M5Stack for the IC-705

Icom’s IC-705 is a versatile portable radio. It’s a modern amateur radio transceiver that has built-in WiFi. Many radio amateurs like to push the bounds of technology and this radio certainly makes it easy. One such amateur radio operator is Armel Fuaveau, F4HWN.

Previously, you needed to download Microsoft’s free Visual Studio Code software to make it all happen but today it’s even easier with the M5Burner app. You’ll also need the source code from GitHub, but more about that below. The M5Stack utilises Bluetooth in the IC-705, but with the addition of some neat proxy software to run on the PC, you’ll also be able to get the ICMultiMeter software to work with the IC-9700 and the IC-7300 via the USB port. The proxy software must be installed on the same PC that your radios are connected to.

What is an M5Stack?

The M5Stack is an extremely powerful yet low-cost microprocessor that includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It measures 5cm x 5cm and as its name suggests, additional modules can be stacked, or sandwiched between the top and bottom elements. It has quickly become popular over the past year or so. Programming it is easy as the familiar Arduino IDE can be used.

M5Stack is a technology company that designs and manufactures open-source development toolkit, including hardware, programming platform and IoT solutions. It was founded in 2017 and is based in Shenzhen, China.

First Impressions

When I first saw the M5Stack, I thought it was small. In fact, the 240×320 display is not much bigger than a postage stamp, but as a keen microwave operator, the main use for my IC-705 is as an IF radio. The frequency display on the radio shows the IF frequency such as 434.1M MHz when the output of the transmitter is 10368.1 MHz so Armel has added a transverter feature which displays the actual TX frequency of the transverter. I was interested.

Why? Good question.

I found this project is one of those “tick the box” projects. In fact, when I first saw the M5 I thought, cute… but that’s it. Only when I saw the transverter feature that Armel had written into the code that I thought I’d give it a try as I have an interest in microwave. I suspect it will sit in the box until such time as there’s an option to drive a large monitor. The standard battery is rather small too although there are bigger capacity batteries available that vary in price.  Core Electronics here in VK sell a 750 mAh battery but there’ll be others. It’s just a matter of browsing the internet.

Where can you get an M5Stack?

The M5Stack is available from many of the usual outlets including Amazon and eBay. The M5Stack shop is probably the best place to start. It showcases the full range of devices including controllers, sensors, modules, cameras and kits.

What skill do I need for a project like this?

Using the downloadable M5Burner software, you don’t need to program anything except the ini files for the respective applications. At the time of writing the M5Burner includes 4 applications for Icom IC-705, IC-7300 and IC-9700. ICSMeter (default application), ICMultiMeter, ICKeyer and DXTracker. All these applications are available for free and for all. The instructions can be found on Armel’s GitHub page including the M5Stack USB driver.

Pictured above is how Armel’s ICMultiMeter looks in our web browser. Yes, you can connect to it by typing the M5Satck’s IP address into your browser although it does not update in real-time.

Pictured above is the M5Burner GUI. It’s a stand-alone app the does not need installing. Just download and extract to run.

Here are two M5Stack projects for the popular Icom IC-705, IC-9700 and IC-7300. The ICSMeter and ICMultiMeter are just 2 projects by Armel Fauveau F4WHN. Credit goes to Armel for helping amateurs around the world the opportunity to unlock the potential of the M5Stack.

ICMultiMeter

The ICMultiMeter is a program that displays the frequency and status of the IC-705, IC-9700 or IC-7300. The 705 requires Bluetooth only and does not require anything else except proximity to the radio. As the 9700 and 7300 does not have Bluetooth, the radios must be connected to a local PC via USB. A proxy server must be installed on the local PC for it to work.

Project here: https://github.com/armel/ICMultiMeter
Virtual Studio Code: https://code.visualstudio.com
Platformio: https://platformio.org

Watch this video for instructions

Written installation instructions can be found on Armel’s GitHub page for this project. If you wish to use this project with the USB connected IC-7300 and IC-9700 you will need to download the proxy client also on Armel’s Proxy GitHub page as well as Python.

ICSMeter

The ICSMeter is a program that displays the frequency of the IC-705, IC-9700 or IC-7300. The 705 requires Bluetooth only and does not require anything else except proximity to the radio. As the 9700 and 7300 does not have Bluetooth, the radios must be connected to a local PC via USB. A proxy server must be installed on the local PC for it to work.

Project here: https://github.com/armel/ICSMeter
Virtual Studio Code: https://code.visualstudio.com
Platformio: https://platformio.org

Watch this video for instructions

Written installation instructions can be found on Armel’s GitHub page for this project. If you wish to use this project with the USB connected IC-7300 and IC-9700 you will need to download the proxy client also on Armel’s Proxy GitHub page as well as Python.