1Welcome and quick start

710 Console operates a Yaesu FT-710 or FT-710 AESS from a Windows PC. It provides frequency and mode control, receive filters, meters, a spectrum and waterfall, computer audio, recording, logging and remote operation. The radio remains the transmitter and receiver; Console supplies the operating interface.

This edition accompanies 710 Console 1.1.0. New in this version: the CW decoder (beta), the TUNE carrier for amplifier and tuner tuning, bar meters with COMP, band stacking and a foldable tab panel. Some screenshots predate 1.1.0, so a few layouts and labels may differ slightly from your screen. Button names in bold refer to the application unless a step explicitly says “on the radio”. The guide has been checked against the source for that version and relevant project troubleshooting history. Hardware and Windows-device behaviour can still vary; use the status messages and diagnostic checks when a result differs.

710 Console is independent software. It is not produced, endorsed or supported by Yaesu. Use the FT-710 operating manual alongside this guide for radio menus, station connections and the radio's operating limits.

A first local session

1. Install Console and its radio drivers. Connect the radio's USB-B socket to the PC and power the radio on.
2. Complete the four-page Setup Assistant: Radio, Spectrum, Audio, Test. Choose the Enhanced COM port for CAT.
3. Confirm frequency control, a moving waterfall and receive audio separately.
4. Select a band and mode. Adjust AF, receive filtering and tuning step to suit the signal.
5. Choose your microphone route on AUDIO. Test any new transmit setup at low power with an appropriate load or clear frequency.
6. Hold the on-screen PTT button, or the configured keyboard key, while speaking. Release the same control to receive.
7. Finish transmitting and recordings before using Radio → Disconnect or closing Console.

The later chapters cover PC microphone levels, digital modes, CW, recording and remote access in detail. Establish a working local station before adding those features.

Finding the right chapter

Station PC means the computer connected to the radio by USB. A remote client is another computer controlling it through Console. CAT is the control connection; scope means the spectrum and waterfall. These are separate from Windows USB audio.

2Requirements and installation

What you need

The installer includes the application runtime and the CAT and scope drivers. USB audio uses the Windows driver.

One cable, three paths

Each path can work independently. A working frequency display does not prove audio or scope is working. Use connection status for CAT, Help → Scope check… for the scope and Help → Audio check… for sound.

A good, reasonably short cable and a direct PC connection simplify diagnosis. If a hub or dock gives intermittent results, test without it. Moving USB sockets can change COM numbers and audio-device identities; check the saved selections afterwards.

Install

1. Download the installer from 710console.co.uk.
2. Run it. Read the Important Safety and Liability Notice and tick I understand and accept, then read the licence agreement and choose I accept the agreement. Choose the shortcut options you want. 710 Console is free for individual amateur radio operators and non-commercial amateur radio clubs; no licence key is needed.
3. On FT-710 hardware drivers, leave Install the required radio drivers selected for a first installation and accept the Silicon Labs and FTDI driver licences.
4. Finish installation. Restart Windows if requested.
5. Start Console. The first time, it shows the Important Safety and Liability Notice again; tick I understand and accept to continue.
6. Follow the Setup Assistant in Chapter 3.

If Windows SmartScreen displays a warning, first check that this is the installer you intentionally downloaded from the official site. Compare the file's SHA-256 with a published download hash when supplied. More info → Run anyway proceeds with a trusted download.

The Silicon Labs CP210x driver supplies the COM ports. The FTDI driver supplies the scope interface. If you skipped either, the Setup Assistant offers Install CAT driver and Install spectrum driver using the bundled installers.

Radio settings to know

Use the radio's configured CAT RATE when choosing the baud rate. Console supports 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400 and 115200; 38400 is its initial default.

The scope interface requires OPERATION SETTING → GENERAL → SCU-LAN10 → ON on the radio. Console normally enables this during connection if it is off. Windows may then take several seconds to enumerate the scope device.

The radio's physical RF/SQL knob has its own assignment, set on the radio at OPERATION SETTING → GENERAL → RF/SQL VR. 710 Console uses RF Gain as its receiver-gain control. For normal use with 710 Console, set RF/SQL VR → RF GAIN so the knob and Console's RF Gain control behave consistently. Chapter 6 explains.

3First connection

Identify the COM ports

The FT-710 exposes an Enhanced port and a Standard port. For the arrangement described here, use Enhanced for CAT and reserve Standard for keyboard CW keying.

Typical Console labels are COM4 — FT-710 CAT (Enhanced) and COM3 — FT-710 Standard. Your numbers will differ. Choose by identity, not the example number. Standard also supports the radio's secondary CAT facility; it is not the CAT connection used in this guide's recommended setup.

If the friendly labels are missing, right-click Windows Start, open Device Manager → Ports (COM & LPT) and identify the Enhanced entry. Yellow warnings or missing entries suggest a driver or USB problem. Bare COM names alone do not prove which device a port belongs to.

Close other radio programs or another Console instance that owns the Enhanced port. Only one program can open it at a time. Use CAT Share for WSJT-X and compatible loggers after Console is connected.

Complete the Setup Assistant

Power the radio off before connecting or rearranging its USB cable. Connect it to the PC, power it on, let Windows detect the devices, then start Console.

The Test page starts the ordinary connection and displays its status. These checks do not transmit. Confirm the result yourself: the VFOs show frequencies, the radio knob and screen tuning follow each other, the waterfall moves and you hear receive sound.

Radio RX is the radio's recording device, commonly Microphone (USB Audio Device). Radio TX is its playback device, commonly Speakers (USB Audio Device). Personal headset devices belong in the PC microphone/output choices. Chapter 8 explains the four-device route.

When the selected baud gets no reply, Console tries the other supported rates on that selected port. It saves the working rate and leaves the radio's baud setting unchanged. It does not search every COM port for the radio.

Skip for now finishes the assistant and saves setup as completed. It does not arrange for it to reopen at the next launch. You can reopen it deliberately whenever needed.

Connect again or change the setup

Use the Radio menu's connection item to connect or disconnect with the saved settings. If the FT-710 is in standby and Console is not connected, Radio → Power on wakes the radio and then connects with the saved settings. Open REMOTE → Change radio connection to reopen the full Setup Assistant and change the port, baud or other setup choices.

If connection fails, first check the displayed error, radio power, Enhanced port identity and competing applications. A missing saved port after moving USB sockets calls for a new selection. COM numbers greater than 9 are supported.

If CAT works but scope or audio does not, diagnose that path separately. DISPLAY → RESTART SCOPE restarts the local scope connection while preserving CAT. Chapter 16 provides the broader troubleshooting sequence.

4Main screen, tuning and memories

Screen tour

The right-hand panel scrolls if your window is too short to show every control. Exact spacing and styling can differ slightly between versions; the areas stay in the same places.

Fold the tab panel away

The arrow at the right-hand end of the tab strip folds the bottom tab panel down to just its tabs, giving the scope the extra height. Click the arrow again, or click any tab (including the one already selected), to open the panel. Menu shortcuts that open a tab, such as Profiles → TX Profile, also open it. The folded or open state is remembered the next time 710 Console starts.

Meters

Choose the meter style on the DISPLAY tab under Meters:

With Bars, the segment at the highest recent reading stays lit for about 2.5 seconds and then drops straight back to the live reading: this is the peak hold, useful for voice peaks on PO and for giving signal reports. Normal segments use the same colour as the sliders, and the loud end (past S9, 80 W, 2:1 SWR and 75% ALC) uses the receive filter display's red. In Matrix Green the whole bar stays one shade of green. Meters not in use are dimmed: S while transmitting, and PO, SWR, ALC and COMP while receiving.

COMP shows the speech processor's compression in dB while transmitting with the processor on. It is read from the radio only while Bars is selected, and only on the locally connected Station PC; a remote client does not show it. Treat the dB figure as a guide rather than a calibrated measurement.

The CW view

Selecting CW opens the dedicated CW operating view. ← Back to normal view returns to the normal console while retaining CW mode. Chapter 10 describes the controls available there.

Tune a signal

Click the active frequency to enter a value in MHz, then press Enter. Esc cancels the entry. For example, 14.250 means 14.250 MHz.

On the scope, click a signal to tune to it. Click tuning rounds to the selected STEP. Turn the mouse wheel over the scope for one step per wheel increment. Drag inside the shaded receive passband to move the tuned frequency; drag the background to pan the view without changing the radio frequency.

