LOAD706 A program to load memories on the Icom IC-706 by Jon Lieberg. K0FQA Overview: Load706 is a program written in the REXX language to load memories of the IC-706 radio. The information is read from a file that lists the number each memory to be loaded along with the frequency and mode. A samples are provided (memory.706). There are two version of the program. One for DOS and WIN95, another for OS/2. The program has been tested with the original 706, the 706 MKII, and the 706 MKIIG. This program does not do a lot of error checking. It sends whatever is in the data file to the 706. If you are having a problem with loading a memory, check the format of your data file. Hardware Requirements: To use this program you need a CI-V level converter to convert the rs-232 12v levels to 5v levels on the IC-706 computer interface. ICOM sells one called the CT-17. I am using one that was described in QST, July 1992, page 37. It is simple and easy to build. There are also several circuits of a similar design out on the web. Setup: Setup could not be easier. Just copy all the files to a directory of your choice on your hard drive. The program can also be run from a floppy, but it will be considerably slower. *****VERY IMPORTANT***** The IC-706 must be setup with a CI-V ADDRESS of 48H and a CI-V BAUD of 9600 or AUTO. These functions can be checked by looking at the menu display. To access the menu hold the LOCK button while pushing the POWER button. The radio will come on in the menu mode. Check the following menu items: Menu # *** Comment Value 21 CI-V ADDRESS 48H 22 CI-V BAUD 9600 or AUTO *** The menu # varies with the different models of the 706. You can look at each menu setting by pushing the UP or DOWN buttons. Changes can be made to a menu item by turning the VFO KNOB until the correct setting appears. Turn off the 706 by pushing the power switch to save the settings. Program Details: The program for DOS and WIN95 is LOAD706.R. Since REXX is an interpretive language, it requires a program to interpret the code. I have included REXX.EXE, a file that is part of package called BREXX that does this function. It is required for DOS and WIN95. OS/2 already includes REXX as part of the operating system so its not needed for that environment. Under OS/2, just run the program called LOAD706.CMD. If you want additional information about BREXX, it is located at http://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/languages/rexx/brexx/v13/html/rx.html. There are versions of BREXX for Linux, Unix, and MACs but this program has not been test with any of those systems. To run the program under DOS or WIN95, at a DOS prompt, enter 'REXX LOAD706.R' or use the batch file provided - LOAD706.BAT. To run the program under OS/2, just run the LOAD706.CMD file in an OS/2 window. Data file: Sample data - 1 Memory # 3.948 VFO A 3.948 VFO B lsb Mode 2 146.34 Xmit Freq 146.94 Rcv Freq fm If fm, and vfo A not = vfo B, turn on split 3 nt nt means no xmit (see text below) 162.55 162.55 fm 4 clear Clear mem #4 5 146.52 If vfo A = vfo B 146.52 then assume simplex fm Data Rules: The data file consists of an ASCII file, 4 lines per memory location, each starting in column one. As in the sample above, do not leave any blanks between memory channel definitions. There should be one blank line at the end of the file. Line 1 is the memory number. Line 2 is vfo A - Always used as the xmit Freq for FM repeaters line 3 is vfo B - Always the receive Freq for FM repeaters line 4 is the mode An exception is for the memory clear function, only two lines are needed. Line one is the memory number, line two is the word 'clear'. All frequencies MUST have MHz and KHz and have a decimal point between them, i.e. 146.94. In FM repeater channels, VFO A is always the transmit frequency. VFO B is the receive frequency. When VFO A and VFO B are not equal and the mode is FM, split will be turned on. An 'nt' on line one after the memory number will force the mode of the transmit frequency to be set to WFM. The 706 will not transmit in WFM mode. The purpose of this is for radios that have the MARS modification to allow out of band xmit installed. It would be used to prevent inadvertent transmissions while monitoring out of band frequencies such as public service channels. Comments are allowed on any line in the file as long as there is at least one space between the data and the comment. This should allow you to document what each channel is for or what service is on that memory channel. Package Contents: Load706.r Dos and Win95 version Rexx.exe Needed for Dos and Win95 Memory.706 Sample data file Clear.706 Sample to clear memories Load706.cmd OS/2 version Readme.txt This file This program (the LOAD706 part that is written rexx) can be freely copied and distributed but can not be sold without permission. The REXX.EXE file is included for your convenience and remains under the control of the owner of BREXX. Please see the above URL for additional information on BREXX. There is no formal support for this program. If you find a bug, I would be interested in hearing about it, but make no commitments to fixing any problems or adding any future enhancements. I can be reached at K0FQA@CSVHFS.ORG. Good luck and I hope that this makes managing the memories on your 706 easier. 73's Jon Lieberg, K0FQA