Radio Remote for ICOM manual

Published version compatibility
Supported radios: Icom IC-705, IC-9700, IC-7300MK2, IC-7610 and IC-7851. This manual gives detailed setup instructions for the IC-705 and IC-9700; menus and available controls can vary by model.

QSO log synchronization
After you configure the accounts in the app, QSOs are synchronized automatically with LoTW, eQSL and QRZ.com.

How to use this manual
This manual describes the steps necessary to set up the radio, create a profile in the app and use the main remote control functions. Menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware installed and the language set on the radio.
Before we start
Read chapters 1 and 2 first. For a connection via the Internet, also complete chapter 5 and check that your operator provides a reachable public IP address.


1. System Requirements
To use the app correctly you need:
Compatible Icom IC-705, IC-9700, IC-7300MK2, IC-7610 or IC-7851 transceiver with updated firmware.
Smartphone or tablet with Android 8 or later.
Device powerful enough to display Spectrum Scope and Waterfall smoothly.
Microphone permission enabled, required to transmit audio.
Wi-Fi connection for IC-705 or LAN network connection for IC-9700.
Configurable router, only if you want to use the radio remotely via the Internet.
Screen orientation
The app is designed to work in portrait orientation. Rotation is blocked to avoid cuts or unwanted movements of the interface.


2. Radio setup
Before opening the app you must enable remote control via the network and check the communication ports set on the radio.


2.1 Communication ports
Function
Default UDP port
Port 1 – Control Port
50001
Port 2 – Serial Port
50002
Port 3 – Audio Port
50003
The ports can be viewed and, if necessary, changed in the radio menu. The values ​​entered in the app must correspond exactly to those configured in the device.


2.2 IC-705: direct connection in Access Point mode
The IC-705 can create its own Wi-Fi network. This mode allows you to directly connect the smartphone to the radio without using an external router. The range depends on the environment and is normally lower than that achievable via a Wi-Fi router.
IC-705 configuration
MENU → SET → WLAN Set


1. Temporarily disable WLAN.


2. Set Connection Type to Access Point.


3. Set the Wi-Fi network name and a secure password.


4. Unless there are special needs, leave the default IP address of 192.168.59.1.


5. Enable Network Control.


6. Check ports 50001, 50002, and 50003.


7. Configure User1 and its password.


8. Reactivate the WLAN and restart the device.
Smartphone setup


1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network generated by the IC-705.


2. If your phone tries to leave the network because it has no Internet, confirm that you want to stay connected.


3. If necessary, temporarily turn off mobile data.


4. Open the app and add a new radio.


5. Enter the parameters shown in the following table, then save.
Parameter
Typical value
IP address
192.168.59.1
Door 1
50001
Door 2
50002
Door 3
50003
Username
As set in the radio
Passwords
As set in the radio


2.3 IC-705: connection via Wi-Fi router (Station Mode)
In Station mode the IC-705 connects to your home Wi-Fi network. The radio can therefore be controlled from the local network and, with an appropriate router configuration, also via the Internet.
MENU → SET → WLAN Set → Connection Type → Station


1. Connect the radio to the router's Wi-Fi network.


2. Assign the radio a stable IP address. You can set a fixed IP or create a DHCP reservation on your router.


3. Enable Network Control.


4. Configure username and password.


5. Check the three communication ports.


6. Restart the device when configuration is complete.
Use in the local network
To control the radio when the smartphone and device are connected to the same network it is not necessary to open ports to the Internet.


2.4 IC-9700: connection via LAN network
The IC-9700 normally uses the Ethernet connection. Connect the radio to your local network router or switch using a network cable.
MENU → SET → Network → Remote Settings


1. Check the IP address assigned to the radio.


2. Set a stable IP address or reserve it in the router.


3. Enable network remote control.


4. Check the Control, Serial and Audio ports.


5. Configure username and password.


6. Reboot the radio if required after changes.
In the app, use the IP address displayed in the Network menu of the IC-9700. The ports and credentials must match those set on the radio.


