Do you remember the Yaesu FRG-9600 (Also known as the Yaesu FRG-965 & Sommerkamp SRG-8600DX)?
Just something on the Yaesu FRG-9600 for people that aren't aware of this really
cool VHF/UHF communications receiver. In 1985 Yaesu decided to release an advanced
piece of hardware for the commercial & ham radio community to receive from 60 MHz
to 905 MHz in all modes (AM, FM Narrow, FM-Wide, LSB, USB and CW). It included 100
channels, 5 bandwidths, tuning steps starting at 100 Hz and had computer control
with squelch and signal level output on it's CAT connector (Even the ICOM R7000
don't have these as standard interface outputs). This is more of a communications
receiver than a scanner but with the computer control, the features are open to
all possibilities and makes it software upgrade-able via computer control to do tasks
not imagined in 1985. Remember, this is all back in 1985 (over 30 years ago).
The Yaesu brochure stated" The YAESU CAT System provides a direct control link
to the cpu in the FRG-9600, allowing operators with personal computers to add
virtually unlimited computer control functions in software: such as multiple,
organized memory banks; automatic tuning; and customized scanning systems;
using most any personal computer and a Yaesu FIF CAT interface unit." Yaesu made
the FIF-65A for Apple, FIF-80A for NEC PC8001 and FIF-232C for IBM computers.
One last thing, the Yaesu was first to market for a Ham / Commercial VHF/UHF
all mode communications receiver with no usual frequency gaps and included
the 800 MHz band. It was also one of the first computer controlled scanning
receivers made. The ICOM came out a few months later with an even more advanced
VHF/UHF communications receiver that covered up to 2000 MHz and was the standard
set for many years to follow. Both these receivers are in a different class than
the typical scanners of their time and many are still in use to day, even in
government and surveillance agencies. The FRG-9600 is more common in Europe that
the USA. It was originally to include optional up-converters and down-converters
to extend the frequency above and below the 60 to 905 MHz frequency coverage
by a rear band switch connector but was never put into production because of
lack of sales in North America.
Computer Control Software For the Yaesu FRG-9600 (Yaesu FRG-965 & Sommerkamp SRG-8600DX)
Here is a list (not complete and please add any not listed here)
1.) Scan*Star Version 6.35 (Windows Software)
2.) Scancat Gold Version 6 (MS-DOS)
3.) Scancat Gold for Windows Version 8.5 (Windows Software)
4.) SysLabs Radiocontrol Version 1.2 (Windows including Windows 10) * needs USB to Serial adaptor
5.) TRX-Manager V.5 (Windows including Windows 10) * needs USB to Serial adaptor
6.) ApoScan 2.1b by Tony Richardson VK2APO (MS-DOS and uses optional MS-DOS mouse driver)
7.) FRG27 By Bernardo Rossi (MS-DOS)
8.) PC-Monitor (Yaesu Radio Monitoring System with 1000 memory channels) by Simon Collings G4SGI (MS-DOS)
9.) SmartScan 2.1 by Stefano Stella IW3IBF (Windows Software) Very nice program that also works on the ICOM R10
10.) FRG123 Scanning Program for the FRG-9600 by Author RMS (His IRC Handle?) and help from Frank Paxton NGON (MS-DOS)
I've heard of more programs but not in the English language. Some of
these are freeware or shareware but most are commercial software that's
sold on-line. Most can still be purchased and some Demos/Freeware/Shareware
can also be found on the web.
Some of these programs will only work with Windows XP or MS-DOS but
I see that as a very good thing. Instead of tying up you expensive home computer
and also having it run 24 hours a day to control the scanner, you
can get a cheap or even FREE old MS-DOS or Windows XP computer to
dictated completely for computer control of the radio. An old
laptop would work best and can be portable. You will need a computer interface to use
this radio with a computer's serial port. Yaesu made the FIF-232C but you can build your
own with instructions found on the Internet.
The FRG-9600 can be had very inexpensively today and is a hackers dream for
for someone wanting a very cool toy. Usually selling for 50% or less than what an ICOM R7000
sells for. The Yaesu's manual even gives instructions to program your own software in
computer BASIC and mods on the internet for using a discriminator output. It already has
an MPX output built-in.
Electronic Equipment Bank in VA, listed the ICOM R7000 in 1985 for $949.00 and the Yaesu FRG-9600
listed for 619.95 not including the video output option. That's a lot for a radio back in 1985.
