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Reviews For: Icom CI-V Level Converter CT-17

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

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Review Summary For : Icom CI-V Level Converter CT-17
Reviews: 14MSRP: 139
Description:
Computer to Icom rig Interface
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00144.1
W9MT Rating: 2021-12-22
Long in the tooth. When it dies, it fails "spectacularly". Time Owned: more than 12 months.
12/21/2021 Update:

This summer, I bought three more MAX232 16 pin DIP IC's and secured a new handful of electrolytics. I changed all of these caps in the +DC input to +/-DC converter circuitry that's part of the MAX232 IC, as well as the IC itself.

Monitoring the RS232 line with an analog (metered) VOM while attempting a connect to a "hypothetical IC-706" at 300 baud made the meter needle wiggle. Success...it never did this on previous tries. Shotgunning all of those parts, together, got it working.

I now have the CT-17 connected from my computer via a DB-9 to DB-25 cable to both a 706 series radio and a 746pro. They work as they should, without issues.

I still feel that this Icom accessory needs to be updated into the "current century"...or one can buy a newer Icom radio and have direct control of it through a standard B to A USB cable. So don't expect Icom to replace the CT-17 anytime soon....

------------------------------------
Original Review from January 2021:

I bought one at a hamfest in 2019. (Remember those extinct events, before this time of raging COVID-19?) It was cheap. ($5) I expected it to "not work" and I wasn't surprised when it didn't.

The circuit is simple. A "MAX232" chip in a 16 pin DIP package does most of the heavy lifting. With +9-15 VDC into the box, along with a 25 pin RS-232 connector from the computer, and the MAX232 changes its Vcc DC input (first regulated down to +5VDC by a 3 terminal regulator on the CT-17's pcb) into bipolar RS-232 levels for the computer side of things along with TTL levels to the Icom radio through a 3.5mm jack. Up to 4 separate radios can be interfaced as long as they have unique (different) 2 digit hex addresses.

The weak links in the design also include the 22uF electrolytic caps that make the +/- Voltage doubler circuits within the MAX232 chips. When the caps get as old as the time CT-17 has been on-the-market (>25 years), one or more invariably go bad (usually short out). This also takes out the MAX232 chip. So, I know NOW that shotgunning the repair with BOTH a new MAX232 chip and all of the electrolytics supporting its bipolar Voltage generation is highly recommended.

To fix this "sick puppy", I bought some MAX232's off of Amazon and for "starters" changed out just the MAX chip. (Wrong move.) I also found that the axial lead 1uH choke in the ground circuit of all of the radio connectors (3.5mm jacks) had opened up and replaced it, too. The failure symptom was the output to the radio didn't wiggle when HRD tried to address it and read a frequency. Fortunately both the radio and your computer should never see any levels that would damage them as the buffering in the MAX chip won't allow this, even with the failure I saw.

After changing the MAX chip, I tried again. Still no luck and a fingertip test to the new chip and the caps found the chip and at least one electrolytic were both hot to the touch, but "no smoke" was left out of either.

So now a bad cap had killed the new MAX chip. In a more recent troubleshooting test, I changed several electrolytics. The chip and the one (now changed) electrolytic still ran HOT. So, now I realized the replaced MAX232 chip was ruined and now going to ruin the new electrolytic (or more than one).

Logically, the MAX chip and bad cap interaction had mutually killed each other. It didn't matter "which was the chicken" or "which was the egg" that happened first. But, I also can't find my stash of spare MAX232's (I always buy more than one, but I don't know where I put them) so I gave up for now. When I do find them, I will again replace the chip and also the HOT electrolytic. The circuit isn't much more than that, so it should "pop" back to life...maybe.

I say maybe because the other downfall with the CT-17 is its use of an RS-232 to your computer. RS-232 interfaces are rare on modern tower PC's, especially those with the DB-25 connector as the source. On laptops, RS-232 interfaces are likely not to be found at all. If you're lucky to have an expansion interface or port expander for a laptop, the best you'll see is an RS-232 interface with a DB-9 connector.

At the very least you'll need a 9 pin to 25 pin RS-232 cable to such an interface connector on your PC, or you'll need to purchase a USB to DB-9 RS-232 interface converter cable....ALONG WITH the 9 pin cable (with a gender change) to go between the Icom CT-17 box and the USB to RS-232 cable's output. This is a lot of messing around. You're adding a lot more variables to your troubleshooting for when everything still doesn't work. You will also have driver issues with which to contend, along with the chance of running out of COM ports. Computer technology has advanced, but the Icom CT-17 box remains "rooted" in the 1990's.

Yuck.

Are you getting the idea that using an Icom CT-17 is a "solution whose time has come and gone"? It is. That's why I say it "Needs Help" in my rating.

I gave up with it for now and bought a single output Chinese USB CT-17 cable from Amazon to get my IC-706Mk2 onto FT-8 with WJST-X. Other than the fact that you need to install the cable supplier's own USB driver (Win10 found it but didn't have a compatible driver...likely due to a maverick Prolific chip in the USB connector of the cable), once that driver was loaded and the COM port changed to COM5 everything worked fine.

Think about it...if you need a USB to RS-232 converter cable anyway, why not just buy a USB to CT-17 cable and be "done with it"?

I probably will still do one more "troubleshooting round" on the Icom CT-17 once I find my stash of MAX232 chips and scare up a few more 22uF electrolytics. I like puzzles and I DO want to see it not "beat me" and end up working.

