How to Install CW Skimmer Using it With HDSDR and IC-7610

by K0PIR · Published December 17, 2024 · Updated December 17, 2024

This is a fresh Installation of CW Skimmer on my Alien SuperComputer and I'll focus this post on getting the software installed and working. Before you begin, be sure to see my latest article: How To Install HDSDR and Icom I/Q Package for The Icom 7610. In the video below I'll cover the installation of Null Modem Cable (com0com) and Hi-Fi-Audio Cable. These are necessary and have been problematic for users in the past. If you can't get these working, nothing will work.

Install CW Skimmer, Null Modem Emulator, Hi-Fi Audio Cable

Steps:

Install Null Modem Emulator (com0com), and Hi-Fi Audio Cable. The process is quite straightforward (links below).
Install CW Skimmer. Again, pretty straightforward (links below).

All of the download links are in the PDF document from Icom.. Page 4, near the top.

Install them and if the Null Modem Emulator created COM ports with numbers of 20 and under, it's good to go and I think this is usually the case. Nothing else needs to be done with it.

The Hi-Fi Audio cable properties need to be changed to 16 bit, 192000 Hz. That's it! (see video below)

I'll cover this in the video.

HDSDR Minor Tweaks

For HDSDR to function with CW Skimmer, a few minor adjustments are required. If you've read my earlier article, Icom 7610 HDSDR and Icom I/Q Package, you're off to a great start and shouldn't encounter any issues. The process involves six simple steps, which won't be listed here as they are clearly outlined in Icom's PDF. You can find this information on page 8, under the Operating Guide section of the PDF.

CW Skimmer (CWS) 24 kHz

In the PDF, on page 9, you can find a step-by-step guide to get CWS to communicate with HDSDR and the radio. It's pretty straightforward with only 4 steps to follow. Isn't that easy? Icom has truly made the process much simpler.

Things to Watch For

After starting CWS you may hear a tone and see a line in CWS where your marker is. To eliminate it, just increase the I/O Gain in HDSDR. You'll see a slider for it. (see video).
Frequency is flashing in CWS. Although it is not a problem, it may be annoying to some. After using it for a while I decided to setup CWS (Omni-Rig) with my CI-V cable and separate COM port. No flashing or flickering of the frequency in CWS now.
If you decide to keep CW Skimmer, it'll cost $75.

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73,

Rich, K0PIR

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