[Icom] IC 756Pro, PW1 and CT-17

Sat, 30 Nov 2002 11:46:38 -0700

Some time ago, for reasons I've never understood, Icom decided that
people had so many problems using the PW-1, Icom rigs, and logging
programs at the same time that they started discouraging this.  I don't
believe that it had anything to do with the CT-17, but I supposed that
is possible.  I was corresponding with Icom regarding other issues at
the time and asked about this one and never got a satisfactory answer.

I use the PW-1, PRO, and a logging program and have for about 3 years.
The only downside I've noticed is that occasionally the PW-1 polling and
the logging program polling will "clash" resulting in a temporary relay
clicking in the amp.  Otherwise, all is fine.  Note that I use a
homebrew CI-V interface instead of the CT-17.

Steps to get this to work:

1.  Set the transceiver CI-V to some speed other than "AUTO".  I use
9600 baud.  I'd discourage use of 19200 because some of the CI-V
interfaces are marginal at this speed.

2.  Set the logging program to the same speed.

3.  Following the instructions in the transceiver manual, set
"TRANSCEIVE" to on.

4.  Connect the amp and the transceiver to the PW1.

5.  Perform the setup shown in the PW-1 manual.  (power on with Input
button depressed, move the PRO dial until input light keeps blinking).

6.  Cycle the amp power.

7.  Connect the RS232 to the computer.

8.  Everything should work.

I see no reason that you shouldn't connect the SteppIR interface after
step 8 also.  If it is not passive, i.e., it polls the transceiver, then
it needs its speed set to the correct speed also.

I'm not guaranteeing anything but this should work.

73,
Mike WA0SXV

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Warren McKenzie
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 11:35
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Icom] IC 756Pro, PW1 and CT-17

I have run into a confusing situation that I hope someone can help with.
I have an IC756Pro and a SteppIR yagi with an auto controller that uses
the CI-V jack on the rig to automatically adjust antenna element lengths
as frequency/band changes. This setup works very well. I decided to add
an amp and computer control to the setup and spent quite a bit of time
researching amps. For a number of reasons I picked the IC PW1. I also
bought a CT-17. The tech note on the Icom site shows how to connect the
radio, amplifier and PC together using the CT-17. The plan was to spend
part of the long weekend putting this all together. Yesterday afternoon
I was carrying the PW1 manual around with the schematics when a single
2-sided piece of paper fell out of the schematics. It is an addendum
page to the manual and in bold letters across the top says "IC-PW1
CAUTION"  There is a paragraph which supplements (replaces) part of page
12 of the manual.  Under the heading of "Programming the CI-V address"
this addendum says "DO NOT USE CT-17 CI-V LEVEL CONVERTER to connect the
remote control signal line for band control operation from Icom exciter,
or from the PC. Connect the supplied remote control cable between the IC
PW1 and the Icom exciter directly."

I went to the Icom website and checked tech notes and there does not
seem to be any indication of this. The tech note showing how to connect
everything via the CT-17 is still there. I need to be able to connect
the computer as well as antenna controller. It seems a little
disingenuous to slip a major feature reduction into a note inside the
box when all other data Icom publishes shows this setup working and
tells you how to do it.

Has anyone else run into this?
Is there a way to make it work?
Am I having a senior moment and missing something obvious?

Thanks

Warren AC7UA