The beginning of Icom
Mr. Tokuzo Inoue, founder and Chairman of Icom, became interested in radio when he was a junior high school student, and often visited radio shops in Koriyama, Nara prefecture. As he grew up, he remained interested in wireless communications. He looks back on those days as “When I decided my lifework would be in wireless communications.”
After graduating from high school, he started a shop for electronic equipment at his parent’s house. But he soon joined a medical equipment manufacturer after that. At the manufacturer, his technical knowledge was highly valued, and he had responsibility for designing RF medical equipment. However, it was so far from his house to the office, taking 2 hours one way. The president of the manufacturer advised Mr. Inoue to establish a subcontracting company and continue designing for the medical manufacturer. Mr. Inoue made a small shack in the yard, then started the business as “Inoue Electric Seisakusho” in 1954.
This is the beginning of ICOM.
Icom Timeline & Products for Ages
Inoue Electric Seisakusho started as a subcontractor producing amateur radio equipment. The company was a late comer in amateur radio manufacturing; therefore, it was necessary to create something new. The company adopted transistors, instead of tubes, in designing the FDAM-1 all transistor AM radio. It was a pioneering product for replacing vacuum tubes with transistors.
Inoue Electric Seisakusho adopted new technologies constantly after that. Designing an analog PLL circuit was one of the big changes, which ended a generation of multi-crystal frequency-controlled radios. Icom designed the HF radio, IC-701 (Japanese model of the IC-710) which included a digital PLL synthesizer. When Mr. Inoue visited Mr. Arthur Collins who was one of most famous radio engineers in the world, and showed it to him. When Mr. Inoue presented the IC-701, Mr. Collins said “Mr. Inoue, you did everything I wanted.” Then he advised Mr. Inoue that the company will grow if you continue developing advanced technology. His words gave Mr. Inoue additional confidence to continue developing Icom’s amateur radio business.
Timeline
1964 | Inoue Electric Seisakusho Co., Ltd. established by Tokuzo Inoue |
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1970 | Moved to a new headquarters building |
Opened Tokyo sales office | |
1971 |
Corporate symbol mark introduced |
1973 |
Corporate logo mark introduced |
Export Sales department established | |
1975 | Opened Kyusyu sales office |
1976 | Entered the marine radio market |
Icom (Europe) GmbH, established in Dusseldorf, Germany. |
Products
FDAM-1 (1964)
The first model designed and built by Inoue Electric Seisakusho. It was our legendary all-transistor 50 MHz radio, in which vacuum tubes were not used at all.
FDFM-25 (1965)
The controller could be mounted on the car dashboard, and the radio unit could be installed in the trunk. It was the forerunner of in-vehicle radios.
|700T・|700R (1967)
The IC-700T/ 700R was the first HF transceiver from Icom. Although tubes were used in the final amplifier, transistors were used in all other sections.
FDAM-3 (1968)
A revolutionary 50 MHz radio using high stability dual VFOs (Variable Frequency Oscillators). One each was used for the transmitter and receiver units.
|71 (1969)
A single high stability VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) controlled both transmitter and receiver units. The IC-71 was the first 50 MHz radio that did not require frequency calibration.
|20 (1970)
The first 12 channel 144 MHz radio. Helical resonators were used in the receiver unit to reduce intermodulation distortion.
|105C (1972)
Introduced know-how cultivated in amateur radio. It became Icom’s first business radio for the Japanese market.
|200 (1972)
Used an analog type PLL (Phase Locked Loop) synthesizer and covered the 144 MHz band with 100 channels. The original idea and technology allowed us to differentiate our product from others.
|M25 (1975)
The first marine radio. A programming method using a diode matrix was adopted, and up to 25 channels could be programmed. With this radio, crystals were no longer needed for expanding channels, and it drew attention in the US market.
|211 (1976)
The IC-211 was the first amateur radio which used Icom original LSI (SC-3062) for the system control. This provided digital control for the dual VFO system.
|710 (1977)
Icom’s first fully transistor HF transceiver, and the industry’s first CMOS LSI radio, utilizing the SC-3062. It was the smallest HF radio at that time.