If you prefer SDR-style tuning, where the tuned frequency stays in the middle of the scope and the spectrum moves underneath it, choose Keep tuned frequency centred under Tuning Behaviour on the DISPLAY tab.

STEP offers 1, 10, 100 and 500 Hz, then 1, 5 and 10 kHz. A small step helps precise SSB or CW tuning; a larger step suits scanning. The 0 tuning control rounds the frequency to the nearest selected step. Hold − or + to keep tuning: one step on the press, then four steps a second until you let go.

You can also tune with the radio's own VFO knob. Check the active VFO before entering or changing a frequency. Wheel over a frequency digit to select that VFO and adjust the pointed or selected digit. Wheel over the rest of a VFO card changes its frequency by STEP and can change the inactive VFO without selecting it.

Bands and modes

Band buttons use band stacking: each button returns the active VFO to where you last were on that band, with the same frequency, mode and receive filter width. The first time you use a band, the button goes to the preset below. Band buttons also recenter the fixed scope view.

The tuning STEP and scope Span are remembered for each band and each kind of mode (SSB, CW, DATA, AM and FM). Change them while operating and the same band and mode bring them back next time. Your band stack is saved on this PC in the profile, so it survives restarts and is included in a profile backup.

These are tuning shortcuts. A displayed preset or remembered spot does not establish that the frequency is suitable for your intended transmission. CW keeps its own spot on each band, so SSB and CW operating on the same band do not overwrite each other; see Chapter 10.

Mode buttons select LSB, USB, CW, AM, FM or DATA. Other mode variants may be reported by the radio or requested through CAT Share. Before moving between SSB, AM, FM and DATA with a PC microphone, follow the PC Mic mode-change procedure in Chapter 7.

VFOs and split

A/B changes the operating VFO. It selects the other stored frequency; it does not exchange the A and B contents. A=B copies VFO-A's contents into VFO-B and leaves the active selection unchanged.

Mode, receive bandwidth and AGC labels beside both readouts describe the active VFO. The inactive labels are dimmed. They do not prove that both VFOs have the same settings; the radio can retain different modes on A and B.

With SPLIT off, receive and transmit use the active VFO. With it on, receive uses the active VFO and transmit uses the other. For a split contact:

1. Tune VFO-A to the receive frequency.
2. Use A=B if you want to start B from the same settings, then select B and tune the intended transmit frequency.
3. Return to A and enable SPLIT.
4. Check both frequencies and the split indication before transmitting. Turn SPLIT off when finished.

WSJT-X through CAT Share requires VFO-A active and radio SPLIT off; see Chapter 9.

Save six PC memories

The sidebar M1–M6 buttons store memories on this Windows PC.

1. Tune the active VFO, select the mode and, for SSB, set receive width and shift.
2. Right-click a memory button and choose Save current.
3. Click the button to recall it on the active VFO.
4. To remove it, right-click and choose Clear.

The same six memories are also in the Memory menu, with Recall, Save current settings and Clear for each. To free up sidebar space, untick Show M1–M6 buttons on main screen in the Memory menu; your memories are kept and stay available from the menu.

A memory stores frequency and mode. For USB/LSB it also stores receive width selection and shift. It does not save transmit power, split state or both VFOs. The most recently recalled button remains highlighted while its frequency and mode still match.

Saving and recalling require a connected radio in receive and can be blocked while a passband operation is busy. Memories belong to the PC profile, not the FT-710's internal channel memories, and are included in the profile backup.

HAM and CB layouts

The HAM/CB switch changes the layout and retunes both VFOs. Entering CB sets A to 27.385 MHz LSB and B to 27.555 MHz USB. Returning to HAM sets A to 14.250 MHz USB and B to 7.150 MHz LSB. Save settings you need before switching. The layout does not alter the radio's transmit capabilities or your operating permissions.

5Spectrum, waterfall and display

The spectrum shows current receive activity; the waterfall records it over time. The shaded passband shows the part of the signal admitted by the receive filter. Panning changes the displayed area, while passband dragging or click tuning changes the receiver.

The view can remain offset after panning or a same-band DX tune. Recall a band or PC memory to recenter, or adjust span to include the frequency you want to see. Selecting a narrower span recenters on the receive passband; widening preserves the current pan. Blank areas beyond recently captured coverage do not necessarily indicate a scope failure.

During transmission the receive scope is replaced by the transmit display. Its graphic is an operating indication, not a measured transmit RF spectrum. The receive waterfall should resume when the radio returns to receive.

DISPLAY controls

For a readable starting point, use a moderate span, averaging 4, contrast 0 and Peak OFF. Reduce visual effects if they obscure weak signals.

EFFECTS

Baseline Glow, Signal Lighting, Persistence and Lightning add visual treatments derived from the receive trace. Their intensity, glow, shine, bloom, core, edge and timing controls change appearance. They do not change receiver sensitivity or transmit power. RESET EFFECTS returns this group to its defaults.

VISUALS

TRACE AA smooths trace edges and TRACE CORE WIDTH changes the line weight. Waterfall sampling offers POINT / CURRENT, RF FAITHFUL and RF SMOOTH 2x. The smooth option adds display interpolation; it does not supply extra RF measurements.

Palette Colours A/B expose dark/light endpoint colour choices using RGB or HEX. DEFAULT restores an endpoint; RESET PALETTE resets the selected palette. FLOOR / COMPRESSION changes the waterfall's black-to-colour response; RESET WATERFALL restores that group.

These controls are useful when adapting the screen to your monitor. Keep RF level comparisons separate from visual palette or smoothing changes.

AF/OSC

AF/OSC shows or hides the receive-audio spectrum and oscilloscope panels together. These show USB receive audio, not RF. They continue to work with Listen on radio enabled because USB capture continues while listening moves to the radio speaker.

An empty AF/OSC display with a moving RF waterfall points towards the receive-audio path or a lack of received audio. Check RF Gain, then use Audio Setup and Audio check rather than changing the scope driver.

6Receiver controls and filters

Start with RF Gain at maximum, moderate AF, IPO, attenuation off and a suitable receive bandwidth. Adjust one control at a time so you can hear its effect.

Levels and the front end

RF Gain and the radio's RF/SQL knob

710 Console uses RF Gain as its receiver-gain control. The FT-710's CAT behaviour does not let the application manage RF Gain and squelch cleanly as two independent software controls, so Console does not provide a separate software squelch control.

Recommended radio setting for normal use with 710 Console:

OPERATION SETTING → GENERAL → RF/SQL VR → RF GAIN

• With RF GAIN selected, the radio's physical RF/SQL knob and Console's RF Gain control both act on RF gain, so they behave consistently.
• If RF/SQL VR is set so the physical knob acts as squelch, the knob's position can close the receiver audio. Signals still appear on the spectrum but nothing is heard, which can look like a Console audio fault.
• If signals are visible on the spectrum but there is no receive audio, checking RF/SQL VR is therefore an important troubleshooting step.

Console sets RF Gain to maximum each time it connects. Lower it when that improves listening, and reapply your preferred value after reconnecting. The physical knob keeps applying its position to the function it is assigned to, so if RF Gain will not hold the value you set, check RF/SQL VR and the knob's position.

Bandwidth and shift

For SSB and DATA, choose a narrower RX BW to reject nearby stations, or a wider filter for fuller audio. SHIFT moves the receive passband without retuning the VFO; it is useful for moving interference outside the filter. Shift is adjustable from −1200 to +1200 Hz in 20 Hz steps. The shift 0 resets it.

AM and FM have their applicable NARROW AM / FM control. CW has its dedicated filter controls; see Chapter 10. A receive filter changes what you hear, not the transmitter bandwidth.

Notch, contour and AGC

NOTCH removes a narrow unwanted tone with manual placement. DNF is the automatic digital notch filter. CONTOUR reshapes part of the receive-audio response. Compare each with it disabled; overuse can remove wanted signal information.

AGC controls how the receiver responds to changing signal strength. The visible choices are FAST, MID, SLOW and AUTO. Try slower recovery for steady SSB speech and faster recovery where signal conditions require it. The VFO labels show the active receiver's reported AGC and filter state.

Receiver settings operate in the radio. DISPLAY, EFFECTS and VISUALS controls change how the signal is drawn. If a signal looks different but sounds unchanged, check whether you changed a display control rather than the receive filter.

7Transmitting and microphone audio

Check audio at low power on a dummy load or clear frequency. Watch the radio's transmit indication.

Hold to talk

PTT is hold to talk; release to receive.

Keyboard PTT works only in the active 710 Console window. Switching windows releases a keyboard-held transmission. Click outside text boxes before using PTT.

