Amateur Radio FAQ's
Questions about Amateur radio, D-STAR, HF radio, contesting or even our receiver products, you may find your answer here.
What does SO2R stand for?
SO2R, which stands for ‘Single Operator, Two Radio’ is an Amateur radio technique used by contesters in the sport of Amateur radio contesting. Using two transc...
How can I check if I have registered for the D-STAR network already?
If you are unsure if you have already registered for the D-STAR digital Amateur radio network, you can check the following registry to see if you have already r...
When I am connected remotely using my IC-9700 and using a USB connection, I cannot control the radio squelch. It is always open no matter what I do.
In the RSBA1 Remote Control software, click Set Mode (spanner at the top of the display). The Set Mode window will open. Set USB Audio SQL to ON.
How do I create a Custom Opening Screen Image on my IC-705?
The following procedure describes how you can add your photo to the IC-705 opening screen. This procedure uses Microsoft Paint to adjust your photo so that it w...
I upgraded my IC-7700 to the latest firmware. When I enable the audio scope, I see receive audio but there is no transmit audio.
You must turn on the Monitor function (MONITOR key in the upper left corner) to enable the radio to display your transmit audio on the scope.
The waterfall on my IC-9700 transceiver seems to show no signal. Why is this?
Check the waterfall ref level. Set it to 0db as a reference and check the waterfall.
What are the mounting options for the IC-705?
The IC-705 has been designed primarily for portable use. Icom has designed and produced a specific backpack (LC-192) for portable use. On the bottom of the IC-7...
On my average reading Wattmeter, why does the IC-7100 not indicate 100 Watts of power on my SSB speech transmission?
The reason for the lower reading on the moving coil meter is due to a number of factors including the inability of this type of meter to follow a rapidly changi...
How many hours of recording time do I get when I have an SD card installed in my IC-R30 portable scanner?
You can record up to 34 hours and 10 minutes per 2G of memory, for a total of 545.6 hours with a 32G SD card. You can check the available SD card memory by pres...
When I attempt to record for extended periods, my IC-R8600 radio receiver does not save one file, it appears to save the recordings in several files. Why does it do that?
The IC-R8600 saves recording files in folders with a maximum capacity of 2GB. When a folder fills, it creates a new folder with the same capacity.
For m...What version of Bluetooth does the IC-705 use?
Version 4.2. (Details below)
• Transmission Output: Class 2• Profile: HFP, HSP, SPP, GATT (Serial) over LE
• The maximum number of paired Bluet...
How do I operate the IC-705 Picture Sharing Function?
Icom’s Picture Sharing function is a way to share your favourite pictures while you are rag chewing on the air.
To operate the picture sharing function on ...What is the maximum size micro SD card supported by the IC-705?
The maximum size of an micro SD card that can be fitted to the IC-705 is 32GB. Please make sure not to force the micro SD card into the socket. This informati...
Can I charge my ID-51E when it is turned on?
Yes you can. Firstly connect the radio to an outlet with an optional CP-12L, CP-19R or OPC-254L. Then turn on the radio, press ‘MENU’, scroll to ‘Function’ and...
Can I upgrade the firmware on my ID-51E?
The original ID-51E cannot be firmware upgraded. The ID-51E Plus, 50th Anniversary edition and ID51E Plus2 can be firmware upgraded by downloading firmware from...
Why has the clock on my IC-7300 run down?
The IC-7300 features a tiny backup battery whose only function is just to keep the clock running for a few days while the set is disconnected from a PSU. This r...
Accessing the Repeater Memories on the IC-9700 Radio
A number of people have commented that when they download and install the repeater file from the following pages on our website they cannot find the repeater li...
Before you connect your radio to a power supply
There are currently a considerable number of power supplies in the Amateur radio market that claim to be 13.8 volts at high currents. Several of them produce a ...
Tips When Using the RS-BA1 IP Remote Control Software with the IC-9700
When using the RS-BA1 IP Remote Control Software (Version 2) locally via USB (radio next to PC) you may not get any TX audio (MOD). This is because the micropho...
Why does the Scope screen on the RS-BA1 remote software do not work with IC-7300?
You will need to change the CI-V USB Port and CI-V USB Baud Rate setting on the IC-7300 radio and then set the Baud Rate to 115200.
Should you be charged to register onto the D-STAR Network?
You should never be charged for registration. If you have information about anyone who has charged please forward as many details as possible and we will invest...
Where can I find details of my local D-STAR repeater?
If you are trying to find details of your local D-STAR repeater, the RSGB website may be best, by clicking...
How can I get registered on the D-STAR network?
We regularly get enquiries from customers and other D-STAR users who are having problems getting registered onto the D-STAR network.
Where best way we ...Can I register myself onto the D-STAR Network?
Regrettably it is not possible for anyone to carry out D-Star registrations without access to the process integrated into the G2 software that is installed to c...
Why do some mobile two way radios have a Remote Head?
