Hacker Chronicles 2/HACKER2.BIN/1370.R7000.RVW

Text File | 1990-10-13 | 6KB | 103 lines

>From: [e-mail] (Doug Toppin)
>Newsgroups: rec.ham-radio
>Subject: Replies on ICOM R7000 and Views on the AOR AR3000? (99 lines)
>Keywords: icom, aor, scanner
>Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
>Date: 28 Aug 90 20:36:47 GMT
>Organization: E-Systems, Melpar Division, Falls Church, VA
>Lines: 93

I recently posted a question asking for opinions on the ICOM R7000
and have received several useful replies via mail. I am appending the
replies to this posting.
I am also interested in the AOR AR3000 and how it compares to the R7000.
I have seen the AR2515 and thought it looked kind of small (being
of the school that figures better things probably look more imposing).
If you have any thoughts on the AR3000 vs the R7000 please post
or drop me a line. I will post useful replies. One vendor has
told me the AR3000 is not as sensitive as the ICOM and that he
didn't think it was available anyway. ACE has said that they have
it in stock. It appears that the R7000 cannot be commanded to
start search via the 232 line which is unfortunate as I wanted this.
The interface is TTL so a 232 to single wire TTL converter is required.

To rehash my interests: I am looking for a good scanner that can
be controlled via an RS232 line. I intend to write my own software
for my particular purposes.
The condominium I live in does not allow external antennas so I am
planning on getting a small active one to sit in a unobtrusive spot.
I am also interested in experiences with this kind of situation.

thanks to those that replied
Doug Toppin
uunet!melpar!toppin

REPLIES START HERE:
----------------------------------------------------------
From: uunet!ihlpy.att.com!parnass (Robert S Parnass)
I have owned an R7000 since it was introduced and think highly
of it.  While it is a great receiver, it's not a good memory "scanner."
There are electromechanical relays that are energized depending
on the band, and they click and clack if you mix channels from
different bands in your scan sequence.  It also scans slowly, although
I published a mod several years ago to speed it up to 13 channels
per second.  It does search between 2 limits well and its search and
store facility is a major strong point.  The tuning knob makes it easy
to tune around "in the corners" of the VHF/UHF spectrum.
I've never controlled my R7000 using a computer.  Intermod has
not been a problem with my R7000 (yet).
----------------------------------------------------------
From: Don North <uunet!apple.com!north>
I've had one for a couple of years now, and am still
very happy with it.  The reception quality is excellent;
audio is also very good.  Where it is lacking is in the
'user interface'; some of the front panel control functions
are absent.  As an example, there is no hang-delay after
carrier drops - the radio will continue the scan immediately -
and thus you can miss the other party's response.  Scan/search
speed is at the low end, too, of what's available today (delivered
at 7 ch/sec; modifiable to about 13 ch/sec max).
Several others here have the Radio Shack 2004/5/6 models; they
are very good, of comparable features/quality, and cost about
half as much.  The R7000, when it first came out, was the only
real full-spectrum VHF/UHF FM/AM/SSB capable receiver - that's
why I got one.  ICOM now also has the R1/R100 that cover essentially
the same frequencies (but aren't selling in the US at present).
Today, I don't think I would get an R7000 again.  It's 'old'
technology-wise; there are too many other choices.  I also
own an AOR-2002, a very nice scanner for the price.  Their
newer models (-2515, -3000) compete head-one with the R7000; I'd
give them a look also.
I have my R7000 connected up to a Macintosh.
It is not possible to initiate search remotely-  there is no
documented command to do this.  However,
in the process of debugging my control program, I got the radio
to go into 'search' mode by accident by sending random streams of
characters.  However, it required power-cycling the radio to get
control back.  Not too useful.
----------------------------------------------------------
From: uunet!spool.cs.wisc.edu!astroatc!knaus (Dave Knaus)
I believe you are right, you cannot  initiate search mode from the
serial interface.   There are interfaces and software available,
however, which can do programmed searches from a PC.  The one that
I am familiar with is offered by Delta Research, P. O. Box 13677,
Wauwatosa, WI 53213, phone [phone].   They have a nice interface
unit which connects to the R7000 from a RS-232 port and the software
package has many functions for scanning, searching, reading the
receiver memories into a file, loading the memories from a file,
selective control of  a tape recorder on specific channels, and
file editing capability.  It hasn't been advertised in the magazines
yet but it seumF"=BYj=I2QUIM"!9"!=MJ    +W$.YY7 advertised.
----------------------------------------------------------
From uunet!sequent!rjk Tue Aug 21 02:34:56 1990
I have an R7000 and someday I will probably take advantage
of the information I have included below.  If you come up with any
programs to control the R7000, please share them with me.  Note that
the control port is not RS232, it's TTL, so you'll have to build or
buy a level converter to talk to it.
 Bob Kelley
 [e-mail]

(Bob included a 500 line file on computer control of ICOM gear.
If you would like this drop me a line and I will forward it to you.)