R75 Software

[Halfpint]

Anyone know of any software out there that pretty much keeps the `features' and `operability' of the `factory' software and adds some reasonably `robust' logging abilites? (Adding the ability to retain more than just the attenuator, pre-amp, and antenna settings would also be very nice, too.)

One, Smart ICOM Control 32, I stumbled across *seemed* to have something along the lines I am looking for but along with the `minor fact?' that it seems the author has decided to quit, which bring up the question about the ability to register and un-lock the software, it also seems to be rather picky about the hardware, and maybe the OS version, runs on *and* is lacking, or appears to be in the `crippled' version, some rather basic control of the radio. Having said all that it does *appear* that it has a fairly decent `suite' of logging abilities even with the baggage of having to deal with downloaded databases and their `foibles'. (I *did* take the time, a week seemed reasonable, to try to figure out *how* to work it!)

A large number of the other packages I found were oriented more towards the HAM type user rather than the SWLer or occasional UTE listener. Since ICOM, like many other radio companies out there, is oriented more towards `commercial' or `HAM' type users it's not too surprising yet it is also very disappointing. (One of the things that makes it disappointing is that as part of their `sales spiel' they make a fair number of references, direct and indirect, to the exact type of uses a SWLer or occasional UTE listener would put it to.) Where is the software for the SWLer / UTE `listener?' ? `We', and I am *not* referring to some mouse in my pocket, aren't *that* much of a `minority' are we? Isn't the desire to keep a few logs of what we've either spent hours `crawling around' the `ether' or have had the radio and software do such something that one could call `universal'? (I'll admit that maybe wanting to keep a log of a `bandscan' might be a bit on the `wierd' side to some. But, when one is trying to chase down a bit of RF EMI that has been causing problems with more than just HF reception and needs to log both freqs and times over an extend time it is a nice thing to be able to do. [I *do* have software for my scanners that can do that. However in this case it has turned out that whatever it is that is causing the problems isn't in the range, 25MHz - 1.3GHz, that the scanners cover. I have also tried getting various `agencies' and `companies' involved because it is something that, one would think, affects them with basically no perceivable `luck'.] ) `Contest logging' and the like is nice but it just isn't quite the same. {WAN GRIN!}

So... To somewhat `sum up' what *I* am looking for is something that retains the `abilities' and `ease' that ICOM has serendipitously managed to get into their software but also expands on it with `features' like `logging' and the like. (By `abilities' and `abilities' I am referring to being able to access the functions of the radio in a similar fashion to actually have one's hands physically on the radio and to be able to set or change most of the `default settings' in a similar fashion. I am also referring to having fairly decent `two way communications' between the radio and the software. [Quite a few of the `3rd party' packages I have looked at have require that one actually stop whatever they are doing to `refresh' either the software's display or in the worst case actually the radio itself! This can quickly become a PITA if one is having to make many tuning changes whilst `chasing' / `searching'.] One would think that having a bi-directional `RS-232' serial connection would make this something that would be a `standard?' part of the operation of the software and any `logging' whether it was done by either the radio or the software?)

 

[ka3jjz]

Keep in mind that software development is, necessarily, somewhat constrained by what the firmware in the radio - in this case, the R75 - actually allows to be controlled. Skipping through the numerous packages I have on the Strong Signals page, it strikes me as well that most are sorta slanted to the ham world.

However, there is one that is very well regarded - lots of folks use it, it has its own Yahoo support group - and is absolutely chock full of features. It's a little expensive to register, but from all the scuttlebutt, it's worth it.

RXPlus

It not only works with the R75, but numerous other radios too.

And speaking of Yahoo groups, there's one for the R75 as well - no doubt you can get lots more opinions on software there...

R75 Yahoo group

73s Mike

P.S. I'd be more than a little remiss if I didn't mention these; the first 3, at least, have dedicated Yahoo groups for support - surprisingly, Scancat Gold for Windows does list the R75 among its supported radios, though how well it works, I don't know...

