User manual ICOM IC-775DSP

[. . . ] Small, in fact smaller than that of the IC-703. There is a wealth of information in the display but a logical mix of colours and excellent contrast makes it easy to gain information from. Three different colour schemes are available, of which the default appeared to be best suited for me. I had the TV mod done and the TV picture is very sharp, but a 2. 5" TV is not very pleasant to look at in the long run. [. . . ] On the middle part around 0. 9, and the lower part around 1. 0 V down to 1. 3 on 510. Measured with 6 kHz bandwidth AM, 30% modulation and preamp on. These figures are in fact 3-5dB better than my friend's IC-775DSP. Since I was expecting no better than 1 V, I am well content. But why does it appear to perform worse with decreased frequency?The answer is rather embarrassing for Icom and it was Dallas Lankford who found it. He found that if the preamp is disengaged, and a Norton push-pull preamp is placed between the antenna and receiver instead, the IC-775DSP will remain its excellent sensitivity at least down to 200 kHz. The receiver was very quiet when I tuned the LF band with the preamp on. When I switched it off, the signal level increased dramatically!I noticed this down to about 200 kHz, when the difference tended to decrease. Ingøy 153 kHz was about equal level with and without preamp. Apparently, the MNF, especially when set to "Wide" filter width, is capable of reducing the effects of splatter with a significant amount, resulting in a noticeable (I was about to use the word "dramatic" but I'll hold my breath) improvement in the signal's readability. I have a couple of recordings which I can email to anyone interested. DRM hiss was also reduced significantly, but I have yet to find out if it means that stations can be dug out of the noise. Effective use of the MNF may require some training, but the function alone makes my IC-775DSP the receiver of choice when interference is very tough. The MNF can work together with the Auto Notch Filter as well. A small radio like this can't have a keypad built in. For the IC-703 I bought and built John Hansen's Millenium QSY'er. Its functions are rather basic but it works well as a frequency input device. But the IC-775DSP has a microphone which doubles as a remote/keyboard. It contains most of the functions one needs, including frequency input, mode change, filter change, up and down tuning and memory functions. The keypad has a rubberised feel and need a distinct pressure to make contact. [. . . ] I had the pleasure of comparing audio quality of 4KZ-1620 when it was mainly at or below threshold level. The IC-775DSP matched, and partly surpassed, the IC746Pro. I got the same impression during the night with massive interference from EU stations. The use of the Auto or Manual notch filters and noise blanker does not degrade the audio quality much, contrary to what I have experienced when using the UT-106 DSP unit with the R-75 or IC703. [. . . ]