| AA7ST |
Rating:  |
2017-06-06 | |
| Big Limitation no Virtual Machine |
Time Owned: N.A. |
Be warned: This software does not work with virtual machine on the remote end. This is mentioned nowhere in either the iCom literature nor on the reseller's page. If you attempt to use this software on a Mac for example running a virtual Windows machine, you will get a cryptic error message from the Icom "Remote Utility":Real serial driver error". This error message is not covered in the documentation nor does Icom customer support know anything about it. They do say, once they understand the usage, that it does not work in a virtual machine.
(I had a somewhat distasteful conversation with the sales manager at the store from which I purchased the 7300, AH4 and some other stuff, arguing most vociferously that all bets were off with a VM.)
This whole issue could have been avoided if either Icom or the reseller simply reported that native Windows hardware is required and it will not work in a virtual machine. |
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| WE6EE |
Rating:    |
2017-05-30 | |
| People are talking past each other |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Folks who are having good results with RS-BA1 are right: it works reasonably well, and may be the best choice for operating a late-model Icom rig remotely.
Folks who are struggling are also right. The docs are pretty bad, and you need to have a pretty good understanding of what it is doing in order to configure your network correctly. I think people who are familiar with this sort of thing are underestimating how daunting it can be to non network types of people.
Even has a computer professional, one of the things that drove me mad about the documentation is the stupid use of "local" and "remote", with "remote" meaning the computer attached to the radio, and "local" meaning the computer you are interacting with, potentially far from the radio. This is further complicated by the fact that "remote" is also used to denote the serial connection over CI-V on the back of your rig. Better nomenclature, almost standard in the computing universe, would have been "host" -- meaning the device that is attached to the radio, the one "hosting" your session, and "client", meaning the machine that is taking advantage of a service provided by the "host." Oh well.
So, anyway, my quick pointers on setup:
- if your rig has an ethernet jack, find the instructions for rigs using a host computer, and hide them. Similarly, if your rig does not have an ethernet jack, hide or burn the instructions for a rig that does. That's just extra paper you do not need and it will confuse you.
- install the latest icom drivers on the host and client computers.
- install the software on the host and client computers, then upgrade it to the latest version from icom on the host and client computers
- test a local connection completely on the host computer before trying to connect from a client computer
- then test with a client computer on the same lan
- once that works, then set up the port forwarding on your router and try from a remote location
A note on security:
Windows on a normal home PC is not known for being a robust server OS and running this software essentially turns your computer into a server. Furthermore, turning on port forwarding essentially opens that computer up to the Internet. There *are* bad guys who will try to get into your computer, and honestly, I can't say how robust this software is to such an attack. If someone were to get access to your host computer, they could make it do anything, including attack other computers on your home LAN.
Because of this possibility, I segmented my home network using two routers. The first router connects to my cable modem. I connect the machine hosting the RS-BA1 server to that LAN side of that router. I turned OFF the WiFi on that router. I then connect the upstream port of the second router to one of the LAN ports of the first router, and the rest of my home network is on the second router. I open up port forwarding for RS-BA1 on the first router.
The end result is that I can access RS-BA1 from the outside world, but the firewall in my second router makes it impossible for the outside world OR the computer running the RS-BA1 to access my home LAN network.
A note on software quality:
The server software is not as robust as one would like, which is bad for remote control software. For example, if power to the radio is cut, the USB port connected to your computer will "disappear" and RS-BA1 will be unhappy, and it will not become happy again when power is restored and the USB reappears. It needs to be stopped and restarted. So, plan on having a way to restart the software when it inevitably freezes for one reason or another. That said, my experience is that the server has been relatively stable.
Regarding the rig control part of the software, it's OK. I find the mouse gestures to be pretty weak, and I wish the screen adjusted to look more like the rig it was impersonating, but I guess it's OK
Alternatives to RS-BA1
I spent a lot of time trying to remote my rig using only free software and Linux. In the end, I was able to get it to work, but it did not work particularly well. I used the unix "socat" command to forward and unforward my rig's serial port over the network. For the audio channels, I forwarded the audio over the network using pulseaudio -- a powerful and incredibly finicky bit of Linux software. Unfortunately, pulseaudio does not apply and clever codecs to reduce the data rate and make the audio robust to network dropouts, so it works well over a LAN, but only so-so over the Internet. That said, I have been able to have QSOs using my IC-7300 using nothing but a Raspberry Pi on the host side and Ubuntu Linux on the client side.
