Talk to me about the Icom IC-RX7 wideband receiver

[Nightshade]

This is the specs........



RX7 Specifications

General
Frequency Range (U.S.A. version):
0.150-823.995 MHz
849.0-868.995 MHz
894.0-1300.000 MHz
Mode: FM, WFM AM
Tuning Steps: 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 9, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50, 100, 200 kHz
Scan/Search Speeds: 100 channels per second/30 steps per second
Number of Memory Channels: 1650
Usable Temperature Range: -10°C to +60°C; +14°F to +140°F
Current Drain (at 3.0 V DC):
Rated Audio: 150 mA typ.
Standby: 100 mA typ.
Power Saved: 35 mA typ.
Power Supply Requirement: 3 x AA (R6) Ni-Cd or alkaline cells
Antenna Connector: SMA (50 ohms)
Dimensions: 2.25(W) x 3.1(H) x 0.8(D) inches (57 x 128 x 23 mm) (projections not included)
Weight: 7.1 oz. (200 kg)


Receiver
Receive System: Triple conversion superheterodyne
Intermediate Freq.
1st: 429.1 MHz
2nd: 19.65 MHz
3rd: 450 kHz
Sensitivity (except spurious points; typical):
FM (at 12 dB SINAD)
1.625 - 5.0 MHz, 0.56 µV
5.000 - 29.995 MHz, 0.25 µV
30 - 117.995 MHz, 0.2 µV
118 - 174.995 MHz, 0.18 µV
175 - 329.995 MHz, 0.22 µV
330 - 429.995 MHz, 0.25 µV
430 - 450 MHz, 0.22 µV
450.005 - 469.995 MHz, 0.25 µV
470 - 999.995 MHz, 0.28 µV
1000 - 1309.995 MHz, 0.35 µV
WFM (at 12 dB SINAD):
76 - 108 MHz, 0.78 µV
175 - 221.995 MHz, 1.78 µV
470 - 770 MHz, 2.5 µV
AM (at 12 dB SINAD):
0.495 - 4.995 MHz, 2.5 µV
5.000 - 29.995 MHz, 1.78 µV
118 - 136 MHz, 1.78 µV
222 - 246.995 MHz, 1.78 µV
247 - 329.995 MHz, 1.78 µV
Selectivity
AM, FM: More than 12 kHz/-9 dB, Less than 30 kHz/60 dB
WFM: More than 150 kHz/-6 dB
Audio Output Power: 75 mW typical, at 10% distortion with an 8 ohm load.
External Speaker Connector: 3-conductor 3.5(d) mm (1/8")/8 ohms
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

What it looks like.........
ICOM IC-RX7 Wideband Receiver RX7

I know zip about this type of radio but it looks like I can listen to Shortwave along with other bands. Am I correct? Or is this radio not at all what I think it is?

Just call me......
alone and lost in radio land.

 

[SR385]

The portables are not the best SWL rigs and certainly not with any portable antenna due to the wavelengths involved.

I'm curious what other people will say. My past experience with much older wideband receiver portables is, they have great receive as a fixed frequency monitor, but make for lousy scanners because their selectivity sucks so they 'stick' on the wrong channel.

Check RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for what I'm sure would be a pile of information on their wiki and the forums.

 

[Beetle]

You might be disappointed. Only AM and FM. No SSB, no CW. Antenna is a typical duckie style. Tiny speaker.

If you're really serious about SWLing, you could do worse than looking for an older, tube-type receiver in good working condition. My first "real" receiver was a Hallicrafters SX-99, and it doubled as my first ham receiver. This was, admittedly almost exactly fifty years ago, but that was one very nice receiver for SWLing from Las Vegas with 20 feet of wire stretched kitty-corner across my bedroom ceiling.

On something like the Icom, there's no way to connect that wire!

If you can get the Icom with like a "ten-day return if not satisfied" clause, you could at least see how it works for you. I don't think I'd be happy with such a tiny radio.

 

[Nightshade]

You might be disappointed. Only AM and FM. No SSB, no CW. Antenna is a typical duckie style. Tiny speaker.

If you're really serious about SWLing, you could do worse than looking for an older, tube-type receiver in good working condition. My first "real" receiver was a Hallicrafters SX-99, and it doubled as my first ham receiver. This was, admittedly almost exactly fifty years ago, but that was one very nice receiver for SWLing from Las Vegas with 20 feet of wire stretched kitty-corner across my bedroom ceiling.

On something like the Icom, there's no way to connect that wire!

If you can get the Icom with like a "ten-day return if not satisfied" clause, you could at least see how it works for you. I don't think I'd be happy with such a tiny radio.

Thanks, Guys. I was bored today so I started to look at scanners then one thing lead to another etc. until I finally decided.......Nuts! I don't need no stinking scanner! :thumbdown: Truth is I've never really liked the noisy things anyway. :headbang

I like SWL and what's more important I'm comfortable with SWL and not with the concept of scanning. Ya'll have a nice day and thanks............

 

[SR385]

On something like the Icom, there's no way to connect that wire!

That's an easy fix, just bring your coax down to BNC and put an SMA to BNC adapter on the Icom. For stuff like that, I use the pigtails that use a small flexible whip of mini coax with SMA on one end and SO-239 on the other...keeps any strain off the portable's connector from rigid full sized coax.

I connect a BCD396XT to my GAP Titan's 9913 coax like this all the time.

 

[Pozz]

Just in case someone did like me and read to the bottom of the thread. I though this might help somebody.

I've got a Yaesu VR-120D which is similar to a IC-RX7 but without a keypad. Anyway, my Yaesu not too shabby for DXing. I have a longwire outside. It and an earth ground comes-in and connects to a BNC to dual binding post adapter. Attach it where the "Duckie" was, and there you go. When I want to use it on VHF or up, I have a discone with a BNC. The scanner/wideband receiver is a good all-round piece to have. It's not perfect, but you really can't just throw IC-R75 in the front seat of the car.

BTW... Hello from NW GA. Newbie here - old school.