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How to Interface With ICOMs

Icom America makes software that you can use to interface with your amateur transceiver through a computer over a network. You can use it to control the radio remotely, for example, to control the radio in your shack via a laptop in your living room. The interface features low voice latency, so you obtain the same receiving and transmitting experience as if you were at the radio. The interface uses IP and works across your home network, or over the Internet with further configuration. Many radio functions can be controlled including filtering and SWR and S-Meter readings.

Things You'll Need

Icom amateur radio that supports RS-BA1
Icom RS-BA1 Disc
USB or RS-232C cable and audio cable
2 computers
Ethernet cable

Instructions

- 1
  Connect the Icom radio to a base Windows PC in the shack using cable. Some radios will connect through a USB cable, and others require RS-232C cable plus an audio cable. Check the radio's documentation to see which you need to use. Ensure the PC is connected to the home's router either by using Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable. Then connect the remote Windows PC to the home's router using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
- 2
  Set up "Port Forwarding" in the router by entering the router's interface with a browser and creating a "Port Forwarding" rule. Name it "RS-BA1" and open UDP ports 50001 to 50003. Set up the base station computer in the router with a static IP address and enable the "RS-BA1" rule for that IP address.
- 3
  Install the RS BA1 software onto the base computer by loading the disc and following the prompts. Choose "Network Settings" in the software, and add the base computer. Then choose "FTTH" as the "Internet Access Line." Continue through the tabs setting up a User ID and entering the radio details like the radio name and other information. When you're done, click "Connect."
- 4
  Set up the RS BA1 remote software on the remote computer by loading it from the disc. Then initially turn the software off and click on "Option" and "Connect Setting." Click on the radio model from the list and then select your radio from "Remote Utility." Select the "Com Port" that the radio is on. You can find the "Com Port" number in the base computer's "Device Manager" in the "Control Panel." Then turn the software back on to interface with the radio.

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