[PCR-1000] Can't get ICOM Software to work

[Dave Hancock]

Hi Everybody,

I'm very much a newbie to the pcr1000 so please forgive me if this topic has
been covered previously.

I have just purchased a second hand pcr1000 and have found 2 problems.

1) I can't get the ICOM software to recognise the pcr1000. Once the screen
has loaded I get a COM Port Trouble? Error message. I am running version 2.2
which I downloaded from ICOM's web site and does state it is suitable for XP
or W2000. I have tried running it on an XP machine as well as an older
Windows 2000 PC. Both give the same results. I know the COM port is talking
to the pcr1000 as I have tried running Hyperterminal set to 9600 baud and I
can see the pcr1000 sending repeating "H100" which I think means 'Radio off'
from info I have found on the web. There is no mention of how the COM port
should be set up. I'm guessing that the software should set it accordingly
but I have tried many different baud rates, flagging, stop bits etc without
any luck. Do I need any specific com port settings?

2) I have also got a copy of TalkPCR (version2.4F2) which does work (no
matter what my COM port is set to!) but after anything from 15 seconds to 2
minutes there is a loud 'clunk' from the speaker and the unit stops working.
It can be got going again just by restarting TalkPCR - I do not have to
switch the pcr1000 off. This happens on both PC's. I have tried gently
wiggling the cables to make sure there is not a bad connection. I have tried
a different aerial, PSU (yes, it was rated correctly), unplugging the COM
port once the unit is up and tuned to a strong station using the internal
speaker or a connection to the PC sound card. All these make no difference.

Any help would be gratefully received as I'm running out of ideas apart from
sending it back. Maybe a secondhand purchase was false economy!

Many thanks in advance,
Dave