IC-A110 Open VFO

[mikepdx]

Hello all.
I'm hoping I can draw from your experience please.

I aquired an old Icom IC-A110 for next to nothing.
Presumably an original
20 channel transceiver. I have absolutely no interest
in transmitting, in fact the rig came without a mic.

There's confusion of exactly which version I really have.
The model simply says IC-A110, but no numerical suffix.

Manuals and brochures I've seen on the web do state
that there is a VFO version, and a PC programmable only
version, although mine does have the VM/MR button to
make the switch from VFO to MEM.
Nowhere does any literature say how to determine
these stated versions from the exterior.

Following instructions in user manuals I've read, you
push that button and hold to switch to VFO mode.
But nothing happens - I'm still in MEM mode with
a single unchangeable mem channel at 118.000
It makes noise, etc., but no VFO.

I looked in available service manuals online and
I see no mention of how to determine these versions.

I find it difficult to believe the hardware is much
different between the two.
I wondered if there might be jumper inside to
clip or add to allow VFO mode...
I sure hope so.

Once again, no transmissions will EVER occur,
and the model DOES NOT include any suffix.

I'm a little perplexed.

Many, many thanks for your time and trouble.

- Mike

P.S. There's an old post here at RR asking
basically the same version question, but
whoever replied evidently did not read the
question, as the reply was useless.

 

[CSBrown]

No jumpers in the IC-A110. About the only way to determine the version is read the radio with the Icom A110 programming software.

 

[mikepdx]

On second thought, since I already searched
Icom America and .jp and found nothing, I'm
thinking I should proceed to a professional
avionics user and/or service/installers
forum and post these issues there.
Maybe an Icom centric avionics or marine forums.

I hope I can find one or two...

... That's all I can think of.

Thanks again to the many who freely help all
of us with experience and expertise.

The dollar value of the quick answers given
here that solve hours of work and countless
dollars saved is truly priceless.

They call that God's work by definition.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart
for years of goodwill toward your fellow man.

You know who you are.

Happy holidays!

 

[KD5AKR]

If you go to www.mods.dk you will find both the user and service manuals.

 

[tomwaters]

Hello all.
I'm hoping I can draw from your experience please.

I aquired an old Icom IC-A110 for next to nothing.
Presumably an original
20 channel transceiver. I have absolutely no interest
in transmitting, in fact the rig came without a mic.

There's confusion of exactly which version I really have.
The model simply says IC-A110, but no numerical suffix.

Manuals and brochures I've seen on the web do state
that there is a VFO version, and a PC programmable only
version, although mine does have the VM/MR button to
make the switch from VFO to MEM.
Nowhere does any literature say how to determine
these stated versions from the exterior.

Following instructions in user manuals I've read, you
push that button and hold to switch to VFO mode.
But nothing happens - I'm still in MEM mode with
a single unchangeable mem channel at 118.000
It makes noise, etc., but no VFO.

I looked in available service manuals online and
I see no mention of how to determine these versions.

I find it difficult to believe the hardware is much
different between the two.
I wondered if there might be jumper inside to
clip or add to allow VFO mode...
I sure hope so.

Once again, no transmissions will EVER occur,
and the model DOES NOT include any suffix.

I'm a little perplexed.

Many, many thanks for your time and trouble.

- Mike

P.S. There's an old post here at RR asking
basically the same version question, but
whoever replied evidently did not read the
question, as the reply was useless.

Good morning. By chance did you get yours from a certain popular online auction site?

 

[mikepdx]

Good morning. By chance did you get yours from a certain popular online auction site?

No.
But am making some progress tho.
Thank again to all!

I'm positive I'm now on the right track.
Will post results when successful.

 

[mikepdx]

Update:
I was able to activate the VFO, allow scan and
inhibit transmit via CS-A110 ver. 1.0 programming
software. Mine is a 20:channel version.
It works splendidly!

Again, much gratitude for the interest.

 

[icemantim8]

Update:
I was able to activate the VFO, allow scan and
inhibit transmit via CS-A110 ver. 1.0 programming
software. Mine is a 20:channel version.
It works splendidly!

Again, much gratitude for the interest.

Hi. Where did you obtain this software. I recently acquired a similar unit. Thank you!

 

[Wiz_Au]

I have the Ver1.0 of the A110 software and will be putting up in the files section of the ICOMRadio forum at Groups.io

I will also be adding the information on how to make the programming adapter cable.

The Ver2.0 software is already there, for the 99ch version.

However I have 2x units. One from the bulk lot being sold on eBay & another from an upgrade at a local airport that was the weather transmit unit used 24/7.

Neither will talk to my Win10 laptop that does all my other ICOM radios, including IC41S that uses the same Prolific chip cable (2008 driver fix applied) but without the A110 adapter. I have tried changing the adapter polarity JIC I got it the wrong way around, but I still can't talk to either of the radios. I have turned off FIFO Buffers and as mentioned, this cable and laptop work for IC41S & W models, so I doubt it could be the cable or drivers.

Can anyone advise what their working setup is so I can attempt to duplicate that? (Do I need WinXP?)

Appreciate any help.

 

[merlin]

Ver1.0 may run in console mode on XP. I can't find my programming cable, but if I recall, it came from Blue Max 49er and was an FTDI. chipset.
I need to look into this furthe for more coment.

 

[Wiz_Au]

Ver1.0 may run in console mode on XP. I can't find my programming cable, but if I recall, it came from Blue Max 49er and was an FTDI. chipset.
I need to look into this furthe for more coment.

