This will get the two programs to work together through just a few mouse clicks. Details on that interface are contained in the Travel Plus pdf available for download.
Files can be created in the Programmer for your radio. The details in this section apply to Version 2 radio Programmers. Significant changes were made in the Version 3 and Version 4 programmers with regards to accessing data from Travel Plus. None of the actions here are required any longer. See the section in these FAQs for ARRL Travel Plus for details on that new process.
The attached includes details for the original style of the import process that accompanied the original RT Systems programmers. This style is found in the original ADMS-1E, WCSHH, and ADMS-2D programmers.
The link will take you to details for the import function of RT Systems' Version 2 and Version 3 programmers. This style is found in any Programmer bearing a Version 2.x or 3.x under Help | About. These are the "spreadsheet style" programmers.
To check whether you use the Version 2 or Version 3 update link, go to Help | About in the program that needs updating. Use the appropriate update for the Version 2.xx.xx or Version 3.xx.xx shown there.
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In your message, please be sure to indicate the radio you are programming, the version number of the software (found under Help | About in the Programmer), and the nature of the problem. We respond to a message as soon as we can.
Using the 12.5kHz step ability of the radio allows operations on frequencies ending in the values shown in the table. These are the only valid "fourth digit" frequencies for amateur radios.
The radio will not send or receive data through the CT-62 cable
While this could be a function of other communications issues involving the cable, comport, or radio, a more obscure occurrence could be the cause. Check the voltage on the connector of the radio according to the specifications in the manual. If the 12 volts are not present as described, the CT-62 is not being powered and will not work for programming or CAT commands. The correction could be as simple as changing the fuse inside the radio that controls this voltage.
Another item to check if this problem persists is the physical connection of the 8-pin mini din plug into the jack on the radio. There have been a number of reports of pins being bent when the plug was inserted. Once bent, the proper connection was not made.
A control program for testing communications between the radio and the computer is available at the link. To use this program.
Connect the radio to the computer using the CT-62 cable and a USB adapter is that is necessary for your setup.
Run the testing program.
Be sure the ADMS-4A programmer is not running.
Turn the radio on in normal mode.
Once the testing program opens, set the comport. If you are not sure of the port setting, pick one. If it is a valid port, the Open Port box will become available.
Click on Open Port
If you are communicating with the radio, the frequency that is displayed on the radio will appear on the screen of the testing program.
If the frequency appeared, enter a different frequency and click Set Frequency. You will see the frequency on the radio change.
If all goes well with this testing, you are communicating with the radio on the selected port.
Troubleshooting
Change ports and try again.
If the frequency read is not that displayed on the radio, check that Menu Item 20 is not set to Linear. Set that menu item to Cat and try again.
Check for the other issues detailed in this FAQ.
Try a different USB to serial adapter.
You can run the program from the web without saving it to your machine or save it to use now and any time in the future. This testing program can be distributed freely. FT-817 Communications Test Program
Another issue that is causing confusion for this Programmer is use of the wrong cable to connect the radio to the computer.
The smaller Yaesu mobile radios use the RT Systems CT-29B cable while the FT-857/D and FT-897/D all use the CT-62, Yaesu's Cat cable. The cables each connect to a 9-pin port on the back of the computer; however, the CT-29B terminates in a 6-pin mini din plug while the CT-62 terminates in an 8-pin mini plug. While these differences are obvious when you know to look for them, unfortunately, there is a port for data on the back of the FT-857/D and FT-897/D that will accept the connection of the CT-29B. The radio cannot be programmed through this port. Be sure to use the correct cable into the CAT/Linear port on the back of the radio to program the FT-857/D or FT-897/D.
I cannot get the radio into Clone mode.
Use of the MH-59A8J remote control microphone eliminates your ability to access the startup menu of the radio. Disconnect the microphone and try again. Until you can get to Clone mode, you can proceed no farther with the process.
Also available is an e-book format at 5 MB for those needing a faster download. This is an executable file that runs without the need for a special program to open it. Download E-book
All versions have the ability to print a page, a section or the entire doument (170+ pages). There is an indepth Table of Contents as well as search capabilities. For those of you with questions, this document should have what you need.
When I try to read or write the radio it just does nothing.
The FT-8900 is a little more difficult to put into Clone mode than were earlier mobiles. If the radio is not all the way into Clone mode, you cannot work with it from the Programmer. When you hold the left V/M key while turning on the radio, you enter a menu. In that menu you select the Clone option; but you are not in Clone mode yet. Once the Clone option is selected, you press the Set key (center front) to make that selection. This is where it gets tricky. You must press that key just right or the radio will ignore you. It is a touch...not a tap (shorter) or a hold (longer). You know you did it right when the radio cycles off and back on with the display showing CLONE. Only after this of and back on cycle is the radio ready to program.
The serial number does not work with the CD I just received
The serial number for ADMS-2H CDs with a July 15, 2003 date had one letter that was incorrectly typed on the serial number label. The correct serial number for these CDs is YI20 DZJZ HKJE HF00 01DB (In the second group, the last letter is a Z rather than an X as originally distributed). We apologize for this inconvenience.
