Posted: 2/18/2016 2:00:04 PM EDT
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I'm planning on taking the test for the General license this time next month. I was buying some programming software to program a UHF/VHF HT that I have and saw that they also make programming software for HF radios as well. I was under the impression that HF was different in that one simply tuned the radio until they made a contact since repeaters are not used. Clearly I need to learn more, but is there a need to purchase programming software such as the RT systems stuff for HF radios?
I presently own two HF radios, a Yaseau 897D and an ICOM 7200. I've not set up either of them yet and still need to purchase some items such as a power supply, auto tuners, antenna, and all the wire and other stuff to get it to work. I'd appreciate hearing the thoughts and advice of those more experienced than myself in this field. Thanks, Edit: I realize the 897D also has UHF/VHF capability, so it may make more sense to purchase software for this. |
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Most modern HF radios do have memories.
Personally, I don't use them. But, there is certainly a valid reason to have them. If you check into a net every day, you can have that saved in memory. Or you might listen to something and want to remember what frequency it is on............................ For example, most modern HF rigs have general coverage receive, so you might want to program shortwave broadcast stations, WWV, AM broadcast band stations.................. and have them available for a button press or two rather than spinning the dial. Another thing that programming software does for you is allow you to set all the various menu items using the computer rather than using the front panel of the radio. I do use this feature. I just find that it is a lot easier to keep track of what I am doing. Yet another thing programming software does for you combining both of the things I already mentioned is that you can set the radio up the way you want it. All the various features set the way you want them as well as any memory channels you might decide to program, and then you can save this configuration so that if you ever have to do a full reset of the radio, you can load the configuration back into the radio from the PC and it was just like nothing ever happened. I have never purchased programming software for an HF rig, but most of my radios have programming software available as a free download from the manufacturer and I downloaded it and use it. But, I probably wouldn't buy programming software for an HF rig. Another thing that these free downloads from the manufacturer do is to allow you to update the firmware in the radio if the company does an update. Edit: as mentioned below, another thing you might program into the memories of an HF rig are 10 and 6 meter beacons that you can check for activity to see if the band is open. Then there are 10 meter repeaters (if your rig does FM). 10 meter repeaters operate similar to 2 meter repeaters in that you have an offset as well as possibly a PL tone to access them. This can also be programmed into memory. |
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In.
I have a 7200, just upgraded to General last weekend. I have a tuner, power supply, and antenna on the way. I just got on it yesterday and programmed some memory channels for all of the local 10, 20 and 40 m nets I could find. That way I can search those first for any activity. Other than that, I'm in the same boat as you. |
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I have the RT Systems software for the 857D. Since I have (2) 857d's I like to think it was half price. 
I find that SW quite useful for setting up repeaters and such. For the 7200 (which I used to have) and the 590SG I add memory channels at the band ends and in the modes I like to work often. So I have 14.150 as a channel and set with all my SSB preferences. I have 7.300 and 4.000 for those bands with SSB options, as I prefer to tune 'down' those bands when hunting. And of course I have all the 'base' digital frequencies with all the associated parameters for digi work. Makes it real simple to change modes easily. |
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Thank you all for the replies thus far. I think I'll forgo the programming software for the HF radios for now, at least until I get some time on them. At that point I may change my mind. As for other accessories to make it work, are there any preferences on antenna or power supplies? I prefer simple installation at least to start with.
Stimsonjcat....Two 857's huh? I think it's the same radio as the 897 except for the packaging/chassis. They use the same RT software. I'm assuming you prefer it to the 7200, and if so, may I ask why? Good luck getting set up qwerti. I'd be interested to see a progress report along with pictures of your setup. And 444....thanks for the detailed reply. |
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Only time I've used the Kenwood software is to save my rig settings so I can easily restore them later. For example when you update firmware in rig & it sets everything back to default.
You have the transceiver, that is half the battle. You just need power supply, coax, & some sort of antenna. Unless you use only resonant antennas, you will want a tuner. I would suggest a wire antenna such as a OCF dipole. With a tuner you can work many bands on one simple OCF wire. It helps to have an antenna analyzer to set your antenna up for first time. I think your 7200 has built in USB port & sound card, so just pick out some digital software to your liking & your good to go for digital modes. You will also need some items to ground your station & hang your antenna. Good luck, hope to catch you on HF soon! 
