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 →
Can’t Use TUNE Button on IC-7300 with KAT-500 Tuner
When I initially connected my IC-7300 to my Elecraft KAT-500 Antenna Tuner, I was unable to get the Tuner to start Tuning the KAT-500 from the TUNE button on the front panel. Here is what I discovered: I was using separate 12 volt power from my Station power supply for the Tuner. Only the Tune... Continue Reading →
Using the KAT-500 and KPA-500 with Icom Radios: Part II – Updated 2 AUGUST 2020
I have continued to investigate the various ways to connect my Icom IC-7300 or IC-7600 to the Elecraft KAT/KPA-500 Tuner and Amplifier. I have received some very helpful communication from a number of other Hams using Icom Radios with the Elecraft KPA-500 Amplifier and KAT-500 Tuner. It appears that there are several different ways to... Continue Reading →
Using the Elecraft KPA-500 and KAT-500 with Icom Rigs: Part I
I now have the Elecraft KAT-500 Antenna Tuner and the KPA-500 Linear Amplifier. My rigs are not Elecraft, but Icom (7600 and 7300) and Yaesu (FTDX-3000). I want to setup the Station to use the Elecraft components with my non-Elecraft transceivers. Since the KAT-500 has connections for the Icom AH-4 antenna control interface, I will... Continue Reading →
Using External Antenna Tuners with the IC-7300 – Update 9/24/20
I have been trying a couple external Tuners with my IC-7300 transceiver, with mixed results. They actually both worked, but operation is a little confusing. The tuners I have tried so far are: Elecraft KAT-500 LDG Electronics IT-100 The Elecraft Tuner is made for the K3-line but Elecraft has also made sure that it can... Continue Reading →
IC-7300 Spectrum Display with N1MM+
I recently bought an Icom IC-7300 SDR transceiver, and finally got a chance to start looking at it. My hope is to use this as a Mobile rig, although it is a bit large. Not sure how I will mount it in my F-150 yet, but I will give it a try. Since I have... Continue Reading →