[PCR-1000] PCR1000 epromm question.
A10382
[email protected]
Tue, 3 Sep 2002 18:22:23 -0400
Thanks for the feedback ---
I'm open to any input... I do know that other users have noted the same
problems
---------- some more operating info
The serial port is routed through a serial switch box.. so only one device
at a time is connected. I almost always have the other serial port using
apps stopped while using the pcr1k..
In addition to the radioware apps I noted originally, I'm now using the same
serial port to do some Basic Stamp programming.. And that function works
superb also
I have tried connecting the radio directly to the serial port - verifying
that all the other apps are not running. Same problems even after a reboot
of the system and freshly powering on the radio!
---------------------
I've only had two issues with the radio (software or firmware ?) - again on
4 different computers on different Operating Systems (Win'95, Win'98,
Win'2000, and NT4.0 w/all service packs).
I'm currently running the Icom s/w on Win'95 - what it was originally
designed for and tested on by Icom.
1) The scanning stops after a few cycles on some banks using the 'memory'
('memo') mode. The other scan modes that capture freqs to memory from a
scan range work fine.
2) Occasionally, the radio goes 'mute'. The only workaround is to shut down
the Icom PCR1K application and restart it. Cycling the radio's power alone
doesn't.... This is not the typical user issue of trying to receive SSB or
CW with the band scope running. This is on FM & AM modes with different
bandwidth filters. It's mute even with the MONITOR function on and the
squelch all the way down.
ALL other radio & software functions do appear to function normally.
I did have some correspondence with Icom America not long after I purchased
the radio (sometime in late 1997 ?).... loosing track of time as I get
older... They did indicate that other users were reporting the same two
issues -- a very unusual comment from Icom, and that their developers were
looking into the problems.
I did say only two issues.... Of course, we'd all like Icom to have later
versions for later OSs AND more advanced features. But this is typical of a
lot of radio-ware. I still run this rather compu-relic Win'95 system due to
the large amount of Win'95, DOS, and original QBASIC radio apps I have.
It's a PII/200mHz on a Microsoft manufactured motherboard - about as vanilla
as you can get.
I would think that a workaround would be for the software be modded to
resend the 'memory scan' command every few seconds until the button is
pressed off...
The two problems are certainly not show stoppers, as the radio works well
for me and fits my needs to a tee... For a few years I traveled into more
than a few countries that typically ban visitor carried 'scanners'.. When
packed with my laptop (with the DB-9 cable attached to the serial port),
customs folks who looked at it just probably assumed it was an external
storage device -- despite the printing on the case.
I've also use a Palm III PDA with 'PcrPILOT' - which makes a very compact
and portable package and seems to work very well. I just have not needed
the scan function from the PDA.
73
Frank
----- Original Message -----
From: "david_a_stewart" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] PCR1000 epromm question.
>
> I may be wrong but my understanding of the PC - Icom PCR1000 link was that
> it needed to be on constantly as info is being sent and received all the
> time - you can see this if you use PcrPro1k and click the Debug switch.
> Using the comm port for other tasks will interfere with this process and
> cause hiccups! Possibly sharing an irq on the port may also reduce
> reliability. The other progs and equipment using the same port might not
be
> so critical as the PCR1000
>
>
> Dave Stewart
>
>
>
>
>
> > My radio has been doing this from day 1 with the Icom s/w...... Through
> the
> > original version 1.2 and now on 1.31
> >
> > I do have some banks of freqs that seem to scan forever... and some
others
> > that will only scan for a cycle or two before stopping... The ones that
> > scan forever all seem to be closely spaced frequencies (all on the same
> > band). The ones that stop after a cycle or 2 are all over the map on
> > frequencies. A coincidence ??? not sure.
> >
> > The TalkPCR program (downloaded the full-function demo) did not solve
the
> > problem - although it happens less often. If I wrote the external
> software
> > for this radio, I would be resending the start scan command every few
> > seconds...
> >
> > I switch out the same serial port for other uses (load maps to my GPS,
> sync
> > my PDA, radio freq loads for a few HTs and a base rig, and as a sat
> antenna
> > az/el rotor controller) and there has not been any hint of serial port
> > problems on any of these apps. I've had this same problem over the past
6
> > years on 4 different computers (2 desktop and 2 laptops).
> >
> > Sooo... IMHO, it appears to me to be a problem in the radio's firmware.
> >
> > Is anyone using the other apps (radiocomm or homebrewed vbasic apps)
> having
> > the same problem ??
> >
> >
> > 73
> > Frank
> >
> > ._._.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "George" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 12:53 PM
> > Subject: [PCR-1000] PCR1000 epromm question.
> >
> >
> > > Is losing the serial connection briefly on scanning (on memory scan, I
> > periodicaly notice that the status line says "connecting" then it
> > > stops scanning. I need to toggle the "memo" to continue scanning.
This
> > seems to have started after backing up epromm using the
> > > suggested MS-DOS utility (I'm away from home so I don't know the name
of
> > this program). I backed up based on recommendations in the
> > > literature - thanks ;( Does this sound like a epromm problem???
> > > George
> > > --
> > >
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