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Updated February 21 1999

In the photo above, I have placed the Q7A next to the Yaesu VX-1, which I've used ever since it became available perhaps a year or so ago. Although my comments are not primarily a direct comparison between the two units, I must unavoidably refer to the Yaesu rather often because of its similar size, features, and popularity. Please do not expect a full review of the Q7; rather, a collection of random thoughts from my own limited perspective. Finally, let me say that I am not associated with either Icom or any equipment vendor. My comments are simply my own personal opinions.

Sensitivity on my favorite bands
As we speak, both the Icom and Yaesu are scanning the same three frequencies in the 224, 460, and 853 MHz area. I am delighted to report that while the Q7's triple-conversion receiver appears to be about as sensitive as the VX-1 on the 460 MHz band, it is very substantially more sensitive on the 224 and 853 MHz frequencies. And to be reasonably fair, I am not using the 7" stock duckie that came with the Q7; both antennas are roughly the same size.  The published specs in the manual are as follows:

Any Frequency, Anywhere!
Anyone who is familiar with the VX-1 will probably be asking this question: Can I program frequencies from various bands into one memory bank? Happily, the answer is yes. In either of the two banks, you may mix in any frequency the Q7 can receive. A word of advise, though; plan your memory programming in advance, because with 100 memories per bank you'll do a lot of knob twirling otherwise. For example, you might put your favorite repeaters in memories one through 20, public service frequencies in memories 21-40, etc., etc. This will help you locate the specific frequency you want to monitor with a minimum of twirling.

When will Icom get it right?
I always loved the way Yaesu engineered the function switch--easily accessible, with a few seconds delay after pressing the button. It only took one hand to manipulate the various functions. I had hoped Icom would catch on, but no. The function switch is directly below the PTT button, and remains activated only as long as you depress it with the finger of your free hand. If you're doing the math, you'll realize it takes two hands to accomplish the frequent function changes. This is a big annoyance to me, especially while driving. And speaking of fingers, let me pose a question: am I getting weaker or are the designers getting stronger? Why does it take so much pressure to operate a PTT or function switch? I remember the days when a very slight push would do the trick. But now, my fingers are turning white, especially during an extended QSO. Perhaps the designers were concerned that we might accidentally press the push-to-talk button just as we were passing a construction site with a remote controlled dynamite activator tuned precisely to our favorite repeater. Or something like that. 

An Amusing Belt Clip
It looks more like a part off a rocking chair. I suspect the design was necessitated by the manner in which the battery compartment opens. Nevertheless, it is strange, and adds a bit of bulk in the palm of your hand. On the bright side, it has yet to pop off my belt. And better yet, its unique design keeps the antenna about 1.5 inches away from your body. You are actually able to receive stations while the radio is clipped to your belt.

The Case
Thanks to Dave Z., we now have a photo of the case. Yes indeed, boys and girls, this is what your Q7 will look after you spend around $36 (plus applicable taxes and/or shipping charges). Dave tells me the clear plastic does not stick to the radio as it does with the Yaesu.  That's good.  I used to spend hours trying to figure out why the VX-1 wouldn't come out of its case, only to discover that the plastic cover and the LCD screen were having a love affair. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the whole idea of a case is about padding... to protect the rig against damage. So I'm wondering if this case is really going to do the job. Especially if it lands on its face. Cosmetically, the jury is still out. I can't decide if I like it or not.  It might have looked more appealing (and protective) if the bottom half covering the speaker grille was the same rich Corinthian virgin vinyl as the rest of the case.

The Rubber Giraffe
It seems like few people end up actually using the stock antenna that comes with a radio. The Q7's version (SMA) is lengthy indeed, and considerably more effective than the Standard Radio C508A duck I replaced it with. But for my particular purposes, the shorter antenna is sufficient. Here's a tip: before paying money to replace the antenna with a duckie from another manufacturer, try one on for size. Some may not screw all the way into the connector, thus leaving a bit of a gap. For example, the VX-1 stock duckie is not a flush fit on the Q7. 

The Audio
Unless you are in a high-noise environment, I suspect you will find the audio to be quite adequate for a rig of this size. To my untrained ear, the Q7 appears to have over twice the audio output of the VX-1, with minimal distortion at high volume. Quality of FM and television broadcast sound in the WFM mode is quite acceptable, too. I think you will be pleased. 