After all of that, I can say that the one problem that RS-BA1 really solves properly is conducting audio smoothly over the Internet. Honestly, if there were generic software for doing that and only that, I think I'd be inclined to dump RS-BA1 and just roll my own remote solution.
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| K0BEL |
Rating:      |
2017-05-29 | |
| Easy setup, works fine |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| IC-7200. Windows 7. I was nervous after reading the reviews on the setup here on eham. But, it didn't take very long to set up the software. It took less than an hour. I needed to walk back and forth between the base and the remote PC - One was in my barn, the other in my house. Next time I would put the 2 computers side by side. The hardest part was that the software on the base must be running, but 'connect' can't be clicked. Next it was almost impossible to find the radio's CI-V code (76). I don't use my laptop mic or speakers. The PC headset works fine, and the volume is more than loud enough - Both directions. This software does everything I need it to do. FYI: IMHO, it is overpriced. It should come free with the radios. |
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| KC6KNL |
Rating:      |
2017-05-01 | |
| Great Software, less than steller instructions |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I picked up this software to use with IC-7300. I also bought the Icom RC-28 Encoder.
I have a basement hamshack and wanted to access the IC-7300 from an upstairs home office.
IC-7300 in basement is connected via USB to a Windows XP Laptop [RS-BA1 Server].
Upstairs PC is a Windows 7 Desktop [RS-BA1 Client] with RC-28 Encoder and PC Analog Headset.
Icom instructions were not that great. I followed instructions from a couple of YouTube videos.
Even these YouTube videos didn't cover everything because the videos were filmed on a setup that was already installed.
Since I am not accessing from Internet, I don’t need to configure Port Forwarding on Access Point Router. I will perform this configuration at a later date.
Software works great. I had to figure out how to configure the speaker and mic audio on Windows Mixer and in RS-BA1.
I can now remotely use the basement IC-7300 from upstairs.
Highlights
PROS
Power up and down the IC-7300 via RS-BA1
Change Tuning Steps on the fly
One click access to functions that are Menu embedded in 7300
Mouse Point and Click on Waterfall to go to frequency. More precise than 7300 touch screen.
Audio Latency appears to be almost realtime
Software GUI VFO dial moves in realtime with RC-28 VFO Dial spinning
Waterfall changes quickly when changing bands
Stores last frequency used on each band, not sure if software or 7300 retains
Runs on Windows XP and Win 7.
CONS
Less than stellar instructions for setting up
Need RS-BA1 for Mac, IOS, and Android
Software has a 16-Bit look and feel. Reminds me of old PCR-1000 Win 3.11 software.
Virtual Serial connection is used on USB, which maxes out at 115200 bits per second. |
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| VA3VMD |
Rating:     |
2017-03-23 | |
| Works as designed / Convoluted Install Procedures |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
First and foremost I believe the LOW rating for this product is predominantly due to the convoluted Install procedures and documentation of the product. Icom should better streamline and simplify the install, procedures and documentation.
I am an IT Networking professional and was successfully able to complete install and remote within a few hours after ironing out a few bugs. The software is solid and works as designed but the major flaw is the ineffectiveness of the documentation provided for the install. The documentation in my opinion is NOT detailed enough and is convoluted for the average user.
I resigned myself to view several YouTube videos to assist because of the lack of detail. Furthermore, if you are truly going to remote you MUST understand Firewall rules and be comfortable with opening up or forwarding ports, IP networking, and DNS... without doing this you will never get remote to work.
The software once installed works effectively and I tested from within my home network and truly as a "Remote" station.
Based on "my" experience I would have to agree with the rating that most have given because unless you have any techsavy knowledge..... this install will be a FRUSTRATING experience for the average user.
My rating (4) is based on the 'functionality" aspect of the product, I would rate the documentation and install (1).
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| WE4HAM |
Rating:      |
2017-02-23 | |
| Good program |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Like others have said you need to understand your home network and configuring your router and firewall. There are several good Youtube.com videos for those that need to see how to configure the RS-BA1 software. Make sure you have the correct USB drivers and down load the latest updates. At this writing the latest version that I have was 1.93. I have also noted that I had to reboot the computer after making some changes in the utility software.