But I would urge anyone considering buying an official ICOM CT-17 box, especially new, at the lofty retail price, to consider a different (and more modern) solution. It's not worth your time unless you're a stubborn curmudgeon (like me) who likes overcoming puzzles.
K6SDW Rating: 2016-12-21
It works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Old school technology (RS-232 serial port) that's why I gave it a 4+

Otherwise, plug 12vdc to it and your off to the races.......c'ya on digital
W3DRY Rating: 2012-05-04
Reliable using Windows 7 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If you have an RS-232 port on your Win7 computer, the old and reliable CT-17 is highly recommended. Why? It uses a rock-solid driver written by Microsoft (already loaded on your computer).

I experienced numerous blue-screen-of-death (BSOD) faults on my Win 7 computer while using one of the popular USB-UART rig interface devices. I traced the problem to the driver - silabser.sys (Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge). Most companies that sell USB rig control devices still recommend a version of this driver that is NOT certified for Win7. If you MUST buy a USB-type interface device, make sure it will operate with Version 6.5 of the CP210X/silabser.sys driver (which has been debugged to eliminate BSOD faults).
VE7BGP Rating: 2011-11-15
Now Old Technology & Pricy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a CT-17 now for 8 years when I got my second IC-751A that also had the Icom UX-14 Card. The CT-17 was old Technology back then in 2003. When I recently got a new Computer and moved to Windows 7 I got a card for my mother board that installed 2 DB-9 RS-232 Com ports for my Rotor EZ and CT-17 and I have not had any issues with Win 7 or Ubuntu 11.10 using those Comports. I have had poor success with my other IC-751A with aftermarket UX_14PX using the Prolific USB to RS-232 adapter. The UX-14 has to be Icom's longest running accessory I don't know why Icom has never updated their Pricy CT-17 they still charge enough for the CT-17 it should have been updated to the USB at least 2.0 for modern Computers. If anyone else is having Issues with their CT-17 try to get the Comport card mine only cost the same as 1 Prolific Adapter and works great for me. I rate it as 3 or OK because of the older Technology and what Icom charges for the CT-17 these Days. It is a solid 5 for its ability to run Multiple Icom Radios and ability to Computer program my Venerable Old T-7H Handie. I hope that helps.
73
Gerry VE7BGP
W9BDN Rating: 2011-11-14
Interface issues Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the CT-17 from AES along with a RTS-03 serial to USB adapter by RT Systems. I connected everything up and used Ham Radio Deluxe and had no problems accessing the 756 Pro III but in a couple of minutes it disconnected. Unplugged the USB, closed the file, plugged the UBS back in, and connected. It works for a few minutes but keeps disconnecting. I then tried a different serial to USB adapter I got from our IT dept. at work and works perfect and stays connected so keep in mind all serial to USB adapters are not the same. The HRD display is awesome. This is my first step to Remote Base operation, wish me luck.

73's, Steve W9BDN
W1ZK Rating: 2011-09-10
A time to die! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The CT-17 is very good at what it does. I have had one for well over ten years. The CT-17 has been in ICOM's inventory a lot longer than that. Close to 20 years now! A 25 pin level converting RS-232 serial device. (BTW, only 3 pins of the 25 are used, and that is counting ground!) Meanwhile, the rest of world switched to ethernet, USB and firewire. I still use my proud old IC-781, as well as it's newer cousin the IC-7700. Almost 20 years in age between the two. Both rigs still use that RS-232 serial through a CT-17 level converter. Sure, it works, as long as you have adapters for computers built after 2003/4 or so. Hey ICOM, kill this thing, put it out of our misery, soon!
K1VI Rating: 2011-06-20
Solved the Windows 7 problems Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When my XP-based PC died, I upgraded to a new Windows 7 machine. The USB-to-serial adapter that I used successfully for many years (Prolific based) with my IC 756 Pro 3 and HRD, just wouldn't play with Win7. Worked OK for a few minutes, then froze, requiring reboot. Upgraded drivers, fiddling with USB power management settings ("always on") did nothing. Although I was not happy to part with $139 when I knew the CT-17 could be built much cheaper (see other reviews), it solved the problem totally. Now I have 3 of the 4 ports available, and will hook up my older IC735 as well.
VE3LNY Rating: 2011-05-03
OK but dated Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had one of these for many years, and it has always worked as expected. I've used it to control an R7000 and a 746. My main complaint was the price and, at first, lack of documentation (later solved by writing to ICOM). Finding a serial port for it has become a lot harder, and recently I've found a source of inexpensive USB adapters: http://stores.ebay.ca/AFFORDABLE-RADIO?_trksid=p4340.l2563 which may be of interest to some.
PA3BKL Rating: 2011-05-03
Icom CT-17 USB version!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi there,

As not many laptop have serial interfaces these days, I googled and found a great CT-17 'look-alike' that has USB connectivity, it even be used to control FOUR ICOM and/or Yaesu units!!

Here is the link:
http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/IcomCAT.shtml

I'm very happy with it. Works great with HRD!!

73's de PA3BKL
M0MGF Rating: 2009-05-24
Excellent accessory Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The first one of these that I tried was a used item, and I was unable to get it to do what it should. I eventually discovered that the 9-17pin serial lead with it was defective. Too late by then though, I had already had my tantrum with the supplier and was returning it.
I then purchased a new unit from a different supplier, and ensured that the serial lead worked. This unit is a lovely addition, enabling me to have remote control of the Radio and the Steppir unit by Ham Radio Deluxe.
There is not much to the unit itself to go wrong. Simple 12-14VDC to power it, and the connections of a 1/8inch phono lead to your radio peripherals, and the serial lead to the computer.
I am of the opinion that this unit is a must have for any ICOM owner that utilises a computer.