How to Setup Your Receiver for Optimal Performance (IC-7300 & IC-7610)
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- Опубліковано 11 січ 2018
- In this video Jarrad (who is a little sore today) demonstrates how to setup your transceiver's receiver for optimal performance.
Rob Sherwood points out that many Hams are not comfortable with using the RF Gain and Attenuator features, even though these features are essential to get the most out of modern SDR Radios and even Boat Anchors such as the Yaesu FT-101E.
We discuss how and when to use the Attenuator and RF Gain controls so that the band noise doesn't trigger the AGC function of the receiver, and how to ensure you're making the most of your receiver's dynamic range.
We also cover how these controls impact S meter readings, and why Ham's shouldn't worry about it.
Additionally, we demonstrate how useful the Auto Notch function can be, by emulating a LID tuning up on a DX Station's Frequency! :)
73 from Jarrad VK3BL and the Rate My Radio Team - Наука та технологія
We are not using the internal Icom tuner, or an external Icom AH-4. Please refrain from posting comments suggesting we do not know how to tune our own station, as they will just be deleted from now on as this has been covered many times before. Thanks, Jarrad.
Well said Jarrad, thanks! Let me make an additional recommendation -- I always adjust the IC-7300 RF Gain down to an S1 noise level on most of the lower bands. It dramatically improves the dynamic range of the AGC as you explained. In conjunction, I also adjust the REF scope setting on the second layer of soft keys. I found that if I DECREASE the RF Gain down a few S-units to the noise floor, I INCREASE the scope REF setting +3 to +9db so that the scope gives me a more sensitive visual reading of signals across the band, too (no RF impact on signals, just scope sensitivity). Doing both of these together makes for an amazing user experience. Try it :) 73s Greg, KJ6ER Silicon Valley
Great video. I have been a ham since 1975 and have never had this explained so well. I followed along with your video while trying these adjustments on my 7300. Thank you Jarrad. Hope you are feeling better. 73 Vern W8UTS.
Jarrad: Thank you for the demonstration and the mention. Well done. John/NG0Z
I found this out the hard way. Wish I saw this months ago. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad I subscribed to you Jarrad. You are a real asset.
First off, fantastic video! Any ham that is active on HF should watch this to get the most out of their receiver. The tips and advice here are applicable to any receiver regardless of internal architecture. Thanks for taking the time to explain these settings in such a simple way.
Great explanation on getting the best signal out of your rig with the minimal amount of noise! You were spot on about how irrelevant that S-Meter reading is in regards to someone's signal.
During contests, everyone gives out 59's even if they have to ask for their call sign 3 or 4 times because they can barely hear them, so what does it matter. Great job mate..73's
Thank You So Much for this video!!!! As a newer HAM and a 7300 owner this will really improve my 7300 & HF Experience! Thanks Again and 73’s
You’re most welcome 73 :)
This is exactly what Ten Tec say when using their radio,s, give it plenty of volume and use the RF gain pretty much as a volume control. Glad youve made a video about this, it should help people have a more pleasurable experience when listening.
I am going to order my 7300 soon! Thank you for the information! I will watch this again after I get it! Videos like this will make it easier to get it up and working easier!
Thank you for this very helpful video Jarrad. I've had my IC7300 a week and had contacts accident rather than design. Your tutorial has helped me understand the principles of set-up and I feel better understanding about tuning and using the RF gain. I'm looking forward to being on the air tonight! Please do more videos. You speak clearly and to the point. An excellent presentation. thanks again.. Robert ZL2JED
Dear Robert,
Thanks for the kind words :) We're hoping to get a few more videos using the IC-7300 out soon as its a nice simple radio and good to use in demonstrations.
That said, with the IC-7610 in the shack sooner or later we'll need to move it on, so if you have any specific requests get them in quick - my email is on QRZ.com but don't be offended if it takes a while to reply, especially if you send a long email as I'm a little time poor at the moment but definitely read them and file them away for later reply :)
73, Jarrad VK3BL & the RMR Team :)
Very good Jarrad, I use my RF gain control on every radio I have, when needed. In the old days that was our noise reduction, and really still outshines the dsp version we have now. Its ability to increase dynamic range is the best reason to use it. Plus the fact that most of todays radios have way too much gain to start with. I do not have an Icom IC7300 or IC7610, but the use of rf gain is the best thing to do for all radios which have the function. Thanks again for your videos which will help a great many new hams. Lastly it sounds like you have had people harrass you on how you tune up the antenna, to me it was obvious how you were tuing and I have and do it that way as well, a carrier any way you can easily get it to use for an external tuner. And you did right making it clear that the know it alls can keep their tongues, 73 my friend
Excellent video! So many HAMs overlook the use and benefits of the 'RF Gain' and 'Attenuator controls'. Mainly because no one demonstrated the advantages of using them. Thanks for doing so!