To change it:

1. Open TX Profile.
2. Click the button beside PTT Key.
3. Press the new key. Press Esc to cancel.

Shift, Ctrl and Alt work with either left or right key. Reserved keys, including Esc, Tab, Enter, Windows keys, Caps Lock and Num Lock, cannot be assigned. Ctrl, Alt and Windows-key combinations normally block PTT; assigning Ctrl or Alt itself permits that chosen modifier.

During voice CQ playback, keyboard PTT is ignored. Holding the on-screen PTT button stops the message and takes over transmit. During radio CW-memory playback, stop the memory before trying PTT.

Stopping a transmission

Esc releases keyboard-held PTT and stops app CW sending, CQ playback and the SWR sweep. For mouse PTT, release the mouse button or move off PTT. For transmit started by another program or the radio, stop it using that control. If the radio remains in transmit, use the radio's own controls. Esc is not a universal release for every source of transmit.

710 Console checks and can repeat its PTT release. CAT Share releases transmit owned by a disconnecting client. Confirm receive before changing the station setup.

Choosing the microphone

Enable PC Mic is on the AUDIO tab. Choose the microphone in Audio Setup first.

Off does not necessarily mean the hand microphone: the previous source might have been USB, REAR or AUTO. For the hand microphone, the applicable radio MOD SOURCE setting must be MIC.

In version 0.2.99, switch PC Mic off before changing between SSB, AM, FM and DATA. Select the new mode, then switch it on again. This prepares the USB microphone route for the new mode group. USB and LSB share the SSB settings.

A remote client uses its selected microphone automatically during PTT; Enable PC Mic is not needed. See Remote operation.

Setting voice level

Excessive software microphone gain can distort speech before it reaches the radio.

1. Set low power and turn Processor to 0.
2. For a PC microphone, enable PC Mic and start with moderate MIC gain. For the hand microphone, leave PC Mic off and confirm MOD SOURCE is MIC.
3. Hold PTT and speak normally at your usual distance.
4. Adjust USB drive for a PC microphone, or MIC gain for the hand microphone, while watching ALC. Keep voice peaks within the radio's normal ALC range.
5. If speech remains weak or distorted with a PC microphone, review both MIC gain and USB drive. Make one change at a time.
6. Add processing gradually if wanted, then check ALC and obtain an audio report.
7. Release PTT, confirm receive, and restore normal power.

Transmit bandwidth and EQ

TX Profile → TX Bandwidth offers 50–3050, 100–2900, 200–2800, 300–2700 and 400–2600 Hz. SSB, AM and DATA have separate settings; FM has no corresponding transmit-bandwidth setting.

TX EQ offers three-band MIC EQ for processing off and PROCESSOR EQ for processing on. Each band has FREQ, LEVEL and BWTH controls; LEVEL allows −20 to +10. The MIC EQ button at the top of the tab switches the EQ on or off in one click, the same as the radio's MIC EQ key; your EQ settings are kept, so you can turn it off for local contacts and back on for DX. AMC Release offers fast, mid and slow recovery. If changes seem ineffective, check the active processing state and EQ set.

VOX

On VOX, Gain sets the speech threshold, Anti-VOX helps prevent speaker audio from triggering transmit, and Delay controls the return to receive after speech. With PC Mic enabled, switching VOX on selects USB as VOX Source.

Establish microphone levels with PTT first. Then check VOX keys on speech and returns to receive without triggering on room or speaker audio. Use headphones if needed. Turn VOX off when unattended or before digital operation.

Recovering hand-microphone audio

710 Console remembers MOD SOURCE when preparing the PC microphone route. It attempts to restore that selection when PC Mic is disabled, on normal disconnect and on normal exit. A crash, power loss or lost CAT connection can prevent restoration.

If the hand microphone is silent after PC Mic use, switch PC Mic off and set the radio's applicable MOD SOURCE back to MIC. For SSB the path is RADIO SETTING → MODE SSB → MOD SOURCE. Repeat for another mode group if that is where you intend to operate.

8Audio setup and Windows settings

Windows calls radio receive audio a microphone and its transmit input speakers. Four devices form the local route:

Windows may add a number, such as “2- USB Audio Device”. Headsets can have similar names; identify the actual radio pair. Radio RX cannot be your speech microphone.

Run Audio Setup

1. Open Settings → Audio Setup…, or press AUDIO SETUP on AUDIO.
2. Choose the microphone in Step 1. Press Test Microphone and speak; the level bar should move. This test never keys the radio.
3. Choose the speakers or headphones in Step 2. Tune to a signal and use Test Radio RX to check receive audio.
4. Read the Status panel. If a detected radio pair needs correction, use Fix FT-710 Audio or Use the FT-710 when offered.
5. Press Finish to return to the console. Refresh devices and Finish are at the bottom right of the page.

Refresh devices updates the list; Advanced audio devices exposes all four choices. Automatic repair needs a positively detected radio pair. Otherwise verify RADIO RX and RADIO TX manually.

“USB radio audio active — FT-710 identity unverified” is a neutral status: the endpoint opened successfully, but Windows did not identify it conclusively. Confirm that the selected pair belongs to your radio. It does not by itself mean audio has failed. Manual choices are preserved until you deliberately change or repair them.

Where receive audio plays

With Listen on radio off, sound plays through PC OUTPUT and the radio speaker is muted. AF and Windows output volume control listening level.

With Listen on radio on, PC receive playback stops and the radio's speaker or connected headphones provide sound. AF then adjusts radio AF gain. USB receive capture continues for the AF spectrum, oscilloscope and local RX recordings.

Remote AF controls the client's listening volume. The Station needs radio RX/TX; the client needs its own microphone and listening device.

Receive playback normally mutes during SSB, AM, FM and DATA transmission, then resumes in receive. Local physical-key CW can carry the radio's sidetone over USB; app keyboard CW supplies its own sidetone. Silence during transmit is therefore normally expected.

USB Audio Compatibility Mode

If merely enabling PC Mic stops USB receive audio on your computer, turn on USB Audio Compatibility Mode on AUDIO. Leave it off when unnecessary.

The microphone stays ready; USB transmit output opens for PTT. With VOX enabled, the path remains available so the radio can detect speech. With VOX off, the previous modulation source is restored during receive.

Test at low power and confirm receive returns after releasing PTT.

Windows sound settings

Windows menus vary. Start at Settings → System → Sound → More sound settings on Windows 11, or Sound Control Panel on Windows 10.

1. In the Communications tab, select Do nothing, then OK. Windows can otherwise lower other sounds when a microphone is opened. 710 Console warns when this setting needs attention.
2. Keep your usual speakers and microphone as Windows Default and Default Communications devices. Do not make the radio USB playback endpoint the default: Windows notifications, music and other audio could then reach the transmitter.
3. Allow microphone access and desktop-app microphone access in Windows privacy settings. Windows treats radio receive audio as a microphone too.
4. In each device's Properties → Advanced, choose 48,000 Hz where available. 16-bit is a useful option if offered. 710 Console can resample to the device's native format; a headset with different supported formats is not automatically unsuitable.
5. Check the radio recording endpoint is unmuted and has adequate input level. 100 is a starting point for a fresh setup, but preserve a working level calibrated for WSJT-X. 710 Console raises an almost-zero radio recording level automatically, rather than replacing every working level.
6. Disable enhancements on both radio USB endpoints where offered. Noise suppression or automatic gain processing can alter radio signals and cause fading. For your own speech microphone, judge enhancements such as Voice Clarity by the resulting transmitted audio.

Enabling PC Mic attempts to set its Windows input volume to 100. Recheck levels if other software also uses that microphone.

710 Console uses shared audio and does not require exclusive access. If another program takes a device away, try clearing the Exclusive Mode options on that device's Advanced tab.

If you hear your own voice continuously, check the microphone's Properties → Listen tab and disable Listen to this device. 710 Console itself never plays your microphone into the headset. If Listen is already off, check the headset's Playback Properties → Levels tab and mute any Microphone slider there.

Audio problems

If RF Gain snaps back to another value, check that OPERATION SETTING → GENERAL → RF/SQL VR is set to RF GAIN and check the physical knob's position; see Chapter 6.

Reset the route by toggling Listen on radio on and off. If necessary, disconnect Console, power off the radio, reconnect USB, power on and connect again. Copy Help → Audio check… when requesting help.

9Digital modes with WSJT-X

710 Console owns the Station's CAT COM port. WSJT-X uses local CAT Share for control and the radio USB endpoints for audio. JTDX and other Hamlib NET rigctl programs can use the same approach.