3. Configuring the app
After setting up the radio, open the app and add a new entry in the Available Radios section.
Field
What to insert
Device name
A free name to recognize the radio, for example “IC-705 Local”.
Radio model
Select IC-705 or IC-9700.
IP address / DDNS
Local IP of the radio or DDNS name for the remote connection.
Door 1
Control port configured in the radio.
Door 2
Serial port configured in the radio.
Door 3
Audio port configured in the radio.
Username
Username set in the radio.
Passwords
Password associated with the user.
You can save multiple profiles for the same radio. For example:
IC-705 Local
IC-705 Remote
IC-9700 Shack
IC-705 Access Point
Local profile and remote profile
Creating two separate profiles avoids changing the connection address every time. The private IP of the radio is used in the local profile; the public IP or DDNS name is used in the remote profile.


4. Connecting and disconnecting
Connection


1. Select the desired radio in the list.


2. Press CONNECT.


3. Wait a few seconds without pressing the button again.


4. When NETWORK CONTROL or WLAN appears on the radio display, the connection is active.
Disconnection


1. Press DISCONNECT.


2. Wait for the interface to become available again and for the session to close correctly.


3. Before turning off or restarting the radio, always log out of the app.
New connection
After a disconnection, wait until all controls are available again before pressing CONNECT.


5. Remote connection via the Internet
To control the radio when you are outside your home network, the router must forward UDP traffic received from the Internet to the device. This feature is generally called Port Forwarding, Port Forwarding or Virtual Server.


5.1 Port forwarding rules
External door
Internal door
Protocol
Destination
50001
50001
UDP
Local IP address of the radio
50002
50002
UDP
Local IP address of the radio
50003
50003
UDP
Local IP address of the radio
Some routers allow you to create only one rule for the range 50001–50003; others require three separate rules. If you have chosen different ports on your radio, use the actual configured values.


5.2 Public IP address and DDNS
To connect from the Internet you need to know the public IP address of your connection. Since many operators change it periodically, it is advisable to set up a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service.
A DDNS name, for example myradio.ddns.net, remains unchanged and can be entered in the app instead of the numeric IP address.


5.3 CGNAT and security
Possible block by the operator
If your connection uses CGNAT, port forwarding may not work. In this case it is necessary to ask the provider for a public IP address that can be reached from outside.
Use strong usernames and passwords other than the default ones.
Do not share screenshots showing public IP, DDNS or credentials.
Open only the necessary doors.
Periodically check your radio and router firmware.


6. Power on and Standby mode
The app cannot turn on a completely turned off radio. Remote control allows you to switch from operating mode to Standby mode and vice versa, as long as the device remains powered and connected to the mains.
If the radio is turned off completely with the POWER button, it will not be possible to reactivate it remotely via the app.
Recommended configuration for IC-705
MENU → SET → Function → Power OFF Setting (Remote) → Standby/Shutdown
Configuration for other compatible models
MENU → SET → Network → Power OFF Setting (Remote) → Standby/Shutdown
After enabling the option, pressing the POWER button allows you to choose between Standby and complete shutdown. The exact naming of the item may vary depending on the firmware and language of your radio.


7. Main functions
The app allows you to control the main functions of the transceiver directly from your smartphone or tablet:
Frequency control and variation.
Selection of operating mode.
Remote S-Meter.
Spectrum Scope and Waterfall.
Filter management.
Display of RF Power, SWR, ALC and ID Meter.
RF power regulation.
Management of channel memories.
Main radio controls.
Control of the AH-705 tuner, when present and configured.


8. Home screen and hotkeys
Command
Function
CONNECT
Start the connection with the selected radio profile.
DISCONNECT
Closes the session with the radio correctly.
FM / USB / LSB…
Opens the operating mode selection.
BAND
Opens the band shortcut.
MEM
Load and view radio memories.
VFO A / A-B
Allows you to change VFOs or swap VFO A and VFO B.
SPL
Enable or disable the Split function.
DUP
Allows you to choose OFF, DUP+ or DUP-. With long press it allows you to enter the step/offset in kHz.
S-Meter
Shows the received signal level. During transmission it can display the data received from the radio.
HELP
Opens the manual integrated into the app.
Integrated manual languages
The Help menu can include Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish and Hindi.


