The Icom 7610 Has Arrived – Ham Radio Deluxe Setup
Icom IC-7610 SDR HF/6M Transceiver
First impression: It's a beautiful radio, good size, and has a vastly improved LCD touchscreen. Just like the IC-7300, works right out of the box! See the first video on my Icom 7610: Icom 7610 First QSO.
Icom 7610 Cables and Software Driver
Even though the IC-7300 and the IC-7610 uses the same downloaded driver from Icom, it is an updated driver with a driver date of 2017/10/05. I decided to download the driver and reinstall it. I suggest doing that first, before connecting the USB cable.
This time when connecting you'll have two virtual COM ports, A and B. This is different from the IC-7300.
I'm using two cables as with the 7300 while operating, but I'll show using just the USB cable and that works FB as well. When attaching the USB cable have the software driver installed first. Plug the cable into the USB 2.0 port, not the USB 3.0 (blue) port on the back of the rig.
Icom 7610 Menu Settings
The 7610's menu is a little daunting at first, but it is similar to the Icom 7300. There are just more sub menu's than the 7300. Many items in the Connectors menu are similar though. I'll post some screens shots here because a picture is worth a thousand words. See the video below too.
Icom 7610 Ham Radio Deluxe Setup
It wasn't hard to configure HRD to work with the IC-7610, even though the rig is not listed in the software. Using the IC-7700 as the rig in HRD's drop down list, works good. I haven't explored it fully, but the rig control is working. (UPDATE: The IC-7610 is now listed in HRD.)
When trying to make my first test transmission DM780 alerted me there wasn't a TX button in the DM780 rig control. It was easy to set it up. See screenshot here.
The IC-7610 uses a CI-V address of 98h. In HRD the default of the IC-7700 is 74. There are a couple of ways to fix this, one is in the radio menu and the other, just enter 98 in HRD when the connect screen comes up. I chose the latter.
Once you have it working, use the HRD Preset to connect. It works every time for me.
Icom 7610 COM Port Caveats
When I connected the Icom 7610 and looked in Windows 10 Device Manger I saw there are two COM ports now, when I expected just one like the Icom 7300.
I assigned port numbers that are familiar to me. This is not necessary, but you'll have to be careful when choosing the COM port in the software. I believe the first one that shows up in the list under Device Manager>Ports (COM & LPT) is the USB A, and the second listed will be USB B. Using the first one listed works as it has to correspond with the USB SEND/Keying in the 7610 menu. See here.
UPDATE : See Icom 7610 Virtual Serial (COM) Ports Explained
Icom 7610 HRD DM780 WSJT-X and JT Alert
Take a look at my video. I go through the Icom 7610 menu and then the HRD connect screen. There is also a quick look at DM780, WSJT-X and JT Alert.
When HRD and the others update with the IC-7610 listed, I'll just select it and not use the 7700 any longer.
Thank you coming by and watching my video. I hope you find it informative and useful. I'm excited to operate and add more software in the near future. There will be more to come.
73's Rich, K0PIR
This is exactly the info I was looking for. M 7610 is due to arrive in 3 days, and one of my first goals is to interface it with HRD. Your video and information is very much appreciated.
Bob,
Thank you and it’s nice to hear from you.
It’s working beautifully and quiet. No switching noise when transmitting, I hardly know it even starts.
This is just a temp solution for me until they come out with the Icom 7610 files for HRD and WSJT-X.
I used HRD on my PC one time and WSJT-X on my iMac. It worked much the same way, just on two different computers.
This is an exciting radio. I’m thrilled to use it.
N1MM already has the IC-7610 in the software. They were quick!
Best 73 and thank you again,
Rich, K0PIR
Rich…
Thanks for all the video’s, they have been great… I’m stuck though on getting the IC-7610 to transmit on MMTTY.