Prepare the radio and CAT Share

1. Connect 710 Console to the local radio.
2. Make VFO-A active and switch the radio's SPLIT off. The Hamlib endpoint controls VFO-A frequency; keep that VFO selected throughout the session.
3. On AUDIO, switch Enable PC Mic off. Otherwise voice and room noise can be mixed into digital transmit audio. Turn VOX off when using CAT PTT.
4. On the radio, select RADIO SETTING → MODE PSK/DATA → MOD SOURCE → USB. This is the DATA group's setting, separate from SSB. The path and USB option are documented in the official FT-710 CAT reference.
5. Open REMOTE → CAT Share for WSJT-X / logging and enable CAT Share. Check that its status reports Listening.

These services accept connections from the same PC only. If you changed ports through Advanced: change CAT ports, use the configured port; the simple page in 0.2.99 still displays the defaults.

Configure WSJT-X

In File → Settings → Radio, enter:

Do not select the FT-710's COM port in WSJT-X; only one program can own it.

Split Operation = None does not clear SPLIT already enabled on the radio. Check the radio's split state too.

Press Test CAT; green indicates successful communication. At low power with a suitable station setup, press Test PTT, then press it again to return to receive. Finish with OK.

In File → Settings → Audio, choose the FT-710's Microphone (USB Audio Device) for Input and Speakers (USB Audio Device) for Output. Console can continue receive playback. Keep Windows sounds on your normal output device.

Operate an FT8 or FT4 session

1. Confirm CAT Share is listening, VFO-A is active, SPLIT is off and PC Mic is off.
2. Start WSJT-X and confirm its dial frequency matches VFO-A.
3. Select a band in WSJT-X. The radio should follow into DATA mode.
4. Check receive level and decoding. Keep the PC clock synchronised.
5. Set suitable radio power and adjust the WSJT-X Pwr slider for clean digital drive with low ALC. Preserve your working Windows recording-level calibration.
6. Operate normally; WSJT-X controls transmit through CAT Share.
7. End transmitting and close WSJT-X first when finished. Confirm the radio is receiving before disconnecting 710 Console.

With Data/Pkt selected, WSJT-X requests Hamlib PKTUSB, which 710 Console translates to DATA. Other mappings include DATA-L/PKTLSB, DATA-FM/PKTFM, CW-L/CWR and RTTY-L/RTTYR.

Diagnose CAT Share and digital audio

View CAT Traffic shows the latest 500 log entries, including requests, replies and command stages. Console's ordinary CAT traffic is included. To confirm WSJT-X connected, look for rigctl-client entries and an increased CAT Share client count.

If a band change takes many seconds, check versions, NET rigctl settings, VFO-A and SPLIT. For recurring delays, use Help → Create Diagnostic Report promptly afterward. Include the ZIP, WSJT-X version, time, band and whether it was the first tune after startup.

10CW operation

710 Console offers three ways to work CW: use a key or paddle connected to the FT-710, send typed text from the Station PC, or play one of the five messages stored in the radio. The radio keyer and the keyboard sender have separate timing and settings. The CW screen also has a built-in CW decoder (beta) that copies the station you are tuned to.

Open the CW console

Select CW in the normal console's mode controls. This changes the radio to CW and opens the dedicated CW view. If the radio is already in CW, clicking CW opens the view again. CW-L is available in the CW view's mode controls.

The CW screen brings together the active VFO, band selection, receive bandwidth, AGC, meters, spectrum, keyer controls and message buttons. Select a suitable tuning step before using the frequency arrows or mouse wheel. VFO-A, VFO-B and A/B select the operating VFO; they do not exchange the stored frequencies. Selecting another VFO inside this view puts that VFO into CW if needed.

The screenshot predates 1.1.0. The current CW screen also has the CW DECODER panel above the memories and send box; see “Copy CW with the decoder (beta)” below.

Choose Back to normal view to return to the main console while retaining CW mode. To return to voice operation, select the required voice mode there. The CW view follows later mode changes made on the radio or by another operator; it closes when the radio leaves CW.

Bands, step and span on the CW screen

The CW screen's band buttons keep CW: each returns to your last CW spot on that band. The first time, it goes to the middle of the band's CW section (for example 14.055 MHz on 20 m and 7.025 MHz on 40 m). Selecting CW on the normal console while you are outside the band's CW section also moves to your last CW spot there. Your SSB position on the same band is kept separately.

The CW screen has its own tuning step and scope span, starting at 10 Hz and 10 kHz. Change them on the CW screen and they are remembered for next time; your normal step and span return when you go back to the normal view.

Copy CW with the decoder (beta)

The CW DECODER panel on the CW screen turns received Morse into text with 710 Console's own neural CW model, trained on real on-air CW. It copies every station keying inside the receive filter, each over on its own line. It listens to the radio's receive audio at your CW PITCH, so tune the station to that pitch: zero-beat it with SPOT (hold) or ZERO, or use the clarifier.

• The status shows LISTENING with the pitch, LOCKED when the strongest tone is on the pitch, or TONE … OFF PITCH when a station is nearby but not on it. NO RX AUDIO means no receive audio is reaching 710 Console; check the radio's USB audio device on the AUDIO & TX tab.
• The WPM figure is the speed the decoder has measured for the station.
• PAUSE / RESUME stops and restarts copying, and CLEAR empties the text.
• Double-click a callsign in the copy to put “CALL DE ” in the send box, ready to send or to follow with a memory.

• The decoder pauses while you transmit and picks up again when you return to receive. When nobody is sending it stays quiet rather than printing noise as letters.

• DELAY sets how far the copy runs behind the audio. 1 s (the default) is quickest. 2 s is very slightly more accurate. 10 s is the original setting: copy arrives in pieces 8-10 seconds late but uses the least CPU. Click the button to step through them. Shorter delays use more of the PC.

• MODEL shows the model file in use. The model ships with 710 Console; you do not need to choose one.

The decoder is a beta. It copies clean, machine-sent CW best, with the radio's preamp at IPO and a moderate CW filter. Weak, fading, crowded or hand-sent signals may copy partly or not at all, and very fast CW is slowed down for the model (the speed shows ×1.6 etc. while it is).

Set up a key or paddle

These settings control the FT-710's own keyer. Make them on the locally connected Station PC. Remote users can play stored messages, but cannot change these keyer settings from their client.

1. Connect your key or paddle to the radio using the appropriate connection and radio settings.
2. Select CW and check the operating frequency and power.
3. Set KEYER MODE to suit your key and preferred keying method.
4. Set Internal keyer as required for that key.
5. Set KEY SPEED (WPM), CW PITCH (Hz) and break-in behaviour.
6. Make a short test and check that keying, sidetone and RF behave as intended.

The KEYER MODE choices are Straight (OFF), Bug, Iambic A (ELEKEY-A), Iambic B (ELEKEY-B), ELEKEY-Y and ACS. Choose the radio keyer mode that matches your physical key and preferred sending technique.

The BREAK-IN controls are separate from KEYER MODE. ON/OFF enables or disables break-in. SEMI/FULL selects the break-in type. With semi break-in, CW DELAY (ms) sets the delay before the radio returns to receive. Full break-in allows reception between keyed elements where the radio and station setup permit it. Selecting a keyer mode does not substitute for choosing the required break-in behaviour.

KEY SPEED (WPM) controls the radio keyer and radio-memory playback, from 4 to 60 WPM. It does not set the Windows keyboard sender's separate speed. CW PITCH (Hz) sets the radio's CW pitch and also the pitch of the PC sidetone you hear when sending typed CW, so there is one pitch setting.

Tune a CW signal

Tune near the station, then use the CW receive bandwidth controls to isolate it. A narrow filter helps separate adjacent signals, but makes coarse tuning less forgiving.

Hold SPOT (hold) to hear the radio's spotting tone. Release the button to stop it. Compare the received signal with that tone when tuning by ear. ZERO requests the FT-710's automatic CW zero-in function; watch the frequency and listen to the result.

RIT shifts receive frequency relative to the operating frequency, while XIT shifts transmit frequency. The nearby arrows adjust the clarifier offset. Switching RIT or XIT off keeps the offset, so it comes back when you switch it on again. CLR switches both RIT and XIT off and resets the radio's clarifier offset to 0.00, on this screen and the main display alike. Check RIT, XIT and SPLIT before transmitting if the receive and transmit frequencies are not what you expect.

