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
***** Important Update with WARC Band Warning (at end of Post) ***** 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 also varying options for interconnecting the 7300 with this... 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 11/8/2025
11/8/2025 update - Found a very good Link from W4RNL (SK) discussing this broadbanding approach. He is my favorite source for practical antenna information. In his article, he gets into the details and performs some modeling of this approach to broadbanding dipole antennas. you can find his research here Many Hams use wire antennas, and... 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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