I have gone through your recent video on single cable MMTTY but can only get the radio to key, no diddle though and that is the problem I have. Using MMTTY version 1.68 and have downloaded the EXTFSK64 driver and extracted the files into the MMTTY directory. I have gone through the video and set up the IC-7610 radio just as you have, and gone through the MMTTY install to include selecting the EXTFSK64 for my port. The EXTFSK64 setup screen comes up and I have set up and verified that it is on the correct USB port. EXTFSK64 Status reads OK. When I hit the TX button the radio keys but there is no diddle just carrier. I have tried to send text (call sign) but not letters/numbers just solid keying. BTW the N1MM Logger plus is working with the spectrum scope and the radio frequency reads correctly on the band reader… Not sure what to do at this point. I have tried both MMTTY versions 1.68 and 1.70 same issue. Not sure which way to go on this one..
Again thanks for all the videos, they have been great. I also own a IC-7300 and have enjoyed those videos as well.
Steve, N4DXS
Hi Stephen,
I had the same problem and I believe the fix was in MMTTY. Take a look at that again in the video.
When you transmit, do you see EXTFSK64 sending characters in the small window?
Rich, K0PIR
Have you experienced any issues with the Rig switching from USB Dig to USB while transmitting using WSJT X?
Hi Dave,
Thanks for commenting and I appreciate the question?
Yes, it does for me too.
It doesn’t seem to both anything and I wonder if it is the HRD connection because we’re using Ham Radio Deluxe as the rig and it’s the 7700.
There is another thing happening on mine, but just on 40 Meters occasionally. Near the end of my transmission, HRD will disconnect and then reconnect quickly and sometimes switch to USB. I went into HRD Options and changed Polling under Comms. I checked it off to only poll the radio if HRD is the active program. I think that helped, but at least it’s not interfering with my QSO’s on 40M. This is may be my station doing this since it’s isolated to the 40M band. Maybe it’s my USB cable. I’ll work it some more.
It’s working beautifully and I’ve made a lot of FT8 contacts. I’ll be happy when the Icom 7610 is in WSJT-X. Using it for the rig will be a piece of cake.
Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
I’ve had good success getting HRD to work with the 7610, but I had to use the Icom 7300 in the preset. I tried using the 7700 as you suggested, but the 7610 does immediately into transmit upon starting HRD, and no matter what settings I used (DTR, RTS, and all combinations), nothing seems to work using the 7700 as the preset choice. I’ve also read some folks had good luck using the 7600, but that also didn’t work with HRD effectively. So, I’ve got HRD working with the 7300 preset, but WSJTX doesn’t put the radio is transmit. I’ve tried all the settings I can find in WSJTX using different radios with HRD as the PTT. Any ideas that you might have to get WSJTX working would be very much appreciated. I’ve been able to get HRD to work with my 7300 just fine, but the 7610 will not work.
Thanks,
Bob KU5J
Hi Bob,
Thanks for commenting. Nice to hear from you.
Yes, I tried all the Icom radios and only got the 7700 to work. It’s funny how that works because as you said, other have the 7600 working. I couldn’t get the 7300 to work either.
When you configure the Radio in WSJT-X for Ham Radio Deluxe, just let it sit a minute or two and see if “Test CAT” turns green. Sometimes it doesn’t on mine and I click OK anyway. It starts to work then.
Do you ever get rig control, can you change bands with WSJT-X?
For PTT, another thing you can try is changing the PTT Method under Radio in WSJT-X. Try RTS and your COM port.
If that won’t work either, I have another post on setting up the two virtual COM ports in the 7610. If you set those up in the radio, I think you’ll have better luck getting PTT working on the COM port rather than using CAT in WSJT-X. See: https://youtu.be/PeIkasYQelI
Try using Port A for PTT.
Let me know how it goes. Merry Christmas and see you on the bands,
Rich, K0PIR
Bob
Good evening. I am trying to setup the 7610 on WSJT-x and not having any success due in part to know 7610 in the radio drop down. I was using the 7600, and also a 7300 with no problem. I have tried both radio’s setup and also the 7700 but nothing has worked so far. Decodes perfectly but no CAT control.
I am also using N3FJP logging and have successfully set that up on the radio for rig control and transmit.
