[PCR-1000] Win XP and Icom Software

[James F. Boehner M.D.]

I don't think I've ever seen a receiver or scanner interest rise again and
again!  The PCR-1000 receiver, I believe, was brought out at the 1997 Dayton
Hamvention.  I don't know if they were on sale then, but a lot of complaints
went on in 1997 and 1998.  Still, after 4 years, I see many messages about
the PCR-1000 still surfacing.  Although I don't remember the exact dates, it
seems like a lot is being repeated, so I just wanted the list to know what
went on with the unit a few years ago, and perhaps better form a strategy.
I really didn't think that ICOM would keep the radio on the market this
long.

Icom released the v1.31 software.  People bought the PCR-1000's.  Some did
fine with ICOM software, others couldn't get it to load on their computers.
Technical support for the software was nonexistent.  ICOM USA reps said that
ICOM Japan made the software, and it was up to them to fix the software.
Inquiries to ICOM Japan by USA users were met with the advice to call ICOM
USA.

ICOM USA's answer to the software not loading was to format your harddrive,
reinstall windows and THEN reload their software.  OR to take the unit and
software back to the dealer and request a refund.

Suffice it to say that ICOM USA and ICOM Japan did nothing to fix the
situation, even to the present day.  Those that bought the unit were stuck
with a non-functioning black box.

Study was being carried out by hobbyists and third party software producers
regarding the command protocols of the radio.  Most of the software commands
had already been figured out.  ICOM made it clear to the software producers
that if they paid a fee and signed a non-disclosure agreement, they would be
given the official protocol information; BUT ICOM would not be responsible
for anything regarding the third party software.

The third party software producers put out their programs for public use,
some freeware, some shareware, some full purchase.  Reports were being heard
that some of the radios had become non-functional.  It was found that there
was EEPROM corruption, and the units would have to be returned to ICOM for
recalibration.  ICOM then blamed the third party software, and later stated
that the EEPROM corruption would not be covered under warrantee.  To make
things worse, ICOM would only give the EX-2099 calibration software to their
authorized service centers, so if you had a radio that became non-funtional,
you would have to send it back to ICOM for repair, perhaps for a hefty
service fee.

The question was posed to ICOM as to why there was such a significant design
flaw in the unit that it could not prevent EEPROM corruption-after all, most
units are protected against writing to the EEPROM unless either a software
or hardware "toggle" was actuated.  ICOM did not have an answer.

SO at this point ICOM has a good radio with software that did not install or
work on a number of computers, and the company did everything possible to
discourage third party software producers from producing software that could
control the PCR-1000.

Then a break came-the EX-2099 software was found on a Portrugese website,
and the calibration software was now available to hobbyists.

Patrick Massotta made up a program that could back up the EEPROM, so that if
it ever became corrupted, you could reload the parameters, and have a
functioning radio without a full recalibration.  If you did not have a back
up file, he did have some averaged-data numbers that could be loaded into
your radio's EEPROM if the unit was non functional.  You could at least have
a chance in getting back a workable receiver without the service charge.
His program could also change the radio's country "personality", much to the
chagrin of ICOM USA-who already had problems with the FCC since there was a
hardware mod that could restore cell coverage to the unit.  They had to
redesign the unit hardware to prevent this country change, both by hardware
and software.  Did they take the time to repair the software at that time?
Of course, NO.

So now the doom and gloom.  Do I think ICOM will address consumer issues
regarding this receiver-NO.  I doubt they will put any more R&D into the
unit. It has been around for several years, and I doubt ICOM cares anything
about the unit.  They probably have it slated soon to be removed from their
product line.  They will probably be much more interested in the purchases
of their IC-756PRO-II than anything else.

Well, that's my opinion, for what it's worth.  I hope I can be proved wrong.
BUT, since their software doesn't load on XP without a software change, and
they haven't rushed to make XP compatible software, I doubt I will be proven
wrong.

Good Luck!  I'll keep reading!

'73 de JIM N2ZZ



----- Original Message -----
From: "A10382" <a10382@snet.net>
To: <pcr-1000@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2002 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] Win XP and Icom Software


> Hi,
>
> Some input for Icom's Dayton reps.......
>
> Something seems terribly wrong with all this conversation about PCR-1000
> software!
>
> The PCR-1000 is a 'computer controlled radio'.  As such, the manufacturer
> should focus as much on the software as they do on hardware.  If they
don't
> live up to that responsibility, then their business will suffer.
>
> It is absolutely wonderful that a number of PCR-1000 users have expended a
> considerable effort to improve on Icom's software offering.  This is
typical
> of the radio community in general.  In some cases, the 'incentive is
> motivated by the desire to sell their own product - still great as it
> advances the art.
>
> What's unsettling is Icom's apparent indifference to user input for 'this
> product'.  I say 'this product', because Icom does seem more responsive to
> user input on some of their other product lines - notably the HF 7xx line.
> Despite that line having a full front physical panel, they have apparently
> listened to and reacted to user input about request for computer control
> features and suggested improvement of existing ones.
>
> Icom's largest competitor, for the PCR-1000 product line, appears to be
> WinRadio.  Comparing the two product marketing staffs is like comparing
> night and day!  WinRadio provides (free of charge) a Visual Basic toolkit
to
> let you develop your own panels, bandscopes, etc.  They run contests to
> encourage users (giving away radios) to submit entries and do take their
> input to heart.
>
> Take a look.... www.winradio,com and then revisit Icom's 'list of third
> party....'.
>
> My opinion: Icom does have a pretty good product - I'd give it 9 on a
scale
> of 10.  My unit works fine, has been very reliable, and I really enjoy it.
> However, if I had to make the decision again (today), I'd be tempted to go
> with WinRadio's external model .  Specs seem comparable (WinRadio's total
> freq spread is wider). From the 30,000 foot view of never owning one,
> WinRadio's xxxx-e ('-e' for external as opposed to '-i' for PC board)
models
> appear to be half a notch above ICOM - give 'em a 9.5.  The difference
> appears to  be that Icom is stuck in time - kinda like in the Win'95 age,
>
> 73
> Frank