| NQ4T |
Rating:     |
2018-09-27 | |
| Programmed my radios. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my first RTSystems package for the FT2D online. Originally I couldn't get the Yaesu software to write to the SD. I did euventually figure out the trick...but I was still happier with the RTSystems as it labeled some options more clearly than the Yaesu software. It didn't require a cable to install or use.
My second package I picked up at HRO when I picked up my D74. I got the one with the cable...but I found the cable for it was literqlly a standard microUSB cable. Despite people telling me the Kenwood software was really good....I had already been used to the RTSystems from using it for my Yaesu...so it made switching less of a hassle. |
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| NX0E |
Rating:      |
2018-08-23 | |
| Works well, good customer support |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
My installation of the software, purchased with their cable, was easy. Updates were smooth. One thing to note is that the rig must NOT be locked, in order to download to the radio. Remembering that is my issue, not theirs.
Every time I have had a question the email response has been rapid and spot on. I even had some older software of theirs that used a com port cable - they pointed me to the location of update files in their archives to get it running again. Top marks for that.
My only issue is less than 100% compatibility with Excel in data file storage, and exchange with other model files. I would rate them about 4.8 if it were possible. Rounded up to 5. |
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| K3RRR |
Rating:  |
2018-08-22 | |
| Major Design Flaw & Ripoff of the Ham Community |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I bought the software for my brand new Icom 9100....it is good BUT they also require their own proprietary CIV cable for it to work properly if you use one of those.
Also, they do not allow you to choose your own comport – hence, you cannot share a USB cable virtual comport like with VSPE with other software in order to run their software and upload it to the rig.
For me, this means I have to shut down four constantly running software applications just to run RT Systems IC 9100 Programmer software if it is connecting with the rig. I see this as both a flawed design – and their requirement for their proprietary CIV cable is a total ripoff of the ham community.
I have a perfectly compatible CIV cable that runs flawlessly with PstRotator, Ham Radio Deluxe, N1MM logging software, etc. However, I was told explicitly by RT Systems tech support that I have to buy their CIV cable. This is what they emailed me:
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"Okay, so that cable would be incompatible with the RT Systems software. In order to use the change that was made to the software yesterday, you would need the RT Systems USB-RTS01 cable.
Domenic | KD0UOE
Technical Support
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This was my emailed response back to him and the company:
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I'm going to have to add my voice in unison with the already listed complaints on eHam of RT Systems software intentionally gerrymandering the code to require folks to buy your cable when the cable I have works perfectly with Ham Radio Deluxe, PST Rotator and the N1MM logging software with both my ICOM 9100 and my ICOM 7300.
Your company sells the ICOM 9100 Programmer software – both with and without your cable.
This implies that the software does NOT require your cable. This is, at best, disingenuous – if not downright fraudulent – since it lures the customer into buying the software only to find out later when he cannot return the software once he finds out that he is forced to have to buy your cable.
This is on top of the fact that the RT Systems software does not allow the user to choose the comport – including any virtual comport that might be used with a standard AB USB cable.
In spite of the good things I had planned on covering about your software in my upcoming webpage and YouTube channel reviews, this cable and comport fiascoes will now become the primary foci of that review – and I'm pretty sure many hams who might be considering purchasing your products will not be amused – and will choose to give their future wallet share to another company.
I would appreciate it if you share this email with the owners of the company.
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I AM preparing a webpage on the subject – as well as a justifiably negative YouTube video for my channel at YouTube.com/K3RRR.
These are my personal opinions and your mileage may vary.
73,
Robert
-.- ...-- .-. .-. .-.
73 de Robert K3RRR
http://K3RRR.com
@K3TripleR
http://YouTube.com/user/K3RRR
-.- ...-- .-. .-. .-.
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| KJ4I |
Rating:   |
2018-08-05 | |
| A little deceiving |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Programming your radios with software is the only way to go but RT systems is a little deceiving when It comes to their software. You have to read carefully as it seems they have a rather dirty scheme to where the software will not even install unless you purchase their specific cable. I had an older serial programming cable made by RT systems that will work with the FT-7900 but apparently the software looks for the USB cable on install and therefore will not allow you to install the software unless the USB cable is present first. Had to spend another $30 for a cable I should not have needed. I will now be considering other options as I move forward. |
|
| ZL2UFI |
Rating:     |
2018-07-27 | |
| ID-5100 programmer for Mac OS |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Just added the MacOS version to my radio programming software library.
Having had the Windows for at least three years I was glad to learn that RT Systems had added Mac support.
The initial issue I had was installing the USB drivers - I am using MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6. I installed the drivers about 4-5 times but the USB RT Systems gave two errors - either a Java error or USB Cable not found?
After thinking about the issue and not finding anything on the Support site I decided to do the Windows thing and re-boot or restart the system. Problem solved and USB cable then worked. Nothing written in the small readme file about this, or even suggesting to do this or try it.
