Unlocking Undocumented Features in the Icom IC-7300

In this video we are configuring the IC-7300 diode matrix to unlock undocumented features. Diode matrix key available here: www.prestonmoore.com/hamradio/
#hamradio #n5yiz

[@AndrejaKostic]

Great detective work on the radio! I have the export-modded EU version, and here are a couple of notes: The radio will transmit from 100 kHz up to 74.8 MHz, and receive from 30 kHz up (allegedly, very first models needed a diode removed for reception below 100 kHz). Radio has extremely low output power below 1.5 MHz and will show high SWR, even when connected to a dummy load. On the other side of the spectrum, on VHF, outside of the 50-54 MHz and 70-70.5 MHz, the radio will have significant issues transmitting. It will transmit multiple signals with high power, and it can also produce carriers in the air band. This has lead to disappointment for users in some European countries, because some states have the 8 m band, and some have 4 m repeater inputs at 69.9 MHz. Additionally, for the 8 m band experiments, the radio's bandpass filter on VHF outside of amateur frequencies is a bit insufficient, and it will pick up FM broadcast stations which get aliased down to around 30 MHZ to 40 MHz. So for those who want to listen to the 8 m band, external low-pass filter is often needed.

[@n5yiz]

It sounds like your radio is modded for traditional MARS/CAP by removing D422. Excellent info about the specs after MARS/CAP. Remember the MARS/CAP mod is different than "export" in this case.

[@AndrejaKostic]

@@n5yiz Yeah, you're right! Once again, thanks a lot for the great work!

[@pmr446]

​@@AndrejaKostic Thank you for thr information. We tried to communicate with icom 7300s on the LPD band (49 mhz) walkie talkies and it showed a drastically reduced output. We suspected a filtering problem.

[@cbarker1496]

You sir, are an excellent hacker. Bought a USA IC-7300 about a month ago and slowly learning all the features. I like it. Also, kudos to you on the vintage car restores; excellent work. (Old computer guy here)

[@californiakayaker]

At 3:02 the one with MTON might have something with Marine ? A lot of these radios are used on ships and sailing craft cruisers.

[@donaldsmith3048]

I have a Mars mod IC7300. It will work most of the frequencies from 160 Mt to 6M but not full power for some frequencies. I have set up the general bands in it and set to limit to that to keep me in my bands.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

Thank you for explaining the emergency mode! Very interesting.

[@n5yiz]

Thanks. We'll do some more poking around in the next video.

[@pilatusk2]

Thank you very very helpful.

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

I have been subscribed to you all along, what a small world

[@n5yiz]

Yeah, same here. Your live feed popped up just as I was leaving to do a POTA activation. Glad we made the contact, 73

[@tolis.plan.]

dear pmoore4321, a my friend make a mistake in the Firmware Update and Icom IC-7300 does not open, what should I do about it.please help and thanks.

[@kazcat8096]

On the uk model 60m is not on the band select you have to put the frq on the key pad then you can tune the band

[@scorpiodrg]

did you get the 11 meters in ??

[@brianchandler3346]

Not sure if anyone mentioned, but KANA for the diode that defaults language to Japanese or reset is probably short for Katakana.

[@eddy2561]

Great video!! Lots of hard work.....my opinion the 7300 is a good SSB HF radio, but falls short for CW operation. I've owned, Ten Tec, earlier ICOM rigs, Elecraft (K2 and KX3) plus others. Since I mostly work CW, I've considered selling my 7300....agn, nice video. 73/K6SDW

[@n5yiz]

I agree. I've had the 7300 for a couple of weeks and I think it's decent. Not too keen on the build quality, but it's not as interference prone as my 7200. That's important for me since I'm 100% mobile.

[@xeon_one]

I wish there a way you can do a yaesu 991A to see what you can find out as well. Great work!

