[ICOM] IC-706MKIIG - It cannot be this difficult

[gfiber at comcast.net]

> The purpose of using addresses is to allow multiple radios to be controlled by 
> one computer. What an individual radio uses as it's address is immaterial until 
> you add another radio. Then it becomes very important that the program be  > able  to differentiate between radios.
>   I have the capability to utilize computer control on my IC-746PRO and have 
> done so with good success. However I don't use computer control. I used the 
> published address with out any problems.
  
>   Dave WD9BDZ

Good comments Dave...

Yes one could have multiple IC-706MKIIG on the CI-V buss and changing the address in each one would allow you to individually control each one.

Some software authors see the transceive mode as an easier way of collecting data from the Icom product. Thats fine until you connect more than one product to the CI-V buss.
When you do connect more than one Icom, you Need to turn off Transceive in the CI-V setup. Otherwise every time you change modes on the face of one radio the others connected via CI-V will also change. I did this to my self more than once in Icom's hamshack when working there and chased suspected trouble. :) Poor grey matter forgot I guess.

Here is where the software polling comes into play. The software Alan is using looks to apparently poll the radio to see what its set to. Then records the information the radio responds with in the software and user interface. It appears Alan has it set to poll the radio once a second and after 3 tries with no response it times out.

> >>Poll rate (ms): 1000
> >>Max tries: 3

Using default settings for as much as one can generally will get you started. Once is all communicating then make the changes to your requirements.
It terribly hard to figure out what is going on when a caller would say he is using Comm Port 7 in a multiport board that only can be currently accessed with the software he is trying to get working and its not. Sometimes as Alan and I went through its hard to figure out why its not working using default setups.

One of Alan's CI-V level converters worked with some test software. So that means to me the radio, serial port and level converter are all working.  That  test software allows you to manually send a command to the radio and watch it respond. Now to get it functioning with his DX4Win and WriteLog.

Computer logging and control is becomming more popular every day. I know I walked past several at Dayton showing their software

Gary K8IZ