This article covers setting up the JS8Call for the ICOM IC-705, but if you’re completely new to JS8Call you might want to check out my Introduction to JS8Call article first, before digging into the configuration steps here.
When you connect the radio to your laptop (or ruggedised tablet if you’re like me!), you should check the device manager to ensure that the device is being detected and that your laptop has appropriate drivers installed. I’d also recommend putting a couple of ferrites on your USB cable.
Once you’ve installed the drivers, you radio should show in Device Manager under “Ports (COM & LPT)”. My ICOM IC-705 shows up as two devices “IC-705 Serial Port A (CI-V)” and “IC-705 Serial Port B”, each with a COM ports number.
For me that’s COM5 and COM6 respectively, but yours will likely be different. I have JS8Call configured to use COM5.
When you connect the IC-705 to your computer, it will appear as a sound card with an input and output option. It’s important to set the level on these devices so that they are not over-driving. I found there are several places that these options may be set and which is the correct one appears entirely inscrutable.
However, I eventually found success by setting the input level within the control panel: Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound and then finding the IC-705, which was under the Recording tab and was just called “USB Audio Device”. I selected this device, selected Properties and then set the following: Under “Custom” I disabled AGC, under “Levels” I set these to 75, and under “Advanced” I set the default format to 44100 Hz (CD Quality).
For the output, again just called “USB Audio Device” on my computer, under Playback: I set the Level to 10, under “Enhancements” I selected “Disable all enhancements”, and under “Advanced” I set the default format to 44100 Hz (CD Quality).
I’ve seen other people set the output level much higher and then reduce it within JS8Call, but I set it low on the device itself and it seems to work just fine. I set the sound output to -18db in JS8Call (on the output dial in the bottom right of the screen).
I found the biggest problem with setting up WSJT-X was that the sound settings on Windows are very frustrating. Often it’s ambiguous as to what the current settings are and often Windows appears to overwrite, or forget, settings you’ve previously set.
Configure JS8Call to Connect to the IC-705. This will involve telling JS8Call about the settings that your radio requires for its communications, most likely this will involve setting at least the COM port to use and a Baud Rate. On the IC-705 there is no setting on the device, and I’m told it will automatically adjust to what it receives – but I also have this set to 38400. For all of my radios, I have the PTT method set to CAT. For split operation I have set it to “Rig”.
You can setup your device in JS8Call under File > Settings > Radio. The first thing you will notice is that there is no option as of the writing of this article for the IC-705. Therefore, set this option to the ICOM IC-7300. Then, on your radio select Menu > Connectors > CI-V > CI-V Address, and set this to 94h (Which is the CI-V address used by the IC-7300). You can also select Menu > Preset > FT8, then select Load the preset memory.
You also need to set your COM port, for me that’s COM5 but yours will likely be different. I also set PTT Method to CAT, Mode to Data/Pkt, and Split Operation to “Rig”. Don’t forget to set your callsign and grid, under General.
At this point you should be good to go, however you should keep an eye on the input audio level on the bottom left. Which should remain green at all times and not turn red. Mine reads around 70 for the most part. If this is reading too high, reduce the level on the input device as described above, 75 worked for me but you may need to reduce this.
Additionally, you should keep an eye on the ALC of your radio. To check this on the IC-705 press Menu, then select Meter. You’ll see ALC in the bottom left of your screen. When you transmit the ALC should be very low. I’ve been guided previously that the “ALC should be so low that it almost doesn’t register”, so I dialed the output volume down until I did not register then tuned it up until I saw the smallest amount of ALC – and this has been working well for me. You may need to adjust this level based on your output RF power or band.
You can test your ALC/SWR quickly without transmitting an JS8Call message, by toggling the “Tune” button, which will begin transmitting a tune tone and allow you to check your radio conversation before attempting to make a contact.
Here you can see the final configuration that I’ve completed. I have my audio input set to 75 and this is registering in the bottom left corner between 65 and 70. I’ve set my audio output to 10 in Windows and then -18db in JS8Call and this seems to work well.
I have heartbeats enabled (Mobe > Enable Heartbeat Networking) and have sent a heartbeat and a station approximately 660 miles away has responded to tell me my signal is +06, which is a good strong signal – and so it’s time to start making contacts. If you click HB and nothing happens, check that you have TX enabled (shown in green at the top right corner, to show that it is enabled), if you don’t – enable TX first then click HB again and it will transmit on the next transmit window.