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

Great video!! I have a US model coming from DXE and I live in the US so I don't need to mod it but I learned a lot from this video. I don't know much about total SDR radios so I would like to at least learn my way around under the covers of the 7300. 73, Robert K5TPC

[@n5yiz]

Good luck with your 7300. It's been the most practical radio I've ever owned. It lives up to the hype for sure. 73

[@ADVRydrBloke]

Thanks for that.. I'm trying to do a very similar thing with a 9700 I bought from Japan. Only thing with the 9700 is the firmware appears to be different.

[@n5yiz]

I took a look at the 9700 service manual also. Looks like they have a diode matrix to play with also...haha

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Interesting video! I have the Japanese version of the IC-7300 and would like to convert it to a full-spec export or US model. Looking forward to your follow-up video on this. 73 JS2OLO

[@super-8]

Best Radio for the next 25 years.

[@n5yiz]

Price vs features...I think you're right.

[@624radicalham]

Except the radio itself will not last 25 years. You won't find the parts needed to repair it.

[@super-8]

You must buy two men @@624radicalham

[@Patriot-bn9om]

Great video! I have seen new IC-7300's from Japan that are being sold online in the $800 range. Is it a safe bet to buy one and then make the changes you have shown in order to make it useful in the USA?

[@n5yiz]

Yes, you can convert a Japan IC-7300 to USA model. You really don't have to convert anything if you can live without 60m. That's the only thing a stock Japan model won't do that a USA model will. If you remove one diode, the JP model will also do 60m.

[@dave7ization]

if ya hada left the emergency function in, ya woulda been able to use the internal tuna, to work on more bands.....very good presentation, thanks

[@bbroken1]

So if I buy one from eBay witch I find sellers from Japan for like $849 for a new 7300 I should have no issues with it in usa?

[@n5yiz]

You won't have any "issues", but it won't have a warranty. I wouldn't do it if the cost difference is only $50. You can get one shipped from DXE for $1000 after rebate.

[@logerxp]

EMTON Emergency transmit? It seems. Modded more than 40 different 7300's, and You're right, USA version PCB is not populated with 70MHz BPF front end filter elements. Regards de SP3RNZ

[@norberto8347]

Hello and thanks for shearing this video, i have a question , once this radio is unlock on all the frequencies, would it make it a hf/vhf/uhf ? it might be a stupid question but its something that is not very clear for me, thanks

[@n5yiz]

It will only do HF/6m/(4m?), no VHF/UHF.

[@norberto8347]

Thanks a lot!

[@everettrantanen1732]

Hi, The Japanese model has D413 removed and the US model has it installed. What is this Diode for? Besides removing D420 and D423 in the Japanese model, would i have to install the D413?

[@n5yiz]

It's been a long time, but I believe D416 controls the band plan. The default "band plan" does not necessarily mean the radio won't TX/RX on a specific frequency if not in the plan. You may have to manually adjust via the menu to fit your needs. It's not a big deal to just manually adjust the user configurable band plan and just save it to the SD card. If you have to reset the radio, you simply reload the config off the SD card.

[@everettrantanen1732]

@@n5yiz Ok it is easy to remove the diodes but not so easy soldering one on. Did you ever get the Export mod to work?

[@thebrokenstringstudio2930]

is there a mod for opening up the transmit passband to maybe 4K?

[@624radicalham]

No

[@user-cx9ym6ji4n]

Will you be doing a video for the IC-9700? I accidentally bought the Japanese model and can't return it. It's a great radio, but I can't use it because the Japanese and U.S. models have different band allotments. I called ICOM told me changed. Essentially I bought a very expensive scanner

[@n5yiz]

There doesn't seem to be much info on the 9700. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have a 9700 anytime soon.

[@thomasmanson1119]

Great work ! I missed where I can find this document (or other design documentation) Could you point to that location? In the meantime I will Google title I think I saw in the video. Thanks and 73, Tom KC3QAC

[@n5yiz]

Check the description for the link. 73!

[@DK5ONV]

👀 very interesting 💯🔔🔔🔔👍

[@DonzLockz]

Did you only buy the Japanese version to save a few hundred dollars as you can get 60m and 27MHz with the mars mod?

[@n5yiz]

A lot cheaper at the time I bought it.

