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Reviews For: SDR Control for Icom

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : SDR Control for Icom
Reviews: 2MSRP: MacOS - $99.99, iPad - $49.99
Description:
Software is currently focused on recent models of Icom SDR transceivers, at this time of writing, the IC-7610, IC-703, IC-9700 and IC-R8600. Its available for the MacOS and iPad only. Its much more that a remote control application. It has FT8, Logging, CW, etc. Built in. The applications both MacOS and iPad are very well thought out, functions without much effort and are simple to use.
Product is in production
More Info: https://roskosch.de/sdr-control/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
2323
KD6QFO Rating: 2023-02-21
A good app, some minor issues Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Updated review. I personally have not experienced the issue reported by US1EV but equally, I have not been looking for it. I am also using an IC-7610 after starting with an IC-705. For me, the IC-705’s Wi-Fi was a challenge. The IC-7160 is Ethernet although one of my Mac’s is Wi-Fi as is the iPad (Both M1 processors.
After an hour testing, MacOS, LAN connected Gigibit to LAN on an IC7610 and tuned to 10Mhz and 15mhz. I do see the frequency line to be over to the right of what I think is the peak signal on the scope. It is not displayed that way on the IC-7610 screen. I also see a gap to the right of about the same width as the offset. The fact I have not noticed it could be that I am usually using the frequency readout to center my signal and my ears to listen over the scope lines. Saying that, the developer Marcus should respond with either a admission and fix or a reason it’s displayed slightly off-set.
I am reducing the original score down to four due to some issues with support. I to have submitted very detailed observations, luckily most of them more suggestions and application improvements. Support response was initially (Pre-sales) within a day or two and always a response. Recently, it’s been no response for 4-5 days and it takes a follow-up email to get any response. My suggestions have been added to a list for consideration for a new update but no commitment. Equally, I was offered a refund, which came across as the vendor just not wanting to deal with me. That might be an assumption but support has since dropped off.
I do like the app, I use it typically at home and not across the Internet so I cannot speak to the performance over the Internet.
I wish the developer had a forum for users to post issues, share ideas, etc. I do not use Facebook so cannot contribute to the SDR Control section.


Note - I am not affiliated with the developer. I simply wanted an app that controls my IC-705 that was simple, reliable, Mac or iPad based and included FT8/4. I own both the MacOS and iPad versions. The are very simple to setup, very well thought out, and just work. It makes remote operating around the house or further afield a pleasure. The operation is very Flex Radio like. I don't have a flex yet but that is my understanding from folk who do. It run's natively on mew Mac and iPad hardware (Apple Silicon) and runs on older hardware too.

If you ever need support, the developer is extremally responsive. I have a question just after purchasing but it was not a problem with the app, it was me not reading the manual. On the topic of manuals, they are very well written, very understandable and will have you up and running in a short time.

The developer seems to update the application frequently and add Icom models.

Great software and an example to others developers. A must have if you have one of the Icom radio's supported.
US1EV Rating: 2023-02-08
Good but has problems Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
SDR Control for the Mac, remote operation of Icom 705

Issue 1

When operating the Icom 705 over the internet there is a significant issue with spectrum offset on the app waterfall display. This is not a frequency error, it's a fixed X axis graphics displacement error in the app’s waterfall display. The offset is the same for all span settings, bands, filter, and modulation settings. Verified with 4 operators using SDR Control and 705. Tuning is very annoying since you must tune the VFO centerline well off the center of the signal on the waterfall in order to actually be tuned to the station. The developer does not agree that this issue exists and keeps telling me that it is my opinion that this is a problem, even when presented with clear evidence (screen shots). See enclosed image showing the offset when tuned to WWV 10 MHz, see the right side of the spectrum which shows the offset to the left (all spectrum data shifted down in frequency resulting in a blank area where no data is displayed).

The iPad version has the same offset.

SDR-Control Spectrum Offset with IC-705.jpeg
Link to image...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/425743216092555/permalink/578688004131408/


Issue 2

In order to transmit without audio dropouts you need an extremely error free network connection, if operating over the internet is virtually impossible to attain all of the time. With dedicated internet access on both ends I can operate (transmit) about 50% of the time, the other 50% I have errors of .1% - .3% which makes the transmit audio broken and unusable. The manual indicates that "You should always have an error rate below 0.05% for a smooth operation.” Well it’s nice if you have this, but in the real world it can be very difficult to achieve. Others have asked the developer if anything can be done to improve this and they are told to fix their internet connection. Not very helpful. All be seen on the Facebook SDR Control group posts.

It’s a very nice app, but these issues, and specifically the developers unwillingness to either acknowledge that they exist or attempt to improve the app, leaves a very sour impression. As Ham’s we always pride ourselves at technical improvement and collaboration. A bit more of that will make SDR Control a superb piece of Ham remote station software.