Send typed CW locally

Keyboard CW uses the FT-710 Standard COM port and DTR keying. Keep the Enhanced COM port for the normal CAT connection. The Standard port must be available to 710 Console; another program using it can prevent keyboard sending.

On the radio, set PC KEYING = DTR. 710 Console normally selects the Standard port automatically, preserving a previously saved keying-port selection if one exists. The current dedicated CW view has no separate keying-port selector.

1. Connect the FT-710 locally and select CW.
2. Switch VOX off and ensure the radio is in receive.
3. Replace the example text in the CW text box with your own message and callsign.
4. Click SEND. The current text is taken for that transmission.
5. Use STOP or Esc to stop keyboard CW and release its keying line.

The keyboard sender defaults to 20 WPM. The dedicated CW view does not expose its separate speed, so changing the sidebar's KEY SPEED (WPM) does not change typed sending speed. Keyboard sending uses PC timing and plays a local sidetone through the selected PC listening device. Under CW PITCH in the sidebar, PC sidetone switches that tone on or off and SIDETONE VOLUME sets its level (50% to start); a volume change applies from the next SEND, and both settings are remembered. STOP silences the tone at once.

Hearing that local tone does not by itself confirm the radio is transmitting. Check break-in, the radio's TX indication and power meter. If SEND is unavailable, check for an empty or unsupported text entry, the wrong mode, VOX enabled, an existing transmission, or an unavailable Standard port. If the port cannot be identified or opened, include an Audio check and diagnostic report when requesting support.

Keyboard sending is available on the local Station PC, not across a remote connection.

PC CW memories and your callsign

Settings → CW memories chooses where the CW memory buttons come from: PC memories (recommended), kept on this computer and sent by PC keying, or the five Radio memories stored in the FT-710 (below). Choose Radio memories if your radio does not transmit with PC keying.

PC memories can contain these tokens, filled in when the memory is sent:

Send a memory with its button or F1–F12. Edit… (or Settings → CW memories → My callsign, QTH & memories…) opens the editor. Its top row has CALLSIGN, QTH and RST boxes:

• CALLSIGN is the call {MYCALL} sends. Use it for a special-event call, a /P call or a contest call. Leave it blank to use the Callsign from LOG → Settings.
• A memory with {MYCALL} will not send while no callsign is set in either place; its preview shows (SET CALLSIGN). A memory with {QTH} likewise waits for a QTH.

The DX / CONTEST toggle above the memories switches between two sets of memories. Opening a contest log selects the CONTEST set.

Play and edit radio memories

M1–M5 play messages stored inside the FT-710. These are separate from the PC frequency memories and recorded voice CQ files. Radio-memory playback uses the radio's own keyer timing.

1. Select CW and ensure the radio is in receive.
2. Click the required M1–M5 button. Each button is shown beside the text stored in that memory, read from the radio when you enter CW.
3. Use STOP to cancel. Esc also stops playback started by 710 Console. With semi break-in, STOP works throughout a long message, including in the gaps between words.

In CW, the quick CQ1, CQ2 and CQ3 buttons play radio memories M1, M2 and M3 respectively. In voice modes those quick buttons transmit recorded voice messages.

To change the radio's text memories, connect locally and click Edit…. The Edit CW Text Memories window reads the current contents of M1–M5. Each text memory allows up to 50 characters. Use ordinary uppercase text; semicolons, control characters and non-ASCII characters are removed.

Review all five entries before clicking Save to radio: saving writes all five fields, including unchanged or empty fields. Reload from radio replaces the editor contents with the current radio contents. Cancel closes without saving your edits. The messages live in the radio and are not included in a backup of the PC recording folders.

Remote playback and Stop are supported when both computers use 0.2.99. Editing and keyboard sending remain local. A remote-started message is stopped when the remote session disconnects.

If memory buttons are disabled, check that the radio is connected, powered on and in CW, and that no transmission, tuner operation or other CW playback is active. On a remote client, also check the Station version.

11Voice messages and receive recordings

The REC tab contains two areas. CQ Messages records your own voice for later transmission. RX Recordings saves received audio for later listening. You can also open this area through Tools → CQ Messages.

Transmit and TX Play produce a transmission. Check the frequency, mode, power and content before using them.

Record a voice CQ message

Prepare the microphone through Settings → Audio Setup… or the AUDIO tab. Select it under PC MIC — microphone you talk into. Select headphones or speakers under PC OUTPUT — speakers/headphones you listen through.

1. Open REC and select CQ1, CQ2 or CQ3 in CQ Messages.
2. Check the slot information. Empty means no usable message is stored there; an existing message shows its duration.
3. Click Record. If the slot already contains a message, confirm replacement when prompted.
4. Speak clearly into the selected PC microphone.
5. Click Stop to finish and save. Recording stops automatically at 60 seconds.
6. Click Preview to listen through the selected PC output.
7. Record again if the message has unwanted silence, noise or an incorrect callsign.

Recording and Preview do not key the radio. A recording shorter than approximately 0.2 seconds is rejected. Wait for the operation to finish before selecting another slot. Stop in the CQ Messages area stops its current recording, preview or transmission.

If Record is unavailable, check the selected microphone and ensure the radio is not transmitting. If the selected device has disappeared, reconnect it or select another available PC microphone.

Transmit a saved voice message

Recorded voice transmission requires a real FT-710 connected locally and a voice mode: USB, LSB, AM or FM. It is unavailable through a remote client or in CW/DATA modes.

1. Connect locally, select the intended voice mode and return to receive.
2. Check the selected CQ slot with Preview.
3. Set suitable power and audio drive, and check the frequency is appropriate for transmission.
4. Click Transmit, or use the matching quick CQ1–CQ3 button.
5. Watch the TX and audio indications. Playback returns the radio to receive when it finishes.
6. Click Stop or press Esc to end the message early.

The keyboard PTT key is ignored during CQ playback. Holding the on-screen PTT button stops the recorded message and takes over transmission; releasing that button returns to receive. Moving the pointer across the neighbouring PTT button without pressing it does not cut off CQ playback.

Quick CQ buttons change their meaning with mode: voice modes use recorded voice files, while CW uses the matching radio memories. Check the mode before clicking.

Recorded playback bypasses the live PC microphone's software gain. If a message is weak, check the recording and the radio's USB modulation gain locally; raising MIC alone is not a reliable correction for recorded audio.

Make a receive recording

The local recorder captures USB receive audio. You can keep Listen on radio enabled: recording does not require routing the radio sound to PC speakers.

1. Connect the local FT-710 and tune the signal you want to record.
2. Open REC and, if useful, enter a Callsign under RX Recordings.
3. Click Record RX.
4. Check that the status changes from waiting for audio to an elapsed recording time.
5. Click Stop in the RX Recordings area to save the recording.
6. Select the saved row and click Play to listen.

The list shows date/time, duration, frequency and callsign. The recording stores its start time and starting frequency; it is not a log of every tuning change. Receive recording has no CQ-style 60-second limit. Allow enough free disk space for longer recordings.

Play uses Windows' default playback device, which can differ from the PC OUTPUT chosen for CQ Preview and normal radio listening. If a recording appears to play silently, check the default Windows output and its volume.

Select a recording and click Delete to remove its audio and metadata. Copy anything you want to keep before deleting it.

Retransmit a received clip

TX Play actually transmits the selected receive recording through the local radio's voice path. It requires the same local connection, receive state and voice-mode conditions as CQ transmission.

Only clips of no more than approximately 61 seconds are accepted by this playback path. A longer RX recording can still be played locally, but TX Play refuses it. Use Stop in the CQ Messages area or Esc to stop a TX Play transmission early.

Files and recording problems

Voice slots are saved as WAV files in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FT710Remote\CQ. Receive recordings are in %LOCALAPPDATA%\FT710Remote\RX Recordings, with a WAV audio file and matching JSON metadata file. Copy both when backing up a receive recording.

A brief Recording RX - waiting for audio status can occur while capture starts. If it persists, use Help → Audio check… and check whether its receive-capture statistics are increasing. A successful Test Radio RX uses a separate test path and does not by itself prove the recorder received samples. If Stop reports no RX audio samples, no usable recording was saved. Include Help → Create Diagnostic Report… with a report of a persistent failure.

Use the Station PC for receive recordings you need to preserve reliably. These procedures cover the local recorder; remote RX recording has not been verified for this edition. Voice CQ transmission and RX TX Play remain local-only.

12Remote operation

Remote operation uses two computers. The Station PC is beside the FT-710, connected to it by USB and running 710 Console. The remote computer, or client, runs another copy and carries your controls, microphone audio and receive audio over the network.

