W6HMS
Member
Hello All,
I have an old Icom IC-F3061T portable radio (non-IDAS) I’m giving to a friend with CalFire. I haven’t used this radio in several years, so I’ve been re-familiarizing myself with the programming software (CS-F3060). I’m trying to create a settings file for the radio that replicates the current load for a Bendix King GPH/DPH Command Series radio, but I’ve run into some problems I’m hoping you might be able to help with:
1) Scanning: For the life of me I can’t remember what the difference is between “Scan A” and “Scan B”. Can someone refresh my memory? I currently have the P0 key set for “SCNB” and the P1 key set for “SCAD”. I understand how to add/delete channels and how to turn on the scan feature. I’ve also verified that channels I add/delete work correctly in the scan sequence. So what would happen if I used the “SCNA” feature instead?
2) Priority Scan: How can I make the radio use the selected channel as the priority channel? In the setting file I can go to the “Atr” for a zone and set a channel as Priority A and or Priority B. But I’d prefer that the selected channel serve as the priority when the radio is scanning, regardless of which channel is set for AB. Any ideas?
3) OST (Operator Select Tone): Okay, I’m having a hard time with this. This is a pretty easy feature to use with the old Bendix Kings, but I don’t know how to make it work with the Icom. I’ve entered 32 tones under the “Continuous Tone” menu. I’ve only entered the tones in the “TX” field and have left the “RX” field blank. Many of the memory channels I have programmed use different RX tones. The problem is I don’t know how to keep the preprogrammed RX tone enabled while I select different TX tones using P2 as the “TSEL” function. When I select a tone using this feature the radio disables the preprogrammed tone squelch. Again, I can’t enter values in the “TX” field of the “Continuous Tone” menu since most of the channels use different RX tones. If I did, I’d hit a given repeater but I wouldn’t hear anything back. What am I doing wrong here?
4) 25 Zones w/ 20 Channels Each: Okay this is difficult to explain. My friend uses a “Command” version of a GPH radio. This gives you 20 channels on the selector (top of the radio), unlike the standard version of the GPH (and most commercial rigs) that only have 16. That said, I figured I’d use “Side 2” set for “CH Up” and “Side 3” set for “CH Down”. This way I could select more than 16 channels. And yes, I know how to increase the allocated size of a zone under the “Zone Operation” menu. So I’ve allocated 25 zones set for 20 channels each. However, I apparently can’t use the two side buttons for channel up/down if the “Rotary Selector” is set for “MR CH”. So I set the “Rotary Selector” for “Zone”. This allowed me to change the channel using the two side keys, but now I can’t select past Zone 16. Oh, the pain! Again, I’d like to be able to select between 25 zones, 20 channels each. Is there a workaround for this?
I’m really sorry for this incredibly long post. Hope this isn’t considered bad form. We’re smack dab in the middle of fire season here in southern California. I’m about 10 miles south of the Bluecut fire, so things are a bit tense. I’d like to get this radio to my friend who’s been working this fire for the last few days, and may get reassigned up north again in the very near future. Any help you all may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated!
73,
Trace, W6HMS
I have an old Icom IC-F3061T portable radio (non-IDAS) I’m giving to a friend with CalFire. I haven’t used this radio in several years, so I’ve been re-familiarizing myself with the programming software (CS-F3060). I’m trying to create a settings file for the radio that replicates the current load for a Bendix King GPH/DPH Command Series radio, but I’ve run into some problems I’m hoping you might be able to help with:
1) Scanning: For the life of me I can’t remember what the difference is between “Scan A” and “Scan B”. Can someone refresh my memory? I currently have the P0 key set for “SCNB” and the P1 key set for “SCAD”. I understand how to add/delete channels and how to turn on the scan feature. I’ve also verified that channels I add/delete work correctly in the scan sequence. So what would happen if I used the “SCNA” feature instead?
2) Priority Scan: How can I make the radio use the selected channel as the priority channel? In the setting file I can go to the “Atr” for a zone and set a channel as Priority A and or Priority B. But I’d prefer that the selected channel serve as the priority when the radio is scanning, regardless of which channel is set for AB. Any ideas?
3) OST (Operator Select Tone): Okay, I’m having a hard time with this. This is a pretty easy feature to use with the old Bendix Kings, but I don’t know how to make it work with the Icom. I’ve entered 32 tones under the “Continuous Tone” menu. I’ve only entered the tones in the “TX” field and have left the “RX” field blank. Many of the memory channels I have programmed use different RX tones. The problem is I don’t know how to keep the preprogrammed RX tone enabled while I select different TX tones using P2 as the “TSEL” function. When I select a tone using this feature the radio disables the preprogrammed tone squelch. Again, I can’t enter values in the “TX” field of the “Continuous Tone” menu since most of the channels use different RX tones. If I did, I’d hit a given repeater but I wouldn’t hear anything back. What am I doing wrong here?
4) 25 Zones w/ 20 Channels Each: Okay this is difficult to explain. My friend uses a “Command” version of a GPH radio. This gives you 20 channels on the selector (top of the radio), unlike the standard version of the GPH (and most commercial rigs) that only have 16. That said, I figured I’d use “Side 2” set for “CH Up” and “Side 3” set for “CH Down”. This way I could select more than 16 channels. And yes, I know how to increase the allocated size of a zone under the “Zone Operation” menu. So I’ve allocated 25 zones set for 20 channels each. However, I apparently can’t use the two side buttons for channel up/down if the “Rotary Selector” is set for “MR CH”. So I set the “Rotary Selector” for “Zone”. This allowed me to change the channel using the two side keys, but now I can’t select past Zone 16. Oh, the pain! Again, I’d like to be able to select between 25 zones, 20 channels each. Is there a workaround for this?
I’m really sorry for this incredibly long post. Hope this isn’t considered bad form. We’re smack dab in the middle of fire season here in southern California. I’m about 10 miles south of the Bluecut fire, so things are a bit tense. I’d like to get this radio to my friend who’s been working this fire for the last few days, and may get reassigned up north again in the very near future. Any help you all may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated!
73,
Trace, W6HMS