I have been using WSJTX with Yaesu FTDX3000 for many months. It had been working fine, but the recent version 2.5.4 causes an issue with the Rig when I try to change Bands. If I use the WSJTX software to change Bands, there is a relay click and the RX LED starts to blink. While... Continue Reading →
ARRL CW Sweepstakes 2022 – Finally got the Broom
I had a great time working the ARRL CW November Sweepstakes contest this year. I know that many Hams do not care for SS with the long, complicated exchange but I think it is a great challenge. After many years of trying and hoping, I finally managed to work all 84 Sections for the "Clean... Continue Reading →
Connecting an IC-7300 to the Elecraft KPA-500 Amp and KAT-500 Tuner
I have been using the Elecraft KPA-500 and KAT-500 with two Icom rigs; the IC-7600 and the IC-7300. This article details how I have chosen to interconnect the KAT/KPA-500 with my IC-7300. There are many options for interconnecting the 7300 with this Elecraft "power combo." There also many opinions on the various wiring approaches. A... Continue Reading →
IC-7300 Firmware Upgrade to V 1.40
I see that ICOM just released a new Firmware upgrade for the IC-7300. This is Version 1.40 and it has some good looking upgrades to the Waterfall and the scope display, among other things. I also like the added ability to customize some of the Front panel control functions. I am going to go through... Continue Reading →
IC-7300 “SEND” signal – Be Careful when using it
There has been an ongoing discussion for quite some time about a reported "RF Tail" on the IC-7300. This report is based upon the fact that the 7300 provides a SEND signal that is supposed to be useful for telling offboard equipment if the 7300 is currently Transmitting or Receiving. Actually there are two of... Continue Reading →
IC-7600 RTTY Settings for MMTTY
I have posted these before, but people keep asking about the settings to use for RTTY on the IC-7600 with MMTTY. So this post provides my latest settings. This article provides my latest MMTTY settings screenshots. I am using it with N1MM+ Contest Logger. If you are having trouble using MMTTY with another program (N1MM+... Continue Reading →
A Dipole that Covers the Entire 80 Meter Band with SWR less than 3:1 – UPDATED 2/1/2021
Many Hams use wire antennas, and most Hams use them at least for the HF Bands below 10 MHz. I have used Dipoles and ZS6BKW antennas for several years. I try to design the antennas for use with my Rig-internal Antenna Tuners, which mostly are able to match SWR mismatches up to 3:1. While it... Continue Reading →
ICOM IC-7600 (or 7610) Wiring for use with Elecraft KPA/KAT-500 Power Combo
Note - While this Post documents my IC-7600 setup, I believe this will work equally well with the IC-7610 but I do not have one to test. If anyone can provide confirmation or feedback, it would be appreciated. I have had the IC-7600 for about 4 years and have now added the Elecraft KAT-500 Antenna... Continue Reading →
160 Meter Inverted “L” Antenna – Updated 12/30/2020
I have a need to get on 160m occasionally for a contest, but have limited space. I tried a dipole, but it was just too much trouble. I had to bend the ends all around to fit my small lot. I keep hearing that an Inverted L is a decent antenna, but have never been... Continue Reading →
Your Elecraft KAT-500 Tuner Protects your KPA-500 Amp – until it doesn’t – UPDATED 10/30/2019 and 10/19/2020
I have been using an Elecraft KPA-500 linear amplifier and a KAT-500 Antenna tuner with my Icom radios (mostly the IC-7600 and briefly with the IC-7300) After much research and discussion, I figured out what I thought was the best way to interconnect the IC-7600 with the KAT/KPA-500 so that the Amp would be protected... Continue Reading →
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