
Ham Radio DX How does the Mini Kit fix the the problem?
I have now bought the IC9700, with a Diamond X6000 for 2/70/23 and a 2m Wimo Big Wheel for SSB and data 😊
@@jeffgrey1566 The minikit has a small coupler that you physically mount on top of the 9700's internal oscillator on the PC board, and it converts your 10 MHz GPSDO reference output to a 49.152 MHz signal that gets transmitted into the rig's oscillator circuit and causes it to lock to the external reference. This causes the radio to stay locked to the GPS constantly. This is how the radio should have been designed to work from the factory.
Hi John. How are you getting on with the 9700, any issues? I'm also thinking about getting one. But the drift also bothers me.73 M0CPU
Based on snide comments by HAMs, I was under the impression only Galaxy "cb" type import radios drift, not "real" radios.
Rumor says that Icom hired galaxy and ranger to design the pll stage and master reference oscillator in it.
buy leo bodnar GPSDO as reference and your 9700 suppose to stabilize with PPB and most importance PPM accuracy
It doesn't work reliably I've heard.
mine does on d-star 11/07/2020
Do you notice it bad on Dstar? What happens?
Unbelievable they did not install a tcxo or ocxo high stability reference oscillator in as the standard oscillator in it.
What were they thinking? Is this due to the chip and component shortage in China?
Call ranger radios for help, I'm sure they have a good stable replacement reference oscillator that would fix it immediately.
Come on Icom, what a embarrassing joke for such a fine radio. Are y'all taking tips from Yaesu, like the ft991 failing finals issue, damn.
Does it drift on ssb
Yes
Sad, I like the radio, but wont buy due to the drift issue
The radio needs a high quality ovenized clock……sad……
Lol, for that money its appalling. Im walking away from buying one unreal they would release a high end radio with this sort of issue.
Just like Yaesu did with the ft991 and failing finals. After 3 repair attempts by Yaesu service I gave up.
Yeasu has really become crap. I'm concerned that the big 3 are all going to be producing crap as chips are unavailable.
I'm just going to continue using my older hf rigs that are easily repaired since they are not all surface mount parts inside.
My ft991 is now strictly a receiver on hf but vhf and uhf power output is good. Really pisses me off .I really liked it when new but it's been nothing but a pain in the ass.
Does still drift?
Yes
@@kevinmccool3719 i wanna kill icom 9700 for that because they still keep big price.. doesn't now witch radio to choose for uhf vhf..
Google quand ta tablette deviens la hackmenra
My anytone 6666 don't drift.
🤣🤣😆😆😅😂😂
WTF? $2000 drifter???
GPS locked OSC is always drifting as he is searching for the center . Better use 0.5 ppm osc, he do not drift like GPS controlled osc
The 7900 drifts because it doesn’t use the GPS to phase lock the oscillator. If it did it would be dead solid in frequency. GPS locked oscillators don’t drift.
The GPS input on the back of the radio is simply a calibration which the radio does periodically but not in real time. It's simply moving the reference frequency in software compenstaing for the drift.