Inrad RX7300 Modification While Keeping The External Tuner Jack
How To Use The RX7300 For A Panadapter
One point of confusion may be the jacks on the rear and which one to use?
If you want to connect an RTL-SDR (or other) and use it as the sole receiver, while looking at the radio from the rear, connect the RTL-SDR to the RCA jack on the left leaving the RCA jack on the right open.
If you want to connect a RX antenna (just for receiving), connect it to the RCA jack on the right and leave the one on the left open (or connect an SDR to the one on the left).
No RX antenna? Use a splitter, connect an SDR to it and have two receivers!
BTW, I have a cheap RTL-SDR and I tried a simple VGA splitter from Amazon and it did not work for me. There was too much noise and interference on mine. It may work for others and may be worth a try. The VGA splitter was only a few dollars and it might work better with a better SDR too.
Icom 7300, RX7300, RTL-SDR and Mini-Circuits Splitter
So I got the Inrad RX7300 installed easy enough and now I have a Mini-Circuits ZFSC-2-1 SMA Splitter attached to the Inrad RX7300.
With HDSDR and a cheap RTL-SDR dongle I have a panadapter going. The RTL-SDR receiver is not very good compared to the Icom 7300 receiver. Also, it picks up local AM and FM broadcast stations on the HF bands. That is the downside to the cheap RTL-SDR. If you don't have strong local AM and/or FM broadcast stations close-by, it should work fine. There are filters you can buy or make for it too.
I have another SDR coming and I'm looking forward to trying it. I'll post the rest of the installation and results when I have them, so there's more to come.
Thanks for dropping by, please comment below. Have you tried this?
73 - Rich, K0PIR
Very nice video!
Thank you and I’ll get the panadapter video up this week. Best 73!
Very interesting and use-full add-on circuit hook-up for the IC7300.
Good videos, living a clear idea of the enhanced operation of the IC7300 with SDR programs.
Thank you Omar! Best 73 – Rich, K0PIR
nice videos bt on the 7300 how do yo get it to go to and display 11500 as the baud rate
thanks brian..
Hi Brian,
Nice to hear from you and I’ll be happy to help. There are a few places where I set the 115,200 baud rate. Where do you see it displayed?
Rich, K0PIR
HI RICH
I CANT GET IT TO SHOW any where, i need to set port baud rate to set up N1MM spectrum analyser
in his logger program i wish to use that program to display waterfall from 7300
many thanks rich
brian g8vpr
Hi Brian,
Nice to hear from you and I had trouble with the spectrum scope on N1MM Logger at first.
This is my article on N1MM Logger Plus Spectrum Display:https://k0pir.us/n1mm-logger-spectrum-monitor/
There is a video on it too. Did you see it? If I understand you correctly, that will help you and you can see where to set the baud rate.
Let me know how it goes, best 73 – Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich, I am contemplating getting the new Icom 7610. I was just reading the Manual and notice it has more TX/RX antenna connections and options than the 7300. I see two main Ant 1 and 2 connections and also a RX (in/out). One thing I wish to do is use my SDRPlay SDR RX with SDRuno as a seperate RX and panadapter with OMNIRig Control. But, with all the new flexibility of 7610 ant port options, I am not sure which ant jack to hook up the SDRPlay RX to. I am thinking it would be to the RX (out) – but there may be some other interesting options. Have you experimented with the 7610 Ant TX and RX configurations yet? PS. I am liking your channel. 73, Dan
Hi Daniel,
Nice to hear from you. No, I haven’t experimented with the RX out on the Icom 7610 yet. I think, and I could be wrong, but I think we will have to use the BNC antenna RX In and Out on the rear of the radio. Similar to the Inrad RX7300 adapter that goes on the Icom 7300.
I could be wrong, maybe we can use just the RX out. I haven’t had the radio long enough to get to that. I am hoping the IF out thru the USB 3.0 on the rear will be of good use.
More will be revealed. In the meantime if anyone knows, please replay to Daniels comment.
Thanks for coming by and thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.
Merry Christmas and 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Thanks Rich! Yeah maybe just RX out for SDRPlay. And IF through USB would possibly be yet another option. So much more flexibility as compared to 7300 with Inrad RX7300 mod. Should be fun experimenting with all these ant in/out options. Love your channel, keep the videos coming! 🙂 – dan
Thank you Daniel. Have a very Merry Christmas and a HNY!
Hi Rich. I just installed the RX7300 mod. Can I use the RX7300 for the receive antenna for the ICOM 7300 and also for my SDRPlay? I know I can just install the SDRPlay using the transmitting antenna, but I would prefer to use my receive antenna if possible. Does the RX7300 2nd RCA jack (the one on the right side (looking from the back) forward the receive signal coming in from the left RCA jack? Thank you. 73, Gary WD9HDM
Hi Gary,
Thanks for commenting. Steve has a diagram on his video and I think that’ll answer your question.
You could check Steves video because he has some info on it. I hope this helps.
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
I ended up buying a device very similar to the Inrad RX7300 off eBay. I was thinking that this would basically be plug-and-play and that I would be able to connect my SDRPlay to the output jack of the mod. I thought that the mod simply split the RX output so I could have a second receiver connected – that being the SDRplay.
Obviously not that simple! When I watched the video you created (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwA6Gt_XAes), I noticed that your notes say you also using Mini Circuits ZFSC-2-1 Splitter/Combiner.
Would you mind sharing how you have everything connected?
Thanks!
JeffH
W4JEW
Atlanta, GA
Hi Jeff,
Nice to hear from you and you will enjoy that SDRplay.
Have a look here, there are two pages in this post with photos.
Have fun!
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Do you have a photo showing the install with the tuner jack coming out the back?
Hi Mel,
Have a look here.
Thank you for commenting here. Best 73 and Good DX in 2020!
Rich, K0PIR
The RX7300 has been discontinued.
There is another out on eBay. Just search for RX7300.