Inoue Electric Seisakusho built a sales network covering not only all of Japan, but also worldwide in the 1970s, and expanded business operations.
Capital was increased for facility investment and the product category was expanded from amateur radios to Business radios and Marine radios. The IC-2N (Japanese model of IC-2AT/IC-2E) amateur handheld VHF transceiver was launched in 1980. It was a small and high-performance radio, which had thumbwheel switches to set frequencies in the PLL IC. These functionalities were very well received. Over 2 million IC-2N series transceivers were sold throughout the world. Icom really grew in the radio manufacture industry.
In these years, the company name was changed to Icom Incorporated, from Inoue Electric Seisakusho.
Timeline
1978 | The company name was changed to Icom Incorporated. | |
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Kami factory established in Kami, Hirano, Osaka | ||
1979 | Icom America Inc. established in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A. | |
1982 | Icom (Australia) Pty. Established in Melbourne, Australia | |
Entered the land mobile radio market |
Products
|280 (1978)
The world’s first Amateur Radio controlled by an internal microcomputer. Additionally, the IC-280 could be operated from a separate front panel.
|551 (1979)
The IC-551 is the first transceiver that has CPU controlled auto watch and programmed scan functions. It had good sales as a 50 MHz all mode base station radio.
|720 (1980)
Icom’s first HF radio with a general coverage receiver, 1.8 – 30 MHz, which has become a feature in all Icom’s HF transceivers.
|2A/AT/E (1980)
Icom’s first 144 MHz portable, utilizing thumbwheel switches for frequency agility, and a detachable battery pack, selling over 2 million units globally.
|751 (1983)
The DFM (Direct Feed Mixer) design provided the IC-751 with a dynamic range of 105 dB. Additionally, the IC-751 had an 8-bit CPU with 32 memory channels and dual VFOs for split operation.
|02A/AT/E (1983)
The first handheld radio that adopted a power module, achieving the maximum output of 5W. In addition, it had an LCD display. The radio had a splash-proof construction. Was an evolution of the IC-2N (IC-2AT)
Icom listed its stock on the second section of the Osaka securities exchange on December 19th, 1990. The opening price was JPY 6900 which exceeded JPY 410 from the public offering price. Two days before the listing, Mr. Inoue informed the employees, “I feel a debt of gratitude to all my employees for the listing, as we started as a garage manufacture.”
Icom started a new category of Marine Navigation and challenged the use of new technologies into current categories. The IC-781 had gained prominence in these years. A 5-inch CRT in the center of the front panel became the Icom style, along with a spectrum scope and high-performance characteristics. This transceiver surprised amateur radio operators as a dream rig.
Timeline
1986 | Hirano factory established in Hirano, Osaka (Transferred from the Kami factory) |
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1987 | Tokyo R&D Center established |
Revised the corporate logo mark to the current one. |
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Wakayama Icom Inc. (factory) established in Wakayama | |
1989 | Entered the marine navigation market with radars and fish finders |
1990 | Increased capital to 953.5 million JPY |
Listed Osaka Stock Exchange 2nd section | |
Increased capital to 7 billion JPY | |
1992 | Tokyo sales office merged with the R&D section |
Products
|3200A/E (1985)
Icom’s first dual band mobile radio covering 144/430 (440) MHz. The “dual band radio” became very popular after this model was introduced.
|A2 (1985)
Icom’s first avionics radio. It had a 4.8 W output power (PEP). It evolved into the IC-A20, which can receive VOR navigation system signals.
|1271 (1985)
World's first transceiver equipped with an ATV function. Adopted a specially designed power module SC-1040 to support continuous ATV transmission. It also had a large-capacity CPU and an external RAM unit.
|H16T (1985)
Equipped with the 5-tone system used in Europe, and supported various other tone systems. Explosive sales were recorded.
|275A/E/H (1986)
Equipped with a newly developed DDS synthesizer. High-speed transmission / reception switching that supported PACKET, AMTOR, and other data communications was achieved.
