Re: [WriteLog] Clearing RIT in ICOM PRO II/III

[Ron Stordahl <ron.stordahl@digikey.com>]

The ICOM's lack of an ability to sense the status of split and dual 
watch means that a logging program is unable to determine frequencies 
used in a QSX Up/Down contact and log accordingly, or generate a correct 
DX spot.  The lack of ability to cancel a RX offset upon entering the Q 
in the log (usually a contest) means that the operator must do it 
himself, reducing efficiency during at contest when the user is 
overburdened anyway.  It's really amazing considering the long list of 
set/sense commands provided in these radiuos (most of which are of very 
limited value...except perhaps for automated testing of the radio at the 
factory) that these highly useful functions remain missing.  Most buyers 
find out about these limitations after they have purchased the ICOM 
radios.  These issues come up all the time on the reflectors for logging 
and contest programs.  Some buyers would make different decisions if 
they were aware of these shortcomings before purchase.

In the ICOM 7800 these shortcomings could be corrected by new 
downloadable firmware, and there have been two releases since the 
product was first introduced, but no attention has been given to these 
requests.  It's too late for owners of the 756 Pro II and III as they 
lack firmware download features.  Downloadable firmware features manage 
to be provided in $30.00 routers...so it's not a matter of expense, 
rather a matter of will.

Of course complaining, as I am doing, about the lack of needed features 
in a RS232 interface could be dismissed out of hand.  The radios should 
have had Ethernet interfaces where fast, plug and play capability would 
result.  Full control, including digitized audio could flow on such an 
interface, making real remote control possible by wire and even 
802.11b/g wireless links.  ICOM could have made the competition look 
antiquated.

But then I am a dreamer!

Ron, N5IN



Jim Reisert AD1C wrote:

> At 09:28 AM 1/27/2005, you wrote:
>
> > Also missing from the Pro II and III as well as the top end 7800 is 
> > the ability to sense the current status of split and dual watch.  I 
> > and many others have been in contact with ICOM over several years on 
> > this topic.
>
>
>
> The 7800 is missing this feature also?  Wow, $10K just doesn't get you 
> much radio these days, does it?!?!
>
> :-)
>
> 73 - Jim AD1C


Ron Stordahl wrote:

> Also missing from the Pro II and III as well as the top end 7800 is 
> the ability to sense the current status of split and dual watch.  I 
> and many others have been in contact with ICOM over several years on 
> this topic.  The USA branch fully understands the need and has 
> conveyed this time and time again to Japan, but to no avail.  The 
> Yaesu, Kenwood, TenTec and others have had these features for years.  
> In view of the otherwise excellent performance of these ICOM radios 
> the lack of this fundamental interface capability is very perplexing.
>
> Ron, N5IN
>
> Don Hill AA5AU wrote:
>
> > There is no command to clear the RIT for the PRO III.  It's not 
> > possible as far
> > as I know or have experienced.  Fortunately, when it's turned on, 
> > it's shown
> > well on the display.  But I do miss having the %O command to clear 
> > the RIT when
> > I use my Kenwood radios.
> >
> > Not having a command to clear the RIT in the PRO III ranks second 
> > only to the
> > lack of a command for PTT.
> >
> > IMHO, these are things that need to be changed by Icom to enhance 
> > their already
> > great line of Amateur HF transceivers.
> >
> > I was lucky enough to be asked to evaluate the PRO III - in fact, two 
> > of them in
> > SO2R RTTY configuration.  Not only do they work great in RTTY, I have 
> > found
> > great pleasure working CW with the PRO III.
> >
> > It is the best radio I've ever operated in over 33 years of being a 
> > ham.  The
> > more I use them, the more I love them.  The receiver is the best I've 
> > heard.
> > And the bells & whistles only add to an already excellent 
> > transceiver.  I will
> > be selling off a whole inventory of used equipment in order to 
> > purchase at least
> > one of the two loaners I have.  This list includes a pair of Icom 
> > IC-751A's, a
> > Yaesu FT757GX/II w/matching power supply, an M2 RC2800P-A rotor and 
> > controller
> > and at least one of my three Kenwood TS-870 transceivers.  My Icom 
> > IC-775DSP
> > already has a buyer.  Look for listings on E-bay soon.
> >
> > I've started a web page about my experience with the PRO III at:
> >
> > http://www.rttycontesting.com/icom756proiii/icom_ic756proiii_index.htm
> >
> > It's still under construction and will be as I experience the radios 
> > through
> > some upcoming RTTY contests like UK RTTY DX, XE RTTY, WPX & NAQP 
> > RTTY.  After
> > NAQP, the radios go back to Icom if I don't purchase them.  Since I 
> > just had to
> > replace my heat pump yesterday and am getting married (which I have 
> > to pay for)
> > in June, looks like the best I'll be able to do is retain one of 
> > them.  But I
> > must have at least one!!!  It's too good to let go.
> >
> > One more comment about CW... I've always had an ear for CW and always 
> > loved it,
> > but even with the low sunspots and poor propagation, CW signals can 
> > be made to
> > "pop out" of the noise with the adjustable DSP Noise Reduction 
> > function - I've
> > never heard anything like it.
> >
> > Sorry for the ramblin' but I feel strongly about this product and I 
> > am not being
> > paid anything by Icom.  I do appreciate their offer to evaluate their 
> > product.
> > It was a good move on their part.
> >
> > Let's hope they include computer commands for PTT and RIT in future 
> > offerings.
> >
> > 73, Don AA5AU
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: writelog-bounces@contesting.com 
> > [mailto:writelog-bounces@contesting.com]
> > On Behalf Of Ken Widelitz
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 7:38 PM
> > To: Writelog@Contesting. Com
> > Subject: [WriteLog] Clearing RIT in ICOM PRO II/III
> >
> > About a year ago there was a thread that the RIT couldn't be cleared 
> > using WL in
> > the Icom PRO II. Was there ever a fix for that? Is it different in 
> > the PRO III?
> >
> > 73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT
> >
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