Icom IC-7300, Using Digital Modes PSK/RTTY/FT8

The answer to the question: "What soundcard interface do I need?"
The 7300 is very simple to set up and get on HF with digital modes, all you need is a USB cable and a computer.
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[jimlanigan]

Thanks for clearing this up. I’ve seen some hams insist on using an external sound device and could not figure out why since the 7300 has its own but thanks for showing that the USB does both rig control and sound card modes

[drshankarsathyapal]

Your tutorial has helped me to get into digital network through HRD for IC7300. 73 de VU2FI

[wushock]

I'm glad I looked for this video. Debating between the FT991A and the IC-7300, the one thing I was curious about was how the 7300 did digital modes. Sales docs for the Yaesu were more explicit on that feature than Icom was. You may have sealed the deal for me. I swear, you, Josh and Jason are starting to cost me a lot of money. LOL

[daveborchard]

Thanks for explaining the digital modes with the 7300. I have a 7610, and the setup is a little more complicated than you explained with the configuration. I got my configuration information from K0PIR’s YouTube channel and web site. You missed an important item! You can only transmit MCW on SSB with that setup, not real CW. You need a DB9 to 1/4” cable or go from USB to DB9 to 1/4” to send real CW with HRD or some other software. I’m only able to send real keyboard CW using the 7610 and HRD DM 780 using the RigBlaster Advantage. I’m trying go get a cable to go from USB to 1/4” or I could buy a serial port card for my computer. I haven’t figured out how to transmit with FSK yet, so I’m using Upper sideband USB-D mode and AFSK for the digital modes.

FT8 is a pretty amazing mode, but it gets boring pretty quickly because you can’t rag chew with FT8. You can rag chew a tiny amount with JS8, but the data flow speed is super slow! There a YouTube video of W6LG communicating using FT8 with 100 watts and a dual light bulb antenna from inside his house. He was able to communicate over 750 miles using a dual light bulb antenna!

I think the practical solution is a handshaking mode like AMTOR ARQ for perfect error free copy under weak signal conditions. AMTOR ARQ has the throughput data speed that simply isn’t there with JS8.

Having you started to study for your Extra class license test yet? You need someone to encourage you to upgrade to the Extra class license, so you can use the whole ham radio HF bands, not a subset of the HF ham radio bands. You helped encourage me to get back on the HF bands after being inactive for about 30 years!

[Atomshamradio]

Always wanted to try digital modes but I did RTTY

[nateitkin]

I realize you don't need one with your ICOM, but can you explain the function of a Signalink or a RIGblaster? They accept what input and generate what output? Thanks.

[Overpirate]

That looks so much easier than messing with the external sound card. Looks like I'm going to spend some more money.

[ronaldharris]

I purchased the 7300 a month ago and finally got the USB cable. Now i need to know how to download a free software. i am new and dont know much about HF digital modes. but want to dabble. so a software that will work with a few different modes.

[donwhitehead]

Eric, would you say that pretty much all these 7300 settings would be applicable to the IC-705 and Ham Radio Deluxe running DM-780? I just got a 705 and want to use it at time with RTTY and PSK31. I can’t seem to find any freeware with easy to do setups for the 705. Thank you, Eric
Don, AC4OK

[kurttuttle]

HELP... Picked up a IC-7300 about a month ago, and like you, I want to use HRD for digital modes (other then FT8 which isn't for me). Well after making sure I have the same version of HRD, and set the ci-v code to 74 on the radio, picked IC-7700 for the radio, made sure I had the right com port etc, I tried to connect and nothing, zilch etc. I even use autodetect. Any suggestions on what to check, try etc. Thanks

[Capt_Duffy]

Very nicely explained, this video just resolved my PTT issue..one more thing i need to know, what have u done to achieve such a low noise floor ..thanx

[crazynordlander]

That was very informative. Can you still download the free version of HRD software? Is there any open source software for Linux out there that accomplishes the same thing. Sure I can see these developers need to eat and buy their kids shoes but for the fact that the FCC doesn't let you make money off this craft it is pretty interesting that others are making a killing off of our addictions.
$100 for the software and $50 for a yearly software maintenance gets pretty costly.
I work in the public school system in IT. I watch companies come in, sell their hardware and supply the software for free (That is their selling point) and five years later say they are not going to supply the software anymore. Well guess what. The district and staff has now invested in this product and their time mastering it and the company pulls the rug out from under their feet and now you are stuck buying their software until the product starts to break down or become obsolete. It is a scam. What a rip! It's life I guess. Good your you for not giving into buying their paid version.

[pipesmokercowboychris]

Ok I just looked at the manual and confused if you can use usb then why did they show a digital interface circuit using the ACC jack? Looking at getting one when I can afford it. 73 KA9WLU

[megadwood]

do you have it figured out how the EASYPAL software for SSTV

[liamfrost]

can you please do a video on your yeasu ft-450 about digital.

[borayurt]

Great video, I am very interested, but I think you need to do a much detailed video on using digital modes on 7300. TA2AWX

[AYI..]

Please tell me how to fix this error "an error opening the audio input device has occurred" connected the transceiver to the laptop cable from the printer settings did as you have, the driver installed, still POPs up this error. Thanks.

[anthonyshepard]

Outstanding commentary even though I didn't understand anything you were saying. LOL. just kidding. 73's

[petrolhead]

How about a video showing how to do this with a FT991a

[larserikhinrichsen]

Your a busy instructor - But its a vy good info you come up with. Keep on - its nice for hams around. rgds fm oz1fjb - ou2v