(1987年)
Provided long lasting battery life with an auto power save function, and worked with R6 (AA) type battery cells.
|3MR (1988)
Icom’s first marine radar with a compact design and easy operation.
|900A/E (1987)
Introducing many industry firsts, the “Super Multi-bander System” utilized multiple Band RF Decks as well as a fiber optic cable for communication between the remote head and the “RF Stack”.
|781 (1988)
Considered to be Icom’s first dream rig, the IC-781 introduced Icom’s legendary user interface layout, utilized by many Icom transceivers. The 5-inch CRT display introduced the centralized information center, including a simple “Band Scope”.
|4001 (1991)
Japanese low-power license free radio that achieved a surprising palm-sized compactness and lightness that broke the conventional wisdom.
|4003 (1992)
The first generation of the brand name "Withcall" of Icom’s low-power license free radios in Japanese market. A storage antenna type that improves portability. Equipped with a function to notify reception of a call by a ringer sound.
Icom opens Narayama R & D center to strengthen middle and long-term engineering development capabilities. Dedicated to research and development on elemental technologies one step ahead of the engineering department. The first Digital amateur transceiver for D-STAR was designed in this R & D center.
In these years, Icom concluded a delivery contract with the US Department of Defense's Soldier Intercom for transceivers, becoming the first company of all the Japanese manufactures to do so. They made hard and strict tests, then selected Icom IC-F3S as the best performance radio. Icom had other contracts in public safety and utilities markets in other countries.
In addition, using RF technologies, Icom entered and expanded a new category of wireless LAN networks.
Timeline
1994 | Narayama R & D center established in Nara, Japan |
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1995 | Distribution center relocated to the Wakayama factory |
1997 | Icom Spain S.L. established in Barcelona, Spain |
1998 | Asia Icom established in Taipei, Taiwan |
Contracted with the US Department of Defense for radios. | |
Entered the wireless LAN market. | |
Acquired ISO 9001 certification. | |
1999 | Icom Information Products Inc. established in Osaka, Japan. |
2000 | The headquarters relocated to the new building in Hirano, Osaka. |
2001 | Listed in the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchange 1st sections |
2003 | Acquired ISO 14001 certification. |
Products
|821 (1994)
It has dual band simultaneous reception as well as satellite communication capability. Incredible reception sensitivity of -19dBμ was achieved for SSB/CW.
|706 (1995)
Introduced as the world’s smallest HF radio, the IC-706 also created the “all band” mobile category with HF/50/144 MHz, causing other manufacturers to chase Icom in this category. Icom later introduced the 706MKII and MKIIG, adding 430 (440) MHz.
|775DSP (1995)
The world's first circuit configuration using digital signal processor (DSP) featured noise reduction and auto notch, which allows signals to emerge from noise.
MCA7 (1995)
Icom's first digital MCA (Multi-Channel Access; Japanese trunking system). Used a large display with excellent visibility.
MCA22 (1996)
Sophisticated design like a mobile phone at the time.
UX-117 (1996)
Data transmission unit for a 2.4GHz spread spectrum system. Adopted a modulation method that was later used for wireless LANs.
|F3S (1997)
Recognized for its reliability, robustness, and operability, and was officially adopted as the US Department of Defense's Soldier Intercom. Delivered 23,000 sets.
|2800A/E (1998)
The world's first amateur radio to use a 3-inch color TFT LCD display. Equipped with an external video input terminal, it could be used as a sub-monitor for car navigation system.
BR-200 (1998)
Icom's first wireless communication unit between buildings that wirelessly connects distant buildings. An innovative product that eliminates the cost of laying a dedicated wired line.
|756PRO (1999)
Introduced the Amateur Radio’s first 32-bit floating point IF DSP radio, eliminating optional crystal filters.
|UH35ACT (2001)
Using knowledge obtained from Marine transceivers, Icom realized a robust waterproof radio with a JIS7 rating (same level as IPx7) in the Japanese market.
|7800 (2003)
Reintroducing the Dream Rig position, the IC-7800 was the first HF radio to have a IP3 of + 40 dBm.
