7610 Notebook – Getting Started

I unboxed my IC-7610 and was ready to set it up for basic operation. I connected Power, an Antenna, a USB cable, the included hand mic, and my WINKEYER. The default settings seem to have been well considered. Here are my results, and any needed changes:

CW – I connected the output of my WINKEYER to the rear-panel key jack. Tuned up my antenna and I was off and running on CW. No issues or settings to change. If you are using a CW paddle, I think you either need to plug in to the FRONT-panel key jack or change the KEY TYPE setting to connect it to the rear panel. I did not try this.

SSB – Just tuned the antenna and was on SSB using the supplied hand mic. The manufacturers seem to do a good job of supplying a mic that matches the rig characteristics well. In the past, I have even received favorable audio comments when using the standard ICOM hand mic.

DATA (FT8) – Getting started on digital modes with only a USB cable couldn’t be any easier. I installed a new version of the WSJT-X software and tested the PTT and CAT functions from the software. Both worked fine. There is one change that I needed to make on the radio. I like to use USB DATA1 settings for my digital modes. The default for MOD DATA1 is not set to get the modulating audio from the USB connector. I changed that using the SET CONNECTORS menu. I changed the input to USB. After this change, and reducing the output power for digital modes to 55% it all worked. There is one other change you might consider. The IF filter bandwidth default for Digital modes is 3 kHz wide. The manual says that this can be expanded to 3.6 kHz. I did NOT try that, leaving mine set for 3.0 kHz bandwidth.

You may want to save your settings to an SD card or a USB Flash drive after you have your favorite modes all working.