IC-7300 new firmware released 1.40

Some interesting changes in new released firmware v.1.40 for IC-7300.

https://www.icomjapan.com/data/Firmupdate_IC705_7300_9700_A4.pdf

Although not tested yet here, worth reading.  

For more info go to https://www.icomjapan.com/support/firmware_driver/3248/ or https://www.icomjapan.com/support/manual/2188/ and choose 7300 firmware link. 

 73

IC-7300 USB Delay Menu Settings

Hi guys.  

Below You can find interesting info posted on EME reflector by Dave K7RWT. Might be inetersting for WSJT software with IC-7300. 

" Hello MagicEME and PNWVHFS Groups,

There is a menu setting in the ICOM 7300 that can cause a delay of about five seconds between the initiation of audio tones and RF output in WSJT. (This is NOT the milliseconds delay that can be set in the 7300 and/or WSJT-X software. ) I have read of IC-7200 users experiencing this delay when running FT8 with WSJT-X but in my case it only happened with WSJT. Since the 7300 has been around for a number of years it's possible that the RF output delay and how to prevent it is something that most 7300 owners are already aware of but in case there are those who aren't I thought it worth mentioning here.  

The cause of delayed RF output is a menu setting in the IC 7300 called "Inhibit Timer at USB Connection" which is located under "Menu > Set > Connectors > 4/4 > USB SEND/Keying > "Inhibit Timer at USB Connection" (ON or OFF, default ON). 

There is a short note about this setting in the basic 7300 manual shipped with the radio and a more detailed note about it in the full manual available on the ICOM Japan web site (I noticed there is no mention of this menu setting in the ICOM Canada web site version of the full 7300 manual.). The ICOM Japan manual can be found here:

IC-7300 | Instruction Manual / Guides | Support | Icom Inc. (icomjapan.com)

The discussion about this setting is more comprehensive in the full manual than in the basic manual and I have excerpted and partially highlighted the information regarding RF output delay below:

"OFF: Sends the SEND or Keying signal immediately.
••ON: Pauses for a few (in my case five) seconds before sending the signal.
- If you change this setting to “OFF,” first update the transceiver’s USB driver and make sure the SEND or Keying signal will not be unintentionally sent."

I have not updated the transceivers USB driver per the last comment after turning the default "ON" setting to "OFF". The radio works fine and I have not experienced inadvertent keying of the transceiver.

Hopefully this information will be helpful to other (if any) 7300 (and possibly 7200) owners who are experiencing delayed RF output with WSJT and/or WSJT-X. 

73, Dave   K7RWT

IC-7300 Memory battery replacement

Some time in 2019 we exachanged few e-mails with Zaba OH1ZAA, about internal memory battery issue in IC-7300. Some of  7300 owners perhaps did not noticed anything is wrong, but many more ( reading e-mails sent to me ) suffering internal clock failing after every OFF period. This is rather minor issue, but can be very annoying when You are using audio recording feature during Es openings, or just internal clock set to UTC to have correct time. Loosing time/date settings causing recorded files to have wrong time stamp when saved on SD card. This could be very important when on dxpedition, and we want to recover some QSO's.

Below is my successful attempt to solving this issue, [ thanks for pushing me Zaba :-) ] fast and easy to made but of course, be warned :    

Any mistake can cause serious damage to your radio. So if You are not experienced in SMD soldering or using soldering iron at very FRAGILE environment - do not try to perform the operation! I will be not responsible for any damage You can make doing the MOD.   

Start with placing the RIG upside down and unscrew bottom cover. 
You'll see whole radio - take look at lower right part marked by red arrow.

There's very small button battery, according to Zaba's research it's only 1mAh capacity.

 

In usual conditions when radio is powered daily there's small amount of current ( ~6mA) charging the battery. But when left unpowered - battery voltage degrading soon. After 1 month without power, found mine has only 0,63V which is way below voltage needed to keep clock running well.

In next steps we will replace it with ordinary CR2032 Li-Ion battery.
Start with preparing new battery socket. No matter new or salvaged from old PC motherboard, any type will do. And of course we'll need CR2032 or similar battery. It's not critical what type of battery we'll use, except it's 3V one. Standard PC clock battery is thousand more times capable than factory one.

Next - prepare some wires and solder it to the socket.

Be very careful removing old battery - it's SMD one, and we need to be very fast and very carefull doing this. First - avoid too much heat, secondly it's close to uPC.

 Battery pads cleaned after removal

Now we are ready to install new battery. In my radio I did it this way - socket is glued safely with double sided adhesive tape onto uPC. Do not put the battery first. In case something is wrong this could damage your radio. After soldering the wires and checking for any short circuit, mistake with polarity slide the battery into socket.

