IC-R15 - First Impressions

[randybcd396t]

For RT-Systems, this is my understanding.

RT-Systems Licensing Info:
• RT-Systems usually sells one license per radio, which is typically tied to a specific radio’s serial cable or software key.
• You’re allowed to install the software on more than one computer, as long as it’s for your personal use with the same radio.
• You cannot use the same license on multiple computers simultaneously if it’s for different people/radios (unless you buy additional licenses).

The install process is based on a key that is provided when you do the download or order a disc. There is not a different install process other than where you get the software (e.g. download or disc).

I suggest you contact RT-Systems to confirm if you can use one license for the 2 installs. You could do email or call them up. They are very helpful and easy to work with. Just explain your use case and ask if one license is sufficient.

I cannot speak to Butel software.

 

[Xray]

Heres a quick ARC15 file of the basic nationwide air frequencies listed on the RR import. Make sure to set the R15 for SD Card Mode to write from ARC15 to the radio. MENU>SET>FUNCTION>USB Connect>SD Card Mode. Then use the SD card menu to import within the R15. MENU>SET>Import/Export>Import>Memory CH>ALL>(filename).

Thanks I'll give it a try, I really need to learn custom programming though. I managed to write a file to the scanner with my local airports freqs, scanner then wanted to restart to load it, so I did. Then it was another process, not sure what, to run the file, but the freqs I programmed were scanning so I am happy about that.

Need to get to a point where I have 5 banks, say 0 through 4, with 3 airfields and 1 bank for blue angels and the other for thunderbirds, and easily switch and link between them. Even though I wrote all the freqs in bank 0, these freqs are not actually showing up or selectable as bank 0. Right now it is cluttered up with Frankfurt, Heathrow and a bunch of stuff I will never use, don't see it in the program software but I need to get rid of them.

Does anyone know:
* Scanner when connected to the computer says "Never turn off scanner or unplug USB" ,, So what exactly are you supposed to do when you are done programming ? There is no dismount option that I can see, so I have just been unplugging the USB when I'm done.
* Any antennas superior to stock ? Haven't used this one enough to gauge performance or compare it to anything else.

 

[sparklehorse]

RT Systems vs. Butel for the IC-R15:
Can anyone comment on which is the better software? Are they both able to download from RadioReference? Are they both able to export to an Excel file? Read from an Excel file? Thanks for the help!
Looking forward to using the R15 when it arrives tomorrow.
Gordon

.

 

[DudleyG]

I use RT Systems Software for my R15, but I have used Butel Software for Uniden Scanners and AOR Receivers.

RT Systems can not directly import from Radio Reference but Butel can if you are a Premium Subscriber like you are. RT Systems can import "CSV" files but what Radio Reference provides as a downloaded "CSV" file is not in the correct order to import (the fields are in the wrong order) where Butel takes the RR data and reorders it to the correct left to right order to import into the R15.

The R15 imports "CSV" files and exports "CSV" that you can "edit" with Excel.

The biggest difference in the two software packages is --- RT System Software programs the entire receiver (system setting and memory values) by using the "Cloning" feature built into the R15. Butel only manages the memory values and treats the R15 as a USB device and doesn't do anything with the setting such as Delay and Hold times, screen parameters, etc. (you have to manually enter those settings but Butel doesn't overwrite any of them).

Added - both packages using the programming / charging cable that comes with the R15 (no priority cable required).

I see you have an ICOM R75. The R15 CSV file is in a different order (left to right) versus any other ICOM receivers (such as the ICOM R30 that I have) so if you export from the R75, you will have to "reorder" the file from left to right PLUS add several new fields the other ICOM receiver don't have. (Take some Excel skills).

 

[sparklehorse]

I use RT Systems Software for my R15, but I have used Butel Software for Uniden Scanners and AOR Receivers.

RT Systems can not directly import from Radio Reference but Butel can if you are a Premium Subscriber like you are. RT Systems can import "CSV" files but what Radio Reference provides as a downloaded "CSV" file is not in the correct order to import (the fields are in the wrong order) where Butel takes the RR data and reorders it to the correct left to right order to import into the R15.

The R15 imports "CSV" files and exports "CSV" that you can "edit" with Excel.

The biggest difference in the two software packages is --- RT System Software programs the entire receiver (system setting and memory values) by using the "Cloning" feature built into the R15. Butel only manages the memory values and treats the R15 as a USB device and doesn't do anything with the setting such as Delay and Hold times, screen parameters, etc. (you have to manually enter those settings but Butel doesn't overwrite any of them).

Added - both packages using the programming / charging cable that comes with the R15 (no priority cable required).

I see you have an ICOM R75. The R15 CSV file is in a different order (left to right) versus any other ICOM receivers (such as the ICOM R30 that I have) so if you export from the R75, you will have to "reorder" the file from left to right PLUS add several new fields the other ICOM receiver don't have. (Take some Excel skills).

Thats very helpful info, thank you much.
.

 

[sparklehorse]

I use RT Systems Software for my R15, but I have used Butel Software for Uniden Scanners and AOR Receivers.

RT Systems can not directly import from Radio Reference but Butel can if you are a Premium Subscriber like you are. RT Systems can import "CSV" files but what Radio Reference provides as a downloaded "CSV" file is not in the correct order to import (the fields are in the wrong order) where Butel takes the RR data and reorders it to the correct left to right order to import into the R15.

The R15 imports "CSV" files and exports "CSV" that you can "edit" with Excel.

The biggest difference in the two software packages is --- RT System Software programs the entire receiver (system setting and memory values) by using the "Cloning" feature built into the R15. Butel only manages the memory values and treats the R15 as a USB device and doesn't do anything with the setting such as Delay and Hold times, screen parameters, etc. (you have to manually enter those settings but Butel doesn't overwrite any of them).

Added - both packages using the programming / charging cable that comes with the R15 (no priority cable required).

I see you have an ICOM R75. The R15 CSV file is in a different order (left to right) versus any other ICOM receivers (such as the ICOM R30 that I have) so if you export from the R75, you will have to "reorder" the file from left to right PLUS add several new fields the other ICOM receiver don't have. (Take some Excel skills).

Question, does the Butel software handle alpha tags for the memories? Or does it just handle the numeric data such as frequency, CTCSS tones, step values, etc. TIA.
.

 

[aprilexe]

Question, does the Butel software handle alpha tags for the memories? Or does it just handle the numeric data such as frequency, CTCSS tones, step values, etc. TIA.
.

It has an alpha tag field plus group and category names. The only thing I can’t find in the program is the skip memory list. Most of his demos run 30 days with full features on some of them .

 

[KD9KSO]

Has anyone else noticed that when you stop a scan on a frequency of interest and then restart the scan in the same group, the radio jumps to the next group and scans that instead?

This is damn annoying as you have to use the arrow pad to back up to the group you were scanning.

 

[xms3200]

Not on mine, goes right back to the next freq and starts scanning.

 

[k4fv]

I believe that pressing the arrow in your scenario advances scan to the next group within a category. Try putting the group your scanning in its own category.

 

[rocky28965]

Just looking at a R15 on eBay from Japan.
Very well priced but I noticed in one of the pics, some Japanese or Chinese figures on the screen.
Would that suggest the menus might be in that language too.

 

[xms3200]

Yes. it will have the Japanese language as well as English. it is easy to switch to English from the menu, just remember, if you happen to reset all the settings back to factory, it will go back to Japanese and you will have to switch again, not a big deal at all. I bought an Icom IC-705 from eBay Japan and learned the hard way. Great radio however.