It's all about the Software

The External Radio tracking (with Icon IC-7100) worked well for a few days.

But it recently has not been working. The ? screen shows Omnirig (Version 1.20) Not Responding.

I have 2 rigs selected on Omnirig:

Rig 1: IC-7100
Rig 2: IC-7100e4-DATA

The first few days I had this set up both Rig 1 and Rig 2 tracked perfectly.

But now there is sporadic tracking. Sporadic meaning it tracks after some Console app restarts (1 of 5) but it most often does not track. I cannot discern a pattern.

I rebooted the computer and restarted Console several times. The only change to my system is I set up and tried out Log4OM and DX Lab. Neither uses Omnirig. And neither are running when Console/Omnirig don't track. I also use Win4Icom. Console sometimes tracks when that is running, but not predictably.

Any trouble shooting tips?

gfmucci wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 1:58 am The External Radio tracking (with Icon IC-7100) worked well for a few days.

But it recently has not been working. The ? screen shows Omnirig (Version 1.20) Not Responding.

Any trouble shooting tips?

There are a few posts online from few years ago that talk about unreliable CAT control with IC7100 and solved it with firmware update. Worth a look?

73

Max

Max wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 10:11 am
There are a few posts online from few years ago that talk about unreliable CAT control with IC7100 and solved it with firmware update. Worth a look?

73

Max

Version E4
https://www.icomjapan.com/support/firmware_driver/2411/

My 7100 firmware appear to be the latest.
CPU 1.11
DSP 1.03
Last firmware update in 2016.
Bought the radio new in 2022, so firmware is likely no firmware update needed. Rig control works perfectly with other linked apps.

Strange. When I start Win4Icom first, and then SDRC a few seconds later, Omnirig Rig 1 connects to SDRC and 7100 but Rig 2 does not, but it used to. I don't need them to both connect, but mention that as an aside.

If I exit Win 4, the Omnirig connection to SDRC breaks.

If I restart Win 4 while SDRC is running, both Omnrig rigs are tracking in SDRC.

I discovered this puzzle when I was writing up an operational sequence guide for myself to remember what app should turn on another in what sequence with predictability.

I don't understand the paths each app is invoking and why.

gfmucci wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 12:48 pm Strange. When I start Win4Icom first, and then SDRC a few seconds later, Omnirig Rig 1 connects to SDRC and 7100 but Rig 2 does not, but it used to. I don't need them to both connect, but mention that as an aside.

If I exit Win 4, the Omnirig connection to SDRC breaks.

If I restart Win 4 while SDRC is running, both Omnrig rigs are tracking in SDRC.

TBH as I don't have an external radio I'm not an expert in any way, but I do have numerous external progs which I connect with SDRC and never really had any unsolvable issues with any. I just wonder why you need Omnirig and Win4Icom? Don't they do pretty much the same thing? I guess I'm missing something?

Max

I've had Win4Icom for a couple of years. $60. It is primarily a very nice rig controller, but with several other functions, including the ability to link and sync several programs. Yes it gets a bit complex and possibly redundant. But when they work well together, it is sweet. Working reliably together would be even better. It may just be a matter of understanding the opening sequence and timing between the two apps.

Omnirig, per SDR Console setup requirements, is required to connect External Radio.

Win4Icom has a nice Spectrum Scope that I used with my RSPdx. But then I found the even nicer Spectrum Scopes in SDR Console. And then I went down a couple of connection rabbit trails. It's nice to be able to use either one apps Scope or the other's. They each have their benefits.

What I REALLY need to figure out is without Win4Icom running, why External Radio in Console does not track.

I am posing the same questions to Tom Blahovici, the designer of Win4 suites.

I've found a counter-intuitive solution. If I start SDR Console first, wait a few seconds, and then start Win4Icom, both Rig 1 and Rig 2 in Omniricg with track the Console's External Radio (my IC-7100). I'm not sure why that sequence works and the Win4Icom open first sequence does not.

Now a lazy man's question: Does SDR Console have the ability to auto-start other apps like DX Labs and Win4Icom can do? I did a search and didn't see that capability mentioned.

I have a sequence of apps the solves my External Radio tracking conundrum.

Attached is a Word document that provides the sequence of opening the following options in a sequence that works:

Win4Icom (Icom IC-7100) with the RSPdx. Use just the Win Spectrum Scope
Win4Icom with SDR Console and RSPdx. Use just the Console Spectrum Scope
DX Labs with SDR Console and the proper delay for Opening Win4Icom. Use the Console Spectrum Scope plus all features of DX Labs.

The purpose of these three options is to offer levels of engagement in radio operation as the mood requires.

gfmucci wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 8:43 pm I have a sequence of apps the solves my External Radio tracking conundrum.

Seems all a bit of a "faff" but glad you found a solution. Actually if you refer back on here (or is it the other group, I forget) there are several cases even using just Omnirig with external radio required starting SDRC and the external rig (or Omnirig) on in a certain sequence, so you are not the first. Well done for figuring out the right permutations and also for documenting it on here for others to see.

Yes, I forgot that external radio makes the use of Omnirig mandatory.

I guess the big question is: why the need for this curious sequence of start ups? Seems all a bit archaic in this day an age to need to do this!

73

Max