Ergo

Shortwave Log

Scancat

Shoc RSM5
(possible support - says it will support Icom radios with CI-V interface- it's very expensive, I think...)

tk75

 

[Halfpint]

Keep in mind that software development is, necessarily, somewhat constrained by what the firmware in the radio - in this case, the R75 - actually allows to be controlled. Skipping through the numerous packages I have on the Strong Signals page, it strikes me as well that most are sorta slanted to the ham world.

However, there is one that is very well regarded - lots of folks use it, it has its own Yahoo support group - and is absolutely chock full of features. It's a little expensive to register, but from all the scuttlebutt, it's worth it.

RXPlus

It not only works with the R75, but numerous other radios too.

And speaking of Yahoo groups, there's one for the R75 as well - no doubt you can get lots more opinions on software there...

R75 Yahoo group

73s Mike

P.S. I'd be more than a little remiss if I didn't mention these; the first 3, at least, have dedicated Yahoo groups for support - surprisingly, Scancat Gold for Windows does list the R75 among its supported radios, though how well it works, I don't know...

Ergo

Shortwave Log

Scancat

Shoc RSM5
(possible support - says it will support Icom radios with CI-V interface- it's very expensive, I think...)

tk75

Thanks. I'll take a look at the ones in your list that I haven't already tried.

While I've had fairly good luck with Bob Parnass' software with scanners T75 simply and completely refused to run for me. From what I saw from the screen shots it *did* look kind of interesting to play with.

ScanCat OTOH while I've used it in the past with several other radios and it's, in it's DOS version, one of only two programs that will work with my AOR AR2500, was a *total* `bust'! Not only doesn't it really offer any control over the radio but as a `scanner' program for the R75 *and* several other *scanner* radios this latest version can only be charitably said to be "As useless as spigots on a boar." I'm afraid that they have just gotten to far in over their heads by trying to control or program almost every radio out there. (I first noticed the symptoms back at the time they were starting to make the change from it being a DOS based software package to a Windows based package. I actually had to revert back one version to keep things working right then.)

Shoc RSM5 *looks* interesting but I am waiting to hear if it is only CI-V or if it also supports, and how well it supports, RS-232. While I do have several CI-V `capable?' radios I primarily use RS-232 because it seems to cope best with the way I have historically used them and the software I've primarily used with them. (CI-V actually is very interesting! The couple times I have actually attempted to use that type of connection / protocol it did work. The `problem' at the time, if I `disremembers prezactly I think', was that I had a `speed' problem and I kept missing transmissions that I *knew* had happened. Now I *will* admit that I *may* have been `pressing' things a bit as I was only using a 486 class CPU clocked at 120MHz and 16450 UARTs on the 8 port DigiBoard I was using for IO. Maybe I should see if I can dig up a bit faster `box' and upgrade the UARTs to 16550s or whatever they have come out with that might be faster and have bigger caches? Maybe I should also invest in the ICOM CI-V `box', too?) As for the co$t... Considering what some other programs out there co$t *if* it does all it claims it really wouldn't be all that expensive. (Take a look at what the latest `iteration'?' of what used to be called Scan*Star is going for! )

I checked out Shortwave Log and from the first `reading' it didn't quite sound like what I was looking for. But... I will go and take another look.

I don't recall actually finding Ergo so that link is appreciate and I'll go take a gander at it.

RxPlus... ?? Hmmmmmm... I don't remember seeing it but it was kinda `late', or early depending upon how one's `day' is, and I was rushing through the search to try and find stuff and then get to bed before the sun came up and I would be `doomed' to doing a 24 `hourer'. {VB GRIN!}

I *may* be either asking too much or looking for something that just plain doesn't exist. But... It *still* seems that even with the `slant' there has to be something out there that either actually will do what I'm looking for or can be fairly easily hammered into doing so.

Oh, well... Just an `Olde Fart's' 2¢ worth? {VB GRIN!}

 

[Hamradiostuffing]

Ham Radio Deluxe

Try ham Radio deluxe has a setting for the R75.


