SM 5 BSZ - Dynamic range of amateur transceivers.
(April 22 2007)
This page gives information about dynamic range performance for some amateur transceivers. The data is from measurements on transceivers that I have borrowed from fellow amateurs or that have been brought to my qth by visitors. I have also made measurements at amateur meetings. Comparisons are made with published information to the extent I have been able to find it. Note that the data from the meetings linked to below contains measurements for many more transceivers than those listed below on this page.

During recent meetings, my focus has been performance in transmit mode. Transmitter measurements show the sideband noise of the VCO, which is a good indicator of receiver dynamic range because it is typically limited by reciprocal mixing. Third order intermodulation data for receivers is available elsewhere and seems to be reasonably accurate. Measurements on modulated transmitters are not published on a regular basis elsewhere as far as I know. The needless interference levels are extremely high for many transceiver models, particularly when operated at reduced power. Look at the links to the different meetings for compilations of transmitter interference levels.

In case you consider buying a new transceiver, ask the salesman to do the following very simple demonstration to you:

1) Connect the transmitter that you would (perhaps) like to buy to a power attenuator. Something that can absorb the full power and has an output connector that will supply a signal with something like -30 or -40 dB attenuation.

2) Connect a reasonable receiver to the dummy load through one more attenuator that makes the power level that enters the receiver about -40 dBm for a HF receiver or -50 dBm for a VHF receiver. The "reasonable receiver" could be a IC706MKIIG, FT1000D, TS2000 or any other modern radio. Older receivers like IC706 or DX77 have VCO sideband noise levels that are high enough to affect the result of this test slightly. The total attenuation would have to be 100 dB for a 100W VHF transmitter and should not present any problems with leakage. (Verify by disconnecting the cable between the power attenuator and the next attenuator.)

3) Ask the salesman to transmit CW and SSB into the dummy load and listen in the "reasonable receiver". Make sure the test is performed both at full power and at reduced power. (Change the attenuator to keep the same signal level of -40dBm or -50 dBm into the receiver) DO NOT BUY A TRANSMITTER THAT PRODUCES STRONG OFF-CHANNEL INTERFERENCE.

This test is extremely easy to perform. The "reasonable receiver" should be run with preamp off and it would then have a noise floor in 500 Hz somewhere around -127 dBm on HF bands, which corresponds to a noise figure (NF) of 20 dB. A signal at -40 dBm is then 87 dB above the noise floor in 500 Hz bandwidth. The 10 dB larger attenuation should compensate for a noise figure that is about 10 dB better on VHF bands.

An SSB transmitter should produce a signal that has a peak power below -60 dB at 10 kHz and below -70 dB at 20 kHz relative to the peak power of the in-channel signal. The keying clicks from a CW transmitter should be well below that. This means that the peak amplitude of splatter and keying clicks should be less than 27 dB above the noise floor at 10 kHz and less than 17 dB above the noise floor at 20 kHz. Rigs with design errors like FT-817, FT-847, IC-765, will fail this test badly, particularly at reduced power and the peak power may be only 15 dB below the in-channel signal at 30 kHz frequency separation. (FT-817 and some others at reduced power.)

Detailed information about the measurements made at ham meetings can be found here:

  • The Scandinavian VHF/UHF meeting in Gavelstad Norway June 2003. 144 MHz only.

  • The RS-03 meeting August 21-24, 2003. 14 MHz only.

  • The SSA meeting in Borlange April 16-18 2004. This link contains transmitter data not reported below as well as some receiver data for the IC7800.

  • The 2004 Scandinavian VHF/UHF meeting in Karingsundbyn, Eckero, Aland Islands (OH0). This link contains transmitter data not reported below.

  • The 11th International EME Conference, New Jersey, USA, Aug 6-8 2004. This link contains transmitter data not reported below.

  • The RS-04 meeting August 19-22, 2004. Measurements on a TS-2000 not presented below.

  • The 2005 Scandinavian VHF/UHF meeting in Annaboda This link contains transmitter data not reported below.

  • The RS-05 meeting August 26-28, 2005.

  • The SSA meeting in Handen April 13-14, 2007.





