Name: Icom IC-7800
Brand: Icom

160m – 6m

Bands

200 W

Output

2004

Introduced

Frequency	TX: 160–10 m + 6 m (amateur), RX: 0.03–60 MHz
Bands	160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m
TX power	200 W (5-200W SSB/CW/RTTY/PSK/FM full duty cycle. 5-50W AM. Push-pull MOS-FET at 48V DC.)
Modes	USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31, AM, FM
Weight	25 kg (55.1 lb) - ~25 kg. Massive flagship, dual receivers, built-in PSU + ATU + 200W PA. Full-size base station.
Connector	SO-239 ×4 (four antenna ports w/ built-in selector)
Year	2004

Connectors

antenna	SO-239 ×4 (four antenna ports, built-in selector + ATU)
mic	microphone connector
key	key/paddle jack
acc	accessory connectors
usb	USB
civ	CI-V
cf card	CompactFlash card slot
ref freq	10 MHz reference in/out
ext spkr	external speaker
ac in	universal AC 85-265 VAC (built-in PSU)
power req	Universal AC 85-265 VAC. 800 VA max. Built-in power supply.

Icom's masterpiece, DUAL identical receivers, FOUR DSP units, +40 dBm IP3, $10,599 new DUAL identical receivers: two completely independent RX chains with full specs and independent controls FOUR 32-bit floating-point DSP units + 24-bit AD/DA converters (one each for: TX, RX1, RX2, spectrum scope!) +40 dBm third-order intercept point (IP3) on HF (!!!, 10 dB above IC-756PROIII) 110 dB receiver dynamic range OCXO (Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator): ±0.05 ppm stability (<2.5 Hz error even on 50 MHz!) 10 MHz reference frequency input/output (connect to GPS standard for absolute accuracy) three roofing filters: 15 kHz + 6 kHz + 3 kHz (all included!) Digi-Sel (Digital Selection Preamp) for front-end selectivity digital IF filters adjustable 50 Hz - 3.6 kHz digital twin PBT + auto + manual notch 7-inch TFT color display with real-time spectrum scope (up to 500 kHz span!) D'Arsonval analog meters (above scope, classic touch on a modern radio) 200W at full duty cycle from push-pull MOS-FET at 48V DC built-in automatic antenna tuner built-in power supply: universal AC 85-265 VAC (works anywhere in the world!) CompactFlash (CF) card slot USB support CI-V computer control 99 memory channels front panel design based on IC-781 (proven contest ergonomics, improved) IC-7800 MKII: improved DSP, enhanced receiver, refined dynamic range ARRL QST review: 'all in all, one very nice radio; never had to refer to the manual' DISCONTINUED. Replaced by IC-7851

Strengths

Dual identical receivers (monitor two bands at once), +40 dBm IP3 (among the highest ever), 110 dB dynamic range, and OCXO ±0.05 ppm stability. It has four DSP units, three roofing filters, 200W full duty, universal AC power, D'Arsonval analog meters, and a 10 MHz reference input for GPS. One reviewer never had to open the manual.

Weaknesses

$10,599 new (MSRP). ~25 kg (massive). A superheterodyne (the IC-7610's direct sampling offers comparable performance for less). No touchscreen (the IC-7851 adds it). CF card (not SD). Discontinued. The display may need service on older units.

Verdict

A pinnacle superheterodyne transceiver. The IC-7800 represented the height of conventional receiver design: dual identical receivers, four DSP units, +40 dBm IP3, and OCXO stability in one radio. It set the standard for HF transceivers for a decade. At $4000-8000 used it is still a formidable contest station. The IC-7851 succeeded it, and the IC-7610 offers comparable performance via direct-sampling SDR at a fraction of the price.

The Icom IC-7800 was Icom's flagship 'dream rig' of the mid-2000s, a no-compromise HF and 6-meter station transceiver unveiled at the 2003 Dayton Hamvention. It delivers 200 watts of output, carries two completely independent and identical receivers so the operator can listen on two frequencies at once with full performance on each, and was built around a high-dynamic-range receiver design that set a benchmark for the era.

A large color display dominates the front panel, presenting a real-time spectrum scope alongside the operating information, driven by a 32-bit floating-point DSP. Four antenna connectors, a built-in antenna tuner, premium converters, and a heavy, beautifully engineered chassis marked it as a radio for the most demanding contesters and DXers. It held the top of Icom's line until the IC-7851 refined the formula further.

It is a discontinued flagship. See its successor the IC-7851 and the earlier 'dream rig' IC-781.