bill4long
Member
If you call them, they will reset the counter.
RT systems is it worth it?
- Thread starter Mountaineer304
- Start date
If you call them, they will reset the counter.
bill4long
Member
I have over a dozen variants of RF Systems software. The user interface is nicer. Very easy to copy/paste from one radio to the other. The cables are pricier but they Just Plain Work, and this might be the most persuasive selling point for me. Never had a problem or complaint regardless of what version of Windows I have used.
N6JPA
A Ham Radio Operator With too much frequency.
Yes, RT Systems uses the FTDI serial IC chip on their cables. I used to use that FTDI USB serial cable 14 years ago to program and control my scanner and amateur radios and they always worked. If you ever need to use a USB to serial cable the FTDI one is the one to get. IME. IMHO.
KD7RJC
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I have a pair of FTDI-based network equipment YOST serial console adapter cables that use the genuine chips that are partly dead. I can receive console output from the router or switch I'm plugged into, but I cannot send to them. I've even connected one of these cables with YOST to DB-25 adapter to a WYSE VT terminal I have sitting around and text typed-in on the WYSE appears on the virtual terminal, but the text from the PC doesn't appear on the WYSE screen.
So don't assume that genuine FTDI chips are bulletproof, they're not. They're good, but they can fail in normal albeit frequent use.
What I don't like about RT's system is the (more or less) one radio use, one owner.
You pay for the software and it's yours, no limit to your own use. I buy the radio, it's mine. Same thing.
You pay for the software and it's yours, no limit to your own use. I buy the radio, it's mine. Same thing.
As with most software, whether it be the Microsoft Windows operating system or the RT Systems radio programming application, you aren't really buying the software. You are buying a license to use the software. Read the license agreement and you'll see what rights the software author/publisher gives you.
rf_patriot200
Active Member
IF you know someone that's already bought keys for the software you need, there's a trick they can do to share it with you, if they're willing.
w2txb
Member
The RT Systems software works quite well, and can be transferred, but only from the original purchaser/user to the second "owner". I have yet to buy it for my FT-710, but have used it for my ID-52A (second owner), my wife's and my ID-5100A's, and my Yaesu FT-5DR (also second owner). The folks at RT Systems advised using their cable or an equally good cable with compatible connectors that will adequately pass data (avoid the cheap ones). I have used the USB cable that came with my former Samsung phone to program my ID-52A and it works OK, but prefer the RT Systems cable.
A friend had a problem with programming one of his radios with the RT software and cable, but it turned out to be a bad cable. RT Systems acknowledged there had been a few such faulty cables and replaced his immediately. Their customer service and support are second to none.
A friend had a problem with programming one of his radios with the RT software and cable, but it turned out to be a bad cable. RT Systems acknowledged there had been a few such faulty cables and replaced his immediately. Their customer service and support are second to none.
KB2GOM
Active Member
Agreed. I had a question on a weekend, sent an email, and RT systems replied within hours.
W8WCA
Member
They are great!
I have used for many HT's - and Rigs including my new FTdx10 and Icom R6 scanner
I have used for many HT's - and Rigs including my new FTdx10 and Icom R6 scanner
RT Systems is about a 30-minute drive from me so I've also visited them and purchased in person. They're knowledgeable, accommodating and just plain friendly. I remember seeing a room with a huge number of small drawers in it. It turns out that's where they stored all the radios they bought to test their software.
My affiliation with them is as a customer only.
My affiliation with them is as a customer only.
bill4long
Member
They allow a transfer of the license to one other user.
K5MPH
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How would go about doing this ......
Contact RT Systems support.
KF0NYL
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I use RT systems for quite a few of my Icom and Wouxun radios since they make MAC versions of their software for those radios. I do have an RT Systems cable for my Icom IC-T10 and IC-2730. But I have been using the OEM WOuxun cables with RT Systems to program several of my Wouxun radios with my Mac.
slim6596
Member
If I bought the RTSystems program for my ICOM 5100a, could I use the SD card to program it or does it require a USB cable?
As I mentioned before, I have their software for the Yaesu FT-60 and ICOM IC-705.
The Yaesu FT-60 software has been great but the 705 software had so many bugs (which I reported numerous times over the course of a year), that I threw my hands up and am not using it anymore. It also came to a point where the 705 software UI changed for the worse. I told them about it and that I was tired of testing the software and I think I am done; so much so I am afraid of updating the Yaesu software. I like the way it is laid out and am afraid that may have changed.
For the ICOM, I downloaded their 705 programming software and it ain’t bad at all. It was actually a relief to use it compared to the RT software. Looks a little old-school but it works.
I recently purchased an ICOM 52A D-STAR HT and did not consider RT Systems - given the quality of the 705 software experience - and instead, am using the ICOM programming software for the 52A (look and feel similar to the 705 software) and it works flawlessly.
The Yaesu FT-60 software has been great but the 705 software had so many bugs (which I reported numerous times over the course of a year), that I threw my hands up and am not using it anymore. It also came to a point where the 705 software UI changed for the worse. I told them about it and that I was tired of testing the software and I think I am done; so much so I am afraid of updating the Yaesu software. I like the way it is laid out and am afraid that may have changed.
For the ICOM, I downloaded their 705 programming software and it ain’t bad at all. It was actually a relief to use it compared to the RT software. Looks a little old-school but it works.
I recently purchased an ICOM 52A D-STAR HT and did not consider RT Systems - given the quality of the 705 software experience - and instead, am using the ICOM programming software for the 52A (look and feel similar to the 705 software) and it works flawlessly.
prcguy
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Is it worth it? I think in some cases maybe and other cases no. For example, a brand new Baofeng UV-5R is $16.09 right now on Amazon. The programming cable and software from RT Systems is $49.00. Programming software from Baofeng is a free download and it works great. Programming software from Chirp is a free download and that works great. A UV-5R programming cable is $3.95 on Amazon. So why does aftermarket programming software and a cable cost 3X more than the radio from RT Systems?
KF0NYL
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I have to agree.
It is going to depend on the radio and manufacturer's programming software or if CHIRP supports the radio or not.
I bought the RT Systems Icom IC-208H as I could not find anywhere to download the official Icom software for it. I did use the Icom software for my IC-T10 but ended up getting the RT version which I prefer.
I also use RT Systems for my Icom IC-2730, IC-208H, IC-T10, and most of my Wouxun radios. I use RT Systems for the following Wouxun models; KG1000G, KG935G, KG-XS20G, KG-XS20H and KG-Q10H. I will most likely purchase RT program for the KG-935H once a MAC version is available.
I use the TYT software for my two TH-7800 radios. I stick with CHIRP Next for all of my Baofeng hand held radios, Explorer QRZ-1, and other CCR hand held radios.
I can't see paying more for programming software that what I spent on the radios. I use the TYT software for the TH-7800s as it is easy to use and also easy to unlock the radios.
