IC-9700 Reference Injection Board

This module allows locking the ICOM IC-9700 radio transceiver internal frequency reference to an external 49.152MHz signal. If the internal reference is locked to a GPS signal, achievable stability can be better than 1Hz on all bands.

Installing this module inside the ICOM IC-9700 does not require soldering or modification to internal circuitry. It is completely reversible and should not affect your warranty.

This module is designed to be used and has been tested with Leo Bodnar GPS reference clocks signal sources.

Includes one high-quality Wurth Elektronik SMA | SMA cable to connect the GPS Clock to the IC-9700.

Installation

• Disconnect all external cables and wires connected to the IC-9700
• Place a soft cloth on your working surface to avoid scratching your IC-9700
• Remove 12 cross-head screws holding the bottom cover - three on each side and six on the bottom
• Turn IC-9700 upside down and remove the bottom cover
• Unscrew the nut holding the SMA connector on the back marked "REF IN 10MHZ"
• Disconnect the small U.FL connector, remove and save the cable. Alternatively, leave U.FL side connected, place SMA connector, nut and washer into a small plastic bag and securely tape it inside the IC-9700
• Remove black airflow protection sponge and stick it elsewhere inside the IC-9700
• Remove two screws on the main PCB, marked "10" and "11" and place into holes on the injection board for storage
• Install injection board using two supplied longer screws
• Install the supplied SMA extension cable between the injection board and the connector previously used by "REF IN 10MHZ"
• Reinstall bottom cover with twelve screws

IC-9700 Setup

• Configure your GPS clock to output 49152000Hz signal with full power (32mA setting)
• Connect the clock source to SMA connector on the back of IC-9700 (cable not included)
• Turn IC-9700 on and let it warm up for 5-10 minutes
• Switch to a SSB mode and tune to a reasonably stable CW signal you can hear and see on the waterfall
• Press MENU button then tap (1), SET, Function, REF Adjust
• Turn on external 49.152MHz reference and observe CW signal frequency shift.
• Adjust sliders so that frequency shift is within 10Hz on 2m band (30Hz on 70cm band or 100Hz on 1200MHz band)
• Exit the menu and test IC-9700 operation.

If the IC-9700 does not lock:

• Make sure external reference is switched on, has correct 49.152MHz frequency and 10-20dBm power level
• Verify that REF Adjust is set correctly (coarse scale should be roughly in 40-50% range - follow fine adjustment procedure above)
• Lock range for proper set up is wider than 100Hz (2m band), 300Hz (70cm band), 800Hz (1200MHz band) in both directions - about two times wider than extreme excursion during continuous transmit and receive periods
• View an excellent installation video.

Wurth Elektronik SMA Male to SMA Male RF RG-58 Cable is part #65503503530501 304 mm (12") SMA male | SMA male.