RT systems is it worth it?

[bill4long]

RT Systems is top notch. One caveat, is like other software products, you can only install it "X" number of times, regardless of the fact you paid for it- there is an undocumented "limit" you will reach. Doesn't matter if you reimage/reformat your PC, swap hard drives, you know, things people do in the normal course of computers. It will no longer activate and you'll either be forced to buy a new serial key again or do without.

Just beware of this, I am sure that arbitrary number is buried in their EULA but I've yet to find it. Otherwise, it is good software and their support is very responsive.

If you call them, they will reset the counter.

 

[bill4long]

Gonna be mainly programming my Yaesu FTM-500D via ad card, my Ft710 and some baofengs and maybe an anytone... Is there any advantage to RT systems vs chirp or factory software??

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]

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.

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]

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.

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.

 

[videobruce]

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.

 

[AK9R]

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]

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.

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]

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.

 

[KB2GOM]

Their customer service and support are second to none.

Agreed. I had a question on a weekend, sent an email, and RT systems replied within hours.

 

[W8WCA]

They are great!
I have used for many HT's - and Rigs including my new FTdx10 and Icom R6 scanner

 

[KK4JUG]

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.

 

[bill4long]

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.

They allow a transfer of the license to one other user.