Anything you can do to help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Mal. WF5K
Hi Mal and thank you for visiting. Yes, it was so easy with AC Log 🙂
Unfortunately in WSJT-X I don’t see a quick way to change the CI-V address in the software.
Hams have been using DX Lab Suite Commander for rig control. It’s free to download and use. We can select the IC-7700 or 7600 and then change the CI-V address in Commander to 98. That will give you rig control.
In WSJT-X under rig you would choose DX Lab Suite Commander. The Test buttons usually don’t work, so after setting it as DX Lab Suite Commander just click Okay at the bottom. After a minute, you should have a green circle and have control. You’ll have to play with PTT setting in WSJT-X. CAT should work. I haven’t tested this, but others are using it.
The other way (and I have not tested this) is to set the CI-V address in the IC-7610 to that of the 7600 or 7700. Then you can just use the 7700 or 7600 in the drop down list for rig in WSJT-X. However if you have other software working it’ll mess those up (unless you fix them too).
My preferred way is HRD, WSJT-X and JT-Alert. It is a workaround until they get the software updated.
Let me know how it goes.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Rich, K0PIR
Thanks Rich for the workaround with DX Lab Suite. I’ll give it a try, but I may just use my 7300 until such time as WSJT-x has added the 7610. HI HI
Happy New year.
73
WF5K
Yes, that’s a good alternative until the 7610 is added. Thank you for commenting and great to hear from you.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich;
Thanks for all the info on connecting HRD, works great. Got JTDX working through HRD, but I removed JTDX and all it’s files and did a clean install. The Test and PPT work and it’s up and running.
Randy
W9RTB
That’s good news Randy. Thanks for sharing the info and I am glad it’s working in JTDX. I will have to download and try it.
Rich, K0PIR
Rich,
Kind of off topic but, do you have any experience with RS BA-1 and setting up with the ICOM 7610?
Dave, KC9K
Hi Dave,
Nice to hear from you.
Somewhat, I have it receiving, just haven’t transmitted with it yet.
I setup the radio first, then installed RS-BA1 on my laptop (surface pro).
The remote utility needs to be running first on the laptop (that starts the audio too), then I can connect with remote app.
Rich, K0PIR
Hi!
I got FT8 running (USB-DAT1). RX IF filter is set to 1300 Hz: is thee a way to define 3 kHz (or so) RX window?
Bet 73, gl
Iztok, s52d
Hello and thank you for commenting. Good to hear from you.
It is in this video about 36 seconds in: https://youtu.be/4dP55uH7ewk
It works very well. Let me know if there is anything else and thank you again for commenting.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich!
Thans for answer. My mistake: I was talking IC-7610, not IC-7300.
My problem: youtube doesn not work on my PCs.
But from comments I assume it was about IC-7300.
I can move 1300 Hz USB-D1 a bit around: but same with VFO.
With soft shape it might get a bit more.
Best 73, CU FT8 (no qso yet)
Iztok, s52d
No problem. It is easy to increase bandwidth on 7610.
Try this: Hold in the Filter button (hard button on the right hand side of the radio) for one second. Touch the BW soft button and turn the tuning dial clockwise to increase the bandwidth. I use the Sharp filter too and increase the bandwidth to 3.6k.
Rich, K0PIR
wow thanks!
I overlooked tuning dial. A new look at FT8 band now, I even “smell” some JT65 on 160m.
Manual is like a puzzle: bits and pieces in different places.
It is funny to see filter starting at -50 Hz, so I shifted it higher with twin PBT.
Summary: IC-7610 is a nice toy.
Best 73, gd DX, CU FT8
Iztok, s52d
Hi Rich,
I have followed your video instructions and have FT8 operating correctly.
I have HRD controlling the IC-7610 but with DM780 for some reason, while the rig keys to transmit, there is no output. Receive works perfectly.
Any ideas ?
Tks – 73
Steve
GW4BKG
Hi Steve,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting.
Have a look at the Soundcard in the Program Options in DM780. Both should be the USB Audio CODEC. Sometimes mine looses it’s setting. Usually when I’m moving cables around or connecting other things.
