[amsat-bb] Re: IC 910H query

[Mark L. Hammond]

Hi Louis,

Congratulations on your new IC-910H!   I was the very lucky winner of
a new IC-910H at the AMSAT Symosium, so I have a bit of time on the
radio now.

I haven't used RigTalk, so I can't comment on that.

Regarding the CIV USB cable--my experience is that you do NOT need to
check the RTS + 12V option.   I bought a cheap USB CIV level converter
on eBay, and it works perfectly without this option checked.  My
homebrew interface, on the other hand, uses the serial port and
requires me to check that option, or else it doesn't receive power via
the serial line and won't work.

You will need to know which serial port number the USB converter is
using/emulating; there is a setting in SatPC32 where you must tell it
the comport number where  the level converter (USB CIV cable) is
installed.  You can use the Windows Hardware Tab/Device Manager to
figure that out.

Your addresses are correct for "default", they should work OK.  Be
sure to also set the BAUD rate in both SatPC32 and the radio to match.
 I think 9600 baud is the highest the radio will do.  Be sure to read
the "Hints" sections in the SatPC32 program to figure out an
appropriate delay setting, too.

Lots of folks using this setup, so you should be able to get lots of
help as you get it going!  SatPC32 is a fantastic program for working
satellites.

Personal question/note.  I am interested in the output power of your
IC-910H.   Mine is rather low on both VHF (75W) and UHF (45W).   So, I
just sent it back to Icom in hopes they can make it meet "advertised
and published specs" in that regard.   Shipping and insurance on that
radio was over $50!  I won't complain since I won the radio :)

73,

Mark N8MH

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 4:24 PM, Louis House <kd5gm at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I plan to commission my new IC 910 H on Saturday this week.  I plan to drive the radio with the "RigTalk" and CIV cable from a USB port. Has anyone experienced any negative function from this data control system type??  In setting up the SatPC32 software, the addresses that appeared by default are "$60" (in all four boxes in the "Radio Set Screen").  Does this $60 setting work OK??  The read me file is not very clear concerning the selection for "RTS + 12V", does the IC 910 H need this setting selected to work correctly??    Any other known problems would also be most helpful.
> Thanks for listening.
> Louis, KD5GM
> CW ;-) The Original Digital