Scanning
A number of different scanning possibilities exist with the Q7 including full, band, programmed, edge, and memory bank. There are two banks of 100 channels, which can be scanned separately or together. But because of the limited number of buttons on the unit, there are some tedious function-key combinations to endure in selecting the scanning mode of your choice. To simply go from monitoring a single frequency to scanning the programmed memories involves the use of two hands; i.e., pressing the function key as you push the "volume-up" button. I would have preferred a single key scan activation. I still have to figure out how to program and activate the edge scanning frequencies; the manual is not as user friendly as I would like. The scan rate is not as fast as a traditional scanner, but I found it acceptable. Memory frequency lockouts are accomplished in a multi-step procedure: 1. Select the memory channel to be skipped; 2. Press and hold the V/M key to enter the setup mode; 3. Rotate the tuning knob until the word SKIP appears, immediately followed by the word OFF; 4. While holding the function key (what else), again rotate the tuning knob until the OFF is replaced by SKIP; 5. Press the V/M key to exit the setup mode; 6. Press the function key and the VOL UP key to reactivate scanning. VX-1 users simply press the function and down keys to skip a memory channel. An interesting difference, given that both units have exactly the same number of buttons. Perhaps the employee benefits are better at the Yaesu factory, and the programmers are less cranky. 

The Tuning Knob
I have always been partial to a tuning knob for changing frequency, rather than up/down buttons. Happily, the Q7's one and only topside knob is just that; it tunes either your memory or VFO frequencies. Of course, the down-side is that you must use the two relatively tiny up/down buttons to adjust the volume. Which means, unless you get really good at locating these buttons by feel, you'll have to first remove the rig from your belt. I much prefer the Standard Radio configuration as seen on two of their mini-rigs: tuning knob on top, and an actual, physical volume control knob on the side. I loved this arrangement on my old C508A. And while we're on the subject of tuning knobs, the Q7's can be programmed for "dial speed acceleration," meaning that the faster you rotate it, the faster the tuning speed. It's a feature previously found exclusively in HF rigs and it works quite well.

Reception on the Lower Frequencies
As you know, the Q7 tunes down to 30 MHz, with a published sensitivity spec of .32 uV. In tuning between 30 and 70 MHz, I did not hear any stations. This is to be expected, as I was using an antenna that was not designed for those frequencies. Nor is there much local activity either, except for two local six- meter repeaters which are probably out of my range, anyway. However, I do have a number of FM and TV broadcast frequencies programmed in, and I am quite pleased with the reception. In my area, channels 4, 5, 7 and 9 are local, and unless I am driving through an RF hole I can receive them all quite well, even with the short rubber duckie from the C508A.

Listening to the CB Frequencies
It would have been nice if the Q7A dipped a few MHz lower in frequency to cover the CB channels. Why? Well if you've ever been on a road trip via an interstate highway heavy with truckers, you know that your best source of traffic information is not the ham repeaters, cell phones, or even your marginally useful radar detector. In most cases, CB channel 19 gives you everything you need to know, and more, without even having to pick up the mike. While the Q7A won't receive 27.185 MHz, it will certainly pick up its harmonic at double the frequency, 54.37.  Naturally, reception distance will be greatly reduced to about a couple of blocks (except for truckers running illegal amps), but often that's enough to pick up signals from CB mobiles in your proximity. I've tried it, and it works. So for your long trips on the interstates, program 54.37 into a spare memory slot...and don't forget to set it to the AM mode.

NEW:  Computer Programming!
According to their Web page, RT Systems has announced they are now shipping the programming software for the IC-Q7A. For current information and a few screen shots, drop by their Web site. I have written to them enquiring about the cost, and will post the information here when they respond.

If you already have the interface cable for the Yaesu VX-1 (or know how to construct one), you may want to check out some other programming software by Vlaski Goran at http://home.t-online.de/home/Ingra-Beton  In addition to PC programming, this software allows you to program below-30 MHz frequencies into memory.  Download the file icq7v103.zip and dll-vbx.zip. Unzip both files and place them in the same directory. After some effort attempting to interpret the weak instructions, I successfully programmed CB channel 19 (27.185), and other below-30 MHz frequencies into the Q7A memory, to replace the harmonic frequency mentioned earlier.

UPDATED NOTE:  As of January 1, 1999, the previous release of this software would not load for me and many others. Downloading it again into the same computer does not solve the problem. Fortunately, the author of this program has returned from his ski vacation (the nerve of him taking off leaving us with a Y1K bug!) and has placed a new release version on his site. The word is, Vlaski will continue to provide his software free of charge, but will be selling the interface cable at some point in the future. Stay tuned for updates.

