Since getting my licence, I have been fascinated by the convergence of amateur radio and computing. I am a ‘Mac Geek’ and have spent vast (read ’too much’) time getting my Apple gear working with various hardware and software. My shack is now complete, thanks to Greyline FT8 and Digirig.
I am in a good place with SDR Control for Icom (7300/7300mk2) on the Mac/iPad/iPhone. I am in a good place with my nRSP-ST with SDR Connect (Mac) and its web-based version for the iPhone/iPad connecting to my SDR Play nRSP-ST. My complete set-up is at my site Apple Amateur Radio.
There was one thing I couldn’t do, however. That was mobile/portable FT8 with my M4 iPad Pro. I POTA spot at weekends and like to run FT8 while I set up, get organised, have lunch and more. I have been taking my M2 Air, replaced recently by a M5 Pro, into the field. While great machines, they’re heavier and bulkier than my iPad which I always envisioned using in the field. But I was limited by no FT8. No more.
True story, I took my $2,000 M5 MacBook Pro on a POTA spot recently. It came within inches of being hit by the biggest dropping of bird **** ever. At this point I said, you’re not leaving a place without a roof EVER. Cue, iPad Pro.
I saw Greyline FT8 on the App Store and immediately downloaded it. I then went to the developer’s website, and there were plenty of examples of machines it would work with and details on the interface between the radio and iPad.
Missing from the list, at the time, was the IC-7300 and IC-7300 Mk2 (it’s now listed). I contacted the developer, and within minutes, he responded with details of what I needed, namely, a Digirig Lite and Digirig cable for IC-706. Since then, the developer, Jon KB0RB, and I have been going back and forth on set-up and features. He’s very responsive and a good guy.
I ordered the gear from DigiRig and it took a week to get from the USA to me in Australia. All up, it was about USD100 (AUD150) including shipping. The app, I think, is USD5 (AUD7) on the App Store.
The gear arrived within a week, and I plugged it in. I was receiving and sending FT8 around the world within minutes, and in style (as in it is a stylish and easy-to-use app).
Simply, Digirig Lite plugs into my iPad/iPhone, and the cable with the four-pin 3.5 mm (1/8th) plugs into the Digirig and the other end with the found connector goes into the back of the IC-7300. The other four-pin to four-pin cable supplied isn’t used. Here’s what I purchased: Digirig Lite and Icom IC-706 Digirig Cable Set (it works with numerous Icom radios). On the Digirig, the green light comes on showing power and the the red light comes on for VOX/PTT.
I had some trial and error with settings for a few minutes, and here’s where I landed for the IC-7300:
- Acc/USB IF Output Level: 60 percent
- Acc MOD Level: 10 percent
- USB MOD Level: 40 percent
- Data Mod Off: Mic/Acc
- Mic Compression: Off (lowered the ALC)
- VOX: On
On the iPad, I had volume set about halfway (below 30 percent, it wouldn’t activate VOX).
I suggest you fiddle with the settings to find what works for you. The app and interface work on many radios, as Jon has listed on his site.
I also used a stylus to pick stations to hunt. I use the rubber tipped stylus with the7300. I then remembered I have an Apple Pencil and will take this out with me in the future.
All in all, I am totally happy with my set-up, the app, the outlay, and time and effort. It gives me everything I want for portable operations, including POTA.
8 July 2026