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Panadapter Mod For Icom 718

The document provides instructions for adding a panadapter to an Icom IC-718 radio by tapping into the diode D301. It details the necessary parts, soldering points, and software setup. The author guides the reader through removing the radio's main board to access D301, soldering a coax cable with capacitor to the diode's anode and a nearby ground point, routing the cable out of the radio, and using HDSDR software to view the panadapter display. The instructions are intended to help others complete the same modification since the author found limited information available specifically for the IC-718 model.

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Claudio
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839 views14 pages

Panadapter Mod For Icom 718

The document provides instructions for adding a panadapter to an Icom IC-718 radio by tapping into the diode D301. It details the necessary parts, soldering points, and software setup. The author guides the reader through removing the radio's main board to access D301, soldering a coax cable with capacitor to the diode's anode and a nearby ground point, routing the cable out of the radio, and using HDSDR software to view the panadapter display. The instructions are intended to help others complete the same modification since the author found limited information available specifically for the IC-718 model.

Uploaded by

Claudio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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I wanted to post a quick write up detailing the procedure of adding a panadapter to an Icom IC-

718. I was able to find a few pieces of information around the internet, and a few complete
instruction sets for other rigs but not the IC-718. I figured that if I had trouble bringing all the
needed information together, there may be some other Hams looking for the same
information. First off i'd like to give a huge THANK YOU to Max, VE3TMT. Without his help, I
would not have been able to complete this project.

First off you need to order a couple things,

I ordered the RTL-SDR V3 from Amazon for about $25. I ordered the one that comes with a
telescoping antenna so I could cut the antenna wire and SMA connector off of it to use inside the
radio.
I also ordered a pack of 15pf capacitors from Amazon.

Turn the radio upside down and remove the bottom cover following the instructions in your owner’s
manual.
Now located D301, guess what, it’s not labeled! Good news, L301 IS labeled and its right beside it.
D301 is the Diode closest to L301. You want to tap the Anode side of the diode. That’s the hard to get
to side. So unless you have a super steady hand (I do not) you need to remove the Main board from the
radio. Just make note of where everything is plugged in, then unplug everything, remove the two metal
clips that are securing what I believe to be voltage regulators to the chassis, remove the 5 or six screws
and it lifts right out. Just be careful!
Now with the board removed, turn it upside down, the probe is pointing at the bottom of the Anode
side of D301, guess what, its tiny and hard to solder to.
Follow the board trace a bit to the point where the probe is pointing in the picture below.

This is where we will solder the center lead, it’s much easier to access and it connects directly to D301’s
Anode.
See, right there in the schematic from the manual!

We also need a close by ground to solder the shield of the coax to. Luckily there are grounds
everywhere, I used this one right beside my signal point.
Now, solder one of the 15pf capacitors to the center lead of the coax, then solder the other side of the
capacitor to the tap point I showed you earlier. Then solder the coax shield to the ground point I just
showed you. It should look like this.
Now I coated mine with some hot glue to ensure it wouldn’t move, or short anything else, that’s up to
you.

Route the cable through a hole in the back of the chassis, I drilled one, you may have a better solution.
Keep in mind you want this coax run as short as possible.

Use some handy Velcro to secure your dongle and then you’re ready to download some software!

I used HDSDR, because it looked cool. Honestly I haven’t tried any others yet.
There you go, proof I’m not full of you know what!

The settings inside the software are pretty straight forward. But here they are.
I had to play with the LSB and USB settings a bit to get them lined up properly.

Also keep in mind that if you want your spectrum to move when you tune the VFO on the rig you need a
CAT cable as well. Mine hasn’t arrived yet!

I couldn’t have done this without Max’s help, so hopefully this short write up helps pay it forward.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are doing the same mod and are a bit lost. My contact info
can be found on my QRZ.COM page

-Trent

KC5PKX

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