A remote head unit on a mobile radio transceiver, allows it to be more easily installed in a vehicle by separating the control head from the main body. The two ...
What is RTTY?
RTTY (Radio TeleTYpe) is a method of using tones to send digital messages between radios in amateur HF bands (and other services). While it has been around for ...
What is Intermodulation distortion?
Intermodulation distortion is audio distortion created inside the radio when strong signals from different frequencies are mixed within the radio. Like multipat...
What is Protocol...in terms of D-STAR?
“In computing, a protocol is a convention or standard that controls or enables the connection, communication, and data transfer between two computing endpoints....
How do I set a repeater call sign when I make a call to a desired station using a D-STAR repeater?
When you communicate with other D-STAR stations using a D-STAR repeater, it is necessary to set the repeater’s call sign in RPT1/RPT2 as well as the desired sta...
Can I receive a D-STAR call only when the call is intended for me?
Yes, you can. The call sign squelch function opens the squelch only when your call sign is received.
Can I make a D-STAR call with foreign countries?
Yes, you can*. The Internet gateway allows you to relay your call to a remote D-STAR repeater over the Internet. The D-STAR repeater call sign and IP address mu...
Can I use the D-STAR repeater without connecting to the Internet?
Yes, you can use a D-STAR repeater as a local repeater. You can also communicate with other D-STAR radios directly.
Can I send data with a voice transmission on a D-STAR radio?
Yes, you can. In DV mode operation, you can simultaneously send up to 950bps of data, such as call sign, short data message or GPS position with a voice transmi...
What can I do with the D-STAR radio?
4.8kbps digital voice (DV) mode and 128kbps data* (DD) mode communications are available. When using DD mode with a PC and the D-STAR radio, high speed data com...
If I purchased D-STAR equipment, will I be locked into Icom equipment forever?
While Icom is the first manufacturer to support D-STAR, any manufacturer or amateur can use the JARL standards to create equipment – transceivers, repeaters, an...
Is D-STAR is just a digital party line?
The ability of D-STAR repeaters to route data and digitized voice worldwide sets it far apart from a simple party line. Sophisticated D-STAR controllers and gat...
Is D-STAR different from IRLP or Echolink?
VOIP systems like IRLP and Echolink® are only capable of routing voice signals. They don’t support data exchange at any speed. Calls targeted to a specific user...
Is there any difference between D-STAR and packet
Even D-STAR’s lowest speed is competitive with the highest-performance packet systems available today. D-STAR’s simultaneous digital voice and data at 4800 bps ...
Does D-STAR only work on 1.2 GHz?
Low-speed DV D-STAR* voice and data works just fine at 144 and 430-440 MHz. 1.2 GHz supports the bandwidth needs of high-speed DD data. Choose the technology th...
What does D-STAR stand for?
D-STAR stands for Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio.
Operating in the 5MHz experimental bands from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2015 (13/05/10)
Existing Notices of Variation (NoVs) of Amateur Radio Full Licences for the purpose of facilitating use of frequencies in the 5 MHz (experimental) band will exp...
I have just purchased an interface for my IC-7400 to connect to my pc but can’t find any rig control software. Where can I get the software from?
Icom do not recommend a third party software supplier but if you contact you local dealer they will be able to recommend a supplier.
I am having difficulty using my IC-7400 using data modes such as PSK-31. Reception is fine but I cannot transmit. It has been suggested that I should connect via the 8 pin ACC(1) socket rather than the 6 pin (DATA) socket. Will this help?
To successfully perform PSK31 communications you will need to use the 8 Pin ACC Socket No. 1. This contains all the connections required to successfully achieve...
Can anyone use my radio?
Anyone who holds a current UK licence, or a valid CEPT licence, or a valid reciprocal licence, may use your station for frequencies for which they are licenced ...
I am going abroad and want to use my amateur radio. Can I have the wideband modification details?
Yes, this is not a problem. However what we is required is a written request for this information stating that you are only going to use the radio outside the U...
I use my IC-R2500 a lot for decoding data on the HF bands. However I had to reinstall windows. Ever since reinstalling the receiver whenever I run another program to decode after a couple of minutes my sound goes. I have no sound at all from the computer and I have to reboot.
The IC-R2500 is attached to the USB socket on your PC. For some reason the audio codec in the PC system set-up always seems to default to the standard USB Audio...
Does the IC-706 MKIIG only encode CTCSS, and not decode it. When I am on a repeater frequency, I can open it, but I have to switch tone squelch off in order to hear the repeater.
There are two Tone Squelch Selection Functions. The first is the standard Tone Squelch and the second is the Repeater Tone Squelch. Tone Squelch is used for sim...
What is IOTA?
IOTA is an award programme in which participants “collect” contacts with islands worldwide. These contacts count towards 18 separate certificates, graded in dif...
I am getting bad audio reports when I use my local 2-metre repeater?
Most 2 metre repeaters in the United Kingdom now are set for 12.5Khz channel spacing, and hence will only clearly accept narrow deviation signals. If your set h...