Icom: Icom CT-17 Use with 7300

[osros]

Question for those using the CT-17.

I am using the 7300 and very happy with the USB port for rig control and Digital software. My issue now is as I want to run more programs at the same time at lease two I am having Rig control conflicts of course due to the one com port. I seen videos were others have multiple things going on so I gather they are using the CT-17 as well as the USB. My PC has one USB port going to a USB hub so I have more ports.

Im trying to wrap my head around how its used, I see it has a RS232 port am I needing to also get a RS232 to USB adapter?

Do I need any other cables?

Should I be doing it another way?

As mentioned like to have rig control from at least 2 programs or more if doable.

 

[AK9R]

If the only CI-V adapter you can find has an RS-232 serial port, then you would need an RS-232 to USB adapter.

I'm not sure you want to do this, though. Most of the late model Icoms have both CI-V over USB plus a "remote" jack for a CI-V adapter like the CT-17. It's generally accepted that you do not want to use both as the same time due to potential conflicts.

If you have multiple programs wanting to control the radio, I'd suggest looking at a COM port sharing program that would take one virtual COM port, like what you get when you plug in the USB cable, and map it to multiple virtual ports. I think you are still going to have conflicts.

With my IC-7600, which also has CI-V over USB, I had to train myself to close one program then open the other so that the two programs wouldn't fight over the CI-V control of the radio.

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

Radio control software is usually designed to have complete control of the radio. This can cause problems with the program's display not reflecting the state of the radio, or multiple programs battling for control.

Using port sharing on one comm port will not likely work as the response from the radio could be misdirected or sent to all the programs. A program may display an error if the response does not match the one expected. Multiple programs may try to send a command at the same time.

73 Eric

 

[KE5MC]

osros,

What you might have been seeing "others have multiple things going on" depends on the program mix. They could have one program controlling the radio and the other programs were working thru that program for their radio control needs.

My example is using HRD v6 and WSJT-X. HRD has control, but WSJT can be configured to send and receive commands to the radio via HRD. Because the WSJT commands are going to the HRD application no conflicts as HRD is the gatekeeper for what and when commands are sent to the radio.

As W9BU points out there are COM sharing application, but more than likely conflicts could happen. Read only application like a logging program would benefit and would not likely conflict.

What programs are you wanting to run... ?

 

[osros]

Thanks for replies all,

Yes, maybe I was getting it wrong with what I saw on the videos. I made some config changes and got a couple things working but left with one item that I would like to see work if possible.

I'm using WSJT-X, Log4OM, and Fldigi. My only issue now is WSJT-X needs to have rig control, but I would like Log4OM to also have rig control or maybe at least get Freq data from WSJT-X. Would be nice to flip between the two without closing one.

At present I got Log4OM working nicely with Fldigi passing Freq data and QSO when Log4OM has CAT control. When WSJT-X has CAT control I do have QSO passing to Log4OM through the Comm Services but that's about it lose all other control functionality because of the conflict of course.

Because I fixed those other issues what I have now is liveable but if there is a way to have all three play nice together at the same time I would like to try it.

Thanks