Brilliant - just got my 7300 and will definitely take your advice - band noise is high where I live, so this will be very useful. You are quite right - communicating with each other is the objective for us Hams - We sometimes lose sight of that!
I will be receiving a ic 7300 Jan 3 so you made me a much better operator. My last contact was 1982 with a Drake c line. Back in the saddle again. A lot of new stuff to learn. Thank You
As a new Ham and 7300 owner, these videos are priceless. I look forward to more.
Yes very good discussion on RF gain. I use that very method for years on my FT-101E and still do. Not worried about S-meter readings. This is the way ran our radios years ago to get rid of the noise. Thank you for the great video and now our secret is out.
Dear Lyle,
It certainly works magic with the FT-101E, I can attest to that. A well setup 101E produces some of the most pleasing SSB audio you will ever hear!
73, Jarrad VK3BL
Thanks for the information, I had a hard time with noise yesterday and look forward to applying your recommendations this afternoon, 73
Really useful thanks! Returning to the hobby after 35+yrs (formerly VK2CHA now G1AJH) and just about to get a doublet upin the air here in Dorset (IO90at) I find all these topics very useful - especially as I'm planning on adding a modern IC-7300 to complement my original boat-anchor TS-520S which has followed me around the world for decades... great stuff and thanks! Just stumbled on your channel today mate and have thusly subscribed to the alerts,.
Thank you Jarrad, I just bought my first 7300, this video really helped. Thank you 73
Great video, thank you very much! Down from surgery so I'm learning all about IC-7300, very well done.
Thanks especially for your comments on S meter readings.
Thank you so much for this video I didn't realise about the notch filter when someone is tuning..never too old to still learn something new. 73 john
This is very helpful for this new 7300 owner. Lots it can do. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been for ever!! Great too here someone put it out there ... good job
Very nice video production Jarrad and good information for a new ham such as myself. Thanks for sharing your experience and insights. 👍 📻 ⚡
5 years old and still super helpful for us noobs, thank you.
Hi Jarrad,
Works on my FT450. Thanks for jogging my memory. 73 WB3BJU
Excellent video tutorial. Thanks for creating and sharing this information.
Excellent video Jarrad, good to see someone explaining this.👍 Cheers, Graeme VK3PGK.
Thanks for your kind words Graeme! They're sorely needed after my latest video advising IC-7610 owners to check for 2 known faults; apparently it hit a raw nerve with some and they've now decided I'm anti Icom! Who would have thought trying to help the community before the warranty expires (1 year in the states) would be so offensive? I guess some people get a little too emotionally invested in their new toys ;)
73, Jarrad VK3BL & the Rate My Radio Team :)
Great video. I am running a G5RV and using the ATT has been helpful. Thanks for the good tips! 73
You're most welcome :) A G5RV is quite a bit of wire on bands above 80M, so it certainly doesn't hurt to add a little attenuation :)
73, Jarrad VK3BL
Very helpful to me! I’m a new HAM. Just passed my General and working on my Extra. I have the 7300 and barely knew how to turn the dang thing on. Also don’t know much about this entire HAM craft yet. Passing the tests just means I memorized the answers. Guys like who take the time to make the videos are really help rookies like me. again, thanks you sir for the expertise and the delivery that a rookie could follow! 73! Bo Brewer KN4MLI - Florida
Brilliant explanation, everyone should be taught this.
Thanks for another great video 73 De 2E0WET
Thanks for the kind words Alan! I wasn't my best with this one; I'm sore from a big job yesterday and I feel a little zonked out due to the pain killers. I'm glad it made sense to at least someone :). 73, Jarrad VK3BL
Very nice video with easy to understand explanations. Good job.
