Scanner Tales: Running my radios on my ARM-Based Mac Studio

[N9JIG]

I know, I know! If you are programming or controlling radios don’t use a Mac, use a Windows computer. I have told hundreds of people just that in my days working support. Even as a die-hard Mac Fan Boy I admit that that is the easiest, cheapest, most practical and most effective way to live in the radio world. I even tried running a Windows machine I built a year or so ago as my only computer in my office for a year and a half. Part of the reason was to placate my kid, an IT Support guy, who was living with us for a while when their new house was being built. He hates supporting the Mac and only does it when he absolutely has to. He does programming in Windows for his company and just doesn’t feel comfortable in MacOS.

So, he and I picked out the hardware and put together a killer Windows machine in a stunningly beautiful Fractal North case and I ran it as my daily driver for about a year and a half. I realized that I could live that way if I had to but since I didn’t HAVE to I wanted to go back to my beloved MacOS. There are a few reasons for this:

First, I feel more comfortable there. This is probably the most important but least explainable reason. It just feels better for me.

Second, I miss things like my text messages, phone calls and Facetime calls being able to be done seamlessly via my computer. I had to resort to keeping my iPad on the desk for these things. Yeah, I could use PhoneLink to connect the phone to my Windows machine but that relied on the phone being there (in Bluetooth range) and was clunky and buggy. There just was no way to do Facetime at all.

Third, I watch much of my TV content via AppleTV. We have quite a library of purchased content there and we prefer to do our rentals there as well, it is just a much better experience. There is a Windows application for that, but it too is very buggy and has poor playback, stuttering and skipping frames. Even browser-based streaming (Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Amazon Prime etc.) seems to work better on a Mac than Windows no matter what browser I use.

I kept my last Mac computer, a MacBook Pro M1-Max for travel and as a backup and a month or so ago I decided to try going back to that as a daily driver. I wanted to see if I really preferred the MacOS or not. I set it up with my Cal Digit TB4 dock and a couple monitors. Within a couple days I realized how much I had really missed the Mac.

I got permission from the CFO of Carlson Enterprises (AKA the wife) to get a new Mac Studio. The one I chose was the M4-Max, with 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Pretty well maxed out and probably overkill, but I wanted it to last a while. My timing was impeccable as a couple days after I ordered it the President announced his tariffs plan, and I think that will increase the price even higher than it already was.

My plan was to run it alongside the Windows computer, leaving the radio stuff on the Windows box on one screen and use the other two monitors on the Mac for my daily use. I have been doing that for the last couple weeks since my new Studio arrived and it works fine. I have however toyed with trying to see if I could run my shack entirely on the Mac. I use Parallels and have had great success with it. When I was still working for Scanner Master on a daily basis, I could run our phone system (Windows only) just fine in Parallels. I kept a Windows machine around for the scanners and Icoms as well as programming the various other brand of radios.

I knew that I could run my current Uniden scanners (anything with a true USB port), including the SDS100/200, BCD436/536, BCD996/325 and the BCD160/260 as the drivers for these are ARM-compatible. The older Uniden’s, like the 996XT, 396T/XT, and my BCT15X’s would not work with my existing cables as I do not have any USB-Serial adapters that work with an ARM-based OS. I Have a few USB-1 cables with the newer chipset but even those will not work with an ARM computer. There might be a USB-Serial adapter out there that works in ARM-based systems but I haven’t found one yet. (If you know of one please reply so I can get a couple!)

Since my shack currently consists of 4 BCD536HP’s, an SDS200 and a BCD996P2 I could run all these with no problems in ProScan or ARC-xx on the Mac. I can add in my BCD260DN if needed but that has a great home in the shop. I still have 2 each of BCT15X, BCD396XT’s and BCD996XT’s but rarely use them and I can program them on my Windows laptop or the NUC out in the shop if needed.

My bigger issue however was my fleet of Icom’s. I have an R8600, IC-7100, IC-705 and an IC-7300 in daily use and an ID-52A Plus and R30 that need to be programmed occasionally. I want to start getting into things like FT8 and some SDR stuff on the 8600 so was pretty interested in getting these to work on the Mac.

I tried installing the Icom drivers and none of them would work in Windows for ARM on my Mac via Parallels. I could run the applications, but the drivers just would not work so I could not connect to the radios.

I reached out to Icom Support by email on Sunday night and asked if they had ARM-Based drivers for the current Icoms. Greg responded to me by email early (before I was up for the day!) Monday and said that while Icom did not, I should try the Silicon Labs site. They provided the Icom drivers, and he was pretty sure they had ARM-Based drivers for their bridges.

