[VHFcontesting] Icom IC-9700 Release Date

[George Sintchak]

>I received an email today from the Icom ic-9700 users group I belong to,
> here is the contents.
>
>
> Icom Inc. (Headquarters: Hirano, Osaka, Japan/President: Masataka Harima)
> will begin selling the IC-9700, 144, 430, 1200 MHz all mode transceiver in
> January 2019 in Japan. Delivery times may vary, depending on the country 
> or
> region.
>
> The IC-9700 is the first VHF/UHF transceiver introducing the RF direct
> sampling system for the 144 and 430 MHz bands, a real-time spectrum scope
> and waterfall function. The RF direct sampling system has achieved a high
> evaluation in Icom's IC-7610 and IC-7300 HF transceivers, and the spectrum
> scope and water fall function have been indispensable tools to increase 
> QSO
> opportunities, without missing weak signals. The radio has various
> features, such as a built-in 1200 MHz band, 4.3 inch TFT color touch 
> screen
> display, full duplex with Dualwatch on separate bands, Satellite mode,
> D-STAR DV (Digital Voice) /DD (Digital Data) modes and Terminal/Access
> point modes. In addition, a newly designed power amplifier and cooling
> system provides stable and high-efficiency operation, even when
> continuously transmitting for a long time.
>
> The IC-9700 is the perfect side-by-side companion to the IC-7300 HF radio.
> They are the same size and have almost identical ergonomics. Using the
> IC-9700 and IC-7300 creates an ideal, compact radio station covering the
> HF, 144, 430 and 1200 MHz bands. The IC-9700 is the one and only VHF/UHF
> all mode transceiver that enables a variety of VHF/UHF operation, like DX,
> contests, satellite/EME and D-STAR.
> MAIN FEATURES
>
>   - RF direct sampling system (144 and 430 MHz bands)
>   - Triband (144, 430 and built in 1200 MHz bands) and all modes,
>   including AM and DV/DD
>   - High-speed real-time spectrum scope and waterfall function
>   - Large 4.3 inch TFT color touch screen display
>   - Full duplex with Dualwatch on separate bands
>   - Satellite operation friendly functions
>   - D-STAR DV (Digital Voice) and DD (Digital Data) modes
>   - Receives and demodulates two signals simultaneously in the D-STAR DV
>   mode
>   - Built-in gateway function application for Terminal/Access point modes
>   - Newly designed power amplifier providing stable and high-efficiency
>   operation.
>   -
>   -
>
> Price in Japan is 200,000 yen which is @ $1800.00 U.S. Dollars
>
> ic-9700 is expected to be released for sale in the US the end of January/
> February time frame with an estimated price of $1600-$1800.
>