ContestConsole switching unit for ICOM radios

£69.95
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£58.29
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CCICOM-100
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ContestConsole Switching Accessory Unit for ICOM radios

 "produced as the result of customer demand!"

Video: ContestConsole for ICOM from SOTABEAMS

Gain full control of your ICOM radio with the SOTABEAMS ContestConsole. Easy to use - connects between your radio and microphone.

Features (depending on radio):

  •  Instant access to voice, CW and PSK memories (no need to have them displayed on the radio screen)
  •  TX PTT button
  •  TX low power tune function - sends 10 Watt carrier (optional lead required)
  •  Pushbutton frequency control (frequency up/down - or memory channel up/down)
  •  External PTT socket for footswitch
  •  8 pin microphone socket on the rear of the ContestConsole, with DC passthrough of all pins to the lead to the radio.
  •  Auxiliary microphone socket (3.5mm)

M0JCQ has written an independent review of the ContestConsole here.

Radcom (RSGB) Review January 2019.

This article is copyright of the Radio Society of Great Britain and reproduced with their kind permission

Will it work with my radio?

The ContestConsole was designed with the IC-7300 in mind but it works with a wide range of other ICOM radios.

IC-2300H, IC-2730, IC-275, IC-575, IC-7000, IC-703, IC-706, IC-707, IC-7100, IC-718, IC-7300, IC-7400, IC-7410, IC-746, IC-746PRO, IC-756, IC-756PRO, IC-756PROII, IC-756PROIII, IC-7600, IC-7610, IC-7700, IC-78, IC-7800, IC-7850, IC-7851, IC-9100, IC-9700, IC-910H, ID-4100A, ID-4100E

Functionality varies for each radio. Click here for our full compatibility matrix.

Tips for use

Click here to download the instructions for your ContestConsole.

  • There are usually some radio settings that need changing before the memory buttons will function - look for "external keypad" in the radio manual for details.
  • Do not connect two microphones at the same time. If connecting a microphone via the ContestConsole, use either the 3.5mm socket or the 8 pin socket, not both.
  • On some radios, an external storage device (memory card or USB stick) might be needed for voice memories to work.

Also available from our agent(s): 

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  Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the ContestConsole provide a complete DC connected "pass through" for the microphone socket on the radio (including the 8 Volt supply)?

A: Yes. The ContestConsole does provide a complete DC pass through, including the 8 Volt supply, from the ContestConsole's microphone lead to the socket on the rear of the unit.

Q: The "Tune" indicator on my IC-7610/7600 stays illuminated. Does this mean the internal tuner is activated?

A: The Click2Tune simulate a successful tuning sequence for an external AH4 tuner. There is also a switching sequence that is used by an external automatic tuner to indicate it failed to find a match. The Click2Tune  appears to the transceiver to be a successful tune so sets the display as such. The 'TUNE' indicator simply indicates the transceiver's circuitry detected a successful external AH4 tune sequence. It does NOT indicate the internal tuner is in line 

 Q: I already have a SOTABEAMS Click2Tune for ICOM. Can I use that with the Contest Console?

A: Yes, your existing Click2Tune lead will function as it did before. However, the Tune button on the ContestConsole will only function with the optional Tune lead. 

Q: I use my ICOM with an automatic antenna tuner that has a lead that connects top the white Molex connector on the radio. Can I also use the optional Tune lead?

A: The ContestConsole will work fine with your existing antenna tuner - the operation of the tuner will be unchanged. However, the Tune button on the ContestConsole will only function with the optional Tune lead. 

Q: What are the dimensions of the ContestConsole?

A: W110 x D75 x H40 mm

 

Instructions are available HERE!

9 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

  • 5
    Icom contest console

    Posted by Richard G8ITB on 5th Apr 2020

    Great idea; works perfectly with my IC-7300 in the shack. Now .... how about a variant for use with the IC-9700; that would be really nice!

  • 5
    Contest Console for Icom radios

    Posted by K7JQ on 5th Dec 2019

    I have two IC-7300's, and a Contest Console for each, with the 10W tune cables. The tune button is great for tuning my amplifier and screwdriver antenna. The build quality is solid...much better than my previous (now discontinued) similar I-Mate. Everything works as advertised, and highly recommended for operating convenience.

  • 5
    ContestConsole switching unit for IC-7610

    Posted by Alexandros Charalampopoulos on 23rd Sep 2019

    Very good construction and excellent after sales service.

  • 5
    Icom contest console

    Posted by Nick G4IWO on 19th Jun 2019

    Well designed and provides great functionality for the 7300. Delighted with my buy !

  • 5
    SB Contestl Console for ICOM

    Posted by AUGUSTO on 24th Apr 2019

    Very comfortable console that works perfectly. It is a pity that it can only activate 4 memories instead of the 8 memories available to the radio. However a console that I strongly recommend.

  • 4
    CONTESTCONSOLE SWITCHING UNIT FOR ICOM RADIOS

    Posted by b.b.h. sleijster on 17th Mar 2019

    It does what it does! Works great and is a must have for the contesters! i rated it not 5 stars because i miss the extra cable which is needed for tuning. When this was added i would rate 5! But no critics more then that issue!

  • 4
    Great for contesting or general use

    Posted by Ed Jones on 7th Nov 2018

    I recently purchased the SOTABEAMS ContestConsole for my IC-7300. I use my 7300 mostly portable, and so I purchased this for Field Day, JOTA, QSO party, etc. Its first use was the 2018 JOTA event I held at a local scout camp. It worked like a champ. I like the fact that it has a 1/8" microphone input in addition to the standard input, has a PTT jack for a footswitch AND a PTT button on the deck. This allowed me to run an external speaker + headphones w/ boom mic AND the stock hand mic. I would let the kids operate the hand mic and all the scouts could listen to the QSO. I would wear the headphones in case the signal faded or I was scanning the dial. I programmed the first couple of buttons with "CQ..." calls. It's small, and is built better than anything I would homebrew :-) I only have two minor complaints. The connectors themselves aren't very good quality, but they are adequate. I also wish they had brought AF into the console. I still have to bring a headphone splitter to be able to use multiple headphones or headphones and an external speaker. On my IC-7300, pin 8 of the microphone jack supplies AF output. I would have liked the console to supply both headphones and an AF output to drive an external speaker. For a single operator working from home, these aren't important. Perhaps SOTABEAMS could offer a PortableOps version of this console in the future with the AF features.

  • 5
    Another good idea from SOTABEAMS

    Posted by Steve Down G3USE on 15th Oct 2018

    I believe I was one of those who suggested this product. I could not understand why Icom stopped at just publishing the circuit in the 7300 manual. Unlike Yaesu who produce the FH-2 for their range. I had built my own version covering the M1-4 functions but was not happy with the ergonomics. The Console really does the job well by adding the extra functions. Well done Richard and team. 73 de Steve.

  • 4
    Contest console for ICOM

    Posted by Milos Dermota S57D on 12th Oct 2018

    I made a simple 4 button console by myself before, but this one is much better, more functionality added and trough microphone connector. It is proffesionally built. The housing is made of plastic, not metal and this is the reason for 4 stars not 5. After all, it is the great addition to my ICOM IC-7300. Great service, packing and fast delivery!