The Ultimate XMAS Present for an IC-7610 Owner: Icom RC-28 Remote Encoder

Jarrad VK3BL shows off the ultimate Christmas present for the Old Man in your life with an IC-7610: The Icom RC-28 Rotary Encoder!
It is made in Japan, and exceedingly well built. Jarrad gives an overview of its functionality, and how it can be useful.
Icom IC-7610 owners, we encourage you to share this with you XYLs!
Merry Christmas from the Rate My Radio Team! Please subscribe and stay tuned to this frequency :)

[@roberthenderson4885]

Just think this guy is great!

[@RateMyRadio]

Thanks Robert! You flatter me :). Really love the comments and getting to know everyone round the world. Its just amazing as a DXer how many lovely hams there are out there that the gods of ConDX have yet to let you meet :)

[@GraemeKoch]

Merry Christmas to you also Jarrod, i hope to enjoy more of your videos soon. 73, Graeme, VK3PGK.

[@RateMyRadio]

Thanks Graeme! We're going to do some Yaesu System Fusion / Wires-X stuff in the future too, so if you're into 2&70 stay tuned! :). I really picked a strange time of the year to start this channel; the 'silly season' is soaking up all my time :)

[@GlenJenkins]

Hi - I just got one RC-28 and enjoy it as my IC-7610 is up one level on the shelf so it was tiring to spin the knob. Now I can control frequency from the desk - great accessory. Thanks for the recommendation. WB4KTF, Glen, Austin, TX

[@stevencurry4703]

Thanks, I have put it on my list for my new 7610 if not soon, I will get it a Hamvention in May.. Always love your ICOM 7610 videos

[@RateMyRadio]

Thanks Steven! I always enjoy the comments and opportunity to meet new friends :). The RC-28 really is a great accessory; I wish Icom would offer it in a combo pack with the RS-BA1 remote software, but even without it its fantastic. It just makes working split so much nicer, and even when you're not it definitely improves the ergonomics of your shack. Have a good Christmas and let us know what you think of your 7610 :). 73, Jarrad VK3BL & RateMyRadio Team :)

[@KF8OD1]

It’s a must have accessory for remote operation!

[@ThomasDJay-YouTube]

Great new Christmas idea for 2020. Thanks!

[@paulmitchell1041]

Great tutorial. TNX!

[@rtrjmk5]

Got one after seeing your video. It would be nice to have the same options available when connected to a computer when connected to the radio. Hope that becomes an update.

[@murlik1]

Very nice review 73 from VE3BDE

[@PaulKeefe]

Hi Jarrad - Enjoyed watching this video on the RS-28. So much so that I will now buy one. Curious to know what you use the "Apple" Track Pad & Keyboard for as you are using the Logitech K400 on your IC-7610. Cheers Paul VK2ZLX

[@sm6wet]

Great review and video. Really like it. I think this device is quite costly. Great, but costly. I could buy something else for that money like an antenna. Now, if your a dirt tightass Swede like me there are other options. I dont know if it would work with the IC-7610 as I have not yet made up my mind to buy one or a Flex but I use something called a Griffin Powermate Multimedia USB Controller as an extra VFO that I have placed more conveniently and ergonomically directly at my keyboard. I use a FTdx-5000D+ and it dont have a USB outlet so I use this controller (read VFO) through my logging program. If your log program has the abilities that you mention it can do it also. You can turn it right, turn it left, you can press, press and hold, press and hold then turn left vs righ. So, quite some options. The one I have is in stainless steel with a blue light that matches my 5000. I know there are also black anodized with red lights which might be more suitable for night time operations and is not so distracting for a contester. Good thing is, they are currently about between $20-30 in price...……. If I was you I would buy one and make a video if it works. Icom might not be happy if it does though..... 73 PS. Liked and new subscriber.

[@dannyhorne9448]

Can this be plugged into a computer's USB port? Planning on getting an IC-7300 (which appears to be remote controllable)

[@davecolliau1319]

If you hold the dual watch button for a moment and then the receivers will equalize and at that point you can rotate your main dial for your transmit frequency and to find a hole in the pile up then mute the main volume and just leave the sub fixed on the transmit frequency of the DX station. You dont even need to use the split this way . The RC-28 is neat but pretty pricey . Great video though .. Good job !

[@RateMyRadio]

Thats a good tip Dave; I'd never considered operating like that as I am so used to single receiver radios :)

[@davecolliau1319]

Ya I just stumbled on this after trying different things. This pretty much negates the XFC button also . I never used that on my 7600. Its an awkward button and takes 2 hands or 2 fingers to operate. Believe me with 336 current countries Honor Roll mixed I used the split a lot. If you click on a spot thats formatted properly when interfaced to a good logging program you will qsy and most likely go to split mode . The problem here is unless you hold the split and equalize the receivers turn on dual watch and redial up your tx frequency your stuck with the XFC for monitoring and moving the TX. (2 hands again or 2 fingers )At least there is a way around all that nonsense Hi Hi. de Dave N8DC

[@kellypaws]

I'm having one of those. The rig is in a poor position for moving the VFO. Perfect.

