Kategorier
Amateur Radio

RTL-SDR v4 vs IC-705 one hour FT8 RX

I was curious how the RTL-SDR v4 would perform against the IC-705 during one hour of FT8 receiving so I set up and did a little test. The setup:

  • One hour RX on the 20 meter HF band FT8 section
  • Antenna tuned random longwire
  • HF signal was split according to the image below, but I did not use the first stage ”AMP” and no LNA from the RXout from the SDRSwitch.
  • SDR software = SDR Console
  • Same bandwidth was used in the IC-705 and SDR Console
  • Two (2) instances of WSJT-X Improved running on the same PC, calibrated to the same RX dB level
  • Both instances reporting to PskReporter

Result after one hour RX

Transmitters reported in PskReporter:
– IC-705: 323 transmitters
– RTL-SDR v4: 323 transmitters

Top distance IC-705:

Top distance RTL-SDR v4:

Distance chart IC-705:

Distance chart RTL-SDR v4:

WSJT-X view IC-705:

WSJT-X view RTL-SDR v4:

Kategorier
Amateur Radio

IC-705 IC-9700 scope setup

On YouTube there are several videos about setting up the spectrum scope of the Icom IC-705 and IC-9700. Last in this post I have linked one of these videos and I have actually done every step. It is now much better then the original settings.

I’m using colours like the one in SDR-Console software because that is how I’m used to have it.

The REF adjustment is very good to adjust when needed, to get the best contrast in the scope.

Also adjusting the SPAN to what you would like to see at the moment is a great function.

But, the best improvement for me was to change CENTER Type Display to Carrier Point Center (Abs. Freq.).

Here is the video from Ham Radio DX channel:

Kategorier
Amateur Radio

IC-705 WLAN doppler with OmniRig PstRotator

I got the PstRotator to work with OmniRig and IC-705 over WLAN. I’m using ”Icom Remote Utility” on Windows to set up the virtual COM-port. And I’m setting up OmniRig like this:

I had several problem getting the OmniRig to communicate with IC-705 via WLAN, but after re-installing to the OmniRig supplied with PstRotator (v1.18) I got it working OK. It is also working from SDR-Console V3.

So now it is possible to do doppler control of the IC-705 without any cables for true portable operations! See short video below:

Kategorier
Amateur Radio

AX.25 APRS with UISS and IC-705

Updated 2025-05-14 (updated web links)

This is a very fast guide to set up the IC-705 with UISS for sending AX.25 packets and APRS.

  1. Download and install UISS. During installation, install the Soundmodem software TNC.
  2. Download the file ptt-dll.zip from Soundmodem webpage. Unzip and copy the files (CAT and PTT dll files) to your UISS folder.
  3. Set the radio to FM-D (Data) and select the frq for APRS (in Sweden 144.800 MHz).
  4. Start UISS
  5. Setup UISS with your callsign and your location:

  6. In Soundmodem, set the Sound Card device to your IC-705 USB audio card.

  7. In Soundmodem, set the PTT Port to CAT and radio IC-705. The COM-port should be the one that IC-705 uses for CI-V.

  8. Now you should be able to see traffic

  9. Now send your first APRS Position. Use digipeater if you like.
    The IC-705 now sends your APRS location.

  10. If everything is OK you should be seen on aprs.fi
Kategorier
Amateur Radio

IC-705 operation and satellite memories

Please see the following posts at AMSAT-SM about IC-705 satellit operation and memory files/settings:

Kategorier
Amateur Radio

IC-705 Mic 3V or 8V?

In IC-705 it is possible to set the MIC output voltage to 8V instead of default 3V. I have done some tests and I do not hear any difference with the standard microphone HM-243. What do you think?

FM 3V

FM 8V

USB 3V

USB 8V

Kategorier
Amateur Radio

Satellite Memory File for IC-705

This is a memory group file over satellite frequencies for Icom IC-705 and CS-705 software. It is not complete and will be updated. Feel free to use it, change and add.

The memories for FM transponders are used like this:

  • Channels named with satellite name, for exemple ”PO-101”, are used in split mode. This channel can be used when using the IC-705 for portable operation or without an extra receiver .
  • Channels named with satellite name and Uplink, for exemple ”PO-101 Uplink”, are used only for uplink (not split). This can be used with software like SDR-Console v3 (external radio) or if you have an extra receiver.

Import the memory file into CS-705:
Note! Be sure that you not overwrite anything in your IC-705 when cloning. Make a backup of your current settings!

  • Create a new memory group
  • Mark this new group
  • Choose File->Import->Group and choose the .csv file
  • The memories will now be imported to CS-705
  • Clone to your IC-705.

IC-705_SatFrqMemGroup.csv (Downloaded from AMSAT-SM website)