Tips For Icom 7610 HDSDR and CW Skimmer Wide 170 kHz

by K0PIR · Published January 8, 2025 · Updated January 9, 2025

Tips for Setting Up Icom 7610 HDSDR

The Icom 7610 is a highly advanced transceiver that offers a wide range of features for amateur radio operators. One of the most popular software applications used with the Icom 7610 is HDSDR, which allows for enhanced control and visualization of the radio's signals. Here are some tips for setting up the Icom 7610 with HDSDR to maximize your experience:

Install and verify the necessary drivers are installed. Before connecting your Icom 7610 to your computer, make sure to install the appropriate drivers. These drivers can be found on the Icom website. Installing the drivers will ensure that your computer recognizes the radio and allows for seamless communication between the two.

Configure HDSDR: Open the HDSDR software on your computer and go to the Options menu. From there, select the Icom 7610 as your input device. Then select SDR-Device and change the Sync Mode to "Independent Tune in HDSDR". Check the Bandwidth. TIP: Using a higher rate can help pull out weak signals and correct problems with CWS. I am using 192,000 Hz.

TIP: When adjusting the IQ-Gain setting
• The IQ-Gain should not be too high. After the straight line is disappeared, do not set the gain higher than that level.
• If the IQ-Gain is too high, CW Skimmer becomes easily saturated when receiving a strong signal. If CW Skimmer is
saturated, lower the IQ-Gain or lower the input level on the IC-7610. - Turn OFF the Preamplifier. - Turn ON the Attenuator function. - Lower the RF gain. - Turn ON the Digital Selector function

*We don't need CAT to HDSDR for CW Skimmer Wide as we did when using CWS in narrow mode 24 kHz.

TIP: When troubleshooting, first thing, verify you have the correct setting in Soundcard [F5].

Please refer to my previous post on how to set up CW Skimmer Wide 170 kHz.: A Powerful CW Tool – CW Skimmer (CWS) 170 kHz Wide

Maximizing CW Skimmer Wide 170 kHz Performance with Icom 7610 and HDSDR

CW Skimmer is a powerful tool that allows for the decoding and visualization of CW signals. When used in conjunction with the Icom 7610, it can greatly enhance your ability to detect and decode Morse code signals. Here are some tips for maximizing the performance of CW Skimmer Wide 170 kHz with the Icom 7610:

In CWS go to Radio tab in Settings. Enable SoftRock as the hardware used in CW Skimmer.TIP: Pay close attention to the LO Frequency in Settings. It corresponds to the Tune freq in HDSDR. When you change bands you'll need to adjust this accordingly. For 40 Meters I use 7085000 kHz and on 20 Meters I use 14055000 kHz.

Go to the Audio Tab. From there, select the Signal I/O Device, Hi-Fi Cable Output, and choose your Audio I/O Device, Speakers or Headset in my case. TIP: If you have problems after starting CWS and you don't have a good display, the first thing to check in CWS is the Signal I/O Device on the Audio tab of CWS.

Minimize both programs and utilize CW Skimmer as a telnet cluster (127.0.0.1:7300) within your logging applications.

Consider listening to the radio only instead of the audio from HDSDR or CWS, and utilize the radio's filtering capabilities to pull out weak stations. The APF is exceptionally impressive!

In the upcoming video, I'll demonstrate how to use CWS telnet cluster with Log4OM.

In conclusion, setting up the Icom 7610 with HDSDR and maximizing the performance of CW Skimmer Wide 170 kHz can greatly enhance your amateur radio experience. By following these tips and experimenting with the various settings, you can unlock the full potential of these powerful tools and improve your ability to receive and decode signals. Remember to consult the user manuals and seek guidance from experienced operators to further refine your setup.

Please see my previous post on how to setup CW Skimmer Wide 170 kHz: A Powerful CW Tool – CW Skimmer (CWS) 170 kHz Wide

Thank you

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If you have a question or suggestion, please comment below. I will do my best to answer it and your experience will help others as well.

73,

Rich, K0PIR

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