[WriteLog] Icom 706 voice keyer

[Dick Dievendorff]

Some ICOM rigs can use an external button box like the iMate to play out the
voice messages:

http://www.qth.com/betterrf/i-mate.html

But I don't see the IC-706 on the list of rigs supported by the iMate.

Contest software that I am familiar with (CT, NA, WriteLog, N1MM) uses a
voice file on the computer's hard disk and the sound card (or a specialized
DVK card) is connected somehow to the rig's microphone input to play back
data.

One of my ICOM rigs' command manual indicates that there are commands that
could be sent to the rig to cause it to play out the contents of the rig
CW/Voice memories. 

But I haven't seen contest logging software mention any support of those
commands.  It's pretty rig-specific.

I think you're going to have to manipulate the rig's buttons to cause the
voice memories to be used. Otherwise I'd suggest using the sound card
approach for software integration.

As more ICOM rigs come with voice memories (at least the 706, 7000, 746,
756, and 7800) it might be appropriate to ask the contest software authors
to investigate supporting the appropriate commands. 

What I don't know is if the rig's voice memory solution has anything to
offer over the sound card solution other than the required wires between the
rig and computer.  There might be quirky issues like stopping a message
playback in progress upon demand.  

If I were a contest software author, I'd emphasize effort on techniques that
work for all rigs rather than concentrating on brand-specific solutions.

There may well be software out there that does support playback of a rig's
voice memory, but maybe not mainstream contest logging software.  Here's a
bunch of them:

http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Radio_Control/


Good luck!

73 de Dick, K6KR
  

-----Original Message-----
From: writelog-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:writelog-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of David Ashworth
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 2:47 PM
To: writelog at contesting.com
Subject: [WriteLog] Icom 706 voice keyer

Hi to all, is there a simple way to get Writelog and a Icom 706 to key the
transmitter and put out a simple "CQ VHF Contest" on FM and SSB?  Saw a site
that told how to record the voice messages into the "F" keys.  Got that far.
Looking for the interface that will make it work.  Thank you for your
comments, Dave, NC6P.

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