This operation completes the mod. No more clock failure, at least for next 5-10 years :-)

73,  QSH / OCV

NOTE: 

I AM THE RIGHTS OWNER OF THIS DOCUMENT. 

ANY UNAUTHORIZED COPYING WITHOUT ASKING IS DENIED. 

IF YOU WANT TO PUBLISH THE MOD ON YOUR SITE/BLOG YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO SO, POINTING THE ORIGINAL SOURCE. 

THANK YOU.  

      

IC-7300 Transmit noise quieting with NF8-A - part ONE

Browsing the net on the winter days I found interesting project about fan quieting (replacing actually) in IC-7300.
If you're 7300 user sure You can hear loud noise when TX starts and running. Superb microphones we have now, can catch these noises and make additional shack enviroment "hum" on transmit.
Not to mention about annoying noise in general every time TX starts. Do You feel the same?

Below is my approach and some "amateur shack" tests conducted using low noise engineered NOCTUA fan made in Austria. These fans are "tweaked" at project stage to generate as low noise as possible, keeping the Airflow and RPM on demanded level. This ended up with special air channels, propeller dimensions, as well as anti vibration silicone pads at mounting holes.

Here's NOCTUA NF8-A PWM 

 

Prior to replacement and fan tests let's look on my table with parameters comparison.

Original Icom fan made by Y.S. Tech, and Noctua NF8-A PWM

As we can see there are few major differences, most important for us is Acoustical noise made by fan, and Airflow during operation. Will back to this later, in part II. 

Two kind of tests were made. One with "sensor" - ordinary Android phone with sound meter application installed, placed on the rear of TRX, 10cm away from fan, second where "sensor" is lying on the TRX with microphone facing back of the TRX (close to operator position).

Position 1:

 Position 2

 

As we can see both position shows some 28dB stby shack background noise.

Original fan  Y.S.TECH FD128025HB-N test:
Position 1 
(notice noise increase after PTT switch - significant increase after PTT click on the noise line)

Result : 46dB which means ~20dB increase from RX position. Huh, that's the noise we hear when PTT.
Position 2 :

Some 8-10dB more than stby position on RX, (max measured was 38dB) but also almost 11dB less than at back of TRX.

NOCTUA NF8-A PWM  
Position 1:

"Only" about 6dB increase above RX state.
Position 2:

 After placing "sensor" on the top of the TRX, noises were almost inaudible but noticed as 2dB higher from RX state.

Now You can answer yourself, is it worth to spend some additional money replacing noisy 7300 fan and get the silence when operating or stay with your factory fan. Replacing the fan takes 30minutes to complete, just soldering two wires, after removing bottom cover of the TRX.

This is how it looks like after replacing :

Next part will be focused on temperature factor of the mod.

73!

IC-7300 simple CW/SBB/RTTY memory banks keying MOD

Below is a simple IC-7300 stock Microphone HM-219 MOD for those who do Contests, DX pile-ups expeditions and lot's of CQ - all this without using external keyboard attached, disconnecting the Microphone and wasting your voice.

Modification is completely reversible, and almost cost nothing - all we need is only 2pcs of 1,5kOhm SMD 0402 size or just ordinary carbon film resistor 5% accuracy.
This will allow us to key two first banks of memory signed M1 and M2  

First open the case and locate copper track leading from switch DN through 470Ohm resistor to UP switch and down low the microphone PCB to output solder point - red wire.

First step is to replace existing 470Ohm resitor close to "DN" switch with 1,5kOhm SMD.

Next cut the trace from "UP" switch leading down to Red wire and remoce green mask for soldering second 1,5kOhm :

 Solder remaining resistor at the place, and after some cleaning - we are done.

Because UP/DWN switch using the same pin3 in Microphone plug, no resoldering is needed.
Now "UP" switch is acting like M1 bank and "DN" switch as bank M2

Shouting in pile up or run local Contest without wasting your throat or making your wife angry :-O
should be much easier now...

GL! 

ICOM IC-7300 SSB average power MOD

If You are owner of 7300 this MOD should make You more happy looking on your small Icom 7300,
not to mention about saving your throat screaming loud to get more than 30W on SSB.
Quite dissapointing serious factory fooling their users saying that screwed ALC unit is made to comply with the high standards of spectrum purity and A class signal. 

So what about their other radios, i.e 746, 756 or any PRO series?  Are they piece of *&**(^&^ and should not be used? Kind of bullshit IMO.

At this point I need to pass my sincere KUDOS to Marios SV0CL for his priceless hints, discussion and help.    

Here's a solution - SSB average power (or "talk average power" ) increase MOD, born after hours spent on examining schematic diagrams, comparing circuit details and ham radio cooperation.

