ICOM IC-R2 ( USB Cable and Software)

[osprey]

Very casual radio receiver user here.

I would like to begin using software to program my very old and working very well ICOM IC-R2.

I am using a HP Laptop with Windows 10.
There appears to be several options of USB cables/software still available for the R2, however I would like
to gather a few opinions from the 'ICOM Receiver Forum' on which would be best for Win10 or Win11 before moving forward.

Thank You, Keith

 

[Ubbe]

You program it using Icoms own protocol CI-V and a special interface. I have one built into a OptoCom scanner that has a 9-pin comport and two CI-V outputs. I believe it is the same with OptoElectronics interfaces for Pro2006 and Pro2042. But you can of course buy Icoms own expensive interface.

But you can't do much programming with a IC-R2 as you only program frequencies. Tune to a frequency using the rotary selector, and you change the step size for the rotary controller between 10MHz, 1MHz, 100KHz and the channel stepsize you have selected for the frequency band, to move quicker to the desired frequency, then push MW once and select a channel number and hold in MW to program.

If you have a list of frequencies in frequency order it will be easy to quickly tune to them and save to memory and to different memory banks if you have a certain mix of channels in each bank and then only scan one bank. I have one bank for each category of service and then have several mix banks that have some favorites from each bank, that I then usually scan. One mix bank can have more PMR channel types and another mix bank more focused on AIR and so on.

/Ubbe

 

[osprey]

I many have used the term "program" incorrectly.

Actually, I wish to enter frequencies into many of the 400 Memory Channels (8 Banks of 50) without using rotary Dial and Button presses wherever possible.

My reasoning is related to the age of the radio. I wish to limit the wear and tear on the Dial and Buttons to reduce the chance of mechanical failure on this approx. 25 year old device.

Of course, I would still be using the Dial and Buttons for the general operation of the radio... but not for adding, changing, deleting of frequencies within memory channels.

And being able to keep frequency information in a spreadsheet like system along with a printed listing of what frequencies are contained in which Bank / Memory Channel... that would be great too.

Searching the Internet shows several options for 'USB Cable & Software Sets' and I am concerned that some many not work with Win10 and 11.

Perhaps there is some who has a 'USB Cable & Software Set' that has used it with an R2 & Win 10/11 and can comment on how well things went ?


Keith

 

[DudleyG]

I use RT Systems Software for the ICOM R2 to program the receiver plus the programming cable that RT Systems sells for that receiver. It works well on my Windows 10 Pro version of a desktop computer.

 

[KF4JYE]

I also use RT Systems software for my 24 year old R2 and highly recommend it. It works well on both Windows 10 and 11. Also, I use RT software for several other radios. All my master channel information (for multiple radios) is kept in an Excel file, and it is simple to copy and paste desired channels into any of the RT programs.

 

[osprey]

Thanks for the info about RT Sytems. I can acquire the software from them easliy as it is a download.

The USB cable is more difficult as it appears they may not ship to Canada (not sure) and if so, the shipping and duty and taxes increase the price of the cable significally.

RT Systems refer to the USB cable for the R2 as : "USB-29A Programming Cable"

Is this a standard cable that could be purchased on Amazon ?

 

[Ubbe]

Is this a standard cable that could be purchased on Amazon ?

It's specific to Icom as it connects to the earphone jack.

USB Program Cable For Icom Mobile Radio IC-R2 IC-R3 IC-R5 IC-RX7 IC-R10 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for USB Program Cable For Icom Mobile Radio IC-R2 IC-R3 IC-R5 IC-RX7 IC-R10 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

/Ubbe

 

[osprey]

Thanks to you Ubbe, and others. The ICOM cable is on its way.

Regards KMD

 

[Ubbe]

You can try the free IC-R2 Commander software to program the scanner. Maybe there are others as R2 have such few parameters and features that makes it easy to code a program for it.

IC-R2 Commander

Free radio programming software for the Icom IC-R2. Homepage of IC-R2 Commander.

www.kc8unj.com

/Ubbe

 

[longbch]

I used Bob Parnass’ free tk2 software to program my R2 when I had one:

tk2

It looks like a spreadsheet and is a lot like the RT Systems software.

I made a cable for programming the radio also. The R2 was a very handy receiver when my area was on non-trunked 400 MHz.

Bob no longer makes software for the newer scanners. Today I use RT Systems and their cable for my R6.

 

[oceans777]

Same situation wih my IC-R6 and R5, I'm using ARC6 from Butel and got this cable today - works great with the R6.
It comes with a mini-CD but Windows 11 (Pro) auto-installed the driver, no problems.
The cable is a Prolific PL2303GS in Windows 11 Device Manager, Prolific driver 5.3.7.0 dated 6/27/2024.
USB-A to TRS jack (looks like stereo). Looking at Universal Radio's site and accessories for the IC-R2 it looks like it is a TRS too.

Note the IC-R2, IC-R5 & R6 aren't in the list as compatible on the Amazon page but at $21.08 was worth the try.
The IC-R6 I have to hold the V/M button and power on for Clone mode and the CIV address needs to be the same as software in some programing apps like ARC6. Easily changed in ARC6 configuraton or the recievers settings CIVADR - 7E etc.

Amazon.com: GoodQbuy USB Programming Cable for Icom Radios IC-2730 IC-2730A IC-F3 IC-F3S IC-F3GS IC-F3GT IC-F4 IC-F4S IC-F21 IC-F26 1-pin : Electronics

Amazon.com: GoodQbuy USB Programming Cable for Icom Radios IC-2730 IC-2730A IC-F3 IC-F3S IC-F3GS IC-F3GT IC-F4 IC-F4S IC-F21 IC-F26 1-pin : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[osprey]

I have received my download for RT Systems of “WCS-R2 Programming Software for IC_R2" and it has been installed on my Win10 Laptop.
While waiting for the USB cable to arrive from eBay, I tried some of the features (those possible to do without a cable) and all looks fine.

I now have now just received the USB cable c/w a Mini CD.

While following the instructions to "Get Data from Radio..." within the RT application, I get the error message below.
I assume this is due to not having a Driver installed to make the connection between the Laptop and the R2.

Now, I suspect, (as no information was provided with the USB Cable/Mini CD) there is a Win10 Driver on the Mini CD that must be installed first.

So, as I do not have CD drive, I must find a friend that has one capable of reading a Mini CD and copy the contents to a memory stick, then install to the laptop.

Am I on the right track?

 

[DudleyG]

If you have a friend that has a small portable DVD drive that plugs into a USB port on your computer, you could use that to read the mini CD on your computer. I have a LG brand one that I bought at Best Buy for around $30 (US) that works on both Windows and MacBooks. Just borrow it if your friend is really nice!

 

[oceans777]

RT Systems has a page with a few other non-RT Systems common drivers you can download. If the eBay seller can tell you which chipset your cable is you might be able to downlaod it.
My cable that came from Amazon that is working with my IC-R6 is Prolific with the Prolific PL2303GS driver for Windows 11.

You can download the (Yaesu) Prolific 2303 driver (not for Win 11) here - works on my ICOM IC-R5 in Windows 10.

Driver Downloads

And Silicon Labs and various other drivers here:

Driver Downloads