8.1 IC-9700 radio profile — M/S and DW buttons
M/S and DW appear only in the IC-9700 profile on the normal radio screen, not in the IC-705 profile. They are at the end of the function-button strip: scroll the strip horizontally if they are not visible.

DW — Dualwatch
One press enables or disables simultaneous MAIN and SUB reception on two different bands. Blue means DW is on; grey means DW is off.
With DW on, normal radio audio on the phone is stereo: MAIN in the left ear and SUB in the right ear. With DW off, MAIN is heard in both ears.

M/S — exchange MAIN/SUB
With DW on and the radio in RX, one press physically exchanges the MAIN and SUB frequencies and operating modes. MAIN remains selected afterwards: the next TX uses the frequency just brought onto MAIN, previously on SUB. A second press exchanges the two bands again.
Example: MAIN 145.500 MHz and SUB 435.100 MHz. After M/S: MAIN 435.100 MHz and SUB 145.500 MHz; TX is on 435.100 MHz.

VFO A / VFO B — different from M/S
Selects the other VFO of the MAIN band, without exchanging the MAIN and SUB receivers. With DW off, the smaller frequency row shows the alternate A/B VFO; a frequency not yet read is shown as --.---.---. With DW on, the smaller row shows SUB and the large frequency shows MAIN after an M/S exchange.

PTT — transmit on MAIN
In normal radio operation, PTT transmits on the MAIN band. DW allows SUB reception to continue while MAIN transmits. Before pressing PTT after M/S, wait for command confirmation and check the frequencies in the app and on the radio.

Digital modes and operating conditions
SSTV, FT8/FT4, RTTY and CW use MAIN with mono audio; stereo Dualwatch audio is reserved for normal radio operation.
To use M/S and DW, connect the radio, stay in RX and leave the digital screens; SAT, SPLIT and SHIFT must be off. Do not change MAIN/SUB during TX or while another command is running.
If the state is unknown after an error, a press may only refresh the state; the previous command is not replayed automatically. Check the confirmation before pressing again.
Other function buttons and long presses are described in chapters 8, 11 and 12. There is no separate MAIN/SUB audio-selection button or newly added SAT button.


9. Frequency, Spectrum Scope and Waterfall
The frequency can be changed directly from the interface. Dragging the Waterfall to the right or left varies the frequency; the amount of variation depends on the selected Tune Step.
Command
Effect
< and >
They shift the frequency by a single step.
<< and >>
They shift the frequency more quickly.
Long press
After about one second, the frequency continues to rise or fall as long as the button is held down.
Spectrum Scope and Waterfall remain active during normal use and during broadcast. The smoothness depends on the network quality, latency and performance of the Android device.


10. Channel memories


1. Press MEM.


2. Wait for the list to load.


3. Scroll through the available memories.


4. Select the desired memory.
The first reading may take a few seconds. During the same session, after the first load, the list remains available and is not downloaded again every time the MEM menu is opened. The list is reset when you log out.


11. Function keys and long press
Some keys have a different function depending on whether they are pressed briefly or held down.
Button
Short press
Long press
NO
Enable or disable Noise Reduction.
Opens the NR level adjustment from 0 to 15.
NB
Enable or disable the Noise Blanker.
Opens Level, Depth and Width, when supported by the radio.
NOTCH
Turn Manual Notch on or off.
Opens the Position and Width adjustments.
DUP
Opens the OFF, DUP+ or DUP- selection.
Allows you to set the step/offset in kHz.
In the NOTCH Position adjustment the zero is located in the center of the scale. Moving the value left or right changes the position of the notch. NOTCH Width allows you to choose MID, NAR or WIDE.
The AGC, RF, P.AMP and ATT buttons control the corresponding functions of the radio. In the IC-9700 profile, P.AMP uses the P.Amp0/P.Amp1 commands and ATT operates on the three bands.