144 MHz

IC-202
IC-706
IC-706MKIIG
IC-821H
IC-970H
FT-100
FT-221
FT-817
FT-847
TM-255
TR-9130
Converter and HF-transceiver
14 MHz

FT-897
FT-1000D
IC-706MKIIG
TS-450S
TS-2000




IC202 at 144 MHz

IC202 mod (SM5BSZ)

The serial number of this unit is 7155. Already in its original shape the IC202 is rather good. This unit has been modified in two ways. Firstly, the sideband noise of the VXO is reduced by a reduction of the audio noise current through the transistors. This makes the receiver pretty good. To get a similar performance on the transmitter, the gain is reduced after the crystal filter and increased in front of it. I made these mods around 1980 I no longer have all the details.


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -134.9 -138.7 -140.8 -143.1 -143.8 -145.4 -146.8
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 9.4dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -73 -87 -99
Receiver noise figure 9.9dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 138.1 141.1 150.2 150.2
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -10.3 153.8 +2.7 166.8

IC-202mod (SM5BSZ) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

There is still some wideband noise generated in the transmitter, another 6dB gain reduction after the crystal filter would improve if the gain in front of the filter is increased correspondingly. On the receive side this unit is limited by blocking.

The transmitter is useless for SSB, I have been using it for CW only.

IC-706 at 144 MHz

IC-706 (LA0BY)

The serial number of this unit is 02803.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -91.0 -99.9 -108.3 -118.4 -125.4 -137.1 -139.5
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 14.3dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -82 -98 -104
Receiver noise figure 10.6dB (preamp off)
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz (preamp off) 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 92.6 107.7 125.8 141.3
Third order intercept point (preamp off) IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -1.5 161.9 -1.5 161.9

IC-706 (LA0BY) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

Comparisons

The IC-706 was tested in QST March 1996. The data compares as follows:
-------------------------------------
                            LA0BY        QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)       -91.0       -96
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)      -99.9      -104
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)     -108.3      -112    
Noise figure (dB)             10.6        10
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)             107.7       120
IP3@20kHz (dBm)               -1.5      -12.5
-------------------------------------


IC-706MKIIG at 144 MHz

IC-706MKIIG (SM7UFW)

The serial number of this unit is 04668.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -103.8 -111.5 -117.2 -122.9 -125.0 -126.0 -126.2
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 7.8dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -85 -105 -113
Receiver noise figure 8.5dB (preamp off)
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 106.8 118.7 132.3 139.6
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -14.3 151.2 -9.4 156.1

IC-706MKIIG (SM7UFW) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

Comparisons

The IC-706MKIIG was tested in QST July 1999 and in CQ DL 4/99. The data compares as follows:
-------------------------------------------------- 
                            SM7UFW       QST       CQ DL
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)      -103.8        -         -
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)     -111.5        -         -
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)     -117.2        -         -
Noise figure (dB)              8.5        9         - 
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)             118.7       138       126.8
IP3@20kHz (dBm)              -14.3        -3         -
IP3@100kHz (dBm)              -9.4        -         -2.1
-------------------------------------------------- 


IC-821H at 144 MHz

IC-821H (LA0BY)

The serial number of this unit is 01942.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -95.8 -105.1 -113.1 -122.1 -127.7 -130.9 -136.9
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 8.8dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -84 -96 -103
Receiver noise figure 2.4dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 97.8 113.7 129.0 136.5
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -6.7 164.9 -5.2 166.4

IC-821H (LA0BY) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

Comparisons

The IC-821H was tested in QST March 1997. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------ 
                             LA0BY        QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)       -95.8       -100
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)     -105.1       -109
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)     -113.1       -115    
Noise figure (dB)              2.4          3
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)             113.7        127
IP3@20kHz (dBm)               -6.7      -8.2
------------------------------------ 


IC970H at 144 MHz

IC970H (LA3FV)


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -100.1 -111.9 -121.6 -130.0 -132.0 -133.8 -134.1
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 8.4dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -89 -103 -108
Receiver noise figure 7.3dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 102.7 123.7 140.7 146.7
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -5.1 161.6 -0.9 165.8