Keep the Station PC running and awake, 710 Console running on it, the USB connection available and the radio's PSU / DC supply switched on. From the remote computer you can switch the FT-710 itself off and on (see Remote radio power), but not the Station PC or the supply.

Use 0.2.99 on both computers for the behaviour described here, including remote radio power and CW-memory playback. Updating only the client does not add capabilities to an older Station.

Choose a connection method

Easy Internet remote requires no router setup or VPN. Same LAN / VPN also works from another location over an existing trusted VPN. 710 Console does not configure a VPN, router or firewall.

Connect over the Internet

On the Station PC:

1. Connect the FT-710 locally and confirm radio control and receive audio work.
2. Open Remote and choose Let another computer control this radio.
3. Choose Easy Internet remote.
4. Wait for REMOTE ACCESS READY. If needed, click Start remote access.
5. Use Copy code, or read the displayed code to the person connecting.

The share code can be used once and is valid for 15 minutes. Keep it private: the person who uses it can operate the radio. If it expires or has been used, use a fresh code shown by the Station.

On the remote computer:

1. Open Remote and choose Connect this computer to a remote FT-710.
2. Under Over the Internet, enter the Station share code.
3. Click Connect and read the connection status.
4. When connected, click Go to the console.
5. Select your microphone and listening device as described below.

Remember a trusted computer

Before the first code connection, the Station operator can enable Remember computers that connect. A computer that then connects with a code is saved at both ends. On later visits, open the client connection page and click Connect under YOUR SAVED STATIONS.

Remembering computers also lets the Station start Internet remote access automatically whenever its FT-710 is connected. Enable it only for computers you trust to operate your radio.

On the Station, Forget beside a remembered computer removes its authorization; it will need a new share code to connect again. On the client, Forget under saved stations removes that entry from that computer. Removing a client-side entry does not replace revoking access at the Station.

Use Stop remote access at the Station to stop Internet hosting. Use Disconnect on the client when you finish the session.

Connect on a LAN or VPN

On the Station PC:

1. Connect the FT-710 locally.
2. Open Remote → Let another computer control this radio.
3. Choose Same LAN / VPN.
4. Click Start direct hosting.
5. Note the Station name or reachable IP address, port and displayed six-digit pairing code.

On the remote computer:

1. Open Remote → Connect this computer to a remote FT-710.
2. Find On the same network or VPN.
3. Enter the Station name or IP address in STATION ADDRESS.
4. Leave PORT at 47100 unless the Station shows another port.
5. Enter the Station's six-digit PAIRING CODE.
6. Click Pair and connect, then Go to the console when connected.

Pairing saves the station for later use. Next time, use Connect under YOUR SAVED STATIONS while Station hosting is running. If the Station address changes, pair again with its new address.

The Station lists Paired computers. Click Revoke beside a computer to remove its authorization. New code creates a pairing code for a new computer. Stop on the direct-hosting page stops hosting.

Set up client audio and PTT

Choose the microphone and headphones or speakers attached to the remote computer through Settings → Audio Setup… or the AUDIO device selectors. The client needs no FT-710 USB audio device.

The selected client microphone is used automatically while PTT is held; Enable PC Mic is unnecessary on a remote client. The Station PC's microphone is not mixed into that remote transmission.

1. Select your client microphone and listening device.
2. Check receive audio and set a comfortable AF level. Remote AF changes your client listening volume.
3. Check frequency, mode and transmit power.
4. Hold the configured keyboard PTT key or on-screen PTT button while speaking.
5. Release the same control to return to receive.

Receive playback mutes during PTT preparation and transmit, then returns in receive. A microphone privacy indicator can remain visible because capture is kept ready; it does not mean microphone audio is continually transmitted. Bluetooth headsets can take longer to prepare their microphone and behave differently when changing between listening and speaking.

Mic gain affects the remote microphone's software gain. Establish the radio's USB modulation gain locally at the Station before leaving it; the remote AUDIO slider does not provide a reliable adjustment of that radio setting in this version. Adjust speech level with care and check ALC.

Esc releases keyboard-held PTT and stops supported app playback operations. For mouse PTT, release the button or move the pointer off it. Stop a transmission started by the radio or another program at that control.

Remote radio power: off and on

From a remote client you can switch the FT-710 off and back on:

• Radio → Power off puts the FT-710 into standby.
• Radio → Power on wakes it again.
• The remote session stays connected while the radio is in standby. You do not need to reconnect.
• After Power on, control returns first. Receive audio follows by itself a few seconds later, once the radio's USB audio is ready.

Remote wake works only while everything at the station except the radio stays on:

• the Station PC stays running and awake (not asleep, hibernating or shut down);
• 710 Console stays running on the Station PC;
• the USB / CAT connection between the Station PC and the FT-710 stays connected;
• the FT-710's PSU / DC supply stays switched on.

Power off is unavailable while transmitting, while PTT is being prepared, during a tuner cycle or while a CW memory is playing; finish that first. Both computers need 0.2.99 or later; with an older Station the power items stay disabled. On the Station PC itself, the same Radio → Power off / Power on items work locally.

Remote CW memories

Remote operators can play and stop M1–M5 in CW. A message started from the remote computer is stopped if that computer disconnects. Prepare keyer settings and messages locally before leaving the station. Keyboard CW, keyer-setting changes, memory editing and recorded voice CQ transmission remain local-only.

If the remote session will not work

Start at the Station: confirm that 710 Console still controls the FT-710 locally, the appropriate hosting method is running, and the PC is awake. Check the status for Local network or Secure relay to identify the connection path.

For Internet access, use a fresh unused code or confirm the computer is still remembered. For LAN/VPN, check the reachable Station address, port, pairing code and VPN connection. If saved station details cannot be opened, Forget it on the client and pair again; also check Station authorization.

If controls work but audio does not, check client microphone/output selections first, then Station USB audio. If PTT is initially slow or refused, update both computers, select a working microphone and read the status. For a persistent problem, create a diagnostic report promptly and include both versions, the connection method, exact symptom and approximate time.

13Logbook and DX Cluster

LOG saves contacts on this computer. DX receives cluster spots and tunes to reported stations. Spots and online lookups require Internet access; local logging does not.

Set up your station

1. Open LOG → Settings.
2. Under My station, enter your Callsign and Grid locator. You can instead enter Latitude, longitude (optional) for a more accurate home position. When both latitude and longitude are supplied, the program uses them in preference to the grid.
3. Choose whether to Show Name, Country, Grid, Distance and Bearing columns.
4. Click Save. Your callsign also enables the background DX Cluster connection.

Check your home position before relying on distance and bearing.

Save and export contacts

1. Tune the active VFO to the contact's frequency and select the correct mode.
2. Enter Callsign, Sent, Received and Notes. Replace the default 59 where another report was exchanged.
3. Click Log QSO. The program records the current active frequency and mode, with the current UTC date and time, and saves the entry locally.
4. Check the saved row. To correct it, see “Edit a logged QSO” below. To remove an incorrect entry, select it and click Delete, then confirm.
5. Click ↓ ADIF to save a .adi file for other logging services and software.

Unfinished entries are retained between runs but are saved QSOs only after Log QSO.

To see every contact with a station, double-click its row in the logbook (or right-click and choose QSO history…). A small window lists each QSO with date, time, band, mode and reports, with a summary of how many times, when, and on which bands and modes you have worked them. Portable forms count as the same station, so G4ABC/P and EA8/G4ABC appear in G4ABC's history. Imported contacts are included.

Edit a logged QSO

Select the QSO and click Edit, or right-click it and choose Edit QSO….

1. Change any field: Callsign, Date UTC (year-month-day), Time UTC, MHz, Band, Mode, Sent, Received, Name, QTH, Grid and Notes. In a contest log there are also Sent exch and Exch rcvd.
2. Click Save. The QSO is changed in place.

The table, worked-before, contest dupes, the map and ADIF export all use the new details. A new callsign or grid moves the station on the map and recalculates the distance.

Edits are not sent to QRZ. If the QSO is already in your QRZ logbook, the window says so: change it on QRZ as well.

Import contacts from another logger

You can bring your existing log from DXKeeper, Log4OM, N1MM, QRZ or any program that exports ADIF.

1. In your other logger, export the log as an ADIF (.adi) file.
2. On the LOG tab, click ↑ ADIF and choose the file.
3. 710 Console shows how many QSOs it will add and how many it skipped. Click Yes to add them.