Some of the keys on the face of the radio do not work after programming.
This will include the Set key and several others but not the Low key. Your radio is in Memory Only Mode.
This mode is engaged and disengaged from the face of the radio. We presume that this is happening by accident at some time when attempting to access Clone mode. Two other indications that your radio is in memory only mode are
When you turn the radio on holding the left V/M key you will hear five tones in harmonic thirds up and back down the scale. (In regular mode, these 5 tones are in order up the scale.
When you turn the radio on holding the left V/M key, the radio will power up displaying F-5 M-Only Mode rather than F-1 SETMOD Reset.
The radios will display the memory channels only with several of the keys on the face of the radio disabled. If a channel does not have an alpha tag assigned to it, the radio will display M0000# for that channel.
To disengage this option
Turn the radio on holding the left V/M.
Once the radio is on with F5 M-Only Mode showing on the display, press the Set key (yes, it works during use of this startup menu.) If you press it too long the radio will not respond and no change will be made. Press it ever so briefly...just a touch. The radio will cycle off and back on in normal mode.
Listen for the 5 sequential tones as the radio again powers up after accepting this change.
If the problem returns after you program you radio again with the programmer
Repeat the steps to turn off Memory Only Mode.
In the programmer, do File | New.
Perform Communications | Get Data From (or Radio | Get data from) to read this setting from the radio into the file in the programmer.
Save this new file. Use it for future programming rather than the original one that has the Memory Only Mode setting in it.
Note: In the Version 3 Programmer for this radio, this option is always disabled when a file is sent to the radio. If you are using this option, enable it from the face of the radio once programming is complete.
Put the radio in clone mode BEFORE accessing the Radio | Get data from or the Radio | Create Template screen
Attempt the process WITHOUT the 4-pin adapter attached to the DB-9 cable (Be sure to plug and unplug the 3.5mm stereo plug with the radio OFF. Then turn the radio on in clone mode to execute the remainder of the process. (Note: If the radio goes into continuous transmit with the cable attached, discontinue this process. You have not hurt the radio; however, this is not the solution in your case.) There are about one in one thousand VX-5 radios that do not need the 4-pin adapter.
The VX-5 Programmer opens but then fails to run. Moving the cursor over the screen results in an hourglass that does not end.
This was traced to an unused font file that is not included on some systems. The update to the programmer removes the need for this file and thus the error. The update to this programmer is available from the Software Update page of this site.
Template File
Yaesu radio require the use of a file to identify internal characteristics of your radio (i.e., American version, modified or original, etc.). This file can be created only by reading from the radio using the Radio|Create Template command in the Programmer. In the Programmer, this file is called a Template file. The template file contains only internal settings of the radio. It contains no frequency or setting information. The name of the template file being used appears on the Radio|Send data to screen while the name of the file that contains the frequencies and settings appears at the top of the main screen of the Programmer.
Once you create a Template file, you will not have to repeat this process unless 1) you modify your radio (open the case and do the physical modification for out of band transmit), 2) you program a radio other than your own (a new one for a friend, your wife, etc.), or 3) the original template file becomes corrupt (this is a computer ..sometimes this happens). The name of the template file being used appears on the Radio|Send data to screen.
Occasionally a user reports a "Not a valid .rdf file" error. This error appears when he attempts to send data to the radio. The problem occurs when a .rdf file is selected as the template file on the Radio|Send data to screen. To correct the problem, select a .tpl file (not a .rdf file) for the template on the Radio|Send data to screen. Note: You will notice that when you browse for a template file that only files with the .tpl extension are displayed. Pick from those displayed rather than going to the trouble of changing types to find the inappropriate file.
The Template filename does not match the name of the file I edited my frequencies in. That is a normal use of the Programmer. The two do not have to match since the Template file does not contain frequencies and the data file does not include internal radio settings.
The 3.5mm to 2.5mm stereo adapter included with the software is connected to this cable. Do not omit this piece. The process will NOT work without it.
The cable with the adapter is connected to the SMALL side of the CT-91.
The CT-91 is SCREWED SECURELY into the mic jack of the radio.
Disconnect and reconnect each of the adapters or cables to be sure they are seated securely. Then try again.
I am using the 2.5mm reducer, have checked all the connections and still am having a problem communicating with the VX-7.
Use the testing tool FindComPort to check the cable/comport connection. For this cabling configuration, this process is a little different. Test the cable first without the 2.5mm reducer. If the report is "ComX This appears to be an RT cable", then test with the 2.5mm reducer attached. If the report from the FindComPort program is anything other than "ComX This appears to be an RT Cable", the problem lies in the reducer rather than in the cable.
If you do send a cable that you are using on a VX-7 for testing, send ALL the pieces. There are too many variables here to leave one untested. There has been several occasions that the CT-91 was the problem. We will test the complete cable assembly. Do not send a USB adapter. We can test only an RTS-03 USB adapter.