So, this evening I went to the Silicon Labs site and downloaded the ARM drivers. I installed them in my Windows environment on the Mac and they worked great! I was able to use the RS-8600 remote control program as well as the RT Systems software to read and write to my R8600 and then tried the IC-7100. That too worked just fine. Next, I will try the other Icom radios, I expect them to work fine as well.

My current plan is to set up the Mac as the computer for the scanners and Icoms and run that way for a week or two. If all goes well, I can then remove the Windows machine from the office and retire it to the shop, at least for now. I can run the third monitor on the Mac and eliminate some clutter in my office.

The only radios I use often other that these are my Anytone D878 and D578 two-ways. I have 2 of each. I can get by with programming them with my laptop if needed but I will try to get them to work on the Mac as well. If they do; great! If not, then life stinks and I move on. It just isn’t a game changer like the Icom’s and Uniden’s are to me.

So, for all you Mac guys out there fretting about programming radios: all hope is not lost. It can be done but it is gonna cost you a little money and a little time to make it work but if you are like me and really like the MacOS then you can do it. I did and am a happy camper! If running a Mac is more important than common sense and money, then go for it like I did!

 

[N9JIG]

As a followup:

I do NOT actually recommend this path to anyone. While it works it is fraught with issues. Here are a few I have discovered over the years:

Memory: You need a lot of available RAM to properly run a guest operating system on a Mac, whether you have an older Intel or a newer Apple Silicon model. With newer Mac's the ability to upgrade RAM yourself is pretty much impossible for mere mortals and difficult at best for supermen like me. The so-called "Apple Tax" is a real thing, RAM on Macs is much more expensive. Now there is a good reason for that on newer Mac's as it is integrated with the processor, thus making things that much faster, but it is still too expensive for sure.

Stability: Parallels is great to run a couple radios or other Windows applications but the more you throw at it the worse it gets. I have no problem running a half dozen scanners in ProScan or ARC-XX but toss in a few Icoms and other radios and things start to get squirrelly. Part is due to resource limitations as you can only access so much of the Mac's RAM and processing power. In addition you are basically using 2 computers to complete the task, the Mac to run Parallels and the guest OS (Windows).

Price: Just go out and buy a cheap Windows machine, laptop or desktop. They are still cheap and even an older used computer will work.

 

[vagrant]

Rich, self-flagellation is unhealthy! Call the crisis hotline!

I enjoy using Mac OS as well as Windows and other OS's. My solution is to simply remote in to the machines via the Mac. It is quick, cost effective and user friendly. Microsoft's Remote Desktop has a name change to "Windows App", but still works fine/same for me. There's also RealVNC Viewer, or just SSH in depending on one's needs for Unix flavors. The Windows and Unix flavor boxes run various stuff 24/7 and make life easy when it comes to programming and whatever else that favors those OS's. As you note, there are inexpensive Windows machines out there. I use my large main screen for Mac stuff and offload the remote sessions to a secondary monitor also connected to the Mac. The primary Windows machine is an HP EliteDesk 800 G2, which typically sips on AC power.

I presume you tried the remote option. What is it you did not like about using that, or what do you gain by using Parallels? I tried Parallels as well as dual boot on a Macbook Pro decades ago and did not like it. I was trying to make it over perform and or it used too much space. That was my solution when traveling, but now I'm fine with a Windows tablet and an iPad. I think I'm going to add an Android tablet as well to this list soon.

 

[N9JIG]

I have used Remote Access but to tell the truth, it works better for me to have the Windows PC right there. Actually the CPU is in back of my desk position and I use a 20' HDMI cable as well as a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for the Windows computer. This keeps the large CPU out of the way.

I could also use the mouse and keyboard I use for the Mac (Logitech MX Keys/Master) as it can work for 3 devices but found it easier just to buy a separate keyboard and mouse.

I look upon the work over the last couple of days as more of a Proof of Concept; I wanted to know if it could be done. It could and it works but it is just better to keep them separate, at least until I change my mind again.

 

[wa8pyr]

I got permission from the CFO of Carlson Enterprises (AKA the wife) to get a new Mac Studio. The one I chose was the M4-Max, with 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Pretty well maxed out and probably overkill, but I wanted it to last a while. My timing was impeccable as a couple days after I ordered it the President announced his tariffs plan, and I think that will increase the price even higher than it already was.

Just got myself an M4-Pro Mini with 24gb RAM and 1tb storage. Thought about getting a Studio but the price point was a bit outside my comfort zone. Got over $300 trade-in for my M1 Mini so that sweetened the pot a bit.

The storage is upgradable, or will be sooner or later, so I figure if I need to upgrade the storage later on I can. I also got the Satechi dock with the SD card reader and three USB-A ports on the front. It accepts an NVMe SSD so I got a Crucial 1tb SSD for additional storage. Storage of most of the stuff I don't use too often is on the server rather than the "desktop" anyway.

