IC-7300 and WSJT-X G1MHU

If you are completely new to this, please install the drivers before connecting the rig to
the PC

Download and install the drivers from the Icom web page before doing anything

You must unpack the driver package (download it.. then find it with windows file explorer.. then
right click on the file.. select unpack here)

Then browse to the folder that has now appeared with the files that you just unpacked and run
the installer.

Rig Settings Menu – Set

Connectors

Data OFF Mod – MIC OR ACC(whichever input you use)

Data Mod – set to USB (not ACC – the rig default)

Set Data Mod level to around 79% (when in TX set so ALC is around 50%)

TX and set levels so that ALC is around 50% Use the Audio output level and the USB MOD Level
control – fine tune this later.

USB SEND – if using CAT to key the rig on USB cable connection then these
need to be set to OFF

*USB Echo back must be On for WSJT-X other CAT software may not need it.
USB CI-V port UNLINK from remote
USB Baud Rate – Most people should use 115K (the only speed that will allow the waterfall to be
used in software such as Win4Icom N1MM, and RS-BA1
Filter – Widen FL1 to be 3.6K
Put the rig into USB Data Mode (Select USB mode then press the Data button) Ensure the mode now
shows USB-D

Tap the FIL button on screen until FIL1 is displayed

Press and hold the FL1 Filter on the screen

Press the BW button on screen then turn the VFO knob until the value changes from 1.2K to 3.6K
then press the FL1 button again to close the filter setting page.

WSJT-X Settings

General – set your callsign and locator, IARU region and any other preference you want.. mine can
be seen here (for HF)
Radio Tab - Select the com port that matches what is shown in windows device manager for the
Silicon Labs device, set the Baud rate to match what you set (probably 115K, I use 38400 because I
actually connect using win4icom’s serial port sharing, if you are connecting directly to the rig – then
select 115K)
Note that PTT is CAT and mode is Data and split – Rig, if you connect via HRD then use Fake it.
Audio Tab - Select the USB audio Codec, if you have multiple rigs connected – ensure you have
selected the correct ones

You might want to set the Colours to suit whatever you wish.. and the Advanced settings to have
a TX delay to suit your amplifiers etc.. and RX bandwidth

TX power and ALC

Watch the following https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWp0TOEtlQ
FT8, FT-4, JT-6 are NOT low power modes, they are DX modes. Use the correct power to make the
QSO if the bands are hot with lots of DX, then reduce the power, you probably don’t need to run
QRO.
If you try for some DX and they are weak, then go QRO to make the contact, use up to your legal
limits.
Icom rigs such as IC-7300 are designed for 100% duty, there is no issue with running them at high
power on FT8, WSJT, FSK441
As these modes are single tone, zero hz phase tone crossover, there is no chance of tone beat IMD
TX products unless your TX audio stage is being overdriven and is creating audio harmonics as long
as you are in Split of Fake it mode.
With IC-7300 set to show less than 50% on the ALC meter – there will be no TX audio harmonics. If
you set the audio level for 0 ALC then your TX power will not be as high as it could be, and is not
accurately controlled by the power control of the radio.
Do not use the audio level to control your RF power output – this leads to higher TX noise, it is best
practice to adjust your RF power with the RF power control, not the audio level.
Always use Split or Fake it mode, this has 2 massive advantages, firstly it means that any 2 nd or
higher audio harmonic cannot be transmitted as it is higher than 3KHz and the rig cut’s off at
2700Hz, and if you are putting the TX at the upper or lower end of the audio passband, the
TX signal will not be attenuated by being at the upper or lower end of the filter.
Note that the frequency display will shift and the rig will switch to the 2nd VFO as the rig will be in
SPLIT mode when you use RIG – this is completely normal behaviour.

PC Audio Settings
WSJT-X expects your sound card to do its raw sampling at 48000 Hz. To ensure that this will be so
when running under recent versions of Windows, open the system’s Sound control panel and select
in turn the Recording and Playback tabs. Click on Properties, then Advanced, and select 16 bit,
48000 Hz (DVD Quality).

