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Reviews For: RT Systems radio programming software all models

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : RT Systems radio programming software all models
Reviews: 314MSRP: Varies
Description:
Radio programming software & cables for a wide variety of manufacturer and model radios.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rtsystemsinc.com/index.cfm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
104.23143.6
AJ6KZ Rating: 2020-03-08
Wouldn't recommend for Mac users Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This software was a bit problematic from the start, but I did eventually get it working. Then I realized that the crap Prolific USB driver that it installed was interfering with the FTDI driver, which is actually useful. So I had to manually get remove the Prolific driver to get other things working again. After that I didn't use it, mostly because I don't use my HT that much.

Fast forward to today, when I wanted to upload some settings. The USB cable was not recognized. I downloaded the driver from RTSystems. No luck, plus it kept my computer from booting up (that was fun to fix). I then downloaded another driver from RTSystems after realizing there are two. That one doesn't work either. I manually loaded each of the now-installed kernel extensions and tried the software. USB cable still not found.

I am giving up. I originally went with RTSystems because I thought it would be more reliable than CHIRP, but I am now going to give CHIRP a try, which probably means getting another USB cable with an FTDI chip.

Why RTSystems didn't go with the FTDI chip in the first place is a mystery.
W4FID Rating: 2020-02-24
Have owned 6 or 8 versions for 10 years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I began using RT Systems products about 10 years ago. Programmed dozens of radios for our county EOC and hospital ham group. Have gotten their software and cable for EVERY radio I own since then -- about 6 or 8 of them -- get a new radio get the new software. They have always been the easiest to use. Reliable. Straightforward. No bugs. They have always been responsive to any questions I ever had. Their company has grown and done well because they are the best.
W5RRK Rating: 2020-02-23
SHOCKED....!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Placed an order for this software, shortly after getting the 7300! The USB cable was top notch, opened up the sealed
disc package only to be SHOCKED....!!! HOLLIE MOLLIE, NO disc...!! SOMEBODY stole my CD...!!! HOW do I know this? MY FTDX3000 software had a disc...!!! AFTER, calming down, I read that everything is on the internet.
REALLY??? I HAVE HEARD ABOUT ACTIVATION CODE ON THE INTERNET, BUT ALL OF THE SOFTWARE? ANYWAY, my internet was DOWN, but I FINALLY GOT everything loaded and it does WORK....!!
AG4F Rating: 2020-02-06
It just works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I don't buy a radio anymore without also buying RT Systems software for it. It makes keeping the programming in sync and consistent across radios a breeze. I recently picked up a Tyt TH-9800 and finally got around to programming it today. It took less than 5 minutes to load the channels from another radio into this one. It's SOOOOOO worth the money.
WU7X Rating: 2020-01-16
Outstanding Technical Support! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
There have been several Windows 10 updates since I last used the programming software for my IC2300H. Windows refused to recognize my USB cable. I sent an email to RTSystems and within 24 hours had a tech on the phone. He quickly connected to my computer, trouble shot (shooted?) this issue, downloaded a new driver, and the problem was solved. Thank you Domenic! It is so nice to have a company like this where you can talk to a real human being and get such positive support.
VE3ZZT Rating: 2019-09-26
Outstanding Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Latest package (have 3 in the last 4 years) is for my ICOM 7100. All 3 work flawlessly, 1st time. Ran into an ICOM programming issue and received a problem solving solution within hours. It was a work around for an ICOM issue, not an RT issue.
N8KU Rating: 2019-04-22
no cable needed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Brought home a new IC-7300. Downloaded the "software only" option. Grabbed an old USB cable from my junkbox. Fired it up and it works just fine.

I suspect many people's problems here have more to do with the USB-serial drivers that get installed as part of the process. By the way, there is technically no possible way for a computer or a driver to "know" which cable you are using. It is just wires.
AB2DP Rating: 2018-11-16
Yaesu FT450D RS232 to USB RC63 cable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bough it at a Yaesu.technician reccomandation.
Previously, I bough 4 cables from different manufacturers, 4 cables!!!. None of them worked.After installed the driver,I was instantly able to use the PCC-450D emulator with no problem.I am glad I bought it,after 2 weeks of nightmare remoting the radio and getting the error message -Com port fail,the nightmare is over.So far, after more than 46 attempts,NO FAILLURE. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.
N5WRX Rating: 2018-11-03
Not to impressed ... returned for refund. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought the ADMS-FT2D software and cable for my handheld and loaded it on my PC laptop. It would not communicate to the radio. Tried to load the software on my Mac and try it but they do not allow it to load to more than one computer. Called them and they determined the cable was bad. Wanted proof of purchase even though it was registered to me when it was loaded on the PC. I returned the software for a refund as I had purchased it thru Amazon and did not have any proof of purchase I could send them. *** BE AWARE *** you can only load the software on ONE of your computers and it only works (hopefully) with their special cable.
On the CD it says that the software can not be returned once the seal is broken ... how can you try it without breaking the seal Amazon WILL honor a request for a return and refund.
KQ4KK Rating: 2018-09-28
Should be the standard Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using RTS software since it came on 3.5" floppies. Then the software had major issues, and their disk based copy protection was horrible.

They have learned a lot over the years and now a new version for a new radio is mostly good. Being able to use the same file and transfer between any RTS software is the major reason to stay with RTS.

If you buy a cable and software, it is around $50. Not free, and yes, cost more than a BAOFENG radio. Once you have a compatible cable, that cable is good for a lot of radios. The BAOFENG cable is good so far for all the BAOFENGs and Woxuns. Only need to buy the software for $25.
However, I did feel bad paying $24 for the new radio, and $25 for the software.

For most of the ICOM DSTAR radios, all you need is the magic ORANGE 2.5mm USB cable, and get just the software for each radio.

On the ICOM 7100, 9100,7610,7200,7300 (and maybe others in the current line) you don't need their cable, but a good USB to B cable. That standard cable works with RTS software, AND it works with HRD, DM780, N1MM, ICOM programming software, ICOM Remote software. For CAT, data modes, and programming.