You can use the opc662 or OPC478 with a stereo to mono adaptor on it in place of the CT17 for alot cheaper

 

[Hamradiostuffing]

ps ham radio deluxe

it is a free download here is the link.


http://hrd.ham-radio.ch/downloads.html

 

[Halfpint]

And speaking of Yahoo groups, there's one for the R75 as well - no doubt you can get lots more opinions on software there...

R75 Yahoo group

Speaking of `Yahoo Groups'... {WAN GRIN!} I *don't* know just *what* it is but *every* time I try to `sign up' for one I *can't*! If there was a way for me to get a `razzberry' from them and my machine I'd get one! As far as I can remember I have *never* signed up for a Yahoo Group in the past though there is an `e-mail list' that claims to be `hosted?' or whatever by Yahoo that I belong to but *that* I became a member of a long time ago *before* it was moved over to Yahoo and I know that I never went through any `registration' for Yahoo and instead only just did an e-mail `verification' when that happened. I just tried here a few minutes ago and after about a half dozen or so tries I ended up with something about being `locked out' and my machine locked up requiring a complete re-boot. (I *know* that at times I can be a tad bit `abrasive' but I usually try to not be to the point of getting `bombed'!)

What *really* `gets' me is that it seems that Yahoo seems to have a `lock' on most of the `useful' `groups' and as much as I'd like to be able to participate and acquire knowledge and other useful things I can't because of whatever it is that is, or has been, happening. I've even tried asking `support' and everything they've come up with has not seemed to work. Unfortunately it also seems that *if* an answer cannot be found someplace on their `help menu' then they seem to not be able to take a little `initiative' and `escalate' it whatever it might take. (And people think I am kidding whenever I say that there are times when I think that I am somehow related to `Joe Btfsplk' from the "Lil' Abner" comic strip! {FROWN!} *This* yet another example as to why I say, and sometimes feel that, I am! {GRIMMACE!} This is also why I appreciate places like RR even though, though *absolutely no fault* of the `SysOp' and other fine people behind the scenes, there is no way to `duplicate' what is found in the groups. [As a `SysOp' of a `standalone' BBS I *know* that trying to do a lot of things that is done by other software, OSes, ETC. can either end up co$ting `beau coup buck$', in one way or another, or just plain can't be done. Sometimes one can come close but also sometimes close just isn't good enough.])

Oh, well... Just an `Olde Fart's' 2¢ worth. {WAN GRIN!}

 

[Halfpint]

Re: Ham Radio Deluxe

Try ham Radio deluxe has a setting for the R75.


You can use the opc662 or OPC478 with a stereo to mono adaptor on it in place of the CT17 for alot cheaper

Thanks! I'll add that to both my software `search list' and hardware ideas.

 

[Halfpint]

First off I'd like to thank both of you who provided info about software that works for the R75. It has made things go *a lot* smoother.

RXPlus

Rather `interesting' but whether it is the software or my `system' it didn't seem to actually be able to supply much actual `control' of the R75. On top of that it appears to be one heck of a memory / HD space hog. It didn"t take very long to decide whether or not to keep it.

Ergo

I haven't gotten a good download of either ERGO3 or ERGO4 yet but am hoping that this next try works. (I *do* know that ERGO3 *demands* that one use the `Borland Database Engine?' which *I* have had many problems with in the past, for various assorted reasons, and really don't want have to go through all over again. ) ERGO4 is on it's *forth* download attempt and *if* I succede I'll try and load it up and give it a try. I notice that Universal Radio seems to be `pushing' it and I hope that means that I might have a chance getting it to work and provide me with another program to evaluate.

Shortwave Log

This looked promising at first glance. But, after getting it loaded up and running (Actually *attempting* to run!), it turned out that apparently it doesn't like 98se *or* any of my hardware. (I guess I probably should have read the stuff on the Web site a bit better and I would have known that pretty much everything I'm running, *except* the R75 supposedly, was going to bring me grief?) Oh, well...