[@DonzLockz]

@@n5yiz ah okay, fair enough. I'm still looking for a good deal but will still try, including Japan. Cheers. 73

[@zrdcorp]

I am trying to come up with what each diode does for a 7610. @n5yiz can you share the 7610 documentation you have?

[@n5yiz]

Bryan...I'll send you an email later with what I have.

[@raybokor2]

is there a mod for a band pass filter for band 2 fm as it interferes with 30mhz to 40mhz

[@n5yiz]

Not sure I understand the question. Are you saying 2-meter FM is interfering with 30-40mhz?

[@raybokor2]

@@n5yiz from 30mhz to 40mhz i get local interference from the fm broadcast stations(88 to 108) .the 7300 is the only icom that does that is there a cure .i know a few others with the same issue

[@daaufdammahom3417]

Sir..do you know how to fix if the touch screen not function. My 7300 got this problem.

[@n5yiz]

Unfortunately, I can't help you. I just got my radio a couple of weeks ago. Maybe the screen needs recalibrating? If you hold down the "menu" button plus one of the other buttons on the bottom row, and power the radio....it will go into a screen calibration mode. I don't remember exactly what button it is along with the menu button, but it's there. Might be "menu" + "exit" and then turn on power. I don't have the radio in front of me to try it.

[@n5yiz]

Page 14-3 of the full user manual for the 7300 shows the process for screen calibration. Good luck

[@sergiomackay455]

I had this issue too, after having the radio for a few weeks the touch screen stops working, I send the radio to Icom in Washington for repair, the problem appears to be the touch screen board, they replace it for me, and it worked fine again!!!!

[@daaufdammahom3417]

​@@sergiomackay455 lucky u the warranty is still in.

[@stargazer7644]

25:10 My unmodified USA model receives from 30 kHz to 74.8 MHz

[@user-ql1ym7hm2w]

Can anyone tell me how to make IC-7300M to transmit 100W which is 50W by default?

[@n5yiz]

I actually researched that when doing the rest of the mods. I compared the schematics of the 100W and 50W(and 10W) and couldn't find the difference. I don't know if they actually modify the hardware or just toggle something in the firmware. At any rate, Icom will convert the radio for a modest cost. Here's what I found on one of the Icom websites. Not sure which one, I wasn't able to locate it again. This was taken from one of the FAQs I believe and references the service center in Japan. I'm sure your regional Icom center could also do the conversion. This is also relevant for the 10W model IC-7300S also. 73 "Q. I want to modify the 50W type to 100W. A. Please send your request for modification to the store where you purchased the equipment or to our "Kinokawa Repair Center". The customer is responsible for the modification fee of 7,700 yen (including tax) and the shipping fee. After remodeling, we will issue a repair statement proving that it has been remodeled to 100W output, so please attach the repair statement and apply for a license. Although it will be treated as a self-made machine, there is no need to submit troublesome documents such as modification methods, and it is possible to apply for a license with the guarantee of JARD and TSS Co., Ltd. with the same simple procedure as JARL registered models. Is possible. • We do not provide remodeling materials to customers because special jigs and measuring instruments are required for output adjustment after remodeling. • Once remodeled, even if you return to the original transmission output, it will not return to the technical standards conformity certified model."

[@yocchan54321]

Icom products are three major models for Japan, the United States and Europe. For Japan, it is self -regulated, and CPUs are programmed so that even if remodeled, off -band cannot be transmitted.

[@user-cx9ym6ji4n]

If there a way around the programming?

[@akuzonir]

Radios destined for the Japanese market are prohibited and controlled by firmware that can not be updated, so even with hardware transmission modifications, only the 26-27MHz CB radio band can not be transmitted. The triangle J mark printed on the nameplate on the back panel is proof of this.

[@n5yiz]

interesting

[@mrjones6770]

no..my japan version does transmit there...

[@n5yiz]

@@mrjones6770 Yep...and thanks for your videos. Your video is the reason I bought one from ebay.

[@ivanpoddubnyy3421]

The radio stations intended for the Japanese market IC-7300 will report from 100 kHz to 74,8 MHz. CHECKED !!!!