Thanks for your kind words Mark :) 73, Jarrad VK3BL
Jarred,
Thanks for this enlightening video and I really enjoyed your explanation on this topic.
I have both a 7300 and 7610. You have explained the rf gain process clearly.
Thanks again. We will be looking forward in future videos as well.
73
Jerry
KK6YO
Dear Jerry,
You're most welcome! :) Thank you for taking the time to write your kind words - they are most appreciated :)
73, Jarrad & The Rate My Radio Team :)
Another fine video from this guy
Thanks for posting I was able to share this with a new ham!
Very informative, and well described. Thank you for shedding some light on this. I understand the theory of the settings, however you have fine-tuned the info so-to-speak.
Thanks for the brief explanations. 73
Jarrad great video and yes I use this very system on my FT-101E and it sounds soo much better than full RF gain. A lot less noise and as far as the S-meter reading most are 5-9 anyway. Thanks again and I have used this technique on many old and new radios. 73 VE5EE
Great advice, thank you. Most people will not turn down the receiver sensitivity when they can hear anything, even though that is exactly what may be needed.
Well done. Debugged a few of my problems with reception. Makes the scope much cleaner to view. 73 from VA2FN.
This is precisely how I use my IC-7300. I use an MFJ-1026 on some bands as well, but this is well spoken and proper if any owners have yet to figure it out. The controls are on the rig for a reason. KN4EWI Cheers!
Thanks. Good review, and helpful as you always are.
I am a new 7300 owner. I definitely found this video helpful
WEll Done Jarrad! Great explanation of the RFG , My FT101ZD is receiving great amongst the suburbian noise. 73 de TEX
Great Video. I learned some great stuff. Thank you. I wish when LID's transmit, it would give their location. lol.
Thank you, great knowledge. Larry
well done Jarrad, very good..
Just purchased a 7300, and this is very helpful, vs attempting to read a book, I prefer those who have used it and can focus on the important aspects.
Thank you for the good information it was a great help.
What a great video this has improved my radio 100% on 80 meters thanks for the help 2E0IDS
Excellent explanations about IC 7300 73 KC9QVE Tony Gas City,Indiana
Jarrad, your IC-7300 video are going to be helpful to me real quick! My 7300 has been sitting on my desk long enough! I need to get it set up!. Trying to figure out antenna system to use and how I'm going to ground the Radio. Im in a Condo (top level thank God!) with a out side porch, what I have to work with to set up some kind of antenna.
Great video. I love my Icom 7300, great radio for the money!
An amazing radio all round - perfect implementation of an SDR in a box from the word go! Can't say anything bad about the IC-7300 and I'm wondering whether we'll end up with another just to match the upcoming IC-9700! 73, Jarrad VK3BL
Great video, Jarrad. I learnt a lot about my 7300. Unrelated, but I knew the previous holder of VK3BL licence very well. 73 from Mark VK3XVC
Any chance he will sell me the car plate?
@@RateMyRadio I don't have any contact with the family, his wife moved away many years ago to be closer with family I believe. Barrie used to collect car plates, I imagine his family wanted to keep that one.
@@CircuitofDoom thanks for the info. I’ve seen it once on a 4WD In dandenong a few years back now. The family should keep it if they have. 73!
Great tutorial, helps a lot. I just got my General yesterday, have this radio new, not powered on yet also have the IC-7100. everything is kind of in Chinese to me still even though I studied for the upgrade, there are many concepts that I still do not visualize how they match or how they work; like if I power on the radio, I do not know what to do first but I guess that is why we get ourselves into this mess, I mean, hobby, lol. Little by little I will learn the ropes. 73 from Rody, KI7CSI
Dear Rody, I will be making a video on how to setup SUPERHET receivers such as the IC-7100, IC-7200, Kenwood TS-590SG in the coming weeks so it may be helpful as well. Basically the same concept, except the S Meter reads differently when RF Gain is adjusted. 73, Jarrad VK3BL :)
Hi Jarrad...very nicely done...all beginners should see this as required watching! 73 de Robert K3RRR
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your kind words :)
73, Jarrad VK3BL & the RMR Team :)
Thanks. Excellent suggestions. 73
Thank you for the great information. KH6JMK just rejoining HAM radio after a layoff of 40 years. I just ordered the 7300. Now in the Pacific Northwest. 73
I learned a lot thank you.