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Quoted:
Thank you all for the replies thus far. I think I'll forgo the programming software for the HF radios for now, at least until I get some time on them. At that point I may change my mind. As for other accessories to make it work, are there any preferences on antenna or power supplies? I prefer simple installation at least to start with. Stimsonjcat....Two 857's huh? I think it's the same radio as the 897 except for the packaging/chassis. They use the same RT software. I'm assuming you prefer it to the 7200, and if so, may I ask why? Good luck getting set up qwerti. I'd be interested to see a progress report along with pictures of your setup. And 444....thanks for the detailed reply. Definitely. I'm leaving tomorrow for a week on business, but if I remember tonight I'll update with a pic of my 7200 and LDG-Z100Plus. I'm going in the attic with my dipole when it arrive, FYI, but I'll try and post pics of all of that once its finished. I had my 2m/70cm jpole outside but realized it still tripped the smoke detectors, so I moved it back into the attic and still get great signal reports on the local repeaters. Edit: I have the Astron SS-50 power supply. |
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Quoted:
Thank you all for the replies thus far. I think I'll forgo the programming software for the HF radios for now, at least until I get some time on them. At that point I may change my mind. As for other accessories to make it work, are there any preferences on antenna or power supplies? I prefer simple installation at least to start with. Tell us about your lot/layout and maybe some antenna suggestions will be obvious. Stimsonjcat....Two 857's huh? The wife bought me the first. II got lucky on the second on CL. I think it's the same radio as the 897 except for the packaging/chassis. They use the same RT software. I'm assuming you prefer it to the 7200, and if so, may I ask why? I DO NOT prefer the 857d to the IC7200 except for one very important aspect...portability. The 7200 is MASSIVE compared to the 857D. Pretty much every other aspect of the 857D I like less than the 7200. Filtering options are worse. Menus are worse. Radio interface is worse. The 857D does have 2m/70cm. Basically the 857D is the best ''shack-in-a-box' option out there. I use mine for SOTA/USIOTA activations and all I need to carry is the radio, batteries, and an antenna. |
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Thank you all for the replies thus far. I think I'll forgo the programming software for the HF radios for now, at least until I get some time on them. At that point I may change my mind. As for other accessories to make it work, are there any preferences on antenna or power supplies? I prefer simple installation at least to start with. Tell us about your lot/layout and maybe some antenna suggestions will be obvious. If only I knew how to paste in a Google Maps picture of my lot, this would likely be easier. I have a brick ranch with a full basement and an attic. The radios are in a corner room that I'm in the process of turning into an office/shack/other where I can mess around on the computer and radio's. It's an ~0.3 acre lot. I have tentative plans to mount a Diamond X50 antenna on the roof for UHF/VHF. Due to space considerations, I was thinking another vertical for the HF, but that may be a bit limiting. I can run some wire along a couple of fence lines. I do have power lines parallel to my house along the fence in the back yard and I'm not sure how that would impact an antenna close to them. There is another 3ft chain link fence perpendicular to the house that may be useful too. The front yard has several tall trees that might make stringing wire problematic, but may be an option. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks, |
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If only I knew how to paste in a Google Maps picture of my lot, this would likely be easier. I have a brick ranch with a full basement and an attic. The radios are in a corner room that I'm in the process of turning into an office/shack/other where I can mess around on the computer and radio's. It's an ~0.3 acre lot. I have tentative plans to mount a Diamond X50 antenna on the roof for UHF/VHF. Due to space considerations, I was thinking another vertical for the HF, but that may be a bit limiting. I can run some wire along a couple of fence lines. I do have power lines parallel to my house along the fence in the back yard and I'm not sure how that would impact an antenna close to them. There is another 3ft chain link fence perpendicular to the house that may be useful too. The front yard has several tall trees that might make stringing wire problematic, but may be an option. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks, Verticals do take up less space, but they need good radial fields to work well. Can you bury craploads of wire all over your lot? |
| I use the RT Systems software for my IC-7100. I have memories programmed in for repeaters, common simplex, and calling freqs for 70 cm, 2m, 6m, and 10m. I include the SSB calling freqs for those bands. On HF I have the digital freqs for various modes and a few freqs for various nets. Also 60m freqs. |
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I've tried a few, with little success on my 7200.
Chirp doesn't seem to work I've tried this one: http://www.vk4adc.com/web/index.php/software-projects/55-vk4adc-utils/185-icommems It can read memories but will not program them. HRD's memory manager is always disabled on my setup. Rig control works just fine but the memory manager is greyed-out |
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I've tried a few, with little success on my 7200. Chirp doesn't seem to work I've tried this one: http://www.vk4adc.com/web/index.php/software-projects/55-vk4adc-utils/185-icommems It can read memories but will not program them. HRD's memory manager is always disabled on my setup. Rig control works just fine but the memory manager is greyed-out I use Chirp with my 7200. It works in live mode so any changes you make go directly to the radio. |