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Reviews For: N4VAS Icom PC Interface

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : N4VAS Icom PC Interface
Reviews: 47MSRP: 30.00 shipped (US)
Description:
A copy of the Icom CI-V. This is an external interface that easily disconnects so you can switch serial devices without having to get in back of your PC. It works on most newer Icom rigs (VHF/HF/UHF) and with most 3rd party as well as Icom's software. Very nefty and cheap too.
Product is in production
More Info: http://home.comcast.net/~n4vas/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00474.9
N3WT Rating: 2003-10-07
Works perfectly, like a CT-17 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was looking for a replacemnt for my failed CT-17 Icom interface. I purchased a CT-17 3 years ago before I know any better. This does the same job at less than 1/4 the cost. Of course can only connect one radio at a time, but how many of us need to connect more than one radio? Very fast shipping, this is a great alternative to the expensive Icom CT-17. N4VAS sent an e-mail when shipped, then another e-mail to ask if I received it okay and if I had questions. Operates with the IC-756PROII and TRX-Manager, MixW32 and other programs. Just be sure to activate the DTS/RTS pins via the software options setup for power to the interface.
VE3RAW Rating: 2003-09-08
Excellent Product - Works as claimed. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great piece of hardware, for $25 you can have your ICOM working in 5 minutes! If you want an inexpensive solution that works grab this!
WF8E Rating: 2003-07-31
Easy and inexpensive.. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
What more could a ham ask for...than an easy to bolt in and inexpensive way to get my ICOM connected to a new PC? With Newton's device I had my radio hooked to a PC and fully operational in less than 5 mins. Not bad for a $25.00 investment.

I also have the $119.00 ICOM produced CI-V interface unit which required an external 12V power supply and a serial cable pin converter to be effective. The N4VAS unit required no additional power and uses a more modern and common 9 pin serial cable. Thus, I give this thing a five!!

W4HF Rating: 2003-07-25
Great Interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was looking on EBay for the ICOM CI-V or clone to control my ICOM 756 Pro and ran across the controller made by Newton Bible N4VAS. I placed the order and received the unit 3 days later. Plugged in a 1/8 inch plug and a serial cable to the computer, loaded my communications software, set the proper port and baud rate and the N4VAS controller was talking to the radio with no problem. I would recommend this unit for anyone needing a PC interface for the ICOM radios.
EB6AOK Rating: 2003-07-23
great, clean work Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
as a newby in IC I was looking for a CAT interface for my 910h and browsing the ebay for icom stuff I found this item, I just test it with several cat programs, it works, not sure if cover all funtions as at present time I use shareware,not fully funtional I gees, allso some small nice freeware programs with small capibilities, the interface looks clean work I wod recomend to any one
N8QZ Rating: 2003-06-09
IT WORKS! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I too found this item in my nightly review of new items posted on eBay. I've had a 756 Pro for about 12 months and decided to see what else it could do. Like Newton suggested, I did a "google" for software and found a few sites that had PC-ICOM CAT software. I purchased the interface from Newton and within a few days had the unit plugged in and ready to go. Problem--I could not get a synch with one set of free programs. I didn't know if it was the program or the interface.

I did a little more research and found TRX-Mgr from F6DEX (see software reviews on eHam). A 30-day "Demo" program is available for download. After setting the parameters for my rig, everything synch'd and I was controlling my rig with my wireless mouse.

This is a very reasonable alternative to the commercial units advertised. I "opened" the box and peeked in and found a number of minature components on a PC board between the PC serial connector the miniature phone jack. Very Positive Feedback to N4VAS! Do a Seller search for ngbible to find his latest offering.
N8FGX Rating: 2003-06-08
Excellent Alternative to CT-17 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I saw this on eBay and thought I'd give it a shot. I purchased this to go with my new Icom IC-746PRO I purchased at the Dayton Hamvention. Since I was very limited on my spending funds after the purchase of the '746, I figured this would be the way to go for the price ($25). Icom's product sells for about $120.

His installation instructions were documented in his e-mail confirming my purchase. I had no problems with the hookup; No external power source is required for operation. Cables are not included, but they can be picked up locally or from sources on the web. I connected a 10 foot, 9 pin f-m serial extension cable (Cables To Go item no. 02712 www.cablestogo.com) from the PC to the controller, and a speaker cable (from my old packet gear/junk box) a 1/8" m-m mono cable, from the controller to the CI-V jack on the back of the rig.

I received the controller in just a few days after purchase, and left him positive feedback on eBay.

I did ask Newton about the capability to control multiple rigs, and he told me that one of the signal lines could be split. I dropped the issue as I only have the one rig with interface support, so I don't need it anyways.

There are several links on the internet for software, so I will not discuss that here.

This is a great INEXPENSIVE alternative to the Icom CT-17, and it DOES work. I would recommend this to anyone wishing to control their rig via PC.