k0kn
05-10-2007, 06:28 PM
Hi everyone,
I wonder if anyone here is interested in working on a RC706 type project? I've patiently waited for a release of ANY kind from the RC706 folks, to no avail. Seems there are two guys involved, one guy has health problems, etc, so the project has been shelved for about 2 years!
I've asked them to PLEASE share their info with the ham community, so that we can pick up where they left off. I've still received no response. Keep in mind that I'm not looking for any financial benefit here. I have two 706 radios, and several of my friends have 706s as well.
The very limited CI-v command set presents several challenges to true remote operation, and the RC706 solves every one of these. These limitations also make it impossible to program PL tones when saving memory channels into the radio, etc.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this project, here's a short summary. The RC706 was designed as a go-between circuit from the main radio body to faceplate. Because all functions of the radio can be controlled by the faceplate, such as power on/off, volume, squelch, RF gain, and so on, this is the perfect place to place the interface. The RC706 is a wonderful concept which has been successful at communicating with the radio and mimicking the faceplate.
Two prototypes have been produced, as of the last time info was released in 2005. One was a simpler version that did not allow the front face to be used at all. This would be similar to the Kenwood TS-B2000 that has no faceplate at all, and requires a PC to operate the rig. The other prototype made use of the faceplate.
From what I remember, the biggest challenge these guys had was trying to find the connector to fit the radio. They had been using remote face cables which were clipped to scavenge the ends from..
The RC706 contains a PIC processor, if I recall and translates the Icom radio-to-face protocol into extended CI-v commands. A typical CI-v interface would then connect to this circuit rather than the rear panel CI-v jack.
I propose an open source type idea, where hardware and software is openly shared and distributed.
It would seem to me that the 'With faceplate' version would be the most desirable, especially if the rig would still operate w/o the face. For example, if you plan to remotely operate the rig, why put the wear and tear on the display if nobody is there to see it? Simply turn the radio on and remove the face. This should also keep anyone from tampering with the radio.
Please let me know if anyone is interested. Let's get this project going!
Join us on our new Yahoo group, PROJECT706. All are welcome.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/project706/
73,
Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas
I wonder if anyone here is interested in working on a RC706 type project? I've patiently waited for a release of ANY kind from the RC706 folks, to no avail. Seems there are two guys involved, one guy has health problems, etc, so the project has been shelved for about 2 years!
I've asked them to PLEASE share their info with the ham community, so that we can pick up where they left off. I've still received no response. Keep in mind that I'm not looking for any financial benefit here. I have two 706 radios, and several of my friends have 706s as well.
The very limited CI-v command set presents several challenges to true remote operation, and the RC706 solves every one of these. These limitations also make it impossible to program PL tones when saving memory channels into the radio, etc.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this project, here's a short summary. The RC706 was designed as a go-between circuit from the main radio body to faceplate. Because all functions of the radio can be controlled by the faceplate, such as power on/off, volume, squelch, RF gain, and so on, this is the perfect place to place the interface. The RC706 is a wonderful concept which has been successful at communicating with the radio and mimicking the faceplate.
Two prototypes have been produced, as of the last time info was released in 2005. One was a simpler version that did not allow the front face to be used at all. This would be similar to the Kenwood TS-B2000 that has no faceplate at all, and requires a PC to operate the rig. The other prototype made use of the faceplate.
From what I remember, the biggest challenge these guys had was trying to find the connector to fit the radio. They had been using remote face cables which were clipped to scavenge the ends from..
The RC706 contains a PIC processor, if I recall and translates the Icom radio-to-face protocol into extended CI-v commands. A typical CI-v interface would then connect to this circuit rather than the rear panel CI-v jack.
I propose an open source type idea, where hardware and software is openly shared and distributed.
It would seem to me that the 'With faceplate' version would be the most desirable, especially if the rig would still operate w/o the face. For example, if you plan to remotely operate the rig, why put the wear and tear on the display if nobody is there to see it? Simply turn the radio on and remove the face. This should also keep anyone from tampering with the radio.
Please let me know if anyone is interested. Let's get this project going!
Join us on our new Yahoo group, PROJECT706. All are welcome.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/project706/
73,
Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas