The following is information and screenshots of the setup that got my Digirig Mobile, Digirig cables for Icom, and MacBook Air M2 (OS26) working WSJT-X for FT8 and WSPR on an Icom IC-718. This page was updated 19 September 2025.
A Windows version of this workflow will be published by the end of September 2025.
Digirig equipment
There are specific configurations of the Digirig unit and radio/brand-specific cables. I ordered the Digirig Mobile with “logic levels – default”. This was a mistake. I should have ordered “CI-V configuration for ICOM radios” (you make the choice in the store). The owner, Denis (K0TX), corrected my error before shipping because I had ordered a cable for Icom. You have to order the correct version of Digirig for your radio when you purchase it. The CI-V model has the “C” etched out. Then you have to get the right cable. There are four different kinds of cables for Icom (and many more for other brands). I selected IC-718, and it matched me with the cable for IC-706 (this works on “ICOM IC-7000, ICOM IC-703, ICOM IC-706, ICOM IC-706MKII, ICOM IC-706MKIIG, ICOM IC-7100, ICOM IC-718, ICOM IC-7200, ICOM IC-7300, ICOM IC-7410, ICOM IC-78, ICOM IC-9100, ICOM IC-970A, ICOM IC-970E, ICOM IC-970H“) .
Icom IC-718 settings
To access the special settings menu, as you turn the IC-718 on, press the “Set” button and then arrow up or down to reach the following settings and choices By turning the tuning knob:
- CI-V Baud – 48 (as in 4800)
- CI-V Add – 5E
- CI-V TRN – On
- CI-V 731 – oF
After choosing these settings, turn the radio off and on.
Driver for Digirig Mobile on the Mac
The Digirig uses a Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge chipset. The Mac driver (and others) are here. After you install the driver and plug the Digirig into the Mac, it should show up in System Information >> USB. Make a note of the “Location ID”. You’ll need it shortly.
Plugging in Digirig to IC-708
On the Digirig, the green plug goes into the green socket and the black into the other. The other ends go into the IC-718.
Download and install WSJT-X and make some system changes
As of 18 September 2025, 2.7 is the current version and it’s here. Follow the instructions carefully. You have to add a few things via the terminal (it’s easy, though). Version 3.0 is near (release candidate online) and the installer and instructions are here.
Set up WSTJ-X
The following screenshots show what worked on my radio, with my Digirig and with the IC-718.
General tab
Radio tab
Denis, the principal, advises: “Data Bits = Eight, Stop Bits = One, Handshake: None, DTR: blank, RTS: blank, PTT: RTS, Port: [select one from Digirig], Mode: None, Split: None (Source: Digirig forum)
Audio tab
Check on or set-up your Mac sound settings (OS26)
Sound In
Take note. When I ran WSTJ-X, the volume level on the left was in the red. The only way I could get it to green was to put the USB Audio Device volume slider at one ‘notch’ on the scale. Normally, it would be middle to high.
Sound out
Other support reading and suggestions
The Digirig Forum has a few posts on IC-718.
Denis in an email to me stated:
“As far as settings related to CAT control go, if the CAT is working then you got the correct settings.
Mode selection may have an effect on which filters and other settings your radio will have activated. Try different options and see if there is any difference.
Activating split may help with optimizing of the transmit power by moving to the frequency where your radio can use the middle of its audio bandwidth versus the edge of it where it can be attenuated.
Re. audio: this can be an issue with the Mac driver not allowing access to the AGC setting in the soundcard. It can be enabled by default, boosting the audio level. On Windows you would uncheck AGC to make the manual level bar more responsive. In ether case you can activate the hardware attenuator on the Digirig’s board. See the product documentation for info on that.”
The results on 10 watts!
18 September 2025