Icom IC7300 A to Z #25 Setting USB transmit audio levels

NOTICE: In July 2021 the channel name changed from HamCuredSmoke
To Ham Radio A2Z. All of the earlier videos (like this one) are still available.
We'll connect a dummy load to our rig. Then we look at how to adjust USB transmit audio levels with a couple of popular digital mode PC programs.

[@robinburke1469]

Thanks, Tom! I keep forgetting to leave a comment as to how great this video series really is... well thoughtout content, clean audio and crisp video. I hope others discover what a good resource this is and continue to raise your subscriber level. W2RSB/F4WCM

[@BobLewen]

Tom, as an IC7300 owner since March, I find your channel to be terrific! I’ve referenced your channel for friends who are not used to the myriad of settings associated with SDR radios. After watching your A to Z #25, and a WSJT-X and FLDIGI user, I have a suggestion you might consider... WSJT-X and FLDIGI seem to be the most popular go-to pieces of digital software...knowing and demonstrating the basic settings to use within the IC7300 is great, but the software settings in FLDIGI and WSJT-x can really confuse the heck out of people, and are not straight forward. How many times have you seen posts where people can’t transmit, but their IC7300 settings are correct. I know I don’t have to highlight the confusing settings within the software to you! So, that’s my suggestion, because you have the knowledge, and a teaching style that’s easy to follow. (And I know you’ll remember to include the importance of first downloading the latest USB drivers from Icom).

[@Paddy_Roche]

Excellent Tom as always, thank you.

[@bruceperkins1821]

Great info, thanks! I have been fighting my ALC since I have owned my 7300, this really opened my eyes Tom, thanks again! Bruce K4ONC

[@eddy2561]

Excellent video and finally a how-to that explains a lot about audio levels when using digital modes.......tnx agn and 73 ~ k6sdw

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Glad it was helpful! 73, Tom

[@k5edd128]

Thanks Tom: Was on FT8 the other night and heard voice saying CQ, since it doesn't allow much in the way of information to send, I just sent, hear voice, then sent hear CQ a few times but it continued so I ignored it. I believe the mic is live on the 7300 when in digital mode. Some say you should disconnect it but I haven't tested it yet since can control my back ground noise, unless the grandson is here smiling.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

In video #24 I show you how to set the data input audio so it is only from USB and not the mic. That is not the default. However, in your example, where someone was actually calling CQ on the FT8 frequency, I suspect it wasn’t just background. WSJT-X automatically sets your the rig to one of the FT8 frequencies when you start the program (if that’s the mode you were last working). It sounds like somebody probably meant to be on the SSB part of the band and inadvertently ran WSJT-X. Then, they didn’t check their frequency on the rig before they started transmitting.

[@DO9KW]

Hi Tom, I appreciate your videos very much :) I am also getting into the digital modes again with my 7300 but I have some issues. After some time there is a problem with the sound output, it seems that I still can receive but when I try to transmit the 7300 is TX'ing but without any audio (can see it in the waterfall). I use a very good cable with chokes and double shielded but the issues persits. I am quite sure that I set up everything correctly, also the energy saving settings.. After a while when not sitting on my computer I have the same error message several times: "Error in Sound Output. An error opening the audio output device has occured." Do you have any ideas? Nevertheless, you also pointed out MMSSTV, RTTY and so on, is it the same here like FT8 and PSK that the ALC should not come up? I tried a digi mode called ROS but transmitting with no ALC gives me very thin and low audio..

[@PW_SD]

Excellent series of videos. Question: How did you enable the scope to monitor/show the transmit audio on the IC-7300? 4:43

[@HamRadioA2Z]

To see the spectrum scope during transmit- press and hold the EXPD/SET touch screen button. Then in set mode look for Scope during TX (Center Type). The default is ON, but make sure that it is set to ON. Then, you need to make sure the scope is in CENTER mode before transmitting and you will see your transmitted waveform. If the scope is in FIX mode, it will just freeze during transmit.

[@PW_SD]

I’ll try that and thank you. Again - excellent series. Appreciate all the effort you made in producing these videos.

[@daveduffy2292]

I’ve just hooked up a pc with windows 11 and had a few reports of splatter on SSB. Any hints to what I might have done

[@kamathkamath2475]

Dear Tom Can you make one video how to connect MFJ Rigpi 1234 server to 7300 ? Also provide a Schematic as to how the cables be home brewed. A million thanks in advance. Vu3SLJ From Delhi INDIA

[@edgaulden2324]

Tom, move your camera to an angle. Your hand is nice to look at, but I want to see the radio's screen. You're good at explaining, but I find my head craning to see around your hand.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Ed. You’re right. I eventually noticed that too and fixed it in later videos.

[@prestonshute7243]

All great videos Tom, keep it up. 73 wd4dda

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Many thanks!

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi What is suggested for audio output settings for AM? Thanks Williamoutput, thanku.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi William. Are you talking about receive audio or transmit? Not sure what you’re asking here.

[@donaldsmith3048]

What do you think is the best software that has all or most of the data modes and logging. I know that everyone has what they think is the best. I will be asking many people and picking form what what the difference people say.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

You are correct, everyone has their own preferences and their are a number of options. I will assume you are talking about software for Windows. You really have to divide “digital” into 2 categories. For the various weak signal modes like FT8, FT4, JT65, etc., WSJT-X is really the only choice as far as I’m concerned. It is open source. So their are other offshoots, but I stick with the original. For more traditional digital modes like RTTY, PSK-31, etc., I like FLDigi. Actually, both of these programs are also available for Linux and I believe MacOS as well. They both have built in logging, but they can also both be connected to other logging software if you want to use a single logging program for all of your QSOs.

[@ki5cdfmatthew924]

Great stuff! Keep it up Tom! 73

[@tenspeed99]

Is there a way to D/L all of your vids at one fell swoop?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I don’t think there is a way to do that from KZbin. That is the only place they are currently being hosted. Now that I have a web site up, I may look at hosting them someplace where they can be downloaded. I will be sure to put information on the KZbin channel when I get that setup. I’m glad you’re enjoying them. 73, Tom

[@theoldgronker]

Freeware program "clipgrab" will do it one at a time. Just give it the video URL.