[ICOM] ICOM 756 PRO 3 - PTT?

K8RI k8ri at rogerhalstead.com
Sat Feb 26 18:05:50 EST 2011 

On 2/26/2011 3:21 PM, Joe Oski wrote:

Finding a modern computer with a serial port can sometimes be a chore. 
The Rig Expert is the first I've seen with USB although I'm sure there 
must be others out there.

> Setup of a PRO III with MixW and Rig Expert Tiny at a friends QTH was very straight forward.
> The Interface CI-V-1 matches the Pro III and the instructions are customized for use with MixW.

The advantage I see with this set-up is it comes with cables which 
usually entail the majority of the hook up work. I have the 756Pro which 
has (so far) never given me a reason to complain. OTOH I also have a 
7000  for a backup rig. Actually it's my second 7000.  I originally 
purchased a 7000 and a Yaesu 897D.  The 7000 is by far more rugged, has 
a better receiver, and much better noise reduction system. Yet I hated 
the menu system so much I sold the first one. At the time I had a 
FL-1.5Kfx amp. Hooking it to the 7000 or the 756 Pro was a no brainer. 
The cables for the 897D had to be made up.

The 897D proved to be too much of a hassle so after 6 or 8 months I now 
have another 7000 (much as I dislike the menu system) and the 897D is on 
the block.  OTOH although the 7000 is compact and makes a great mobile 
rig in a "go-kit" I much prefer a full size second rig in the station. 
Something I don't have to keep the operator's manual handy just so I can 
change power, adjust the keyer speed, or any one of many other functions.

UNFORTUNATELY the 756 Pro and 7000 use a different hookup for the mike 
so it requires separate cables for these rigs to the computer(s). It 
*appears* the "mini/tiny" had the main advantage, or disadvantage 
depending on how you look at it, of being rig specific while the Big Rig 
Expert would require making a set of cables for each and I don't need an 
unused foot switch connection laying on the desk.

I view these interfaces with mixed emotions as I believe Bob said in the 
next post, some times it's simpler to just make up the cables and hook 
into the sound card. Plug in 2 and 4 port PCI serial cards are readily 
available and inexpensive. They put the ports right on the backplane 
where they are both handy and easy to get at *usually*<:-))
Although I have the tools, making an RJ47 connection can be a chore. At 
least once the wires are in the proper order they more or less just 
slide into place.

With SO2R plus, I'm trying to clean up the mess on the desks.
I actually have a station in the house and one in the workshop, but the 
back up rig is also in the work shop and can be used although at present 
I just switch between the two rigs rather than having both running at 
the same time.

I'd like to try one of these with the 756 Pro just to save the 
effort...OTOH ...

73

Roger (K8RI)
> http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/rig_expert_tiny.htm
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/jaffejim/
>
> As with all things, buyer be aware !
>
> 73
> Joe O, K I 5 F J
> NNNN
>
>
> --- On Sat, 2/26/11, Dave Edwards<kd2e at comcast.net>  wrote:
>
> From: Dave Edwards<kd2e at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] ICOM 756 PRO 3 - PTT?
> To: "ICOM Reflector"<icom at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011, 5:49 PM
>
> I have a MIX W Rig Expert,
> and a SignalLink USB.
>
> Both of them have worked find on my 756Pro, an IC736, a Kenwood TS2000, and
> an IC970H.
> They are solid as a rock.
> BUT....
>
> In
>   all cases, it takes me days...even weeks to get it right.
> And sometimes after getting it right, all by itself....it doesn't work!
> Yes, something probably re-set something...obviously, but
> no idea what...then start all over!!
>
> The 7600 has built in USB, but it is only a small amount better as far as
> getting closer to Plug 'n Play.
> You still have to set up the USB to work right, load drivers,   some
> programs can control the radio through USB, and some cannot.
>
> THE EASIEST setup I've had so far was the little Ten Tec Argo V with the
> optional interface wires from Ten Tec.....1/8" mini plugs connect direct to
> the mic and speaker (or line in, line out) and then an old RS-232 connection
> for control. (which I've used both direct, and with a USB adapter).  By far,
> most reliable digital mode control of all!
>
> .....Dave
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Conrad&  Kathi Nasatka"
>   <konco at ptd.net>
> To: "ICOM Reflector"<icom at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2011 12:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] ICOM 756 PRO 3 - PTT?
>
>
>> Phil:
>> I also went through both rigblasters the Pro and one other one plus the
>> AEA
>> one.
>> None of them worked.  Good suggestion ' Plug&  Pray", I like that.  They
>> should exclude\handicapped persons.
>> Regards
>> 73
>> Conrad
>> WB3DQD
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Phil Krichbaum"<vailphil at sopris.net>
>> To: "ICOM Reflector"<icom at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 5:30 AM
>> Subject: Re: [ICOM] ICOM 756 PRO 3 - PTT?
>>
>>
>>>      I had the same problem with my PROIIIand a RigBlaster  Plus plug and
>>> play
>   deal. They really should call those plug and pray units! I took the
>>> RigBlaster Plus out of the circuit and put it  on a shelf and now can do
>>> AFSK RTTY with N1MM or MMTTY, PSK or WSJT just fine with a AF in and AF
>>> out line plus a PTT line from another COM port that I made myself. When
>>> using N1MM the PTT is done in the config area by checking the PTT box.
>>> Anyone want an unused RigBlaste Plus? It seemed Rig Blaster couldn't get
>>> the PTT thing right either. I had the same red light problem but no PTT
>>> on the rig.
>>>      Phil N0KE
>>>
>>>
>   Conrad&  Kathi Nasatka wrote:
>>>> All Icom Users:
>>>> Thank you all for the many suggestions to get my SignaKink USB working.
>>>> To ate nothing has worked.  That includes about 45 minutes with Jason a@
>>>> Tigertronics.
>>>> He sent me some suggestions that I will digest and see if we hadn't
>>>> already cover in all the responses.
>>>> The SignaLink USB I am wolrking with has the new and latest module and
>>>> no
>>>> wires to arrange.
>>>> Many of you had suggested to look at PTT in the manual, however I looked
>>>> through the table of contents
>>>> and there is no reference to PTT. Does anybody with an ICOM 756 PRO 3
>>>> have a reference to PTT in
>>>> there manuial?  I don't.  Sorry to be any bother but I am still hookmjed
>>>> up on the red light coming on in
>   the
>>>> SignaLink USB but it won;t key the transmitter.
>>>>
>>>> Regards&  Thank You in Advance!
>>>> 73
>>>> Conrad Nasatka
>>>> WB3DQD / AAT3MK
>>>> ----
>>>> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
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>>>> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>
>>>>
>>> ----
>>> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>> Icom Users Net:
>   Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
>>> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>>> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>> ----
>> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
>> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
>> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom
>   FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>
>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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