Actually a very good video !!
Great Video.
Thank you for the explanation de 2E0TWD
Nicely done... and correctly stated, plus the reasoning process. I'm glad he showed it on my new rig, also. LOL DE KQ2E
Great video, thanks
Love your video, I noticed my reports were not 'Accurate' with the REF Gain turned down so once I get a good signal and RF where I like it, I set it to 12 o'clock to get the report and then put it back to optimal
Hi Jarrad,
I enjoyed your video, everyone who is thinking of using or buying a 7300 or 7610 should watch this.
Unfortunately some operators run these rigs receive flat out and then complain about OVF and overload and distortion when they don't know how to use the radio!
Classic example when a guy compared his FT 2000 to the 7300. He was running the 7300 with full RF Gain and pre Amp 1 on 40!
I pointed out to him on his comments he didn't know how to use the 7300, then he got miffed about it and said the 7300 was at FAULT. Eff me....!
I also have the 7300 and love it....I may get the 7610 later this year , maybe haven't decided yet...
I will look for you on 40 and give you a call if I hear you on and say hello. Conditions are tricky for me from this QTH though on 40. I live in Echuca northern VK3.
All the best and keep up the good work!
Les, VK3TEX, Echuca, Vic.
Dear Les, please do give me a call, and you are spot on - so many of the 'OVF' worry warts have their receivers setup incorrectly.
I can't imagine what kind of antenna would need a pre-amp on 40M, but some people believe that a pre-amp 'pulls in' the DX no matter what.
In my opinion the less active devices before the ADC the better... this is the true SDR dream.
The IC-7610 is very nice when running two antennas, but aside from that the IC-7300 is more than enough radio for almost anyone.
73, Jarrad VK3BL
Not only those SDR transceivers ! ;-)
Thank you for the smart video! Learning how to best operate my radios has been a long process, but this video makes it clear how I should operate the RF gain. No longer will my RF gain be all the way to the right all the time. :D de w8tam
Dear Thomas, you're most welcome! Thanks for the kind words and dropping by with the comment. Hope to work you and all our other viewers one day! 73 de VK3BL Jarrad & the RMR Team :)
Your right on the att and RF gain
Very useful.
Thanks very much for taking the time to make this. Very helpful. 73 vk7ldh
Hi Jarrad. I've had my IC-7300 for about a month now. This video inspired me to finally pull the trigger on one.
Now that I've gotten familiar with it a little- I want to share what I've noticed and see what your thoughts are. This is mainly about the RFG.
It seems like the RFG is way different from the traditional superhet radios. There's no surprise there since it is a direct sampling SDR. One of the main differences is that the S meter does go up as you turn down the RFG like it does on a classic rig. Instead, it goes down. Also - and this is the most important observation - the base level of noise doesn't go down at all until the S meter drops below 0. It may initially drop as you lower it a bit, but then the AGC catches up with what you did and the volume level of background noise goes back to what it was. In other words- the noise at S5 sounds the same if it's taken down to S1 with RFG. It seems like the direct sampling completely takes over, and the only way to get that noise down is to lower it below S0.
Does this line up with your own experience?
Yes it does completely - well observed. You are also correct that 0 is what you should aim for to avoid ALC triggering - this even includes most SuperHets for my knowledge. I hope you are loving your purchase, 73, Jarrad VK3BL :)
That all made perfect sence to me BRILLIANT great video VK6NJP :-) waiting for my IC-7300 to be delivered this week :-)
Thanks James :) You will thoroughly enjoy the radio when it enjoys this week! 73, Jarrad VK3BL :)
Very helpful thank you
Good video and most helpful to hams who don't want to spend a long time reading the manual!! g0ska
Well done. Thx.
20 minuts of vido for learn to use attenuator and rf gain....unbeliveble!
Excellent video. Well presented. 11/10! Too many youtubers either have annoying voices, tiresome accents or try too hard to be funny!
If you haven’t already, a demo of these features on a Yaesu would be nice. FT-991A maybe. 😁
The same logic should also apply to your microphone, but it's obviously apparent that you've over processed the audio on this video. That said, I did appreciate the video and found it very helpful.