AP-5100 (2003)
Dual bands wireless LAN (2 band simultaneously operation). Realized 5.4 Mbps (5.2 GHz / 2.4GHz)
During economic growth worldwide, Icom achieved is best sales record of 33.1 billion JPY during these years. However, the sub-prime housing loan problem, and Lehman Brothers bankruptcy that occurred in 2008, the world economy went into in a recession. Icom combined engineering and sales divisions that made good efficiency from planning to product launches to make it through that difficult situation.
Icom also entered the IP telephone business, which was expected to increase growth, and made partner contracts with major telephone carriers for delivering wireless routers and access points.
In addition, we started digital technology for business transceivers, and then made standardization of Land Mobile Radios for the US, Europe and Japan. This was when Icom announced IDAS (Icom Digital Advanced System) to the world.
Timeline
2004 | Concluded “Solution Creative Partner Program (SCP)” with NTT Docomo. |
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2006 | Tokuzo Inoue assumed the position of Chairman Tsutomu Fukui assumed the position of President |
2007 | Concluded a partnership agreement with KDDI. |
2009 | Kinokawa Plant of Wakayama Icom Inc. established in Wakayama, Japan. |
2010 | Acquired ISO27001 certification. |
2013 | Made cooperation with Companies Ageet and NTT West Japan. |
Products
ID-1 (2004)
The ID-1 marks the birth of Digital Voice communications for Amateur Radio with the introduction of the JARL’s (Japan Amateur Radio League) D-STAR Protocol. The ID-1 operated in both the Digital Voice (DV) and Digital Data (DD) modes. (DD mode 128 kbps Data).
SR-5200VoIP (2004)
The first model of collaboration under the “Solution Creative Partner Program (SCP)” with NTT Docomo.
Wireless LAN broadband router to meet the 050 IP telephone service.
|7000 (2005)
Successor to the long selling IC-706MKII. Adopts first in its class IF DSP, which gave it performance close to the high-class model IC-756PROIII
|VH35 series (2005)
Icom guaranteed one-year water-proof protection, a first for a Japanese radio manufacturer.
Models with this guarantee were the IC-VH35 series, the IC-UH401 and the IC-4800.
|R9500 (2006)
All technologies for wideband receivers and DSP were put into this receiver. It included record and other functions/abilities for high level frequency search and analysis. Many government offices and Radio Regulatory Bureaus adopted this receiver.
|D400 (2006)
New concept of a digital low-power radio system in combination with an IP network. Then wide area range could be obtained, even for a low-power license free radio.
|M33/M34 (2006)
An industry first! A transceiver that floats in water. Fundamentally redesigned internal circuits, mechanical components and the battery. Icom realized the user’s desires for a floating radio.
|DU55C (2008)
The first DCR digital radio designed as soon as the Japanese regulations were approved.
|F3161DT/DS・|F5061D・|FR5000 (2008)
Launched IDAS (Icom Digital Advance System) transceiver adopting 6.25 kHz 4-level FSK using the FDMA method. Icom complied with the US FCC ultra-narrow bandwidth regulation.
|M603/M604 (2008)
Won the NMEA award for the best VHF marine radio. Icom has won multiple awards in various categories since 1984.
ID-31A/E (2011)
Newly designed next generation D-Star handheld. It was first amateur radio equipped with the micro SD slot. This model accelerated the popularity and use of D-Star.
IP100H (2013)
Using wireless LAN as access points, full duplex communication was realized. Many industry users adopted this new concept transceiver.
The RF direct sampling system is developed and adopted in the IC-7300. This was an industry first in amateur radio, and many users replaced or added this model to their shacks. The first high-speed, real-time spectrum scope and good phase noise characteristics set new standards.
In the business radio field, the IP501H LTE transceiver is launched to match the general requirements of IP usage.
For producing additional solutions, Icom collaborated with Iridium Communications, to produce a satellite PTT model which can communicate to and from any place in the world over the Iridium network.
In looking for production efficiency and stable quality, Icom investigated installing robot lines in our factory.