IC-970H (LA3FV) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad



FT-100 at 144 MHz

FT-100 (SM7GVF)

The serial number of this unit is 9E032006

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -107.6 -112.8 -119.0 -126.6 -129.4 -124.0 -130.0
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 6.2dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -76 -94 -106
Receiver noise figure 2.7dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 108.6 118.9 130.6 145.1
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -19.0 152.3 -16.8 154.5

FT-100 (SM7GVF) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

There seems to be a stability problem with the rx input amplifier in the FT100. The tested unit was oscillating and sending a signal of about 0 dBm into the antenna when in transmit mode and with the key up. We did not really investigate the problem, but the very low noise figure and mediocre dynamic range indicate that the gain of the input amplifier is larger than intended. The FT-100 also has another problem. The panel light causes strong spurs (-50dB) at +/-19.5 kHz from the carrier. There are also severe spurs from the 19.5 kHz overtones. Seems there is a need of a filter capacitor somewhere - but it is possible to eliminate these spurs by setting the plasma display light to maximum (the control set to OFF). Setting the light to minimum reduced the level of the spurs to a relatively harmless -90dB

Comparisons

The FT-100 was tested in QST June 1999,CQ DL 11/99 and in RadCom June 99. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------ 
                            SM7GVF       QST       CQ DL      RadCom
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)      -107.6      -111         -          - 
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)     -112.8      -118         -          -
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)     -119.0      -123         -          -
Noise figure (dB)              2.7         5        6.7         3
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)             118.9       140      124.6         -
IP3@20kHz (dBm)              -19.0       -13         -          -
IP3@50kHz (dBm)                -          -          -         -18
IP3@100kHz (dBm)             -16.8        -         -7.4        -
------------------------------------------------------------ 


FT-221 at 144 MHz

FT-221 mod (SM5BSZ)

The serial number of this unit is 7J120905D.

Links to the modifications for FT221: English / / Deutsch / / Swedish

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -115.5 -122.2 -130.4 -137.1 -140.0 -148.3 -150.0
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 10.1 dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -87 -111 -123
Receiver noise figure 3.0dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 116.9 131.2 131.6 147.5
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -45.4 125.6 -17.4 153.6

FT-221mod (SM5BSZ) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad



FT-817 at 144 MHz

FT-817 (LB9VE)

The serial number of this unit is 0N110101.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -101.3 -109.2 -117.2 -126.2 -130.4 -132.6 -133.3
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 6.3dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -89 -104 -110 13 5
Receiver noise figure 5.4dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 103.3 118.2 132.6 135.3
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -12.8 155.8 -11.2 157.4

FT-817 (LB9VE) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

FT-817 (IV3GBO)

The serial number of this unit is 3E670108.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 101.9 110.3 117.8 126.2
Receiver noise figure 6.6 dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 101.7 118.0 131.9 141.9
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -14.3 153.1 -10.5 156.9

FT-817 (IV3GBO) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: IV3GBO

Comparisons

The FT-817 was tested in QST April 2001, CQ DL 7/2001 and in RadCom June 2001. The data compares as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------- 
                             LB9VE  IV3GBO   QST       CQ DL     RadCom
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)      -101.3 -101.9     -         -         -
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)     -109.2 -110.3     -         -         -
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)     -117.2 -117.8     -         -         -
Noise figure (dB)              5.4    6.6      8        6.8        5
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)             118.2  118.0    135       125.3       -
IP3@20kHz (dBm)              -12.8  -14.3    -11         -         -
IP3@50kHz (dBm)                -      -       -          -        -12
IP3@100kHz (dBm)             -11.2  -10.5     -        -11.1       -
----------------------------------------------------------- 


FT-847 at 144 MHz

FT-847 (LA9CM)


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -96.0 -107.0 -115.0 -123.9 -130.4 -140.8 -141.7
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 16.9dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -87 -98 -102
Receiver noise figure 6.1dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 99.9 116.9 131.9 146.9
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) Forgot this one -13.7 154.2