12. Meter in transmission
During the transmission it is possible to choose the meter to display:
Meters
Meaning
RF POWER
Indicates the RF power expressed as a percentage.
SWR
Shows the standing wave ratio (SWR) on a dedicated scale.
ALC
Indicates the level of automatic control during transmission.
METER ID
Indicates the final stage current. In the IC-9700 profile the scale goes from 0 A to 20 A.
When they are useful
RF Power, SWR, ALC and ID Meter are primarily intended for broadcast use. The values ​​depend on the data made available by the radio.


13. Audio, levels and prebuffers
Adjustment
Function
App / Cell Volume
Adjust the volume of the audio played on your phone.
MIC Level
Adjusts the microphone level sent to the radio.
LAN Input Gain
When available in the radio's SET menu, adjusts the gain of the audio input via LAN/WLAN.
RX/TX prebuffer
Allows you to increase or reduce the audio compensation margin to adapt it to local or remote connections.
A higher prebuffer can make audio more stable on a network with variable jitter or delay, but it increases latency. A lower value reduces delay, but requires a smoother connection.


14. AH-705 Tuner Control
If an Icom AH-705 tuner is installed between the radio and the antenna, the TUNE button allows you to start the tuning procedure. The feature is only available when the tuner is installed, connected and enabled in the radio profile.
Compatibility
The AH-705 entry is intended for IC-705 and not for IC-9700.


15. CW, RTTY and Macro
The availability of CW, RTTY and Macro functions depends on the app version and the selected radio profile. In this version, CW and RTTY can be selected from the radio mode list; their dedicated operating screens remain available through the CW and RTTY buttons. Macro functions are available only when provided for by the installed version.


16. Troubleshooting


16.1 The radio does not connect in Access Point mode
The IC-705's WLAN is active.
The smartphone is connected to the Wi-Fi network generated by the radio.
The phone remained connected even though the network did not have Internet access.
The IP address entered in the app is correct.
The three ports correspond to those of the radio.
Username and password have been entered correctly.


16.2 The radio does not connect via router
The radio is connected to the router via Wi-Fi or LAN cable, depending on the model.
The smartphone is connected to the same local network.
The radio's IP address is correct and has not changed.
The ports and credentials match those set on the radio.
Radio and router rebooted after setup.


16.3 The radio does not connect from the Internet
The port forwarding rules are set to the UDP protocol.
Ports are forwarded to the correct local IP address of the radio.
The public IP or DDNS name entered in the app is correct.
The provider does not use CGNAT or has provided a public IP.
Username and password are correct.


16.4 The Prerequisites screen appears
The device uses Android 8 or later.
The phone is in portrait orientation.
Microphone permission has been granted.
The device has sufficient resources for Spectrum Scope and Waterfall.


16.5 Scope, Waterfall or audio is not smooth
Check the quality of the Wi-Fi signal or mobile connection.
Close applications that use a lot of network or computing power.
Try gradually increasing the RX/TX prebuffer.
In remote connection, check latency, jitter and packet loss.
Test operation in the local network first to distinguish an app problem from an Internet connection problem.


17. Reference documentation
For further information, consult the official Icom documentation relating to your device:
IC-705 Basic Manual.
IC-705 Advanced Manual.
IC-9700 Basic Manual.
IC-9700 Advanced Manual.
CI-V Reference Guide.


18. Acknowledgments
Thanks to:
RADIO1 (NANO) – Adriano
JF1KUG – Ryutaro Hanawa
HA2NON – Norbert Varga
Finally, I thank my wife for her patience and the help I received.


Appendix A – Quick Parameters
Usage
Address
Doors
Notes
IC-705 Access Point
192.168.59.1
50001 / 50002 / 50003 UDP
The smartphone connects directly to the radio network.
IC-705 in local network
IP assigned by router
As configured in the radio
Use a fixed IP or DHCP reservation.
IC-9700 in local network
IP displayed in the Network menu
As configured in the radio
Recommended Ethernet connection.
Remote connection
Public IP or DDNS
UDP ports forwarded by the router
Requires reachable public IP and port forwarding.
Reminder
Before transmitting remotely, always check that the frequency, mode, power, antenna and operating conditions are correct.