Icom IC-7200 Audio via USB
Andrew – VK3CAH, June 2014
Having volunteered to provide the monthly RAOTC broadcast on fill in basis when the
regular amateur broadcast station was unable to provide this service, I explored how to
play an mp3 file into my Icom IC-7200
Previously, I had successfully devised a way to use my trusty old FT-7, (with linear
amplifier) to conduct the broadcast, however, I wanted a backup system.
There are three different methods of providing transmit audio into to a IC-7200.
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Front panel Microphone socket
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Rear Panel Auxiliary connector
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Rear panel USB connector
The front panel microphone option is the immediate option, but untidy. There an 8 volt
supply on the microphone lead, and there is always the risk of shorting it out. This led
me to explore what can be achieved with the USB input. This has the advantage in that
you don’t have to worry about hum or rf getting into the audio chain.
The USB option is probably the simplest of them all.
Before connecting the radio to the computer, you need to download the USB driver
from Icom. Icom make very specific instructions as to what order to install the driver,
and connect the radio to the PC. In my case, I use Win7, and thus need to install the
driver firstr before connecting the radio.
•
Go to
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/index.html
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Select Support
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Firmware Updates & Software Downloads
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Scroll down the page to find the USB driver for the IC-7100, IC-7200, IC-7410,
IC-7600 &IC-9100.
You’ll notice that there are actually 3 different drivers to choose from.