FT-847 (LA9CM) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

Comparisons

The FT-847 was tested in QST August 1998. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------ 
                             LA9CM        QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)        -96.0        -
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)      -107.0        -
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)      -115.0        -    
Noise figure (dB)               6.1        5
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)              116.9       130
IP3@20kHz (dBm)                  -        -11 
------------------------------------ 


TM-255E at 144 MHz

TM-255E (LA6MV)


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -116.2 -120.8 -122.3 -123.7 -125.5 -141.1 -145.8
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 10.8dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -65 -81 -90
Receiver noise figure 3.3dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 128.8 136.9 144.5 151.3
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -12.2 158.5 -12.2 158.5

TM255E (LA6MV) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad

Comparisons

The TM-255A was tested in QST June 1995. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------- 
                              LA6MV        QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)       -116.2       -121
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)      -120.8       -128
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)      -122.3       -132    
Noise figure (dB)               3.3      1.2/5.2
BDR@100kHz (dBHz)              144.5    143.8/153.8
IP3@20kHz (dBm)               -12.2      -18/-6
------------------------------------- 
Unfortunately no note was taken whether AIP was on or off on LA6MV's rig. The measured data falls right between the QST data for AIP on and AIP off.

TR-9130 at 144 MHz

TR-9130 mod (LA6LCA)

This unit has been modified for better sideband noise performance. Leif has promised to publish his modifications.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -124.1 -130.2 -135.2 -139.0 -141.4 -147.2 -151.9
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 14.4dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -73 -91 -101
Receiver noise figure 5.6dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 122.7 135.4 147.8 147.8
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -21.6 146.8 Forgot this one.

TR9130mod (LA6LCA) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad



Transceiver and converter combinations for 144 MHz

TS850S+conv(LA6MV)

The serial number of the TS850S is 30100347, the converter TV144-28 opt01 from SSB Electronics has no serial number. A 6dB attenuator was used between the converter and the TS850S.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz 100kHz 500kHz 1MHz -113.9 -122.0 -129.2 -132.5 -133.8 -137.3 -140.6
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 11.0dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -88 -104 -117
Receiver noise figure 3.7dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 112.6 125.6 138.8 149.1
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -4.1 166.1 -0.5 169.8

TS850+conv (LA6MV) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad



FT-897 at 14 MHz

FT-897 (SM7USC)

The serial number of this unit is 3C080191.


Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 9.6 dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -78.6 -83.9 -86.9
Voice SSB transmitter splatter at a peak to average power ratio of 8.4 dB (proc off). Peak power in 2.4 kHz bandwidth (dB vs peak power) 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -28.0 -36.1 -39.9

FT-897 (SM7USC) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03



FT-1000D at 14 MHz

FT-1000D (SM5FRH)

The serial number of this unit is 3F320079.


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz (ALC at half scale) 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz -108.1 -116.1 -127.9 -130.4 There are no keying clicks.
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 10.3 dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -81.0 -96.6 -109.7
Voice SSB transmitter splatter at a peak to average power ratio of 10.3 dB. Peak power in 2.4 kHz bandwidth (dB vs peak power) 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -46.1 -66.7 -79.4
Receiver noise figure 19.3 dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 113 124 144 155
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) +22 176.7 +22 176.7

FT-1000D (SM5FRH) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: FT-1000D (SM5FRH), and here:The third order intercept point.

Comparisons

The FT1000D was tested in QST March 1991. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------- 
                             SM5FRH        QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)       -108.1       -118**
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)      -116.1       -122**
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)      -127.9       -127**
Noise figure (dB)              22.4         24
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)              119.6       >167
IP3@20kHz (dBm)                +22         +21
IP3@100kHz (dBm)               +22          -
------------------------------------- 
**The QST values are very uncertain. The noise floor is a 20 dB wide white band on a photo. The readings represent the midpoint which is the way more recent product reviews are presented (see QST February 1995 page 62).



IC-706MKIIG at 14 MHz

IC-706MKIIG (SM7XXA)

The serial number of this unit is 06034.