Good info. I use the RF gain as the volume control on my K2. I'm not worried about the S-meter - the RST code I think was developed before meters were common. No-one needs to be stronger than S8 anyway! Best wishes from Jon, G4LJW.
This is the best way to operate for sure. Some radios like the Kenwood TS-590SG will 'adjust' the S Meter to show you a compensated level which is kind of nice but takes a little to get used to; I wonder if the K2 does this?. 73, Jarrad VK3BL
Thanks Jarred that was extremely helpful! What is your take on using Noise Reduction? (Thanks to your video I discovered that my IC7300 preamp was on. There's no indicator on the regular screen, and it memorizes this setting by band. I guess it pays to check all settings BY BAND once in a while to avoid such surprises.)
Thank you for sharing... Good information. 73 Bob VE3UK
this is my third radio. so far I love it. I have a seven o 6 icom. I have a five ninety with a howel mike on it. I like that radio also, but I think the 7300 hundred out receives it. the thing that I wonder about is hooking up an amp to it. I had to jump threw hoops to hook up the icom seventy six to the amp. I have two amp the oldest is a dentron loafing along on two forty. I also have a five hundred watt amp . so far it really out paces the ts four eighty. and so far the other ones.
nice explantion.
thanks for a super good video....RF gain rulez
Good clarity and style. Thank you. G4EAQ
I just got my tech and general ticket New ham KC1KNT I also just got the IC 7300 and am trying to learn how to use it. I noticed that when you change bands you say " let me tune this up" and yopu switch to RTTY and hold the transmit hard key on the radio front. What does that do please Great video it has been quite helpful
Thank you Jarred! w0xs
You’re most welcome! Hope to catch you on ajr one day 73, Jarrad VK3BL :)
I have one of these, but I also have a five 90 ken wood and I like it a lot better. I do not have anything newer than this. I do have a seven o 6 and I love that radio, but it is a boat anchor.
Great video, thank you! One question follows: How are you determining that the AGC is coming into play? I see the AGC-M on the display and it seems to be unaffected by your gain changes. - Cheers - Jim (KK7CSC)
I wished that I had a AGC control setting on my cell phone, just so many adjustment's needed on a HF radio to hear/talk to someone, its just a toy to play with for Hams operators, me being one of them..
Signal to noise ratio ! The Ref setting would be good to cover here too.
The REF setting is hard to cover, as its more a personal preference thing than anything; it really depends how you want your scope to look... whether you're a CWer etc.
Rate My Radio Well, for me when keeping the RF gain down it reduces the signal graph in the scope, the ref function increases the sensitivity or gain on the graph, thus giving you a level instead of nothing on the scope. I believe it goes hand in hand with what you’re teaching here. As you said the s-meter is reduced, but the ref function gives you that back in the form of the signal graph.
Dear Mark,
Indeed - you have a point they are related. We're trying to figure out the best way to use the REF function, and are currently experimenting with some alternatives. We will do a video covering the REF function and how to make the most of it; depending on how you use the radio, it can either be a frustrating 'feature' needing constant adjustment, or something you can set and forget.
73, Jarrad VK3BL & The Rate My Radio Team :)
Great video!!! I love all your videos!!! Robert K5TPC
On most radios the rf gain raises the s meter reading up which is annoying. I use ATT to accomplish this. I like how the rf gain works on this radio. Wish my K3 RF gain worked like this.
Can you do a video on adjusting the ALC on SSB along with adjusting compression? Specifically addressing the "scale" which isn't labeled. Where exactly is the 30-50% they speak up in the manual when there is no label. :) Thanks
de w5dph
Brilliant! Thank you ... I shared with our Club. WU6X
And kudos to you for sharing, Dennis! I learned new stuff!
I’m glad we could be of service :). 73, Jarrad VK3BL & the RMR Team
Jarrad, you mentioned in this video that you'd make another one on how to set up other ICOM radios - did you make one for the 7100 (and I don't mean the short review that you've already put up)? It seems the 7300 is set up differently than the 7100, as it's an SDR. Thanks.
Great video thank you. What do you think of the 7300's internal antenna tuner?
I think the internal tuner is fantastic; I love the fact it has an emergency mode that runs 50w but lets you match up to a 10:1 SWR which is far beyond the limit of what a good antenna would ever present. 73, Jarrad VK3BL :)