Shoc RSM5

*This* *looked* *very* interesting *until* I looked at the `minimum requirements'! Apparently they think that everyone should be running at least the `latest and greatest' and preferably the `bleeding edge'! (Some of us `poor dirt farmers' have a hard time doing that and *if* we find something we'd like to have end up having to scrimp and save *and* worry *if* when we *do* finally get things scraped together it'll still be around for us to buy! It is begining to look like I actually have been lucky enough to have been able to decide, when I did, to buy the R75 as it now appears that *if* I'd like to get a `backup' I am going to have to figure out a way to do so *very* quickly because there are rumors out there that it has been discontinued.)

Now the one program I've *really* started to develope a liking for is HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe)! Not only does it seem to be able to control the R75 as good as, if maybe slightly better because I can get `feedback' of changes made at the radio, the ICOM software but it also seems to be the answer to most of my logging desires. It was also the *only* one of all the programs that I *didn't* have to actually `futz about' getting it to hook up and see the radio when I brought it up! Kudos to the `author(s)'!!! To be sure I did have to do *some* `tweaking' but it wasn't anything all that much and actually seemed to be more `fine tuning' than anything else. I'll have to give it a few weeks of use to really be able to say whether it actually will end up as one of my `workhorse' programs, though because now that I've said all I've said *something* is going to sneak up behind me and bite me. {WAN GRIN!}

Again, Thanks to you all for your suggestions and such!

Just an `Olde Fart's' 2¢ worth. {VB GRIN!}

 

[ka3jjz]

Re the Shortwave Log program - did you read the 'support' page? There are specific Windows-related tips that you should be aware of, including an item or two about Crystal Reports.

I wish I could download and use it; but at over 5MB, it would hog this poor dialup for way too long....

73s Mike

 

[Halfpint]

Re the Shortwave Log program - did you read the 'support' page? There are specific Windows-related tips that you should be aware of, including an item or two about Crystal Reports.

I wish I could download and use it; but at over 5MB, it would hog this poor dialup for way too long....

73s Mike

Yah, I read the `support' page and even tried some of the `suggestions'... No `Joy in Mudville'. Probably the `main' `problem' is the `minor?' fact that most of my machines are *definitely not* anywhere near even `bandaged bleeding edge' machines and actually probably more like `medicaid edge' machines. (The fastest machine is a 450MHz PIII IBM `tower'.) Topping everything off I am using an 8-port `DIGIBoard' for my serial IO and 6 of the ports on the board are using `custom' addresses. (Amazingly enough I only have a couple 2 - 3 software packages that either don't `support' or `outright dislike' `custom' addresses! And it's a weird mix of new and old software!) Yeah, I know that 98se really doesn't `handle' more than 8 serial ports all that well but the old `dumb', which means that there isn't a MPU/CPU on the board, PC-8 DIGIBoards have a way around that with a `driver' that they used to supply. (I can run up to 16 ports on a DOS / TBBS machine using either a pair of PC-8s or a single PC-16! Currently my BBS machine has a PC-8 installed and I've got 6 out of the 8 actively in use. Though only 2 of them are currently handling modems on phone lines to the outside world. [A couple of the others have old RF modems in use on them so that we can access the BBS from other buildings on our property.])

As for downloading SWLog via a `dial up' connection... I've only got a `dial up' myself and it really didn't take all that long even at 28.8. ERGO4, 12.88meg approximately, was *finally* `reeled in' in about an hour if I `disremembers prezactly I think'. The *real* `pain' that *I* have had with downloads via `dial up' has been that it seems there are times when some of the machines along the way just up and `time out' for no apparent rhyme or reason, and even with fairly good FTP software, sometimes one cannot just pick up where on left off but have to start the whole danged download all over again. *One*, I don't recall which one but it was one that I didn't have any `luck' with, of the packages in your list which was around 16 - 17meg or so took *6* tries before I was able to finally get it! (And I was doing all my downloading in the `wee hours of the morning' when it is `usually?' fairly `slow' `traffic-wise' and things like downloads *usually* go fairly well and fast!) *If* I still had SWLog on my machine I'd burn it onto one of those `mini-cds' and `snail-mail' it to you but, after fighting with it I `dumped' it to recover the space to use for something else. {WAN GRIN!}