How to Setup Your Receiver for Optimal Performance (IC-7300 & IC-7610)

In this video Jarrad (who is a little sore today) demonstrates how to setup your transceiver's receiver for optimal performance.

Rob Sherwood points out that many Hams are not comfortable with using the RF Gain and Attenuator features, even though these features are essential to get the most out of modern SDR Radios and even Boat Anchors such as the Yaesu FT-101E.

We discuss how and when to use the Attenuator and RF Gain controls so that the band noise doesn't trigger the AGC function of the receiver, and how to ensure you're making the most of your receiver's dynamic range.

We also cover how these controls impact S meter readings, and why Ham's shouldn't worry about it.

Additionally, we demonstrate how useful the Auto Notch function can be, by emulating a LID tuning up on a DX Station's Frequency! :)

73 from Jarrad VK3BL and the Rate My Radio Team

[RateMyRadio]

We are not using the internal Icom tuner, or an external Icom AH-4. Please refrain from posting comments suggesting we do not know how to tune our own station, as they will just be deleted from now on as this has been covered many times before. Thanks, Jarrad.

[gregmihran]

Well said Jarrad, thanks! Let me make an additional recommendation -- I always adjust the IC-7300 RF Gain down to an S1 noise level on most of the lower bands. It dramatically improves the dynamic range of the AGC as you explained. In conjunction, I also adjust the REF scope setting on the second layer of soft keys. I found that if I DECREASE the RF Gain down a few S-units to the noise floor, I INCREASE the scope REF setting +3 to +9db so that the scope gives me a more sensitive visual reading of signals across the band, too (no RF impact on signals, just scope sensitivity). Doing both of these together makes for an amazing user experience. Try it :) 73s Greg, KJ6ER Silicon Valley

[seminole]

First off, fantastic video! Any ham that is active on HF should watch this to get the most out of their receiver. The tips and advice here are applicable to any receiver regardless of internal architecture. Thanks for taking the time to explain these settings in such a simple way.

[pastorshanewotcb]

Very good Jarrad, I use my RF gain control on every radio I have, when needed. In the old days that was our noise reduction, and really still outshines the dsp version we have now. Its ability to increase dynamic range is the best reason to use it. Plus the fact that most of todays radios have way too much gain to start with. I do not have an Icom IC7300 or IC7610, but the use of rf gain is the best thing to do for all radios which have the function. Thanks again for your videos which will help a great many new hams. Lastly it sounds like you have had people harrass you on how you tune up the antenna, to me it was obvious how you were tuing and I have and do it that way as well, a carrier any way you can easily get it to use for an external tuner. And you did right making it clear that the know it alls can keep their tongues, 73 my friend

[donaldsmith]

I am going to order my 7300 soon! Thank you for the information! I will watch this again after I get it! Videos like this will make it easier to get it up and working easier!

[djp]

I will be receiving a ic 7300 Jan 3 so you made me a much better operator. My last contact was 1982 with a Drake c line. Back in the saddle again. A lot of new stuff to learn. Thank You

[enzed]

Thank you for this very helpful video Jarrad. I've had my IC7300 a week and had contacts accident rather than design. Your tutorial has helped me understand the principles of set-up and I feel better understanding about tuning and using the RF gain. I'm looking forward to being on the air tonight! Please do more videos. You speak clearly and to the point. An excellent presentation. thanks again.. Robert ZL2JED

[Gogs]

This is exactly what Ten Tec say when using their radio, s, give it plenty of volume and use the RF gain pretty much as a volume control. Glad youve made a video about this, it should help people have a more pleasurable experience when listening.

[JustinSmithWY]

5 years old and still super helpful for us noobs, thank you.

[jdmartin]

Great explanation on getting the best signal out of your rig with the minimal amount of noise! You were spot on about how irrelevant that S-Meter reading is in regards to someone's signal.
During contests, everyone gives out 59's even if they have to ask for their call sign 3 or 4 times because they can barely hear them, so what does it matter. Great job mate..73's

[razingorange]

As a new Ham and 7300 owner, these videos are priceless. I look forward to more.

[KXUL]

Excellent video! So many HAMs overlook the use and benefits of the 'RF Gain' and 'Attenuator controls'. Mainly because no one demonstrated the advantages of using them. Thanks for doing so!

[lylewatts]

Yes very good discussion on RF gain. I use that very method for years on my FT-101E and still do. Not worried about S-meter readings. This is the way ran our radios years ago to get rid of the noise. Thank you for the great video and now our secret is out.

[mikeb]

Brilliant - just got my 7300 and will definitely take your advice - band noise is high where I live, so this will be very useful. You are quite right - communicating with each other is the objective for us Hams - We sometimes lose sight of that!

[stargazer]

Great video. I have been a ham since 1975 and have never had this explained so well. I followed along with your video while trying these adjustments on my 7300. Thank you Jarrad. Hope you are feeling better. 73 Vern W8UTS.

[johnmarron]

Thank you so much for this video I didn't realise about the notch filter when someone is tuning..never too old to still learn something new. 73 john

[bobrewer]

Very helpful to me! I’m a new HAM. Just passed my General and working on my Extra. I have the 7300 and barely knew how to turn the dang thing on. Also don’t know much about this entire HAM craft yet. Passing the tests just means I memorized the answers. Guys like who take the time to make the videos are really help rookies like me. again, thanks you sir for the expertise and the delivery that a rookie could follow! 73! Bo Brewer KN4MLI - Florida

[modex]

Hi Jarrad. I've had my IC-7300 for about a month now. This video inspired me to finally pull the trigger on one.

Now that I've gotten familiar with it a little- I want to share what I've noticed and see what your thoughts are. This is mainly about the RFG.

It seems like the RFG is way different from the traditional superhet radios. There's no surprise there since it is a direct sampling SDR. One of the main differences is that the S meter does go up as you turn down the RFG like it does on a classic rig. Instead, it goes down. Also - and this is the most important observation - the base level of noise doesn't go down at all until the S meter drops below 0. It may initially drop as you lower it a bit, but then the AGC catches up with what you did and the volume level of background noise goes back to what it was. In other words- the noise at S5 sounds the same if it's taken down to S1 with RFG. It seems like the direct sampling completely takes over, and the only way to get that noise down is to lower it below S0.

Does this line up with your own experience?

[PrecisionGroupYT]

Thank You So Much for this video!!!! As a newer HAM and a 7300 owner this will really improve my 7300 & HF Experience! Thanks Again and 73’s

[conradsenior]

I found this out the hard way. Wish I saw this months ago. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad I subscribed to you Jarrad. You are a real asset.