Icom IC-32AT (1988)
 Compliance Test

Compliance testing to ascertain if this radio meets ITU guidelines for spurious emissions.

Icom IC-32AT Final Grade: PASS

Despite having been released in 1988, the Icom IC-32AT amateur radio sample we tested performed well across both of its bands.  We measured no spurious emissions exceeding the levels permitted by ITU guidelines.  

It is important to note that this was a single-sample test and it is possible other samples could vary in performance.

Tests performed in Surrey, BC, Canada on August 31, 2024 by Reg Natarajan.
Discuss this radio on our forums.  https://forums.advancedamateur.ca/t/icom-ic-32at-from-1988

Power Output Testing

Power output was measured using a Surecom SW-33 Plus into a dummy load. The radio was set to maximum power. The ITU guidelines for spurious emissions require measurements of "the power (W) supplied to the antenna transmission line".  That requirement makes this separate power measurement necessary, as it is incorrect to measure relative to the fundamental (f0).  All numbers have been rounded.

2M

146.520 Mhz

5.4 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 5.4 watts must be at least 50.3 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line.  5.4 watts is approximately 37.3 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

70cm

446.000 Mhz

3.4 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 3.4 watts must be at least 48.3 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line. 3.4 watts is approximately 35.3 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

Spurious Emissions Testing

Spurious emissions were measured using a Tiny SA Ultra.  The radio was set to maximum power and was connected to the TinySA through an attenuator. It is important to understand that the graphs below are using a decibel scale, not a linear scale.  If a spurious emission spike appears to be almost as tall as the fundamental, that does not mean it is emitting almost as much power.  Refer to the raw data shown. 

VHF 2m Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 2m

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 37.3 dBm (5.4 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 35 dBm (3.2 watts)


The Icom IC-32AT sample that we tested displayed no significant spurious emissions above the 2 m band fundamental in our testing.  All spurious emissions were at least 57.4 dB down from the power at the antenna, which is fully compliant with ITU guidelines.


UHF 70cm Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 70cm

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 36.7 dBm (4.7 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 33.6 dBm (2.3 watts)

The Icom IC-32AT sample that we tested displayed no significant spurious emissions above the 70 cm band fundamental in our testing. All spurious emissions were at least 55.6 dB down from the power at the antenna, which is fully compliant with ITU guidelines.

Comments

I've always wondered how older radios would perform on these tests.  It seems this old Icom from 1988 does just as well as any modern radio.

Many thanks to Doug VA7JDJ for the use of his radio for testing.

~Reg Natarajan VA7ZEB / HJ1ZEB, August 31, 2024


Discuss this radio on our forums.  https://forums.advancedamateur.ca/t/icom-ic-32at-from-1988