If you select the audio output device that is also your computer’s default audio device, be sure to
turn off all system sounds to prevent inadvertently transmitting them over the air.
You can rename the Audio in / out devices if you wish. Reboot after changing the names.

When you set the TX level, you may need to the Windows Sound card level settings to get the TX
and RX levels set correctly.

Right click on the Speaker icon in the Windows system tray (lower right of the windows task bar,
Open Sound Settings > then click on Open Sound Control Panel.

You can then select Playback or recording devices and adjust the settings and levels . Playback is
your TX level, recording is the RX level.
Set RX level so that on a empty portion of the band (tune to noise) the RX level indicator in
WSJT-X is around 30%,
Set TX level so that when WSJT-X is transmitting data (or Tune) the Rig’s ALC meter is between
30% and 50%

Also note.. that if you have no TX audio - you should check the Mixer (right click on the speaker –
select “open volume mixer” then toggle between the audio devices and ensure that the
software (WSJT-X) has not been muted
The default device should be the sound card not a radio.

Also - Disable power management of the USB hub - see the troubleshooting section

Most important – get a decent quality USB cable, I cannot stress on how many issues are reported
by people that have been fixed by buying a good cable

If you are losing rig control or audio when transmitting, it is most likely to be RF in the shack, solve
the cause of the problem by filtering the coax before it enters the shack.

This applies especially if using a vertical or an end fed antenna - ensure you have lots of ferrite
chokes. Type 31 ferrite and lots of them on the coax, one will not work, you will need 20 – 50 of
them. Or a GM3SEK choke -
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/in-prac/inpr1005_ext_v2.pdf
USB Audio switching explanation
Data Mode needs to be ON and the rig needs to be configured to use USB audio, hopefully this
diagram will help explain the TX audio paths.

Troubleshooting
Old driver removal
Remove Drivers with USBDeview http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

Ensure you use the correct version for your computer’s operating system, 32 bit or 64 bit Unpack
the zip file, Right click on the application and run the program as Admnistrator. Uninstall any old
USB devices (Silicon Labs, IC-7300 etc) , right click and select Uninstall selected devices.

Download and unzip the latest USB driver from the Icom Japan website
https://www.icomjapan.com/support/firmware_driver/
Ensure you unpack the zip file – it will not work otherwise.. and that you install the correct version.

x64 for 64 bit Operating system, x86 for 32 bit

Rescan for hardware changes from device manager to re-detect the rig or disconnect and re-
connect the USB lead to the PC/Rig

Loss of audio device when your PC goes to sleep or PTT switching delay?

Always Disable suspend on all of your your USB root hubs in device manager – google search will
show you how to do this .. but this is a simplified version
Windows device privacy – Microphone blocked

Some people have had windows prevent access to the audio codec’s

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Click Settings.
3. Click Privacy.
4. Click Microphone.
5. Toggle Let apps use my microphone to On

USB Cable / EMC

Some people report that they suffer from USB disconnect issues, loss of CAT control or Loss of PTT or
rig gets stuck in TX mode. This is normally down to RF in the shack. Often the cause is RF on the
coax, especially when using longwire or vertical antennas. Firstly ensure that you try and reduce
the cause of the problem by using balanced antennas with a balun rather than end fed ones. If you
must use end fed antennas then ensure that you fit a RF choke to reduce the amount of RF coming
into the shack. Ensure you have a good RF earth. Ensure the Rig is bonded to the PSU and PC if
possible.

If you are still having connectivity issues, try connecting to a USB 2 port instead of a USB 3 one if
your PC has them (USB 3 are labelled SS (Superspeed) and tend to be blue or a different colour).

You may need an external powered USB Hub on older PC’s. Try front panel USB ports rather than
the rear ones on older PC’s.

This bit is very important - Use a good Quality USB cable such as the Tripp Lite one. U023-006
heavy shielded with Ferrite Chokes (Amazon, ebay etc). Many of the USB cables intended for
printers etc do not have enough shielding, so are prone to EMC issues.

Timing –Clock
The PC clock needs to be accurate. Install NTP Clock synchronising software.

Meinberg NTP or Dimension 4 seem to be the most popular.

https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm

http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/