Does all Icom R-5 software suck?

[2ManyToys]

(partial repost here)

I bought & have tried to use IC-R5 programming software w/o any luck. Also tried the tk5 but couldn't get it to run w/o crashing (on two different PC's).

This little bugger is kicking my a**. I've spent a number of hours trying to load frequencies & other then the default config. provided with the IC-R5 software I can't. I hate to surrender but the R5 may have to go on the block. 1st electronic gadget that has ever beat me.

Here's the main issue. I can load a single .icf file, either the default freqs. or a .icf file downloaded from the Percon site. But I'm not smart enough to ADD/COMBINE frequencies to an existing file.

What I want to accomplish is to load the default config. & then add additional groups of frequencies from the Percon database. But I'm unable to ADD from the database. When I import the files they just overwrite the current frequencies. Plus AFAICT there isn't a way in IC-R5 to select more then one line/frequency at a time. Rather then select a bunch of frequencies to move them to other channels/banks, it must be done one-by-one.

Then I found a download of the OEM Icom R-5 software. Worked for 2 hours trying to get that software to 'find' the R-5 (yes, I changed the com port to 2, has to be on port 1-4). So I can't comment on the OEM software yet.

One thing I'm wondering about, is my programming cable. I got it with the radio used & it isn't the OEM cable, appears to be a eBay cable. I wonder if I ordered an OEM USB cable if I could connect with the OEM software?

Grrrrrrrrrrr Anyone want to buy a Icom R-5?

[N8IAA]

Originally Posted by 2ManyToys

One thing I'm wondering about, is my programming cable. I got it with the radio used & it isn't the OEM cable, appears to be a eBay cable. I wonder if I ordered an OEM USB cable if I could connect with the OEM software?

It could very well be. I have never bought a cable from E-bay for my radios. I have always used the ones that came with the software. Have had many Yaesus, Icoms, Kenwoods, and many scanners. Original is always the safest (not neccessarily the cheapest) way to go. I know that others have made their own cables and bought cables off of the internet and they work.
Just my 0.02 worth,
Larry
Oh, and yes, Icom software sucks

[burner781]

Icom software does suck but with the OEM software and Icom usb cable I have never had any issues with connectivity or with the software running. Its very stable but its very bare bones.

[OldDrunk]

Could someone please post a link for downloading the OEM software for the R5.

Edit:
Never mind. Did not realize that the OEM software was the CS-R5.

[hackinstack]

I have the CS-R5 and a UniversalRadio cable and yes, it sucks... I have been going about it with the one-line method you mentioned above and it seems to work fine, however, I've only had my radio for about 2-3 months.

In general, I'm learning that the user interface on the R5 (software and hardware) is not made for "grab and go", but instead "load ahead of time and don't change"

[Hymie]

With your OEM software, are you using a USB cable?
I am using CS-R5, if you are you might need a Serial-USB software patch to enable the software to recognise the USB conection.
Mine connects on COM port 6.

But you are right, it's a right royal PITA of a radio. Wish I'd never bought mine!

Cheers.

[key2_altfire]

I was having crashing issues with Tk5 when I first used it. But I figured it out after reading ALL of the documentation. (It's actually pretty well written.) It was a few years ago but in my case the crashes were due to a buggy USB-to-RS232 driver for my USB-to-ICR5 cable.

[radioaustralia]

I've only ever tried the "IC-R5 Programmer" from ic-r5.com

It does the job quite well, although there are two annoyances that could be fixed. These are:
1) When moving channels up or down have the page move in the appropriate direction.
2) When deleting frequencies hold the position, it currently jumps back to CH #1

Issues will vary between people, it all depends on what your custom to.