Name: Icom IC-R75
Brand: Icom

1999

Introduced

Frequency	RX: 0.03–60 MHz (HF + 6 m; guaranteed 0.1–29.99 & 50–54 MHz)
Bands	VLF, LF, MF, HF, 6m
Power	RECEIVE ONLY. No transmit capability. Communications receiver.
Modes	USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM
Weight	3 kg (6.6 lb) - 3.0 kg (6 lb 10 oz) per Icom. AC 'floor brick' PSU separate.
Connector	SO-239
Year	1999

Connectors

antenna	SO-239
ext spkr	external speaker jack
line out	line output (clean, no excessive hiss per N9EWO)
acc	accessory connector
civ	CI-V (optional CT-17 converter for PC)
dc in	DC input (AC adapter included)
power req	AC adapter included (floor brick). DC operation possible.

Icom's tabletop communications receiver, triple-conversion, twin PBT, 30 kHz to 60 MHz RECEIVE ONLY. No transmit (this is a communications receiver, not a transceiver) 30 kHz to 60 MHz coverage (HF + 50 MHz, wider than most HF receivers) triple-conversion receiver: 69 MHz / 9 MHz / 455 kHz IF stages 7 separate front-end preselector filters for HF (excellent image rejection!) twin passband tuning (PBT): independent upper and lower passband adjustment synchronous AM detector (WARNING: both sidebands only, NOT sideband-selectable like Drake R-8B) standard IF filters: 15 kHz + 2.4 kHz at 9 MHz IF; 15 kHz + 6 kHz + 2.4 kHz at 455 kHz IF slots for optional IF filters at 9 MHz and 455 kHz (10 different options $75-170) UT-106 DSP module: noise reduction + automatic notch filter (included with later US models) 2-level preamplifier + attenuator selectable AGC (fast/slow/off) noise blanker CW pitch control + CW reverse mode digital bar S-meter with peak hold numeric keypad for direct frequency entry 99 memories + 2 program scan edges 1 Hz tuning steps with optical encoder knob optional CR-282 TCXO for improved stability optional UT-102 voice synthesizer CI-V computer control (optional CT-17 level converter + RS-R75 software) AC power supply included (floor brick; linear until ~2009, then switching type) produced 1999-2015 (long production run!) KNOWN WEAKNESS: sync AM detector is mediocre (both-sideband only, ECSS with SSB is the better approach instead) KNOWN WEAKNESS: audio can sound muffled in AM wide mode (Kiwa audio mods popular fix)

Strengths

30 kHz-60 MHz coverage (HF + 6m), triple conversion with 7 preselector filters, twin PBT, and good dynamic range and image rejection. It accepts optional IF filters, has a 1 Hz optical encoder and keypad entry, and is a compact tabletop. It had a long production run (1999-2015) and good used availability.

Weaknesses

Receive only. A weak sync AM detector (both-sideband only; use ECSS SSB instead). Muffled audio in AM wide (Kiwa mods help). No DSP without the UT-106. No color display or spectrum scope. No USB (CI-V needs a CT-17 converter). An AC brick PSU. Discontinued in 2015.

Verdict

A capable tabletop communications receiver. The IC-R75 put Icom transceiver-grade receiver technology into a dedicated receiver: triple conversion, 7 preselector filters, twin PBT, and good dynamic range from 30 kHz to 60 MHz. The sync AM detector is the main weakness (use ECSS SSB instead), but the twin PBT works very well on SSB. At $300-600 used with optional filters and DSP it is among the better tabletop receivers for the money, and the Kiwa audio mods are recommended.

The Icom IC-R75 is a triple-conversion HF communications receiver, a receive-only tabletop set that became a favorite of shortwave listeners for its strong performance at a reasonable price. It tunes continuously from 30 kHz to 60 MHz (with guaranteed performance across the HF range and the 6-meter band) and receives all the modes a listener needs: SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, and FM, with selectable bandwidths.

Its receiver is genuinely capable, with more than 100 dB of dynamic range thanks to a well-designed triple-conversion front end, twin passband tuning to slice through interference, and a synchronous AM detector. An optional DSP unit adds noise reduction and an automatic notch filter, and additional filter slots let the owner tailor selectivity for utility, amateur, or broadcast listening. For many it was the sweet spot between an inexpensive portable and a costly flagship receiver.

It is a discontinued model still popular with listeners. Compare it with the Drake R8 and the AOR AR7030.