Welcome to this week in Apple Ham Radio. It’s pretty quiet on the Apple front this week, but there are a few things to mention – the Icom 7300 Mk2 and the Mac, protecting your HT using Apple’s Find My service and a new YouTube playlist on the best of the Mac and Ham Radio.
Icom IC-7300 Mk2
Icom recently unveiled the IC-7300 Mk2 in Japan (JARL Ham Fair) two weeks ago, and last week took it to the National Hamfest in the UK. You can read the full spiel about the unit on Icom UK. It will be interesting to see what Marcus Roskosh, developer of SDR for Icom, will do with his products for Mac, iOS and iPadOS. The IC-7300 Mk2 has a couple of new and interesting features of interest to Mac users:
- It features a single USB-C outlet, which functions as a virtual dual port, allowing two different programs to use the machine simultaneously. The current model has a USB-B outlet with a single port. What will the Mac development community do with this added functionality?
- It has IP networking rather than using a serial port with USB-B. It can join a network via a LAN (Ethernet cable or Wireless Access Point), allowing you to use the unit without a dedicated computer and remotely. IP Networking brings it into line with most of Icom’s current fleet of transceivers. Again, this is good news for iPad, iPhone and Mac users who have been limited in what they can do with SDR for Icom. You’ll be able to run your IC-7300 Mk2 from your iPad and iPhone while at home and remotely.
- It has an HDMI port, meaning you won’t have to tie up your Mac to see what’s happening on the radio. You can have one monitor directly plugged into the IC-7300 Mk2 and your Mac doing other things.
Here are a few links if you want to read and see some more: Original v Mk2 comparison table, and pictures SOTA Relector.
Icom 7300 OG version local and remote control on the Mac – yes you can
If you can’t wait for the Mk2 or can’t afford the new unit, you can get your Icom IC-7300 on one or more Macs. On your hardwired Mac and IC-7300, use WF View software. Broadcast the server from that app on your network, and you can put WF View on your other Mac and control it remotely. M0FXB explains how. However, there are two things about his otherwise excellent (as always) video. You need to choose the USB audio and not the microphone/speaker, and I couldn’t get it working with the SDR Control for Icom iPad edition. But I can confirm it works from one Mac ot another.
Dude, where’s my HT?
I have placed an Apple “Find My” device on my Icom ID-52A Plus HT. I’ve put another one on my Icom IC-41 Pro CB HT as well. Why? Well, USD40m on two UGreen Find My “AirTag” type devices is way cheaper than replacing USD900 worth of radios. Unlike Apple, UGreen tags have the ‘keyring’ bit built into the tags themselves, making them quick and easy to connect to my devices. On my Icom radios, they connect to the belt clip holder or the case, depending on how they’re used. Read more in this post.
YouTube Apple Ham Radio playlist
I have started compiling a playlist of the best Apple Ham Radio YouTube videos. More will be added in the time ahead. But right now, here’s what I have. Suggestions are welcome via this form.
Mac Ham Radio updates
Mac Ham Radio isn’t showing any new updates this week.
Please send your suggestions to me via this page.
73’s for now.
Andrew, VK2AWN
7 September 2025