[@redneckwhitehouse5919]

Wrong sucka. Mine works GREAT!

[@SkyWire88]

Hello --- That tiny curser you are using for your presentation here in this video is virtually useless, especially if you move it around. It is almost invisible. I'm watching on a regular laptop, set up for full page viewing. I did manage to visually follow about 15% of the video. What I did see was pretty neat. Real nice rig.

[@n5yiz]

I'll enlarge the cursor next time...thanks

[@esava2874]

I removed the Japanese language diode and did a reset about 4x and it still has it as an option and still able to go back to it??? Stumped.

[@n5yiz]

Does it default to English after reset?

[@esava2874]

@@n5yiz I had it set to English before the removal of the diode. But yes it did display English after the reset. So I guess it worked? lol. Want to remove the other diode beneath it but not sure exactly what that will do. Thanks for the reply.

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

I removed 422 and didn't get transmit on all channels. Now what?

[@n5yiz]

Did you adjust the band edges?

[@624radicalham]

How come nobody with the knowledge has hacked the software? I'm talking about changing colors, experimenting with the AGC threshold to make it quieter, adding skins. All these mods could be uploaded via firmware. They do it with Samsung phones all the time despite the company installing massive safeguards to protect their brand secrets. Why is it not being done with this radio?

[@muddytiresclub4264]

People have. Google it.

[@southboundsuarez9832]

I agree with your question. WHy are there no brainiacs types coming out with firmware hacks and mods to these radios? It seems that there are also other hackable firmware driven ham appliances that seem to lack understanding or have yet to be intruded upon by those that hack firmware. Another excellent example would be Expert Amplifiers. There has been a couple of hand held radios with firmware mods. The MD380 and now the Quenshang or whatever it is.... both were orig modded by non-ham communities. I think it is because of several reasons, Firstly, the average Ham bone community has been exceedingly dumbed down to mostly mere appliance operators. Secondly, the cost of ham gear somewhat exceeds a price point that many wish to risk experimenting on a valuable and for the most part fully capable asset. Third hams are not typically of the same scofflaw mentality as many within the true hacker genre.Somewhat related to the last reason is that most hardware the firmware is restricted by proprietary licensing and anti tampering/piracy/intellectual legal protections that keep firmware modification from being disseminated or shared. You would think a piece of hardware such as the 7300 that is so reliant upon software driven nature would be ripe for hacking, butI just have yet to see any whatsoever. It is a testament to the author of this video of just what a little inquisitive experimentation can show what capabilities are available. I have read post after post on forums such as QRZ about how stupid it is to buy a grey market radio off of Ebay outside of your political/geographic marketplace because of getting stuck with a radio that is inoperable to your own band plans. Also a bunch of crybaby's that are too afraid to roll up their shirtsleeves and take a golden screwdriver and open up the radio to peek inside, let alone surely too scaredy cat to use a soldering iron with enough proficiency to exchange components! However, I do admit that those diodes and other surface mount components do indeed keep getting tiny'r and more difficult for these aging eyes to see and harder to handle Hi-hi! OK SO THE CHALLENGE,,,,,, WHO IS GOING TO PUBLISH ALTERNATIVE FIRMWARE UPGRADES FOR THESE RADIOS????

[@southboundsuarez9832]

​​@@tc25d Yeah, I suppose that there are other avenues for this to proceed for the ham enthusiasts. There are many other truly SDR radios and the proliferation of open source applications for these SDR radio systems. It's funny because as things have become more software driven, we have started to go full circle with user interfaces that have a conventional feel with knobs, push buttons and other "analog" interfaces that make the software part of the system transparent to the operation of the appliance as a whole radio unit. We took away the hardware and now have put it back. But there is indeed a legitimate playground for the computer software digital types to play. With many SDR transceivers and receivers that can be operated thru PC, Linux ECT... Of course all the Raspberry Pi and other single board computing. I still would wish to see others truly hack more firmwares of many everyday devices. The previous poster made a brilliant observation about the Cellphone community and the phone firmware hacks. That has been going on well before the advent of Android. But I suppose the first true hackers were those phone phreaks and the whole hacker community spawned ala "Alt 2600" in hommage to 2600hZ tone... Electronics and computing all take roots to radio and communication. Hams historically have contributed in a great part of all that evolution.

