Part of our The Icom IC-7300 Mark II: The Complete Guide.
This is one of those changes that sounds minor on a spec sheet but actually solves a real headache. Here’s what’s going on under the hood with the Mark II’s USB-C connection.
The old problem
On a lot of radios, one USB connection means one serial port, which means one piece of software gets exclusive access to CAT control at a time. Running a logging program and a digital mode program simultaneously often meant a rig-sharing utility in between, adding a layer of complexity and a common point of failure.
What the Mark II actually does differently
The single USB-C cable presents two independent virtual serial ports to your computer, plus a sound device for audio, all over one physical connection. That means two separate programs can each grab their own CAT connection without fighting over the same port, no third-party rig-sharing software required for most setups.
How I actually use this
I run Ham Radio Deluxe on one virtual port for general logging and rig control, while WSJT-X handles CAT on the other for digital modes. Both stay connected at the same time, and I haven’t run into the conflicts that used to come with sharing a single serial connection between programs.
Setting it up without confusion
Check Device Manager after plugging in the USB-C cable, you’ll see both virtual COM ports listed along with the sound device. Note which port number is which before configuring software, they’re not always assigned in a predictable order, and mixing them up is the most common setup mistake.
What to keep in mind
- Both virtual ports ride the same physical cable, so a cable or driver problem affects both simultaneously.
- Port numbering can shift if you plug into a different USB port later, recheck Device Manager if something stops working.
- You still don’t need a rig-sharing utility for most two-program setups, which simplifies troubleshooting considerably.
It’s a small architectural change, but it removes a genuine point of friction that a lot of digital mode operators have dealt with for years on other radios.