Likewise as in IC-7100 low average SSB power ( but not only SSB - i.e FSK441 and JT6M ) it's the problem of  too sharp ALC limiting making the ALC loop acting too fast to let the signal envelope to rise enough. And it's not the matter of MIC gain setting nor PROC value. As You probably seen on the video posted in December HERE difference in average SSB power is HUGE at first sight.
Take note that MIC gain and PROC settings remains LOW comparing to this what we can find on various websites concerning low power on SSB, and we are still within 75% of ALC scale!

WARNING : Any mistake can cause serious damage to your radio. So if You are not experienced in SMD soldering or using soldering iron at very FRAGILE enviroment - do not try to perform the operation! I will be not responsible for any damage You can make doing the MOD.    

 

We need to prepare tantallum capacitor, magnifying glasses, and a value of 2,2-4,7uF /16V will do the job for us. The bigger capacitance, the slower ALC rise time. Test proved that 3,3uF works well and could be optimal solution, but 4,7uF will be good as well.

This time we need to add the ALC slowdown capacitor here :

Although 7300 unit is almost the same as 7100, we can see few small changes, mainly in component values.
Apart of on MOSFET transistor added ( changed vs 7100) there's no difference.

IC-7100 ALC :

 

IC-7300 ALC :

Open your 7300 removing both covers, and face the radio left side to You. Having speaker on the right hand, on the left You will see RF UNIT. This is the place we will work.
Take very good magnifying glasses, we will solder our capacitor between VERY small SMD elements.
Look at the MAIN unit and locate region marked RED:

Closer look at PCB :

Gently bend the legs of capacitor at desired angle, and try if they fit between the soldering points between elements before soldering. 

And this is how it's look after adding the capacitor:

After soldering check the surface against any short circuit around tiny traces. 

Don't forget to clean the surface with amount of IPA alcohol or similar stuff and secure the capacitor to the top of  IC1501 with small piece of double sided adhesive tape, or single drop of nail enamel borrowed from your girlfriend or wife :-)

Final look :

 

Good luck with the mod. Please post the comment below if You'll do the mod with success.

If You feel You can't do the mod yourself, better ask a friend. 

Of course You can send the radio here, I'll do it for You.   

NOTE: 

I AM THE RIGHTS OWNER OF THIS DOCUMENT. 

ANY UNAUTHORIZED COPYING WITHOUT ASKING IS DENIED. 

IF YOU WANT TO PUBLISH THE MOD ON YOUR SITE/BLOG YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO SO, POINTING THE ORIGINAL SOURCE. 

THANK YOU.  

 

IC-7300 low SSB power? Not anymore.

Here You can see two different Icoms IC-7300, both with newest FW 1.14 tested on 100W Spinner dummy load using standard hand Micropohone.  

IC-7300 SSB TALK POWER MOD

Do You need more explanation or You can catch conclusions yourself ? ;-) 

Thanks for my good friend Peter SP2DMB for cutting and producing the video, and for Mek SP7VC for lending the TRX for comparison.


 73 !

IC-7300 Keypad - step by step video by Peter SP2DMB

Here's the link for those who want to DIY.

SP2DMB KEYPAD 1

SP2DMB KEYPAD 2

73 !

IC-7300 6m EME receiver tests

Receiver measurements done earlier and described in previous post lead me to do some on air test.
When my 756P3 came on workbench to LNA modification, it was the time to test 7300 on EME signals.
Not digging deeper into RX architecture and differences, test show that both receivers performs well and 7300 without LNA is usefull for EME try, even with single antenna.
At the time I can't say 7300 is better than 756P3, because  having both connected I can't see much difference.

 IC-756P3 RX screen:

 

Maybe (only my subjective look) 756P3 with internal preamps is 1-2dBJT better at EME decodes.

IC-7300 RX screen:

On the other hand 7300 seems to be a little "quieter" at the same time - maybe because of (as per Icom adverisement ) extremely low RX phase noise.
 
At least I can say having 7300 as spare RIG for 6m  is good idea.   

TBC.

73!

ICOM IC-7300 External Keypad - Updated

Here we are.
For those who don't like to push IC-7300 screen constructor of  famous FT-847 filter mods, Peter SP2DMB produced external keypad in few final versions.

Depending on version device uses PCB with SMT elements, covered with ABS box.

Version "mini" with 4 keys

Keypad 7300 "Max" with or without Mic connector - choose version which suits your needs.

For more info and test videos check Youtube VIDEO  or drop him e-mail at sp2dmb@gmail.com

73!