Note: ADMS-1G kits distributed after May 2006 include an adapter cable which eliminates the need for the CT-91 and the 2.5mm adapter for making the connections between the radio and the computer. If your kit includes a white 6-inch adapter with a threaded 4-pin connector the information pertaining to connections does not apply.
The radio does not change from CLONE when I press the Band key or V/M key as instructed on the Get Data From or Send Data To screens, respectively.
Check to see if your keypad is locked. While the radio will access the initial Clone mode while being powered on, it will not go any further without access to the keypad. To check the keypad lock, turn the radio on in normal mode and press a key. If nothing changes on the display, the keypad is locked.
To deactivate the keypad lock, press and hold the [TX PO LK] key at the lower left of the keypad while the radio is on in normal mode.
I cannot get the Name for the memory channel to appear on the display.
Memory channel names are part of the functionality of that radio. So,
yes, they can be entered from the programmer. Be aware that display
of the names on the VX-7 is not as simple a process as for most other radios.
The display of the VX-7 has several "modes" that do not include display of the Name. The Name is never displayed alone. It is displayed beneath the channel frequency.
Included here are the details from the users manual for that radio
and and how those details translate into settings in the programmer. Be sure to complete all the steps and know how to activate the display
from the face of the radio.
Users Manual page 25: When operating in the Memory mode (see page 45), pressing the MoniF key, followed by the Main or Sub key, causes the LCD to toggle; between display of the current memory channel frequency (in
double-size characters) and the current memory channel frequency (in large
characters) with its alpha-numeric Tag (in small characters).
Users Manual page 48: During MR (Memory Recall) operation, the alphanumeric Tag will appear below the frequency display. The alphanumeric Tag does not appear if you activate the Dual Receive Operation.
In the programmer:
First: Program the memory channel information including the Name.
Second: Under View | Settings, be sure Dual Receive is unchecked (Toggles tab, first column)
Third: Also in the settings, select Display tab and be sure Display 2x is unchecked (first
column near the bottom).
These three settings take care of the requirements specified in the users manual for the radio to address Name entry and display.
I cannot Get Data from or Send data to the radio and I am using a USB to serial adapter other than the RTS-03 from RT Systems.
As said before, not all USB to serial adapters are created equally. Many will interfere with communications between the radio.
There are some things to try before you give up on that USB adapter.
Be sure you have the latest version of the radio programmer from the Software Updates section of this site.
Update the drivers for the USB device that you are using. Look for updated drivers on the device manufacturer's web site or on the site of the retailer for the device.
Change the latency timer for the device (If this setting is available: it is not for all)
Click Start
Go to Control Panel
Select System
Once the System Properties screen opens, select the Hardware tab
Click the Device Manager button on that screen
Be sure the USB device is attached to the computer
Find the designation for the USB device under Ports (Com and LPT)
Right click and select Properties from the menu that opens
Select Port Settings
Click Advanced
If the option is available, it will be on the screen that opens. Change the value to 4.
Alternately, if there is not a Latency Timer selection but there is a FIFO option, click to disable FIFO. This helps if communications start and then stop at some at some time during the process.
Click the red X at the upper right to close all screens and the Control panel.
Exit and restart the programmer to be sure it takes advantage of this new setting.
Attempt to Get Data from the radio to test the change. If this is successful, open your file and send it to the radio.
Can I use the Icom OPC-1529R to program the radio with the RT Systems' programmer.
The Icom OPC-1529R cable can be used for programming the IC-2820 through the data
jack on the front of the radio with the RT Systems' Version 3 programmer. This ability was introduced to that programmer in Version 3.70.04 and is available to earlier releases of Version 3 through the Version 3 update from this site. The OPC-1529R will not work with the Version 4 software.
In Version 3, if you are using the OPC-1529R cable, you will have
to set the comport manually since the programmer will not be able to identify the
electronics in that cable.
Once the comport is set properly, execute Communications
| Get data from radio before trying to send data to the radio to let the programmer
know that you are using the Icom cable.
The OPC-1529R attaches to the Data jack under the head of the radio.
Cable connection for USB-29A (Blue USB cable) for programming the IC-2820.
The USB-29A programming cable which is used by almost all of the Icom radios for programming with the RT Systems Version 4 software connects to the back of the radio in the speaker jack closest to the outside edge of the case. Once you install the programmer, check the Help file in the section for Computer to Radio connunications for more details.
New August 2010 is the RTS-05 programming/data cable for the IC-2820 which can be used to program the radio through the front data port. This cable also works for data transfer giving you a USB connection at the computer rather than the serial connection of the OPC-1529R. The connection at the radio is straight rather than right-angled.
Do NOT put the radio into CLONE mode when using the programmer.
Icom radios have CLONE mode; however, other than the IC-R10 at the time of this writing, they do not use Clone mode for programming from the computer with the RT Systems' programmers.
The process to Get data from or Send data to the radio includes the instruction "Turn the radio on". This is the extent of what is to be done in this step...just turn the radio on. If a button needed to be pressed while turning on the radio, it would be included with the instructions.
Icom radios are easy. Just turn it off. Insert the cable. Turn it on. Click OK. The programmers takes it from there.