Contacts already in the logbook (same callsign, same UTC minute, same band) are skipped, so importing the same file twice adds nothing. Imported QSOs are not sent to QRZ. Only the standard fields are imported: callsign, date and time, frequency or band, mode, reports, comment, name, QTH, country, grid and position. Awards, QSL and program-specific fields stay in your other logger.

Logs are per computer. Remote operation does not copy or combine Station and client logs. Export each log you need to preserve.

Callsign information and the map

In LOG → Settings, the QRZ account section holds your lookup username and password. Enable Look callsigns up automatically as I type to request information while entering a callsign. Optional HamQTH credentials can provide additional location information when available. Click the QRZ button beside the station card to open that callsign's profile in your web browser.

Account permissions and subscriptions determine the information returned. Check the provider's current requirements if details are unavailable. Failed lookup does not prevent local logging.

The map may use a grid, a callbook position, or an estimate from a town or callsign prefix. Estimates are approximate and may represent a broad area rather than the antenna. Distance and bearing depend on both station positions; keep that limitation in mind when aiming an antenna.

Wheel to zoom the map, drag to move it, and double-click to fit both stations. Select a QSO to display its information.

The station's local time is shown at the top left of the map (for example LOCAL 22:14 (UTC+9)) and as Their time in the log entry. It includes daylight saving. For a country with several time zones it may be an estimate; the tooltip says when it is.

See your log on the globe

Click the globe button at the top right of the LOG tab's map to show every contact on a 3D globe, each with a line from your station, coloured by band.

• ALL, THIS WEEK (since Monday 00:00 UTC), TODAY (since 00:00 UTC) and LAST HOUR choose the period; the band box shows one band.
• Drag to spin the globe, wheel to zoom, and point at a station to read its details. Double-click returns to your station.
• Select a QSO in the log below and the globe flies to that station. A QSO you log while the globe is open draws its line out.
• Dim markers are placed from the callsign prefix or country, not the station's own locator, so they are approximate.

CLOSE, Esc or choosing another tab returns to the radio display.

Contest logs and Cabrillo

The Logbook box at the top of the LOG tab switches between your general logbook and contest logs. Each contest log is separate: your general logbook is not changed, and contest QSOs are not sent to QRZ.

1. Choose New contest log… in the Logbook box.
2. Type the contest's name, or pick one from Common contests… to fill it in (you can then add the year, for example).
3. Choose the Exchange: report + serial, report + fixed text (zone, locator, state…), or both. Enter Your fixed text and the First serial where they apply, the Dupes rule, and whether CW memories send cut numbers.
4. Click Create.

In a contest log the serial counts up by itself, there is a box for the exchange they send, the report starts at 599 on CW and 59 on phone, and DUPE warns before you work a station twice. ADIF export includes the contest fields.

Cabrillo (beside Delete log, contest logs only) saves the log as a Cabrillo file for the contest sponsor:

1. Check Contest name for the sponsor. A name is suggested from the contest and mode; the contest's rules give the exact name, for example CQ-WW-CW.
2. Fill in Callsign used, the category boxes (Operator, Assisted, Power, Band, Mode) and your Name, Email, Grid, and Location or Club if the contest asks for them.
3. Click Save file…. Your details are remembered for the next contest.

Delete log removes the contest log being shown, after asking. Its files are moved to a deleted folder inside the contest-logs folder, not erased. Export it to ADIF or Cabrillo first if you still need it.

Optional QRZ Logbook upload

Lookup and upload use different credentials. Your QRZ account username/password supplies callsign information. The Logbook API key under QRZ Logbook upload authorises uploads to the selected QRZ logbook.

1. Obtain the API key from the intended logbook's settings on QRZ.
2. Open LOG → Settings, enter the Logbook API key, and click Test key.
3. If the test succeeds and you want automatic upload, enable Send each QSO to my QRZ logbook when I log it, then Save.
4. Check the QRZ column and status message after logging. Enabling QRZ upload shows the Send to QRZ button. Select an unsent entry to enable it and retry the upload.

The entry is saved locally first. Network-delayed uploads remain pending for later retry. For a rejected upload, check the error, key and account permissions. Check QRZ's current service entitlements when configuring uploads.

Use DX spots

Open DX after saving your callsign in LOG Settings. Connection runs in the background. For an empty list, check the status, Internet access and station callsign.

Tuning a spot selects its reported mode and frequency on the active VFO. Confirm the actual station and operating mode before calling; a spot can be old or inaccurate.

Scope callsign labels provide the same tuning action. A spot on the band already displayed keeps the scope window in place while the tuned marker moves. A spot on another band releases that view and can recenter a fixed window on the new frequency. This difference is intentional.

DISPLAY → Show DX spots hides or shows scope labels without stopping the list or connection. Labels cover the visible range and fade as they age; the list keeps more history. Missing labels alone do not establish a connection failure.

14SWR sweep, TUNE carrier, tuner and ATAS

Measure an antenna with SWR sweep

An SWR sweep transmits. It is a measurement using the FT-710's transmitter and SWR bridge. The program switches to a CW carrier at the selected power, bypasses the antenna tuner, steps through the range, then restores the previous frequency, mode, power and tuner setting.

Connect a suitable antenna or dummy load. Check that you may transmit across the entire range. Presets are starting values; absence of a warning does not validate your operating permissions or an occupied channel.

The sweep requires a real FT-710 connected locally. It cannot be run from a remote client, and the Station PC refuses to start while a remote operator is connected.

1. Finish the current transmission or tuning operation and open SWR.
2. Choose Band, or enter your own Start MHz and Stop MHz. Changing the edges selects a custom range. The stop must be above the start; enter MHz with a decimal point, for example 14.100.
3. Choose Step: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 or 50 kHz. Smaller steps reveal narrower changes but take longer. Check the point count and estimated time.
4. Choose Power: 5, 10, 20 or 30 W. The starting setting is 10 W with a 5 kHz step. The radio's bridge may not produce useful readings at 5 W.
5. Click Start sweep. Read the transmission confirmation, recheck range and load, and confirm only when ready.
6. Watch the trace and status. Click Abort or press Esc to stop the sweep. Allow restoration to complete and check the radio has returned to receive.

Results show the lowest measured SWR/frequency and any measured range below 2:1. A coarse sweep can miss narrow peaks between points; repeat a smaller range with finer steps for more detail.

Missing points or No readings can indicate failed keying or insufficient forward power. They do not establish a perfect match. Check status, transmit range and RF output before increasing power within equipment limits. With ATU bypassed, sweep results can differ from SWR with a tuner match engaged.

Send a TUNE carrier for an amplifier or tuner

TUNE transmits. The TUNE CARRIER controls at the top of the SWR tab send a steady CW carrier for a set time, for tuning a linear amplifier or a manual antenna tuner. It is not a latched PTT: it always ends by itself.

1. Connect the amplifier, tuner, antenna or dummy load, and check that you may transmit on the current frequency.
2. Set Power on the slider, from 5 to 100 W in 1 W steps. This is kept separately from your normal transmit power. A note appears above 50 W, which is more than most amplifiers need for tuning.
3. Choose Time (s): 30, 60, 90 or 120 seconds.
4. Leave Stop above 3:1 SWR on when tuning an amplifier. Turn it off to tune a manual antenna tuner, where the SWR starts high.
5. Click TUNE. The first TUNE after starting 710 Console asks you to confirm. The button turns red and shows STOP, with a countdown and the live power and SWR.

The carrier ends when the time is up, and at once when you click STOP, press Esc, press PTT or your PTT key, or close 710 Console. It also stops by itself if no power output is measured for about 1.5 seconds, if the radio disconnects, or (when switched on) above 3:1 SWR. Afterwards 710 Console puts back your mode and normal transmit power. If you were not in CW, the radio is switched to CW for the carrier and back again.

After each carrier, TUNE rests for a quarter of the time it was keyed (30 seconds after a 120-second carrier) before it can run again. TUNE needs a real FT-710 connected locally and will not start while a remote operator is connected.

As a backstop in case the PC or program stops responding while transmitting, consider setting the FT-710's own transmit time-out timer in the radio's menu; see the FT-710 operating manual.

This TUNE carrier is different from the tuner TUNE button on the operating panel, which starts a tuning cycle of the selected tuner (described below).

Antenna tuner controls

In ATAS → TUNER TYPE, select the hardware the radio should use. The illuminated selection follows the type reported by the radio. Selecting a type does not start a transmission.

