WSJT-X and the Icom IC-705…Wow, That’s Easy!

I have been struggling with FT8, well, pretty much since the moment I heard about FT8. I am excited to say those days ended tonight. The Icom IC-705 could not be easier to use with WSJT-X. And in fact, this little radio keeps impressing me more and more. Like just a few mornings ago when I hunted an SSB POTA operator in Chicago while lying in bed.

So I updated the 705’s firmware to the 1.20 version. Turns out Icom added a “PRESET” menu function. If you click on it, you are all set to do some FT8’ing. No really, you are! Download the latest version of WSJT-X and you will find that the 705 is now a radio choice.

I made three FT8 contacts straight away. Two of these were on 40M. The third was on 10M! Around midnight! And it was with a technician class operator who also happens to live in Boston! I really dig this type of simple but surprising qso…it’s what gives ham radio a pulse.

Digitally yours now,

KM1NDY