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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:
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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 MHzIC202 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.
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 MHzIC-706 (LA0BY)The serial number of this unit is 02803.
IC-706 (LA0BY) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad ComparisonsThe 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 MHzIC-706MKIIG (SM7UFW)The serial number of this unit is 04668.
IC-706MKIIG (SM7UFW) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad ComparisonsThe 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 MHzIC-821H (LA0BY)The serial number of this unit is 01942.
IC-821H (LA0BY) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad ComparisonsThe 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 MHzIC970H (LA3FV)
IC-970H (LA3FV) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad FT-100 at 144 MHzFT-100 (SM7GVF)The serial number of this unit is 9E032006
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 ComparisonsThe FT-100 was tested in QST June 1999,CQ DL 11/99 and in RadCom June 99. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzFT-221 mod (SM5BSZ)The serial number of this unit is 7J120905D.Links to the modifications for FT221: English / / Deutsch / / Swedish
FT-221mod (SM5BSZ) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad FT-817 at 144 MHzFT-817 (LB9VE)The serial number of this unit is 0N110101.
FT-817 (LB9VE) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad FT-817 (IV3GBO)The serial number of this unit is 3E670108.
FT-817 (IV3GBO) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: IV3GBO ComparisonsThe FT-817 was tested in QST April 2001, CQ DL 7/2001 and in RadCom June 2001. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzFT-847 (LA9CM)
FT-847 (LA9CM) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad ComparisonsThe FT-847 was tested in QST August 1998. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzTM-255E (LA6MV)
TM255E (LA6MV) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad ComparisonsThe TM-255A was tested in QST June 1995. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzTR-9130 mod (LA6LCA)This unit has been modified for better sideband noise performance. Leif has promised to publish his modifications.
TR9130mod (LA6LCA) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad Transceiver and converter combinations for 144 MHzTS850S+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.
TS850+conv (LA6MV) at 144 MHz. Details can be found here: Gavelstad FT-897 at 14 MHzFT-897 (SM7USC)The serial number of this unit is 3C080191.
FT-897 (SM7USC) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03 FT-1000D at 14 MHzFT-1000D (SM5FRH)The serial number of this unit is 3F320079.
FT-1000D (SM5FRH) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: FT-1000D (SM5FRH), and here:The third order intercept point. ComparisonsThe FT1000D was tested in QST March 1991. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzIC-706MKIIG (SM7XXA)The serial number of this unit is 06034.
IC-706MKIIG (SM7XXA) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03 IC-706MKIIG (SM7UFW)The serial number of this unit is 04668.
IC-706MKIIG (SM7XXA) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: IC706MKIIG (SM7UFW) at 14 MHz and The third order intercept point. ComparisonsThe IC-706MKIIG was tested in QST July 1999 and in CQ DL 4/99. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzTS-450S (SM7DLK)The serial number of this unit is 60700160.
TS-450S (SM7DLK) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03 ComparisonsThe TS450S was tested in QST April 1992. The data compares as follows:
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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 MHzTS-2000 (SM7MMJ)The serial number of this unit is 21000340.
TS-2000 (SM7MMJ) at 14 MHz. Details can be found here: RS-03 ComparisonsThe TS-2000 was tested in QST May 2003. The data compares as follows:
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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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