The Respectable way is with Flrig, but this simple way works easily with hamlib/rigctld if you don't need a flrig function. At present, I don't.)
Startup order always:
Computer, Rig, Apps.
The Hardware:
IC-7610 (setup similar for 7300)
a good quality USB cable
A computer running Linux, Ubuntu or similar for example.
-That's it!
The Software:
Linux
CQRLOG
and any/all of WSJT-X, JS8Call, FLDIGI and QSSTV
-That's it!
You don't need extra drivers or wotnot; everything is already included in your "distro" software manager.
(Experts recommend getting the very newest versions of each app. If you are not expert, please stick with the included versions, as the newer ones will probably need you to satisfy multiple unmet dependencies, not so easy for the noob.IMHO the included ones with a recent Linux give reliable results, until you are expert and want to explore the bleeding edge of software development.)
We'll start by installing the CQRLOG package, and any/all of the digital packages you want.
Let's configure the CQRLOG first.
Open the "Preferences" and fill your station particulars, Now go to "TRX control" in Preferences and enter
/usr/bin/rigctld as the Path to rigctl binary.
(In a terminal
Code: Select all
which rigctldCode: Select all
whichRadio one:
Radio one desc:
7610 Host localhost
RIG model Device (e.g./dev/ttyS0): Poll rate: Port number:
3078 Icom IC-7610* /dev/ttyUSB0 500 5432
Check the box Run rigctld when program starts
Serial speed: Data bits Stop bits Parity
19200 8 1 None
Handshake DTR RTS
default default default
Check the box Show communication with TRX in console
What did we just do? The rigctld background rig communication progrm has been started for your particular * rig, with appropriate parameters for that USB cable. Now we'll use mostly these same parameters on the software configuration. (DTR and RTS, the hardware control lines are unused for now, as we will be using CAT hamlib software control of the rig.
Now lets go to Preferences > fldigi/wsjt interface. This where we set up two commonly used apps, fldigi and wsjt-x. Our rigctld program with the Hamlib selection for our rig will communicate with the rig, and as many apps like fldigi or wsjt-x as we like. The rigctrld makes sure that it all happens without conflict.
So:
Reading data from fldigi
Check the box Run fldigi after entering Remote mode
Path to fldigi
/usr/bin/fldigi
Port
7362
Address
127.0.0.1
Frequency from Mode from RST from
Check the fldigi Check the fldigi Check the fldigi
default 3.600 default SSB 599
Try to load QSO from fldigi every 2 seconds Drop after SyncErr > 3 Leave XmlRpc box unchecked
Reading Data from wsjtx
Check the box Run wsjtx after entering Remote mode for wsjt-x ADIF port Wsjtx port
Path to wsjtx 2333 2237
/usr/bin/wsjtx (You can verify this path with the Browse button)
ADIF addr: Wsjt addr:
127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1
Frequency from Mode from WB4 chk starts from
Check the wsjtx Check the wsjtx Uncheck Call box 1900-01-01
default 3.600 default FT8 Uncheck Loc box 1900-01-01
That's it! CQRLOC is a clever app that will work with eQSL, LoTW and ClubLog and do lots more when you have time to set these up in the Preferences.
Now to look at the client apps, which are configured almost all the same. (Isn't rigctld smart?)
Fldigi
Find Configure > Config dialog > Rig Control > Hamlib
There really isn't much to do but here it is:
Check the box Hamlib
Rig: Hamlib NET rigctl (Stable) Device: /dev/ttyUSB0
(With rigctld, only one app, usually the logger has Hamlib for your rig, all the others have the rigctl entry instead.)
Baud Rate 19200
Stopbits 1
Polling interval (msec) 1000
Check the box PTT via Hamlib command
Check the box Audo on Auxiliary Port Sideband: Rig mode
Leave other boxes unchecked.
Save your settings.
Now go to Soundcard > Devices
Check the box PulseAudio
Check the box Device supports full duplex
Audio device shared by Audio Alerts and Rx Monitor: Pulse
Apart from station particulars, we're done with fldigi essentials!
Now let's look at wsjt-x:
File > Settings > Audio
Soundcard
Input: Pulse
Output: Pulse
File > Settings > Radio
Rig: Hamlib NET rigctl
Check these boxes only: CAT,
Transmit Audio Source:Front/Mic
Mode: Data/Pkt
Split Operation: Rig
Clcik the Test CAT button. It should go green or at least get a dotted square inside if working.
Now click the Test PTT button. Success means a red color and the rig keys transmit.
JS8Call configure the same as wsjt-x.
Now for the rig:
We'll do this for the Icom IC-7610, but I'm told that the setup is nearly identical for the IC-7300, also a fine rig that I don't have.
Menu > Set > Connectors > USB AF/IF Output
Output Select: AF
AF Output Level: 50%
AF SQL: Off (Open)
AF Beep/Speech... Output: Off
Menu > Set > Connectors > MOD Input
USB MOD level: 50%
DATA1 MOD: USB
Menu > Set > Connectors > USB SEND/KEYING
USB Send: USB1 (B) DTR (Allows correct PTT if QSSTV is used. Works OK if not as well.)
USB Keying: Off
Inhibit Timer at USB Connection: On
Menu > Set > Connectors > CI-V
CI-V Baud Rate: Auto
CI-V Address: 98h
CI-V Transceive: On
CI-V USB/LAN->REMOTE Transceive Address: 00h
CI-V Output (for Ant): Off
CI-V USB Port: Unlink from [REMOTE]
CI-V USB Baud Rate: Auto
CI-V USB Echo Back: On
Menu > Set > Connectors
Decode Baud Rate: 9600
Save settings to SD card.
Special note for QSSTV
Mostly it works as other apps with CAT by rigctld - Hamlib, but the PTT is a surprise, as is the CAT error reported on startup which seems safe to ignore -until someone tells me how to get rid of it!
The Configuration that works for me:
Options > Configuration > Sound
Audio Interface: Pulse
Sound Input: From sound card
Sound Output: To sound card
Options > Configuration > CAT
Special Serial Port
Check the box Enable PTT serial interface PTT Serial Port: /dev/ttyUSB1 Check the box +DTR
Hamlib Control
Check the box Enable Hamlib Cat Intertface
Radio Model: 2 Hamlib,NET rigctl Parity:None Databits:8
CIV Address: 98 Baudrate:19200 Stopbits:1
Serial Port/Host: /dev/ttyUSB0 Handshake:None
PTT Control via: CAT
Click the button:Restart CAT Interface, and you're done except for station and personal details.
A special shoutout to Rich (assisted by Mr B) K0PIR at https://www.k0pir.us/ for his invaluable help with all things Icom and 7610 in particular.
Radiotoday Guide to the Icom IC-7610 by Andrew Barron, ZL3DW ISBN 9781791723231[/pre]