I would think that newer computers and radios with built in USB ports would be simpler to configure. |
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| KK8ZZ |
Rating:  |
2017-01-05 | |
| Run, Don't Walk |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| In more than a decade of posting reviews here, I've never offered less than a "3", but this kluge of a disaster in software deserves my first "0".... obtuse, confusing, ancient design, just plain awful-awful-awful software. I'd rather drink vials of Drain-O than try to set this up again. If you think it can do anything for your IC-7600, IC-746PRO, IC-756proIII or especially your beloved waterfall-enabled IC-7300, think again. Just poke yourself in the eye, it will feel better than setting this up. So bad it's probably banned in Utah. And I stand behind every word...OMG this is such crap. Don't even consider it... and I'm a 40+ year Icom fan.... |
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| N7JS |
Rating:     |
2017-01-05 | |
| The RC-28 option is tops |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I gave a previous review of this software (which is not a 4 rating). However, the optional RC-28 remote encoder works great with this software and is of very high quality. I'm docking it a point because with a price tag of over $200, even money burning a hole in your pocket seems a little wasteful. Icom could have also easily added a few more "cool" tactile buttons for CAT control convenience. How about an on/off button and a TUNER button? A volume pot would have been really cool as well. $10 bucks in parts and an extra half hour of programming would not have broke the profit margin.
Regardless, if you want the real feel of tuning your radio (without being in front of it) and a nice big fat transmit button, this device delivers. The thing sits on your desk like a brick (because it weighs about that much) and the knob has a nice quality tuning feel to it (just like the radio). |
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| G7HZZ |
Rating:  |
2016-11-03 | |
| OK when it works |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
The RS-BA1 & RC-28 have been used (intermittently) for my radio club's activities for many months - they are both invariably hated!
The RS-BA1 software is only available in the UK bundled with the RC-28 Remote Encoder, neither of which are truly fit for purpose now that Icom have taken a big step forwards with the IC-7300.
Firstly the RS-BA1 software is not particularly easy to set up. The manual focusses on remote control over a network: many people will not need this so it is a big distraction. Crucial information is rather jumbled and difficult to assimilate. When - or more correctly if - the software installs effectively it works ok. But for some reason my installation would not run again after a IC-7300 firmware update - I am still looking for the problem. Even worse, some parts of the setup application appear to be disfunctional and it is really showing its 1990s heritage.
The addition of the waterfall feature for the IC-7300 is 'adequate' when it works, but not a really great implementation. However it is clear that this software is not really capable of making the most of the IC-7300's features and needs to be completely re-written.
The RC-28 Remote Encoder is functionally under-designed, but is over-engineered. It has very little purpose, featuring a dial that has no lock, and buttons that are not real useful. Sure it appears 'craftsman made', but it was really obsolescent from the start. It is a high price to pay in order to obtain some unsatisfactory software.
Hooking up the RS-BA1, RC-28 and IC-7300 involves having settings in the IC-7300 which are not documented by Icom and can only be found by prolonged enquiries through user groups, etc.
Viz: The radio needs to have the CI-V USB Baud Rate set to 115200 AND the CI-V USB Port set to Unlink from [REMOTE]. The waterfall requires 115200 baud to operate, but the normal CI-V remote port on the radio (the mini plug) won't go that fast. This means you have to unlink the remote port from the USB so they can run at different speeds. This will allow you to still have another device connected to the physical remote port while operating much faster via USB.
So, Icom bundle this awful software with an awful remote controller and with an awful manual at an awful price. They have not updated the instructions or the manual for the IC7300. That is a very unsatisfactory situation all round.
I have sent my adverse criticisms direct to Icom UK and the response was "Yes we wholeheartedly agree" - however, their inference is that Icom Japan are not listening to feedback on this topic.
Icom Corp needs to get this sorted out quickly. There are widespread concerns that the latest version of HRD is 'flaky' rendering it less than desirable for IC-7300 users at present. Kenwood software is free to download (and works better than Icom's), but Icom will not make the RS-BA1 Icom freely available. Icom is very protective of its copyright and IPR for this near-obsolescent software - they are out of touch! They are clearly in the best position to capitalise on the potential of the IC-7300 but their approach seems to be to bury their head in a dark place.
I cannot recommend the RS-BA1 software and RC-28 package. It gets a score of 1 because it - sometimes - works, but not very well.
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| M0CTP |
Rating:   |
2016-10-31 | |
| Arghhhh |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I thought I was quite clued up on operating and TP links, routers etc. BUT this just baffles the heck out of me...!
I have loaded the software on to the desk top in the shack and I can connect to the IC7800 via the internet without issues. Basic BUT all there.
The functionality of the software is good however I want to operate the 7800 from home some 10 miles away from my home location.
After 3 weeks of trying various options on server settings and IP port configurations it will still not connect no matter what I try..
Therefore it is still a work in progress and will update when it is fully operational ... to be continued ....
IF anyone has any pointers or a helpful step by step guide then please forward to > callsign@yahoo.co.uk
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