Let me know and thanks again.
Rich, K0PIR
Thanks Rich,
No both are correct.
By the way I am using just a single usb cable if that makes any difference.
What mode should I be in on the IC-7610.
I had DM780 working correctly when I was using a Yaesu FT-DX1200 and then I used usb.
Thanks for your help.
Steve
GW4BKG
USB-D1
Is the Soundcard Transmit Level in DM780 up high enough? Click on the Soundcard button and have a look.
Although WSJT-X is transmitting, you could check your radio settings too.
Here are my screen captures: https://k0pir.us/icom-ic-7610-specifications-features/icom-7610-screen-captures/
See if that works.
Rich, K0PIR
As a new 7610 owner I’m really enjoying your tutorials. There is a lot to learn on this rig. As a previous flex owner I was torn but I think I made the right choice. I have not been having luck getting ACL to connect to the radio for some reason and I need to read check my settings. HRD connected without a hitch though I can’t get PTT to work in DM780. Again, I must be missing something. I’m not using the CI-V connection as I didn’t feel that was necessary since I already have a USB connection that should handle both audio and PTT.
Keep those videos coming!
73
Rick, W2JAZ
Hi Rick,
Nice to hear from you and congrats on the radio!
With the 7610 I normally just use a single USB cable. It has two virtual COM ports, unlike the 7300.
In ACLog did you check the Command to Read Frequency and Command to Read Mode? You have to change a number in the command to 98. It’s in Settings>Rig Interface.
In DM780 I first connect with the HRD rig control program and then open logbook and DM780. In DM780 under Program Options and PTT I have Ham Radio Deluze selected. DM780 must be connected to HRD for that to work. You can check if HRD is connected by opening the “Radio” tab. Click on View then Radio from the Menu and see if you are connected.
I hope this helps. Congrats again and enjoy!
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hello,
Thanks for all the help you are providing.
I have tried your suggestions on the IC-7610 and DM780 that I could find.
Finally got he waterfall to show up scrolling down. But, it still doesn’t show the signals
so that I can click on one to decode. I am using a single USB cable that runs rig control, WDJT-X and the HDSDR and CW Skimmer really well. But like I said, I can not get DM780 to show the RTTY or even a CW signal in the waterfall.
Hi John,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for commenting.
That’s great you have HDSDR and CW Skimmer working. I have a video coming out today on it.
In DM780 under Options, do you have the Soundcard setup? The input and output are the USB Audio CODEC.
Rich, K0PIR
Rich:
Thanks for the video’s !
I was wondering if you had run across an issue I have with my 7610 powering off and showing “Error in sound input” in the WSJT-X software. I’m using HRD for rig control and when I try to tune it shows this error. I was able to get it to work by reducing the power way down but as soon as I try moving it up the error comes back.
Hi Jim,
Nice to hear from you and HNY.
I have had that error before. Did you check the Audio tab and Soundcard settings in WSJT-X?
You might be getting some RF into it or there’s a conflict with HRD and WSJT-X.
Does it do that on all bands or just one band? If it’s just one band it’s probably RF.
I would try using a different USB cable and if you have some ferrite, use that on the USB cable. Use as short a USB cable as possible too.
You could try running just WSJT-X and using the 7610 as the rig in it. See if it works fine that way.
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich
Thanks for all the info and video’s on the 7610.
I was using my 7610 with my XP system using the CAT control.
Then tried getting the HRD PTT to work with 7610.
Now the WJST CAT won’t work and device manager shows both Icom ports bridge not working.
Keeps saying Windows can not load the drivers correctly, regardless how many times I have uninstalled and reinstalled.
Appreciate any comments you might have..
Thanks Rex
Hi Rex,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for commenting here. Those issues can be tricky. Try shutting down the computer all the way, powering it off and then I would bypass any USB hubs (if you have one) and plug the 7610 cables into another physical USB port on the computer. Power on the PC and see if the drivers will load correctly. Try just WSJT-X first and see if you can get it to work. Other than that, check out iCom 7610 Group.io
73,
Rich, K0PIR