[ICOM] IC-7100

[Kent Hufford]

What's to like in a 7100 as a mobile-

1. USB computer connection. Connecting a computer to program or do digital
modes is one simple, cheap connection. No need to buy Signal Link's, West
Mountain devices, USB to serial to CT 17 adapter. No special cable to buy.
It's a modern radio.
2. Touch Screen. First on any HAM radio. Will it work mobile? I'll give it a
try. Seems the Auto companies have bet the farm on touch screens in the
center of all new high end cars. 
3. DSTAR. On all bands. HF, 6m, VHF and UHF. Built in, no need to buy a
module to install.
4. Connections on the Control Head. Speaker, MIC, Key, Phone connections on
the control head, don't have to run multiple cables to the base.
5. 32-BIT DSP. I hope they have improved the receiver in the 7100 from the
7000. The 7000 is a nice radio, but does not do so well in the Sherwood
charts compared to other current generation receivers.
6. Built-in SD Card Slot. It appears will work like the revolutionary IC-31
HT that has a CARD slot. You have to have played with one of these to see
where the industry is headed. The new IC-51 is a dual band version of the
31.
7. SWR meter that works on HF,VHF,UHF. Gee what an idea.
8. Lots of memory channels. 505 regular and 700 DSTAR. They even might be
easily programmable like my 9100.
9. Lower power consumption. needed.

I've only been a HAM for 21 years. Started mobile with a Kenwood TS50, nice
HF radio. I've had every version of the 706 series, great radios, still are.
I bought a 7000 when they first came out, improved audio over the 706mk2G
and the wife could watch the Redskins mobile when we had analog TV in the
US. 

In our Emergency Management trailer we use two TS-480 Kenwood's. Nice radio,
200 watts nice, no VHF/UHF, receiver not up to current standards. The
Elecraft KX3 is nice. 100 watt amp is not out yet. and it doesn't do DSTAR
or other neat things above. 

Will the 7100 be inexpensive? Nope. The 7000 is not cheap now! I could sell
my 7000 and my 2820 and I might be able to pay for most of a 7100. But, I
might keep the 7000 as a backup HF and put the 2820 to other uses. 

If you have an aversion to DSTAR, USB, memory cards, and spending a portion
of your kids inheritance, then the 7100 might not be your next mobile ALL
mode HF.

Kent
KQ4KK