[@Markinpuff]

Just subscribed to your channel! I’m on the edge of buying a 7610, But I feel as a new radio it’s a bit overpriced and maybe needs software and hardware maturity. Considering rumors of the Yaesu 4400 SDR radio which sounds like a beautiful SDR rig from Yaesu. I’m not sure when it’s going to be available, but next year sometime I believe it will be on display at Yaesu’s booth. By that time, I strongly believe the 7610 will be $800+ lower in price (plus incentives) so waiting is probably a great idea. My 7300 is working well after finding a defective dimmer switch in my den, now I do not receive 15-20 over random jolts of noise that was causing OVR problems. Talk about a load off my shoulders, so to speak. I also found that my Diamond switching supply was a bit more noisy than my MFJ power supply, so that helped a bit on the background noise. I wonder if this device you’re demoing is compatible with the 7300?

[@RateMyRadio]

Dear Mark, thanks for subscribing! :) I haven't heard about the Yaesu 4400, but would LOVE to see Yaesu's take on the SDR thing. The 7300 is an extremely capable radio; my advice at this stage is that unless you've happy with the rest of your shack such as your amp, etc, there is no need to rush into a 7610. The RC-28 is sort of compatible with the IC-7300; you can't plug it in directly, but you can use it for computer operation with the Icom RS-BA1 software :)

[@1OFGODSOWN]

YAESU =Yet Another Excuse Simply Useless.👎🏻

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I have seen these advertised for several years and had no idea what they were and after seeing this video, I can see that I am very happy that I did not waste my money buying one.👎🏻😵‍💫😳

[@cbureriu]

wouldn't say it's a must-have

[@HamRadioAdventures]

I am going to get one of those someday, thanks for showing it. Is that your rig or still the loaner?

[@RateMyRadio]

Its still a loaner, although I must admit I haven't even called Icom to see where mines at due to the business of Christmas :)

[@HamRadioAdventures]

I've seen you use an amp. Have you increased the TX Delay? I have mine set to 10ms after seeing Rob's (NC0B) review on eHam.net.

[@pu2xbt74]

Hi..Please help me ... I will buy a new radio and I am in doubt which one to choose ??? Kenwood ts 890 or Icom 7610 ??? can you help me with the opinion on which one is best ??? 73

[@RateMyRadio]

I would honestly recommend the IC-7610 purely for the fact it has dual receivers alone - a very useful feature for dxing and real time antenna comparisons. 73, Jarrad VK3BL

[@fredshead3956]

I thin it doesnt work with the IC 7300?? the remote unit...RC 28

[@MrAlphacallsign]

there no need for a FlexRadio you can do it better with the ic7610 and still have a radio

[@kk6yo]

Jarrad - I don't know if you have looked into the Icom RS-BA1 Version 2 yet or if you have used the remote software. I have been using the RS-BA1 for the past 6 months and WOW WOW WOW Fantastic. You have more filtering and you can record and playback in real time. Check it out and check out the new BA-1 Ver2 software when it comes out. 73 Jerry KK6YO - Hope all is well with you

[@RateMyRadio]

Dear Jerry, I have tried the version 1 software (admittedly not the very latest) and thought it was quite good, but the version 2 software looks like something else! I can't wait to try it out :). This this way are pretty good, winter is cold making everything a little more of an effort, especially for Ben VK3HBN the other part of the team who has arthritis, but we're in good spirits and having a good time! Thanks for asking, and I hope you and yours are indeed well too :). 73, Jarrad VK3BL & the RMR Team :)

[@kk6yo]

Thanks Jarrad and hope things warm up for you guys soon - Jerry

[@RateMyRadio]

Me too Jerry me too! 73! :)

[@keith125]

Can it work via Bluetooth?

[@RateMyRadio]

Not yet, but that would be a nice idea! I wonder if Icom is listening? Perhaps an RC-29 with a bluetooth remote would be a good idea? 73, Jarrad VK3BL

[@rtrjmk5]

It would be nice to have a volume slider on it.

[@G0ogs]

A bit expensive Jad

[@G0ogs]

You can also toddle the ptt in the menu settings for latching or non latching.

[@RateMyRadio]

Thanks for pointing that out - I should have covered more of the menu options. I'm a big fan of latching PTTs as I tend to talk a lot ;)

[@RateMyRadio]

It sure is, until you feel it and use it. The quality is absolutely first rate; I'm not sure why they decided to spend as much as they did on it as a product, but there is no buyers remorse here :)

[@RateMyRadio]

Steve Malpass I must admit I was shocked that they had made it as a premium product - most brands would have gone with a Chinese made lower quality and cheaper unit. Check out VK retailers; our pricing is better from what I’ve heard and shipping should be cheap. I recommend www.strictlyham.com.au