New Firmware Icom 7300 v1.30 | Icom 7610 v1.10 Cautions
Icom has released new firmware for the Icom 7300 and Icom 7610. For the Icom 7610, if you use software spectrum monitors, ie. N1MM Logger+ Spectrum Monitor, you may want to hold off until Icom fixes the issue that causes the USB CI-V scope waveform to stop working (see below). This is not an issue with the new Icom 7300 firmware.
New Firmware Icom 7300
The Version 1.30 firmware will provide the following additional functions or changes to your IC-7300.
- A SET MODE item is added to expand the transmission passband width for the SSB data mode up to "100 to 2900 Hz".
- A SET MODE item is added to make the USB SEND/USB Keying function active immediately after USB port connection. The Menu structure is changed accordingly.
- Other performance improvements and bug fixes
Refer to IC-7300 Firmware Update Information Ver.1.30 for more details.
It's always a good idea to follow along in the manual.
New Firmware Icom 7610
- RS-BA1 Version 2 is supported.
- A SET MODE item is added to expand the transmission passband width for the SSB data mode up to "100 to 2900 Hz".
- A SET MODE item is added to make the USB SEND/USB Keying function active immediately after USB port connection.
- Output signal for an external display is improved.
- Other performance improvements and bug fixes
Refer to IC-7610 Firmware Update Information Ver.1.10 for more details.
It's always a good idea to follow along in the manual.
New Firmware Cautions
- Save your settings before upgrading firmware in either radio.
- Icom 7610 - To update from firmware version 1.05 or older to 1.10, the IC-7610 needs to have firmware version 1.06 installed.
- The new Icom 7610 firmware causes the USB CI-V scope waveform to stop working. The spectrum monitors in software such as N1MM Logger+ quit working basically. For that reason some users may want to wait until Icom sends out another update.
Icom introduced an error in the CAT responses that return the spectrum data via the USB port. In the Icom protocol, each response is supposed to be prefixed with X'FEFE'. They dropped those bytes with the latest firmware upgrade. This in turn caused third party programs following the CAT spec to display spectrum data to fail. - Tom, N1MM
Thank you again for coming by and I appreciate all of the comments. If you have a question please comment below. I will do my best to answer it and your experience will undoubtedly help others as well.
Sources:
UPDATE 7/30/2018: Icom 7610 Firmware version 1.11 can be found on the Icom Japan website. Click here.
Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ (From the IC-7300 and IC-7610 Groups.io forum)
Chen, W7AY (From the IC-7610 Groups.io forum)
Tom, N1MM (From the IC-7300 Groups.io forum)
They also have a new driver, but it does not play well eith those of us using Omnirig . The firmware update went well. The new driver threw me for a rabbit hole adventure. I reloaded older driver, now back up and running.
Hi Jason,
Nice to hear from you. Good to know. I have not used Omnirig in a while.
I don’t think you’re alone on the driver. I’ll bet others rolled it back.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
I have the IC-7300 and love its simple to use controls. I’m in the process of gathering all of the resources needed to install FT8. Will this update affect any of the digital settings on the radio – if installed?
Hi John,
Nice to hear from you and great question. I have not heard anything negative about this firmware update and the 7300. It appears to be working fine.
I have not completed the update on my 7300, but did so on my 7610 and it reset all of the settings. I’m sure it will do the same on the 7300. So save settings before upgrading the firmware!
Thanks for commenting.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich, watched your video clip and wondered that you reformatted the card again.
It’s formatted earlier (it’s an update you’re talking about). Save settings and backup the card to a PC and then copy the extracted firmware ver. 1.30 into the existing 7300 folder on the card and then put the card back on the radio.
Hi Elvind,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for the comment. I agree and it can be done it differently.
This 7300 video was done a long time ago when the first firmware update came out. I am just showing the SD card needs to be formatted by the radio not the computer.
I’m following along in the manual. If anyone follows the video (or manual), it’s hard to go wrong.
Icom Manual: “Before using an SD card with the transceiver, be sure
to format all SD cards with the built-in Format function.
This creates a special folder on the card that you need
for operations like updating the firmware.
Format all cards, including a brand new SD card, and
even preformatted cards for PCs or other uses.”
These days I:
1. Format the SD card in the radio.
2. Save my settings to it.
3. Move the card to the PC and copy the new firmware to the card.
4. Move the card back to the radio and update the firmware.
5. Load my settings if necessary.
Thanks for commenting and nice hearing from you again!
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Could you update your screen shots for the IC-7300 to show the settings changed by the 1.3 firmware.
Thanks,
Ken Hendrickson
w6bzy
Hi Ken,
Thank you for mentioning that. I appreciate the reminder.
I have not upgraded the 7300 yet, but I will do so and get the screen captures updated.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
On the firmware page:
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm/IC-7610/1_11/
IC-7610
Download Type Firmware
Version Version 1.11
Update 2018/07/30
Changes in this version
Fixed an issue where the format of the Scope waveform data (CI-V Command: 27 00) output from the USB is incorrect in firmware version 1.10.
73,
Peter – PA0PJE
Hi Peter,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for posting that. I will update that page as needed.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
I wonder if and how we could let Icom open up the 472-479 kHz band for transverter output, as done for 135.7 to 137.8 kHz, as well and I would like to know why the latter is not the case in non-European versions. Many countries in Europe have opened 630 meters for CW and low bandwidth data. As far as I know this is also the case in your hemisphere. I gather this can be implemented in a firmware update.
73,
Peter
Hi Peter,
Nice to hear from you and that’s a good question. I’m sorry, but I have no idea. I think some Hams in the Groups.io Icom 7610 Forum can assist. I would try there. It is located here.
73,
Rich, K0PIR.us