Like other users I have had the odd strange thing happen where settings don't really work or you save the file and then upload to the radio, to find the changes didn't apply (to the radio). I then closed the file re-opened the file and the uploaded again, and it worked.
Even though the programmer says its Version 6.0.51, this feels more like version 1.0 - like the first version released to public. I guess over time then these errors will be fixed?
Main reason for buying this was to have MacOS version so I didn't have to boot in Parallels to run the Windows versions.
I would say that it does most things well but the odd thing isn't quite there yet.
I did an electronic download as I already had the cable. |
|
| G8KNC |
Rating:      |
2018-07-09 | |
| Works every time (almost!) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I decided a while ago to standardise my programming software, not least to enable me to readily copy memory configurations across between different radios.
Although it might seem a bit of a pain that the RT Systems software will only work with their proprietary cables (except where a radio uses standard USB connections), it is a blessing in that it just works where different maker's cables (or cheaper far-eastern copies) often do not due to driver issues.
That does mean, however, that you end up spending quite a bit of cash on cables for specific radios. I have ten different RT Systems software packages for my radios, but either through some using the same cable or others using standard USB I have "only" had to buy about seven cables.
In the UK we seem to get charged in the region of 45 GBP, or 60 USD, for a software and cable package. We can, however, download the software directly from RT Systems for 25 USD plus UK tax of 5 USD and just buy the physical cable direct from RT Systems. This usually works out a bit cheaper.
I have had only one failure, for which I haven't docked a star because of the outstanding service and help from RT Systems. I decided to buy the software for my Icom IC-7300, even though I wasn't sure I really needed it. That uses a standard USB-A to USB-B cable of which I have a large selection. Whatever I did, I could not get the software to communicate with the 7300 and, in the end, I enlisted the RT Systems support team
They accessed my PC remotely and spent a great deal of time trying to get to the bottom of the issue. I'm sure that it could easily be an anomaly of the way my PC is set up, but anyhow the guys at RT Systems in the end sent me (at no charge) their USB RTS01 cable which connects to the 7300's 3.5mm jack rather than the USB. Bingo! Works great.
I've just added up my total spend on RT Systems software and cables and it's 280 GBP or around 370 USD. It is a lot, but even seeing the numbers I am happy that I took that decision to standardise. It has saved me hours of work and much frustration. |
|
| K1CGZ |
Rating:     |
2018-06-21 | |
| ID-5100 programmer for Mac OS |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I had some memories manually programmed in my 5100. After loading the RT Systems programmer on my MacBook Pro, I transferred the memory data from my radio to the computer. So far, so good.
I then added about 50 more analog FM repeaters to the database. For some reason (bug?) the s/w added “CQCQCQ” to the your call field. It also added some other data to fields that are only used with DV. Not that this does any harm, but it doesn’t look right on the screen.
When I transferred the file back to the radio, some other bugs became apparent. My screen backlight, which had been set to 7, came up as 1. My repeater display, which had been set to “name,” came up as “no name.” Little things, easily corrected.
I also noticed that there is no help in the s/w. I believe that there is help in the Windows version.
All in all, I am pleased that RT Systems is supporting Mac OS. The programmer enabled me to enter a fairly large number of repeaters pretty much effortlessly. I believe I was also able to edit a repeater in the DR list, but I’m not able to test that entry at this time.
Going forward, I hope RT Systems continues to write s/w for Mac, and I hope they issue an update to the current s/w to fix the bugs. |
|
| W4AMP |
Rating:     |
2018-06-07 | |
| Good software-Key Hidden |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Been using RT software for years, and it works really well. The reason I took off a star is because you can not see the key on the software when you are running the program. Why? So good software, but if you lose the key you will have to pay for it again. They offer to look it up for you, but of course mine was before they updated there system. RIIGGHT. |
|
| K8DXX |
Rating:      |
2017-10-27 | |
| Want to Join the Praise Band |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I want to join the rest of you praising RT Systems products. I'd always tried to use either the factory supplied programming software or Chirp. Recently in preparation for a long road trip, I purchased a Yaesu FTM 100DR radio. I downloaded the Yaesu software and gave it a try. I could not read from the radio. Did the same thing with Chirp but again, no luck. So, when I was weakest (at 11:30 PM) I paid $25 and downloaded the RT product for the FTM 100DR.
The RT Systems product worked the first time. Then I figured how to download repeater information from RepeaterBook. Wow, is that slick, not to mention a great time and back saver. I'm probably hooked for life.
Great job, RT Systems. |
|
| KD0ZV |
Rating:      |
2017-10-27 | |
| HUGE time saver |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Fantastic product and EXCELLENT support. Honest people too. I had the option to do a paid upgrade and I asked them about it. They asked me about my usage and when I told them they suggested I save my upgrade money this time around as there would not be any benefit to my use.
I am using it on the Icom 9100 which is what I use for 2 meters. Works great and much easier than manual entry. |
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