Works like a champ.

 

[N9JIG]

The Studio and current Mini's use proprietary memory cards, although a few people figured out how to create compatible cards so one could upgrade the storage onboard the computer. You would then need to reinitialize it, I think that requires another Mac to do so. If you do not mind opening the computer and doing some minor surgery you can save some money. I sprung for the larger SSD as I would probably find a way to brick the darn thing somehow if I tried it myself.

RAM however, is still not up-gradable as it is part of the SOC on any M-Series Mac, even the Pro.

 

[wa8pyr]

The Studio and current Mini's use proprietary memory cards, although a few people figured out how to create compatible cards so one could upgrade the storage onboard the computer. You would then need to reinitialize it, I think that requires another Mac to do so. If you do not mind opening the computer and doing some minor surgery you can save some money. I sprung for the larger SSD as I would probably find a way to brick the darn thing somehow if I tried it myself.

RAM however, is still not up-gradable as it is part of the SOC on any M-Series Mac, even the Pro.

Yeah, I’m not too worried about the RAM; 16gb did OK on the M1 Mini, so 24 should be ok. I would have preferred 32gb, but the next step up from 24 was 48 and that pushed the price point.

If I do upgrade the storage on the new Mini it wont be until after the warranty runs out, and maybe not then. 1tb did pretty well before, should be ok now.

 

[N9JIG]

Yeah, I’m not too worried about the RAM; 16gb did OK on the M1 Mini, so 24 should be ok. I would have preferred 32gb, but the next step up from 24 was 48 and that pushed the price point.

If I do upgrade the storage on the new Mini it wont be until after the warranty runs out, and maybe not then. 1tb did pretty well before, should be ok now.

I really miss my former Mac Mini, the last version with the i7 Intel chip and black case. That was the best Windows computer I ever owned! That had up-gradable RAM as well. It worked great with Parallels as well as BootCamp. After I sold that one (to you IIRC) I almost bought another one from a friend.

For all those with an old Intel Mac out there, try downloading the free BootCamp application from Apple and install Windows on it. While BootCamp will not allow you to run both Windows and MacOS at the same time (you have to restart into the other OS) the Windows performance is as good if not better than the comparable Wintel box.

As an alternative to Parallels look at VM-Ware's Fusion. I have not used it in years but from what I understand it works fine and it is free.

 

[vagrant]

Good idea. My Mid-2011 Mac Mini would be a candidate for running Windows. I had previously upgraded the RAM to 16GB and installed an SSD as the main drive. It literally tripled the speed and I got 10 years out of it. It now runs headless with data, so running Windows instead would be beneficial.

While I last used Bootcamp 20 years ago, it looks like that little machine will see some more use of its CPU.

 

[wa8pyr]

I really miss my former Mac Mini, the last version with the i7 Intel chip and black case. That was the best Windows computer I ever owned! That had up-gradable RAM as well. It worked great with Parallels as well as BootCamp. After I sold that one (to you IIRC) I almost bought another one from a friend.

Yep, that was me. It's sitting about two feet to my left as I type this. It's my primary radio machine.

For all those with an old Intel Mac out there, try downloading the free BootCamp application from Apple and install Windows on it. While BootCamp will not allow you to run both Windows and MacOS at the same time (you have to restart into the other OS) the Windows performance is as good if not better than the comparable Wintel box.

I used Boot Camp to put Windows 7 on a 2012 MacBook Air; works like a charm. Haven't done it on the i7 Intel Mini I got from you; I just use VMWare Fusion and it works fine.

As an alternative to Parallels look at VM-Ware's Fusion. I have not used it in years but from what I understand it works fine and it is free.

I tried Parallels on my M1 Mini; it worked sort-of OK, but Windows 11 had serious issues with USB devices. Then, Parallels quit working because they updated to a new (payment required) version and wouldn't allow mine to run; after the money I spent on it I was seriously ticked off and swore off Parallels forever. Since VMWare Fusion finally had a version that worked with Silicon processors I went back to that, although Windows still has issues with USB devices; not a really big deal since I don't really use Windows on the M4 Mini.

 

[N9JIG]

The original Parallels for Spple Silicon was always intended as a beta/trial version. Due to the limited availability of Windows for ARM and the hoops that MS made users run to get it they really couldn't sell it.

I have the subscription version pf Parallels. For $80 per year I get all the upgrades included. It even includes a copy of Windows 11 preinstalled when you install Parallels. While it is the unlicensed version you can use an existing code or buy it if you want, otherwise the only thing that you cannot do is change the desktop screen.

I did use that beta version of Parallels on my M1 Mac Mini and had the same issues but it is a ton better these days. For a couple radios it is fine but you are always better off on an Intel or AMD processor with the more involved setups.

