Part of our The Icom IC-7300 Mark II: The Complete Guide.
Contesting rewards speed and consistency, and the Mark II’s newer features actually make a real difference here compared to the original IC-7300. Here’s how I get it ready.
The external monitor advantage
Running the spectrum scope on an external monitor over HDMI is genuinely useful during a contest weekend, glancing at a bigger waterfall to spot activity is faster than squinting at the radio’s own 4.3 inch screen mid-run.
Quick keys built for the contest
Before a contest, I temporarily reassign function keys to quick band change presets and RIT toggle, contest operating patterns are different enough from everyday use that the shortcuts you want change too.
Logging software integration
I run N3FJP for contest logging, and the Mark II’s dual USB-C virtual COM ports mean I can keep it connected for CAT control while a second program handles other tasks without a rig-sharing utility in between. Test this connection the day before, not the morning of.
AGC and audio settings for a long run
Faster AGC decay matters more here than almost anywhere else, contest exchanges are quick and you need to be ready for the next call immediately. I also back off compression slightly from my normal ragchew settings, raw clarity matters more than punching through for a short exchange.
Pre-contest checklist
- Test CAT control with your contest logger the day before, not the morning of.
- Set function keys for contest-specific shortcuts.
- Set up the external monitor over HDMI if you’re running one for the weekend.
- Set faster AGC decay for quick exchange pacing.
- Have a backup logging method in case software crashes mid-contest.
None of this makes you a faster operator by itself, it just removes friction so your actual operating skill isn’t fighting the equipment for twelve hours straight.