Keyed CW transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz -110.9 -118.4 -124.3 -129.3
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 10.0 dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -73.2 -88.2 -99.1
Voice SSB transmitter splatter at a peak to average power ratio of 10.0 dB. Peak power in 2.4 kHz bandwidth (dB vs peak power) 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -28.0 -38.3 -47.4

IC-706MKIIG (SM7XXA) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03

IC-706MKIIG (SM7UFW)

The serial number of this unit is 04668.


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz -112.3 -118.8 -122.2 -123.7
Receiver noise figure 12.1 dB (preamp off)
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 114 127 140 149
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) -8.8 X -7.7 X

IC-706MKIIG (SM7XXA) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: IC706MKIIG (SM7UFW) at 14 MHz and The third order intercept point.

Comparisons

The IC-706MKIIG was tested in QST July 1999 and in CQ DL 4/99. The data compares as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------- 
                          SM7XXA   SM7UFW    QST     CQ DL
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)    -110.9  -112.3    -120      -           
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)   -118.4  -118.8    -127      -
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)   -124.3  -122.2    -133      -
Noise figure (dB)           -      12.1      11     11.5
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)            -       127      149    134
IP3@20kHz (dBm)             -      -8.8     -1.3    -4.6
IP3@100kHz (dBm)            -      -7.7       -       - 
----------------------------------------------------------


TS-450S at 14 MHz

TS-450S (SM7DLK)

The serial number of this unit is 60700160.

Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz -110.6 -120.0 -125.6 -128.4
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 8.4 dB (proc off). Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -91.3 -108.1 -116.3
Voice SSB transmitter splatter at a peak to average power ratio of 8.4 dB (proc off). Peak power in 2.4 kHz bandwidth (dB vs peak power) 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -38.3 -58.6 -67.6
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 113.1 120.5 141.5 146.5
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) +8.7 160.3 +8.7 160.3

TS-450S (SM7DLK) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03

Comparisons

The TS450S was tested in QST April 1992. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------- 
                             SM7DLK    QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)       -116.2   -120 (-115)**
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)      -120.8   -125 (-120)**
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)      -122.3   -127 (-122)**    
Noise figure (dB)               -       6
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)              120.5    135
IP3@20kHz (dBm)                +8.7   -33(+4*)
------------------------------------- 
*The graph showing third order IMD response in QST gives IM3 = +4 dBm
if an extrapolation is made well above the noise floor.
**The QST values are very uncertain. The noise floor is a 20 dB wide
white band on a photo. The readings represent the midpoint which
is the way more recent product reviews are presented (see QST February
1995 page 62).
The value within parenthesis, 5 dB above the middle line is
a more correct way of interpreting fig 4 in the QST article, 
but that is not the way QST product reviews do it. 

TS-2000 at 14 MHz

TS-2000 (SM7MMJ)

The serial number of this unit is 21000340.


Steady carrier transmitter noise in dBc/Hz 5kHz 10kHz 20kHz 50kHz -109.4 -117.8 -123.1 -126.2
Voice SSB transmitter noise (splatter) at a peak to average power ratio of 12.8 dB. Average power in dBc/Hz (vs average power). 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -81.0 -96.6 -109.7
Voice SSB transmitter splatter at a peak to average power ratio of 12.8 dB. Peak power in 2.4 kHz bandwidth (dB vs peak power) 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz -32.4 -49.8 -63.5
Receiver noise figure 22.4 dB
BDR (blocking dynamic range) in dBHz 5kHz 20kHz 100kHz 500kHz 103.4 119.6 144.9 157.1
Third order intercept point IP3@20kHz IP3@100kHz (dBm) (dB/Hz) (dBm) (dB/Hz) - - +13 171.6

TS-2000 (SM7MMJ) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03

Comparisons

The TS-2000 was tested in QST May 2003. The data compares as follows:
------------------------------------- 
                             SM7DLK        QST
Tx noise@5kHz (dBc/Hz)       -116.2         -
Tx noise@10kHz (dBc/Hz)      -120.8         -
Tx noise@20kHz (dBc/Hz)      -122.3         -
Noise figure (dB)              22.4         18
BDR@20kHz (dBHz)              119.6        153
IP3@20kHz (dBm)                 -          +19
IP3@100kHz (dBm)               +20          -
------------------------------------- 




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