"Got any Mods??"  NEW!
The Q7-A can be modified for extended transmit in both the VHF and UHF range. This mod is not for the inexperienced, and as always, it must be performed at your own risk. It involves removing four diodes from the circuit board.  The definitive Web site for this mod is provided by Dave, N2TRY, and includes a step-by-step pictorial for performing the procedure:

Power Supply Issues
Again, I must make comparisons with the VX-1. One thing that really endeared me to this unit was the excellent 700 mAh Lithium-Ion battery that recharged in two hours and seemingly lasted forever. Plus, the VX-1 was the first rig where I could actually transmit with either the power cube or mobile charger connected, and at twice the power, to boot! With the lower-priced Q7, the options are limited to either replaceable or rechargeable AA batteries. Since there is no charging jack, the NiCads must be physically removed from the unit and placed in a separate (not supplied) charger. I won't be bothered with this, and have decided to use the replaceable alkaline which last longer and are universally available. As for the expense, well, I just chalk it up to the cost of convenience.

Battery Life
Clearly, this is quite dependent on how you use the radio. For whatever it's worth, here are the results of a  little test I performed. No transmitting was involved, and no animals were harmed for this experiment. At 9:00 pm I installed a fresh pair of alkaline Energizers and let the unit continuously scan a group of reasonably active public service frequencies at a medium-low volume setting. By 8:00 am the next morning, the Q7 was still scanning, and the battery condition icon showed sufficient power.  It was not until 10:30 am  that half the icon disappeared, indicating that the batteries were nearly exhausted.  At 12:30 pm the remaining half of the icon began flashing, signalling the need for battery replacement. Periodically the unit would beep to remind me of this fact. Nevertheless, reception continued until 2:00 pm when the entire display began to flash and no further signals were heard. If you've been following along with your calculator, you know that the total receive time was 17 consecutive hours.

Accessories
Included with the Q7A is the belt clip, wrist strap, seven-inch rubber duckie, and manual. So if you're expecting the UPS person to drop one off momentarily at your doorstep, I would suggest you have a pair of alkaline cells or freshly charged Ni-Cds standing by.  Available options include the BC-127 Ni-Cd charger, HM-46 speaker microphone, HS-85 headset, the LC-146 carrying case, and an OPC-782 plug adapter cable. The latter adapter appears to be essential, as the other plug-in accessories, according to the illustration in the manual, all have the standard two-plug configurations.  I suspect anything that fits the VX-1 will be compatible with the Icom unit.

A Few Features You Won't Find

• Cross-band repeat
• Digital code squelch (DCS) encoder/decoder
• Automatic range transponder
• Alphanumeric memory tags
• DTMF autodialer
• External DC power/charge input jack

General Features You Will Find

• Monitor switch to check repeater input frequency (quick push of squelch button).
• Built-in CTCSS encode and decode with pocket beep. Fifty tone frequencies.
• Two banks of 100 memories, plus 2 call channels
• Triple conversion receiver
• RIT function for frequencies over 835 MHz
• Backlighting with choices of off, on, and on-for-five-seconds after pushing any button
• Mode select (AM/FM/WFM) regardless of frequency
• Ability to totally clear a memory channel
• Unwanted freqs can be programmed in full, band, or programmed scan operation
• Three types of priority watch
• Auto repeater function in USA version of unit
• Tone scan. Works well, and holds the tone frequency
• Choice of simple or expanded menu operation
• Auto power-off option in 30/60/90/120 minute increments
• Power save option
• Choice of channel or frequency indication mode.
• Highly configurable scan pause and resume times
• Programmed freqs. can be transferred from one memory location to another
• Auto squelch operation (actually works well) plus nine programmable levels

Conclusions:
Personally, I am extremely pleased with the Q7. It's a lot of radio for $199.95, disregarding the minor irritations including the non-ergonomic placement of the function switch. Most important, the Q7 displays excellent sensitivity on the frequencies that I monitor most often, and this is what really counts. If I had to choose between it and the VX-1, as much as I love the latter, I would have to select the Icom. But what we need to keep in mind is that every individual's needs and preferences are as unique as fingerprints, and what's right for one person may not be so for another.

If you're an IC-Q7A/E owner, or contemplating the purchase of the unit, I invite you to join our mailing list. You can exchange information with other users, and obtain assistance if problems arise.

73, from Andy