Icom IC-7300 / HF base SDR

First-hour checklist

1. Verify license class against bands you will transmit on — Technicians have limited HF privileges.
2. Ground the chassis and antenna feed per manual — RF burns and RFI start with skipped grounds.
3. Set RF power conservative until antenna SWR is confirmed on each band you use.
4. Install firmware updates from Icom before loading memories or CI-V automation.

Software & memory workflow

• Save memory groups per net type: NVIS day, NVIS night, Winlink dial, 60m liaison.
• Document frequencies in ICS-205 labels matching radio memory names.

Avoid these on day one

• Operating HF without understanding band plan segments — use band plan.
• Relying on internal tuner to fix bad antennas — fix the antenna first.
• No analog backup when digital modes fail — keep phone/CW skills current.

Deployment & nets

• HF layer is usually Contingency or Emergency in PACE — not Primary for most households.
• Pair with Winlink workflow and radiogram worksheet.
• Practice on East TN HF nets monthly before activation season.

Bench supply & backup

• Dedicated 20–35A linear supply or properly sized switching supply — wire gauge for DC leads.
• Separate radio and computer circuits — USB noise couples into HF receive.
• Battery backup (LiFePO₄ or SLA) for emcomm — size with power system sizer.
• Dedicated ground bus and single-point RF ground for permanent installs.

Mast, wire, and coax

• NVIS: low horizontal wire or dedicated NVIS antenna for regional emcomm — NVIS advisor.
• Multi-band wire or vertical for state-wide and beyond — antenna calculator.
• Keep feedline short or use low-loss coax — coax loss calculator.
• Lightning protection and disconnect policy before storms — lightning safety.

Keep going