Unlocking MSK144 mode in MSHV 1.26 - (obsolete)

Growing interest in new mode MSK144 without installing WSJT-X lead me to write this short "HOWTO"
After installing MSHV we can see MSK144 mode checkbox is grey.

 We will fix it now :-)

Assuming your MSHV instance is installed in drive/partition D: on your PC we need to get into "settings" folder - in my example it's  D:\MSHV126\settings.

 Look for the file as shown above.

 Open it with Notepad and scroll down to get line "mod_identifaer=2"

Change the value from "2" to "0", and in the line below "auto_decode_all=MSK144=0" set value to "1"
Close the file saving changes.

There You are. After restart MSHV will let You operate  MSK144.

Unfortunately there's no way to change it under running program, if You switch to FSK441 or any other mode, software will not let You back to MSK144.
Good idea is to use two separate instances of MSHV, with one configured only to MSK.

Enjoy !

ICOM IC-7300 setting for Meteor Scatter and digimodes

If You having troubles getting IC-7300 on digimodes, here's a short tutorial "how to" simply and effective.
Although it's another new family ICOM radio, they made changes in PC communication.
As You remember when using IC-7100 we were obliged to use separate Virtual COM port software to get running on 7100 on TX via CAT command. Things are slightly different in 7300, I would say they simplify the settings.
There's only need to choose right settings in TRX descibed below.

Starting with USB Driver download from ICOM's page
Remeber not to connect your TRX prior to have USB driver installed. Well, it will not kill You ;-) but can make some trubles installing USB driver properly.
After positive instalation You'll get Windows Device manager screen like this :

Of course the numbers of the port will be set depending of your PC. This is the port we will use to connect the 7300 for sending CAT commands and other things.

Now time to set some things inside TRX. Enter the MENU, SET, and choose the CONNECTORS label.

NOTE: These setting are valid, assuming You will use 7300 for digi modes work using PC. If other interfaces - we need to change other settings as well.

Position to change : ACC/USB AF Output level - set it according to your PC needs to have proper level of audio signal steering the software You are using.

Position to change : USB MOD level - a level of the PC signal going into TRX - check with ALC readings on TX and power meter in radio.

This is page 3 of 4 where we change default settings, obviously we need to choose USB as DATA MOD port.

And finally position which will help us to key 7300 TX via USB COM port installed lately.
You can simply choose which type of Serial command line will key the TRX. We have "Data Terminal Ready" line (DTR) and "Request To Send" (RTS) lines. Choose according to your software settings.

This is it. Now the radio is ready to get PTT signals from MS/digi software.
For Meteor scatter digi modes I am using MSHV software developed by LZ2HV, and this is how the settings look like :

All we need is to set the COM port number installed previously, set the speed accordingly, and check DTR or RTS line same as TRX settings.

As You can see, LZ2HV offers direct CAT communication with TRX. Althought there's IC-7100 on the list already, it will not work with 7300. I am pretty sure that LZ2HV will expand RIG list soon.

We are done! GL with MS/digi.

ICOM's new child, first measurements and impressions of IC-7300

Not sure what is all the rumour about, but it's seems lot's of peoples are
more excited about the new IC-7300 than a pretty girl ;-)

As ICOM life user I'll try to look with cold eye on this new piece of stuff.
Today I had a chance to get first measurement, thanks to Mek SP7VC for lending me the RIG.

Yep, this is it. Small neat RIG, looking just great at first sight.
Knobs reminds me older brothers 7600/770 family, and homestly to say, pictures are not as good as radio standing on the table.
Hard to say anything bad about the material, front panel looking great, clear rear panel with quite big fan - overall impressions are very good.
Additionally 7300 remembers TX Power settings between HF/50/70MHz.

Let's go to some initial measurements I did today. Testing device used : STABILOCK 4015 by Schlumberger.
Measurements : RX sensivity both bands 4 and 6m, TX power measurements at low stages.

NOTE: I know that serious measurements needs to be SINAD ones, but please keep in mind that NOT everyone of ham radio users of 7300 are familiar with SINAD levels, noise ratio comparisons etc, etc.

In this case "SENSIVITY" describing a signal with a level You can hear with You own ear and see on screen.
(Assuming You have not experienced any problems with hearing :-) )
Closer to MDS method of tests, levels are given in uV and dBm.

RX conditions : mode CW, 1,2kHz FIL1, DSP off, frequency 50.200MHz for 6m, and 70.100MHz for 4m band.

TX conditions : mode FM/RTTY

There's one thing what makes me sad... Initial tests on TX show that Icom still struggling with the ALC "pre time".
It seems like 7300 is "bad" same way as 7100 with low TX output power on SSB.
But this need further investigation.

T.B.C

73 !