Timeline
2014 | Purecom Co. Ltd. Established in Shenzhen, China. |
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2016 | IC-A220 obtains FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved TSO (Technical Standard Orde) |
2017 | Masataka Harima assumed the position of President |
Started AVL service cooperating with Navitime Japan | |
2018 | Repair center completed at Kinokawa plant |
Collaborated with Iridium Inc. for designing the Satellite PTT | |
2019 | Robot line is installed at the Arida plant of Wakayama Icom Inc. |
2020 | Icom Asia Co., Ltd. Established in Hanoi, Vietnam. |
Tokuzo Inoue assumed the position of Chairman and President | |
2021 | Hiroshi Nakaoka assumed the position of President |
2022 |
Transitioned to the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange |
2023 | Icom acquired Software development company, Macrotechnos Co., Ltd. |
Icom Europe (Germany) relocated to its new European building in Frankfurt, Germany |
Products
|7851 (2014)
Icom’s “Dream Rig” introduced RMDR specifications unmatched at the time, as well as an ultra-high-speed dual scope for contesters and DXers.
|7300 (2016)
Amateur Radio’s first self-contained RF Direct Sampling transceiver, with a high speed, real-time spectrum scope with waterfall. The IC-7300 completely turning the HF world upside down and over 100,000 units sold globally.
IP501H (2015)
Covers entire the country through an LTE (4G) and 3G Network with multiple users in the call group instantaneously.
|A220TSO (2016)
TSO certified model, therefore it can be used as a primary VHF radio in general aviation (part 23) aircraft
|7610 (2017)
Combining features from Icom’s “Dream Rigs” and the newly introduced RF Direct Sampling, the IC-7610 introduced a RF Direct Sampling system with Icom’s Digi-Sel preselector for 110 dB RMDR performance for both of the independent receivers.
|F7010・|F7510 (2017)
Full functionality for US public safety models, such as P25 phase 2, color LCD, AES encryption, IP68 submersible and MIL standard 810G.
|DPR7 (2018)
Japanese digital business radio “DPR” series transceiver.
800mW audio output, IP67 water/dust proof and MIL standard 810G with a strong construction.
VE-PG4 (2018)
Communication expanding unit across systems and devices. Includes built-in RoIP, SIP gateway, IP router, IP PBX and IP communication controller functions, in one box. Allows connection to any system, such as NXDN digital transceivers, LTE radios, satellite PTT, external devices, and so on.
|DRC1 (2018)
Newly established Japanese standard “Digital low-power community radio system”. Icom launched this terminal to meet the regulation issued for safety and security of municipal entities.
|SAT100 (2019)
Uses satellites for worldwide communication, therefore it can communicate even when all infrastructure is shut down. In addition, the IC-SAT100 can be used reliably in areas with no infrastructure, such as mountain areas and remote islands.
IP200H (2020)
Mobile IP phone for Japanese domestic market that uses wireless LAN/LTE network. Making phone call and PTT call from anywhere within the public LTE or local wireless network.
IP730D・IP740D (2020)
Dual mode “hybrid” radios that provide nationwide coverage over LTE networks and conventional VHF/UHF professional radio mode (IDAS™ digital/analog mode). Ensures both a wide coverage area and interoperability in an emergency.
|M94D/DE (2020)
The integrated AIS receiver and Class-H DSC in one VHF marine handheld. Distress button on the back and other vessel's AIS information further ensures safety at sea.
(2021)
A new genre of LTE transceiver system for the Japanese domestic market. It is compatible with Japanese license-free radio and PTT applications for smartphones. Connects anywhere in Japan and enables simultaneous communication without worrying about distance or interference.
|905 (2023)
Amateur Radio’s only commercially available radio that covers 144/430 (440)/ 1200/2400/5600 MHz and 10GHz bands. Icom’s industry leading design places the RF Deck as the base of the antennas, maximizing the RF power at the antenna.
IP-M60 (2024)
World's first* hybrid transceiver that adopts two communication systems: marine VHF and LTE. Seamlessly switch between maritime and land-based communications with the press of button.
According to Icom research as of February 2024.