 

[wa8pyr]

I did use that beta version of Parallels on my M1 Mac Mini and had the same issues but it is a ton better these days. For a couple radios it is fine but you are always better off on an Intel or AMD processor with the more involved setups.

Concur about the Intel processor. However, the version of Parallels I have is a full release paid version (non-subscription; I don't believe in constantly paying for software/upgrades when the version I have does what I want it to do).

 

[bamx2]

Is there a mouse without borders option that works between a mac and pc?

 

[N9JIG]

Any mouse and keyboard will work with either platform. There might be some specialty mice with customization software that only works on one or the other but for moving the curser, clicking etc they are almost universally platform agnostic.

I prefer the Logitech MX series devices, they (like many others) allow pairing with multiple machines. I have my MX Keys keyboard and MX Master mouse paired with the Mac, my PC and my iPad so I could use the same keyboard and mouse, just press the appropriate selector button.

There are also software options that allow you to share the I/O devices more seamlessly. I have used Synergy off and on over the years, it allows you to set up the displays so that when you mouse over to the screen of one computer it transfers the mouse and keyboard to that one. It works in MacOS, Windows and Linux.

I always keep a USB mouse and keyboard around for when I restore or buy a new computer, these days I also keep a couple USB-C to USB-A adapters as well. When you buy a new computer or reinstall MacOS, Windows or Linux often they Bluetooth will not be set up but they always recognize a wired keyboard.

Mac's will also natively recognize a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse via Bluetooth when restored or you can also use a Lightning cable to connect to them. When I bought my new Studio I had an old Magic Keyboard and mouse set in a drawer, it was instantly recognized and allowed me to set everything up then pair my Logitech devices.

 

[pb3400]

My preferred option is Deskflow, also free and open source. GitHub - deskflow/deskflow: Share a single keyboard and mouse between multiple computers.
24 GB should be plenty. People love to go overkill on RAM. That said, more RAM means a longer lifespan for the machine, generally, so get as much as you can afford.

Windows on ARM runs just fine on mac's. Even the x86 translation (Prism) is fast enough, and basically any x86 program will run on Windows on ARM. The biggest limitation by far though is driver support. Unfortunately translation isn't really an option for drivers, so you'll need to locate and install ARM specific drivers for hardware.

Both SL and FTDI have usb-serial ARM windows drivers available, and they work fine. That covers like 90% of what you'd do with a radio.

Finally, I wouldn't pay for parallels. I hate their new version every year pay us again strategy. UTM works quite well for running Windows ARM on Mac. Free and open source. Yes, you need to put in just a tiny bit more work, but no showstoppers.

 

[N9JIG]

My preferred option is Deskflow, also free and open source. GitHub - deskflow/deskflow: Share a single keyboard and mouse between multiple computers.
24 GB should be plenty. People love to go overkill on RAM. That said, more RAM means a longer lifespan for the machine, generally, so get as much as you can afford.

Windows on ARM runs just fine on mac's. Even the x86 translation (Prism) is fast enough, and basically any x86 program will run on Windows on ARM. The biggest limitation by far though is driver support. Unfortunately translation isn't really an option for drivers, so you'll need to locate and install ARM specific drivers for hardware.

Both SL and FTDI have usb-serial ARM windows drivers available, and they work fine. That covers like 90% of what you'd do with a radio.

Finally, I wouldn't pay for parallels. I hate their new version every year pay us again strategy. UTM works quite well for running Windows ARM on Mac. Free and open source. Yes, you need to put in just a tiny bit more work, but no showstoppers.

I have had little to no problems running the applications in Windows for ARM on my Macs, it has only been drivers that gave me any problems.

I am pretty sure that Parallels has a “Pay once” model but the subscription model works well for me. It means I always have the newest version and support as needed. That it is really simple to install, and includes the Windows installation now makes it even better.

All that said I have not tried the other solutions, that might be my summer project.

 

[CECR1992]

I have had little to no problems running the applications in Windows for ARM on my Macs, it has only been drivers that gave me any problems.

I am pretty sure that Parallels has a “Pay once” model but the subscription model works well for me. It means I always have the newest version and support as needed. That it is really simple to install, and includes the Windows installation now makes it even better.

All that said I have not tried the other solutions, that might be my summer project.

I have heard of Parallels for Mac before. What is it exactly?

 

[N9JIG]

Parallels is a program that runs on the Mac and allows one to emulate other operating systems. You can run various forms of Windows, Linux and even other versions of MacOS within Parallels. There are other emulation programs like VMWare's Fusion.

If you have an older Intel Mac you can run a free program called Bootcamp but that only lets you restart into the other OS, Parallels and Fusion allow you to run both Mac and Windows at the same time and even copy/paste between them.