The operating panel's tuner ON engages the tuner without starting a tune cycle. OFF disengages it and can stop tuning. TUNE starts a tuning cycle and transmits RF. Choose the appropriate type and confirm that the connected equipment is ready before using TUNE.

For disabled TUNE, check connection, power and active TX/tune/CW playback. For an unresponsive external tuner, check its connection and radio port selection.

ATAS controls

Use ATAS START to begin an automatic tuning cycle and ATAS STOP to stop it. ATAS UP and ATAS DOWN each send one short 50 ms adjustment per click. Holding the pointer on the button does not provide a continuous adjustment.

Start, Up and Down require a connected radio in receive; Stop remains available to halt a cycle.

15WSPR and the MUF / SFI map

WSPR is a beacon station inside 710 Console: it sends low-power WSPR transmissions, decodes other WSPR stations between them, and shows on a 3D globe where you are heard. MUF / SFI shows the current Maximum Usable Frequency around the world and the solar-terrestrial conditions. Both need Internet access for their reports and maps.

Set up WSPR (beta)

Open the WSPR tab.

The line under the settings shows the exact message that will be sent. It needs a valid callsign and locator.

Run WSPR

1. Connect the radio locally. WSPR works only on the radio connected to this PC, not over remote, and not while a remote operator is connected.
2. Click START. The radio moves to the band's WSPR dial frequency in DATA (USB-D) mode.
3. Transmissions start on the even minute and last about 2 minutes. Unless TRANSMIT is Receive only, the first slot always transmits; after that your TRANSMIT choice applies.
4. Click STOP to finish. The radio's mode, frequency, power, modulation source and microphone are put back as they were.

Esc, PTT or closing 710 Console also stop WSPR. It stops by itself if the SWR goes high (when that option is on), no power is being transmitted, the mode is changed on the radio, the radio disconnects or a remote operator connects. Settings cannot be changed while WSPR is running.

See where you are heard

The globe shows two kinds of report, chosen with the HEARD BY and I HEAR buttons:

• HEARD BY: stations that reported hearing you, from wspr.live. They are checked every 2 minutes while the tab is open; REFRESH checks now.
• I HEAR: stations 710 Console decoded.

Each path is drawn as a great-circle arc coloured by signal strength: −10 dB or better, −11 to −20 dB, and below −20 dB. ● marks a station that heard you and ◆ one you hear. The band and hours boxes filter the reports. Drag to spin the globe, wheel to zoom, point at a station for its details, and double-click to return to your station.

Reports on wspr.live and WSPRnet can take a few minutes to appear after a transmission.

The MUF / SFI map

The MUF / SFI tab shows the MUF for a 3000 km path, from KC2G's map of the world's ionosondes, and a SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL box from N0NBH (hamqsl.com): SFI, sunspot number SN, the A and K indices, X-RAY, GEOMAG and day/night conditions for each HF BAND.

3D GLOBE (the default) and 2D MAP switch between two views; your choice is remembered.

On the globe:

• The MUF glows over the Earth in the colours of the scale, with a contour line for each band.
• Each ionosonde is a beam whose height is its measured MUF.
• The greyline and the sun's position are drawn for the current time.
• YOUR STATION shows the MUF overhead and the highest band open from your location. It uses your position from LOG → Settings.
• Point anywhere to read the MUF there, drag to spin, wheel to zoom.

EXPAND fills the window with the map; Esc restores the normal layout. The MUF is a guide: a band above it can still open by other propagation, and a band below it can be closed by absorption.

16Licence, updates and backups

Free for personal and club use

710 Console is free for individual amateur radio operators and non-commercial amateur radio clubs. There is no trial, licence key, activation or limit on the number of your own computers, and the application does not need to contact a licence server to start or to keep working offline.

Older versions asked for a licence key or counted down a trial. After updating, that no longer happens; your settings and data are kept, and any old key is simply no longer needed.

710 Console remains proprietary software: Copyright © Nathan Daniels, all rights reserved. Commercial and enterprise use requires separate written permission. Read the full terms in Help → Licence agreement… (also shown by Setup and published at 710console.co.uk/licence). Help → About 710 Console shows the version, copyright and licence notices.

Install updates

Use Help → Check for updates… to check manually. A new version may also be offered at startup. Read its release notes, finish transmitting or recording, then choose Download and install when ready. The application downloads and checks the installer, closes for installation, and lets the installer replace the program.

Updates are always optional. Later postpones the update and Skip this version stops it being offered again; either way your current version keeps working, and you are never required to install a newer one. If a download fails, retain the message and try again after checking Internet access.

Installation keeps your profile outside the program folder. Back up before major changes or moving computers. Update both remote computers; remote Power off/on requires 0.2.99 at both ends.

Back up your data

There is no universal Backup/Restore button in this version. Use the following manual procedure:

1. In LOG, export ↓ ADIF to preserve a portable copy of your contacts.
2. Close 710 Console so its files are no longer being updated.
3. In File Explorer, enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\FT710Remote in the address bar.
4. Copy that folder to a private backup location. Keep dated copies if you need to recover earlier settings.

The folder includes your local log and draft, PC memories, display and audio settings, remote settings and saved stations. Voice CQ messages are in CQ. Receive WAV recordings and their accompanying metadata are in RX Recordings. Preserve the folders and files together.

A profile backup may contain credentials and remote access settings. Keep it private. Some credentials and caches are encrypted for the current Windows account; copying the folder to another PC or user does not guarantee that these will work. Expect to reenter account credentials and pair remote computers again when necessary.

To restore on the same Windows account, close Console, keep the current folder as a fallback, then replace it with the backup. ADIF preserves contacts only; radio CW memories remain in the FT-710.

17Troubleshooting and support

Identify the affected path: CAT, scope USB or Windows USB audio. Working frequency control does not prove scope/audio is working. For remote faults, check whether the Station PC also has the symptom.

Release the control that started a transmission and check the TX indication. Esc stops keyboard CW, voice playback, radio CW-memory playback and an SWR sweep, and releases keyboard Shift PTT where applicable. It is not a universal receive command for every PTT source. Check the radio's own PTT, MOX or VOX if it remains keyed.

CW decoder copies nothing or rubbish

Check the decoder status first. NO RX AUDIO means receive audio is not reaching 710 Console. TONE … OFF PITCH means the station is not on your CW pitch: zero-beat it with SPOT (hold) or ZERO. Select IPO rather than a preamp if signals are strong enough, and use a moderate CW filter rather than the narrowest. Hand-sent, very weak, fading or crowded signals may not copy; the decoder is a beta and a better model is in development.

Create a useful support report

1. Note the exact symptom, error text and approximate time. Record the displayed Console version from Help → About 710 Console; include both versions for remote problems.
2. Keep the application open in the affected state when practical, then choose Help → Create Diagnostic Report….

3. The application creates a ZIP on the Desktop and displays its path. Choose Yes to open its containing folder. Creating the report saves it locally; it does not upload or send it.

   The report includes pictures of the 710 Console window (only this window, not the rest of your screen) and the Windows settings that affect the program: Windows version, display scaling and text size, graphics driver, audio devices and their enhancements, COM ports and USB drivers, and the power plan. It does not include your Windows user name, computer name, passwords or network addresses. 4. Provide the ZIP with your description when contacting support. For remote faults, collect a report from both computers close to the same event.

Include connection method, preceding action, repeatability and which controls/scope/audio still work. For digital modes, add the other program's version and relevant settings. Screenshots show the state; the ZIP supplies timing and device information.

Help → Audio check… offers Copy report and Check again for focused audio checks. Scope check… must run on the Station PC when the radio is remote. If the application offers a crash report after an unexpected failure, retain it too. Use the diagnostic bundle for support and keep full profile backups private.

Appendix A. Operating reference

Before transmitting

Check the active VFO, frequency, mode, power and intended audio source. For split operation, check the other VFO's transmit frequency. For digital operation, confirm VFO-A, SPLIT off, PC Mic off and the selected USB audio devices. For a new PC microphone or recording, preview or test levels before transmitting.

Changes worth remembering

Everyday controls

Appendix B. Terms and references

Reference material

Use 710console.co.uk for the application download and product information. Check the installed version in Help → About 710 Console before reporting a difference from this edition.

The Yaesu FT-710 operating manual covers radio connections, menus and operating functions. The FT-710 CAT operation reference documents its CAT interfaces and menu commands. Match radio firmware and documentation when a menu differs.

This edition accompanies 710 Console 1.0.0. A few features added in recent releases may not yet be described in detail, and controls in later releases may differ.