[@RabMac108AT10six]

The reason is pretty simple and you sort of answered it yourself in your examples of Quansheng and Tytera MD380-MDUV380 . A fair difference in hard bricking a 30-70 dollar HT than a Flagship 900-1200 dollar radio . Guess nobody wants to end up ruining an expensive rig.for the sake of an extra colour or boot logo. Smart choice .

[@southboundsuarez9832]

Well, to a certain point obviously the economics of value and what it is worth to the average is sensible. If it isn't broke don't fix it. Obviously the engineers have a whole heck of alot research and developmental resources being that they are the designers producing these fabulous machines for the manufacturing entity. How much further is the hack reverse engineer going to exceed the best most reliable overall performance? In most cases such as some of the other firmware hacks previously mentioned, it is indeed more affordable to wager bricking a bargain budget HT vs a mainstream HF radio. $40-$100 vs $800-$1200 radio. However, it usually isn't the case that these reversed engineered firmwares are actually being technically altered or modified by the average end user, but it is usually being worked out by a small community of gifted and skilled students, bored professional engineers, or others with above average technical chops,,,, these folks might even have some sort of inside compromised code or data to get them started. It is usually an extraordinary talent that works out the firmware, packages, and publishes the alternative or hacked firms amongst the elite and soon it filters down and is disseminated to the legions of hobbyists, rank and file and various others that surf the Internet and the vast majority are basically the monkey see and monkey do, that take these firms and will do what they see online to their gear. For many of us it may not be sensible to wager bricking a 7300. It's not worth it. But there are a great many that have no sensibility willing to throw caution to the wind. Then there are also those that don't actually consider 1K rig a huge investment and it is far from flagship as far as they consider an HF rig goes.... Others that is what the hobby is all about and that is the price they pay to tinker..... When you consider the price of a 7300 (most consider entry level for HF) It is not too far off and about the same investment as a true flagship smartphone such as a top tier Samsung or Apple. Yet, you see new modified or hacked firms and jailbreaking instructions appear for the very latest phones only days after their initial release to the public. Within days the monkey see and monkey do crowd are already everywhere online with their $1200 phones unlocking and bending the inner workings of what their phones can do and what stupid little hiccups they encounter or lose along the way. Maybe it's the mentality and genre as well as the shear greater numbers among the smartphone user/hacker space? Maybe hams are more sensible? It seems we would have greater initial elite tinkerers than phrackers?! Interesting how these things take a life of their own. I am still hoping for someone to publish some monkey see monkey do firmware massaging of the 7300,,,, after all it's actually an SDR under the hood. SDR as in software defined! As for the Expert, we have a terminal program published but what else can we do to the Expert? Full open unlocked transmit, maybe but it becomes a problem of the tuned output circuitry, similar to the 7300 above 30mHz..... ​@@RabMac108AT10six

[@Quoodle1]

Kana for katakana characters

[@user-sv8gq5pm6q]

I'm to scared to open mine paid a shit load of money for mine

[@kellyleek9]

Part2?

[@logerxp]

Just FYI+: USA ver only display 70MHz anyway. Nothing more.

[@n5yiz]

Thanks. Do the US models default to the US band plan in the "User Band Edge" when reset? Maybe they all show skips in the 80 meter portion until reconfigured by the end user?

[@mewrongway]

Wonder if the FT-710 is like this?

[@n5yiz]

I'm sure the FT-710 has configurable regional settings also.

[@dudeski934]

Doesn’t the Japan version have less power

[@n5yiz]

No

[@straightpride451]

Cute

[@Shep5847]

My USA model receives up to 74.999 MHz with no mods.

[@n5yiz]

thanks!

[@flhusa1]

Different regions.

[@donaldtune6917]

on bottom

[@HamRadio200]

Now figure out the 9700.

[@n5yiz]

If I had one, I'd try.

