Specifications

Note
A Kenwood (like) protocol has been adopted by Elecraft and Yaesu (from FTDX9000...).
However set of commands and parameters may be different from one rig to another and timing
(delay between commands) varies from a very fast 20ms (Elecraft), 50ms (Kenwood) to 150-200ms
(Yaesu). Anyway, a basic program written for a Kenwood model may function on another Kenwood
or Elecraft model and sometime with a Yeasu model; at least if it does not work, it can be easily
updated by the developper.
ICOM CI-V protocol
The ICOM CI-V protocol is fundamentally different from the two preceding systems. In fact, it
is a true communication protocol which allows networking four ICOM transceivers, each
transceiver transmits by interrupt its frequency and mode changes to the others... ICOM
protocol is fast, efficient and very reliable. Unfortunately, unlike Kenwood and except for Mode
and (main) Frequency changes, ICOM does not implement an auto-information function. Polling
each parameter is required (but in practice not recommended) to retrieve the current values;
in addition many of the parameter are still NOT accessible by polling: in 2010, it is still not
possible to get the current value of VFO B while your listen to VFO A even with an IC-7800!
The available commands (PC to ICOM) are generally compatible between the various models.
Exchanging data requires specifying the transceiver's address in hexadecimal code (see your
manual). Each command is made up from a variable number of bytes comprising a heading
(FEFE), the PC and transceiver's addresses, a command code, a data area and the FD suffix.
The answer provided by the transceiver makes it possible to control if the command were
accepted or not. You can try yourself to exchange data with your ICOM from the CAT
Commands window (Tools).
Example
To set the transceiver on 145.123450 MHz it is necessary to send : FEFEXXYY055034124501FD
where XX is the transceiver's address and YY the PC's address.
JST Transceivers and receivers
The JST protocol is based on string commands. It is efficient but during a communication,
REMOTE is displayed and all buttons and dials are electrically locked.
The different JST transceivers use common commands except for the frequency. Each
command require a control item, a control information and a carriage return.
Example
Setting 100 KHz (NRD-545) requires the following command : F0000100000+CR
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