VHF Contest this weekend

This weekend is the RSGB's 2m/70cm contest. If I remember, I intend to pop on occasionally with my 10W and omni, but I doubt I shall put an entry in. It runs for up to 24 hours from 1400z Saturday, although there is a 6 hour section in which you choose which 6 hours you want. The 6 hours can be split up.

See  https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2022&contest=mar144432 .

A popular 2m70cm/23cm transceiver is the ICOM IC-9700.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/ic-9700 .

ICOM IC-9700

 If I had money to burn, this is a VHF/UHF rig that I might consider. It covers 2m, 70cm and 23cm, all modes. It is an SDR transceiver. It is similar to the IC-7300 in ergonomics. I have an IC-705 that seems to do all I want.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/ic-9700 .

ICOM IC-9700 VHF/UHF transceiver

This is the "sister" of the IC-7300 with very similar ergonomics. It covers 2m, 70cm and 23cm. It is more expensive than the IC-7300.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/ic-9700 .

IC-9700

This ICOM radio covers 2m, 70cm and 23cm. It is an all-mode SDR transceiver. I do not own one, but know some who do. It has a lovely colour LCD which is touch screen as well as having good ergonomics. 

On 23cm it has a useful 10W pep. With a reasonable yagi some quite good DX should be possible as long as the coax run is short and the cable low loss. When runs are long or the coax is not too good, people put PAs and preamps up near the antennas.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/ic-9700 .

ICOM IC-9700 book

Southgate News reports that there is a new book out about this popular VHF/UHF transceiver that covers 2m, 70cm and 23cm. In many ways it is similar to the IC-7300.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/september/new-book-on-the-icom-ic-9700.htm