[@HamRadio200]

@@n5yiz the 9700 is locked down to rx of ham bands only. It’s dumb that you can’t rx airband among other things.

[@AndrejaKostic]

@@n5yiz DJ7AQ, who also seems to like experimenting with diodes, showed a picture of an IC-9700 in "repeater mode", but unfortunately didn't publish which diodes are affected. So, if that picture isn't fake, then there might be something more to unlock on the IC-9700.

[@Thefreakyfreek]

In short get the euro model an mod it

[@n5yiz]

yes!

[@BrianMaguire]

Great reverse engineering. Sounds like you can convert a JP version to US version. But are the the JP versions cheaper? Why not just buy a US version to begin with? 73

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Yes, they're cheaper in Japan, but only due to the exchange rate which is currently about 130 yen per US dollar. The normal rate is around 110 yen per dollar. I paid $970 for my IC-7300 about 6 months ago in Akihabara when it was $140 yen per dollar. Not sure what they're going for in the US - somewhere around $1200 I think.

[@kevinkeppler7220]

Misleading title

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

There is a reason for being that be careful on that stuff you will mess up the program in the radio. The best to update the radio is down load it on line and update it with the sd card. I suggest not doing that .

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

This is why the 7300s are all over flebay caulse someone golden screwdrivered it or golden computer buttoned it

[@stargazer7644]

Based on what exactly?

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

@@stargazer7644 think about it you know exactly dont play stupid

[@scopehitmyeye2019]

I can't be bothered to watch all of this. Am I right in thinking this joker messes about with the transceiver to 'open up' bands he isn't permitted to use? Oh and a Japanese emergency frequency he can't use either. Is that right? Seem like a huge waste of time.

[@DZX5000]

guys, is it possible to receive FM radio stations here in canada with any of these mods. ? i was disappointed that it wasn’t available out of the box , as well as the air traffic control…

[@624radicalham]

No

[@DZX5000]

@@624radicalham ok, appreciate the feedback. cheers.

[@yoon388]

Can anyone tell me how to make IC-7300M to transmit 100W which is 50W by default?

[@n5yiz]

I actually researched that when doing the rest of the mods. I compared the schematics of the 100W and 50W(and 10W) and couldn't find the difference. I don't know if they actually modify the hardware or just toggle something in the firmware. At any rate, Icom will convert the radio for a modest cost. Here's what I found on one of the Icom websites. Not sure which one, I wasn't able to locate it again. This was taken from one of the FAQs I believe and references the service center in Japan. I'm sure your regional Icom center could also do the conversion. This is also relevant for the 10W model IC-7300S also. 73 "Q. I want to modify the 50W type to 100W. A. Please send your request for modification to the store where you purchased the equipment or to our "Kinokawa Repair Center". The customer is responsible for the modification fee of 7,700 yen (including tax) and the shipping fee. After remodeling, we will issue a repair statement proving that it has been remodeled to 100W output, so please attach the repair statement and apply for a license. Although it will be treated as a self-made machine, there is no need to submit troublesome documents such as modification methods, and it is possible to apply for a license with the guarantee of JARD and TSS Co., Ltd. with the same simple procedure as JARL registered models. Is possible. • We do not provide remodeling materials to customers because special jigs and measuring instruments are required for output adjustment after remodeling. • Once remodeled, even if you return to the original transmission output, it will not return to the technical standards conformity certified model."

[@yoon388]

@@n5yiz I totally got it. We don't have any regional service center. We have to do it ourselves. One more thing, as of IC-7300M and IC-7300S (50W and 10W model) I think it is in their diode array, if we can remove or alter or swap any of the diode/diodes, it will be regular IC-7300. And as you said in your video, I also agree that nothing is in the firmware and everything can be done externally by modifying the hardware, specially the diode array. But unfortunately could not find any of these methods online. Any idea about this?

[@n5yiz]

@@yoon388 I don't have any further information on the diodes other than what was in the video. I thought about building a small board to allow switching of all the pads in the diode matrix. I bet there are a lot of features that could be unlocked with different diode combos. 73 and good luck