COLIBRINANO AND IC-705

I normally use my RSPdx as a panadapter for linking to my transceivers, but today I connected the Expert Electronics ColibriNANO. I've not used it for a while and I'd forgotten how good it was. 

I used my Icom IC-705 connected to an EFHW antenna going through an LDG Z-100PLUS ATU .  The Nano and the 705 were linked via the ExpertSDR2 software, using the built-in ECATV1, but you can also use OmniRig if you wish to.

The Nano's ExpertSDR2 software is excellent and it's the perfect match for the IC-705. Setting it all up is as simple as connecting a USB lead between the PC and 705, connecting a 3.5mm stereo to stereo lead between the 705 and the tuner and finally, plugging the Nano into the PC's USB slot. This is what I love about the IC-705 - everything is just so darned easy - even a fool like me can figure it out!

Below is a brief video capture of my contact with N1W in the States...

To prevent the front-end of the ColibriNANO being damaged during a transmission, I use an MFJ-1708B-SDR which can work in two different ways. It can be activated by using a control-cable from your radio's PTT circuitry or you can rely on the MFJ's RF Sensing circuitry.  I started off by using the latter with the 705, but I wasn't happy with the slight delay in the MFJ kicking in, so I decided to make a up a control-lead.

 

Looking in the Advanced Manual I found information on the SEND/ALC jack plug and could see (as I already suspected) that one simply needed to use the Tip and Sleeve, so I cut the end off a 3.5mm stereo-stereo lead and fitted a Phono connector. It worked fine.

So that's it! It's a joy to use the amazing 705 with the fabulous ColibriNANO.

73, Tom, M7MCQ.