Just something on the Yaesu FRG-9600 for people that aren't aware of this really
cool VHF/UHF communications receiver. In 1985 Yaesu decided to release an advanced
piece of hardware for the commercial & ham radio community to receive from 60 MHz
to 905 MHz in all modes (AM, FM Narrow, FM-Wide, LSB, USB and CW). It included 100
channels, 5 bandwidths, tuning steps starting at 100 Hz and had computer control
with squelch and signal level output on it's CAT connector (Even the ICOM R7000
don't have these as standard interface outputs). This is more of a communications
receiver than a scanner but with the computer control, the features are open to
all possibilities and makes it software upgrade-able via computer control to do tasks
not imagined in 1985. Remember, this is all back in 1985 (over 30 years ago).
The Yaesu brochure stated" The YAESU CAT System provides a direct control link
to the cpu in the FRG-9600, allowing operators with personal computers to add
virtually unlimited computer control functions in software: such as multiple,
organized memory banks; automatic tuning; and customized scanning systems;
using most any personal computer and a Yaesu FIF CAT interface unit." Yaesu made
the FIF-65A for Apple, FIF-80A for NEC PC8001 and FIF-232C for IBM computers.
One last thing, the Yaesu was first to market for a Ham / Commercial VHF/UHF
all mode communications receiver with no usual frequency gaps and included
the 800 MHz band. It was also one of the first computer controlled scanning
receivers made. The ICOM came out a few months later with an even more advanced
VHF/UHF communications receiver that covered up to 2000 MHz and was the standard
set for many years to follow. Both these receivers are in a different class than
the typical scanners of their time and many are still in use to day, even in
government and surveillance agencies. The FRG-9600 is more common in Europe that
the USA. It was originally to include optional up-converters and down-converters
to extend the frequency above and below the 60 to 905 MHz frequency coverage
by a rear band switch connector but was never put into production because of
lack of sales in North America.
Computer Control Software For the Yaesu FRG-9600 (Yaesu FRG-965 & Sommerkamp SRG-8600DX)
Here is a list (not complete and please add any not listed here)
1.) Scan*Star Version 6.35 (Windows Software)
2.) Scancat Gold Version 6 (MS-DOS)
3.) Scancat Gold for Windows Version 8.5 (Windows Software)
4.) SysLabs Radiocontrol Version 1.2 (Windows including Windows 10) * needs USB to Serial adaptor
5.) TRX-Manager V.5 (Windows including Windows 10) * needs USB to Serial adaptor
6.) ApoScan 2.1b by Tony Richardson VK2APO (MS-DOS and uses optional MS-DOS mouse driver)
7.) FRG27 By Bernardo Rossi (MS-DOS)
8.) PC-Monitor (Yaesu Radio Monitoring System with 1000 memory channels) by Simon Collings G4SGI (MS-DOS)
9.) SmartScan 2.1 by Stefano Stella IW3IBF (Windows Software) Very nice program that also works on the ICOM R10
10.) FRG123 Scanning Program for the FRG-9600 by Author RMS (His IRC Handle?) and help from Frank Paxton NGON (MS-DOS)
I've heard of more programs but not in the English language. Some of
these are freeware or shareware but most are commercial software that's
sold on-line. Most can still be purchased and some Demos/Freeware/Shareware
can also be found on the web.
Some of these programs will only work with Windows XP or MS-DOS but
I see that as a very good thing. Instead of tying up you expensive home computer
and also having it run 24 hours a day to control the scanner, you
can get a cheap or even FREE old MS-DOS or Windows XP computer to
dictated completely for computer control of the radio. An old
laptop would work best and can be portable. You will need a computer interface to use
this radio with a computer's serial port. Yaesu made the FIF-232C but you can build your
own with instructions found on the Internet.
The FRG-9600 can be had very inexpensively today and is a hackers dream for
for someone wanting a very cool toy. Usually selling for 50% or less than what an ICOM R7000
sells for. The Yaesu's manual even gives instructions to program your own software in
computer BASIC and mods on the internet for using a discriminator output. It already has
an MPX output built-in.
Electronic Equipment Bank in VA, listed the ICOM R7000 in 1985 for $949.00 and the Yaesu FRG-9600
listed for 619.95 not including the video output option. That's a lot for a radio back in 1985.
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