RS-R8600 Installed, One Frustration

[escortz28]

Received my RS-R8600 from HRO this afternoon. No issues with installation of the software. Two applications are installed; ICOM Remote Utility V2.00, and R8600 Remote Control V1.0. (Already had installed CS-R8600 V1.20 and USB Drivers V1.20).

Encountered one frustration during the initial configuration - the Remote Control application couldn't connect to the R8600 receiver. I configured for local PC direct connect to receiver. The Remote Utility found the R8600 receiver, automatically configured the communication parameters, was able to connect to and disconnect from the R8600 receiver. When I initialized the Remote Control application I kept receiving communication error, cannot connect to the receiver. The Connect icon would flash, then the error message would follow several seconds later. I noticed in the Control Settings that the communication parameters were not correct. I could not set the Control Settings to configure the communication parameters or to select the Remote Utility, all were grayed out.

Tried a variety of permutations, here's what worked;
- Turned on R8600 receiver
- started Remote Control application
- started Remote Utility application
- closed out error message
- turned remote off (Remote Control application) by clicking Remote On/Off icon
- clicked on Control Setting icon
- selected receiver in Remote Utility pulldown
- communication parameters loaded
- exited Control Setting
- turned remote on by clicking Remote On/Off icon
and then off to the races. I don't know if all of the above steps were/are necessary, just the steps I took to get there.

Only had a few minutes to explore the program. One feature I did not see/find is frequency entry by keypad - only the tuning knob and mouse right/left clicks. Also, explored the Scope feature for just a minute - didn't see all the parameters available on the R8600 receiver. Will dig into the programs over the next couple of days and report back.

Last couple of observations for the evening: 1. the Remote Control application graphical representation of the R8600 receiver is not 1-for-1, i.e. not all R8600 receiver front panel controls are present in the application. 2. screen size not adjustable to full screen, disappointing. I was hoping for a larger screen to view the scope.

 

[SouthOrRadio]

No full screen is a disappointment. Reminds me of the original Perseus SDR software. I saw a screenshot of

the RS-R8600 software with about 4 different windows opened at one time and I thought at the time looks like

no full screen.

Maybe a third party programmer will develop a full screen program with all front panel controls.

 

[Fast1eddie]

I've had my 86k for two weeks now and am still checking it out. Figure as software goes, it will eventually happen, let the free market do it's thing. Could very well be in 3rd party development present day.

Time will tell!

 

[n2pqq]

Installed software got it working.

Does not let you import memories from Icom cs r 8600 software (unbelievable)

Cannot make any panel full screen .
Many controls on radio not in software.

Please someone tell me why I bought this software

 

[escortz28]

Unless one needs the remote control function over an internet connection, I recommend pass on the RS application and save the dollars. The lack of full screen capability, lack of direct frequency entry/keypad, lack of missing radio controls, .......

 

[Air490]

I'm guessing Icom will do what they did with the PCR-1500 software... V.1.0 was pretty average, but V.2.0 was a major improvement and made the software usable.

 

[ki6asp]

Having trouble installing the CS-R8600 software. Can't get past the USB driver install. Well, it says it installed but when I connect the radio to the computer, nothing happens. Maybe I'll wait for RS systems to come up with something.

 

[saturn95]

Is this for real???

https://radioworld.ca/ic-rsr8500

RS-R8500 for $19.99


8500 as I had 8600 on mind....Sorry

 

[KC1UA]

A little late to this party but this software has promise if they will simply do the following:

1. FULL SCREEN SIZED windows. I can drag the scope vertically but not horizontally.
2. Scope does not conform to TS setting or I'm missing something.
3. No ability to see CTCSS or DCS tone apparently. Haven't tried with digital modes yet.
4. Direct frequency entry is an absolute must.
5. Installation is fairly straightforward as long as the instructions are followed. My one screw-up was not turning on remote control via the Menu > Set > Network setting.
6. The price is outrageous. The main reason I bought it is because I expect at one point or another I may be restricted from stairs due to a knee injury and can run it on another PC or laptop on the main floor.
7. On a positive note what it does seems very responsive across my LAN. I will try it over the internet at some point in the near future but I don't expect miracles with that.
8. The software apparently doesn't phone home as I was able to install it on a second PC in the shack without issue. For the price I ought to be able to install it 100 times, right after it buys me beers and dinner.
9. The incompatible memory download/sharing issue is also outrageous. I don't have any codeplug software for this receiver yet but would in all likelihood wait for the RT Systems version that is apparently in the works. They know how to write software!

This is a work in progress. Hopefully Icom won't abandon it. I'm not sure there's going to be enough of a call for this receiver for a 3rd party to develop software for it, but a full screen scope and a few other fixes would make me a happy camper with this software.

 

[KC1UA]

Update. I am pleasantly surprised at how well this software works over the internet thus far. The scope flows smoothly, tuning is responsive, audio is clear. Audio delay seems about 1/2 second off of real time. This was tested at work. I am on a wireless connection via my laptop.

Hopefully Icom will address some of the obvious omissions in what this software can do in a future version. But in its current form it seems to do a fine job over the internet.

 

[Lonewolfy]

Hi escortz28,
I recently bought this RS-R8600 software.
I tested all combinations to make it run through RJ45 direct LAN to the radio, including your interesting advice, with no luck.
Only a USB cable seems to communicate correctly, after some settings with the Remote Utility.

Did you have any new experience with this radio/software pair in RJ45 mode ?

Thank you for sharing,

Best regards
michel, suisse