Thank you. I should have also mentioned, when attempting to read or write, or get radio info, I get three beeps and the message "Error reading radio, check com port or cable, and correct transceiver." from the software.

I'm also tired of the Prolific chipset issues & am in the process of building an FTDI chipset head with a switch box & multi tailed cables for multiple radios. It's just taking me longer than I had hoped due to needing all the cable schematics to check for sneaky diodes & resistors in the various cables for ICOM, GME, Simoco/Philips, TAIT, Motorola, Boafeng, etc. I was also considering making the tails disconnectable/swapable with an RJ11 4P4C slim modular connector & socket on the USB end, rather than a multi-tail cable box with a switch selector. Just tossing up the size of the switch box vs misplacing cable tails & not being able to find the one I need, when I need it.

 

[Glidewell-2AZ9]

Another sucker for too-good-to-be-true A110 auction purchase and found this thread looking for a solution to the "Can't VFO" problem. Hi Everyone. I have the CS-A110 software, an USB to RS-232 adapter cable, and RS-232 to 1/8" plug. Neither cable adapters are Icom and (surprise!) the computer won't talk to the IC-110.
The Big Ask: Anyone have a OPC-478 and OPC-592 they'd be willing to loan out for a week or so? I'll be happy to pay shipping both directions, or offer to buy them.
-or- Any tips on how to get the IC-110A and computer cooperate?
Many thanks!

 

[icemantim8]

Hi. I have the Icom OPC-592 USB FTDI cable that I purchased from Valley Enterprises. Their web address is valley-ent.com. The cost is $29.99 and with tax it came out to $32.45. It was the only cable that I needed to program the IC-110. Do you know what version of the IC-110 you have? I have the 20 channel and this cable worked for me. The part number for them is RPC-1592-UF. I contacted them and they directed me to this cable and the drivers on their website. Icom had told me that I needed the OPC-478 too. However, that was not the case with my unit. Apparently, there are many different models of this radio. My serial number is 08076. I am attaching a pic of my specific radio and the cable that works with it. You have to manually assign the COM Port in your device to match the Com Port assigned during driver installation (per Valley Enterprises instructions.) It took some time and experimenting but I was able to get it to work. There are also several different versions of the CS-A110 software and it is very specific to the particular number. Hope this helps. I'm available if you need more info

 

[Wiz_Au]

I should have posted, I found my problem. The common diagram found on the net showing the wiring for the OPC592 has the pins REVERSED! It's WRONG!
Not sure now how I discovered this, but once I wired up an OPC592 home made cable the 'right' way, everything, including Win10 & Win11, with ALL cables, including Prolific chipsets, all worked fine.

I'm in Oz, assume most of you are US? So while I'd be happy to make cables for everyone for free, postage costs might be an issue. 🤨

I'm busy next two days but I'll try and draw up a correct wiring diagram & post here, & on the ICOM Groups.IO cables section as well.

 

[Wiz_Au]

Oh, all versions of the software also worked with ALL SIX radios I have. So I could not concur that you need the 'right' version of the software to match the version of the radio. I would advise using the latest version only. I have a mix of a number of the eBay Canada version radios & Australian versions. AFAIK, they are all the oldest 20ch versions, but I only needed 3x channels programmed, so never bothered to verify / check.

 

[Glidewell-2AZ9]

Hi. I have the Icom OPC-592 USB FTDI cable that I purchased from Valley Enterprises. Their web address is valley-ent.com. The cost is $29.99 and with tax it came out to $32.45. It was the only cable that I needed to program the IC-110. Do you know what version of the IC-110 you have? I have the 20 channel and this cable worked for me. The part number for them is RPC-1592-UF. I contacted them and they directed me to this cable and the drivers on their website. Icom had told me that I needed the OPC-478 too. However, that was not the case with my unit. Apparently, there are many different models of this radio. My serial number is 08076. I am attaching a pic of my specific radio and the cable that works with it. You have to manually assign the COM Port in your device to match the Com Port assigned during driver installation (per Valley Enterprises instructions.) It took some time and experimenting but I was able to get it to work. There are also several different versions of the CS-A110 software and it is very specific to the particular number. Hope this helps. I'm available if you need more info

Thanks! So the OPC-592 USB FTDI cable goes in the front RJ-11 mic receptacle? Good to know. Yes, this radio is a 20 channel. I'll reach out to Valley Enterprises. And yes, thanks for the offer to help.

 

[Glidewell-2AZ9]

Oh, all versions of the software also worked with ALL SIX radios I have. So I could not concur that you need the 'right' version of the software to match the version of the radio. I would advise using the latest version only. I have a mix of a number of the eBay Canada version radios & Australian versions. AFAIK, they are all the oldest 20ch versions, but I only needed 3x channels programmed, so never bothered to verify / check.

Yeah, I'd be interested in the wiring diagram, when you get it sketched out.
This A110 has a 10 digit number after "CANADA". What do you mean by "eBay Canada" version, please? Perhaps this radio is very polite, finishes every transmission with an "eh?" and takes a break at 10am for a cup of Tim Horton's coffee.

 

[icemantim8]

Oh, all versions of the software also worked with ALL SIX radios I have. So I could not concur that you need the 'right' version of the software to match the version of the radio. I would advise using the latest version only. I have a mix of a number of the eBay Canada version radios & Australian versions. AFAIK, they are all the oldest 20ch versions, but I only needed 3x channels programmed, so never bothered to verify / check.

I am happy that all versions of the software worked with ALL SIX radios that you have. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me. Thank you for your input Like we always say "Your Mileage May Vary"