![]() ![]() All 100 memories are available for each rig, or you can set Commander so a particular frequency calls up a particular rig. After setting the com port and data parameters for each rig, just click the button for the desired rig and the change is immediate. You can configure Commander to control one, two or three rigs as needed. Multiple rig control is a new feature in version 4.4.3. Each bank and each slot within a bank can be labeled too, so you don't have to memorize all 100 frequencies! I use Commander on both a Kenwood TS-870S and a Yaesu FT-100D, and the way I can hop around the bands with a single click is amazing. Nothing could be simpler or more foolproof. To recall the frequency and mode, click the button to the left. ![]() With your radio tuned to the desired frequency and mode, just mouse-click the button to the right of the chosen slot and the frequency and mode are entered automatically. Making an entry into memory is absolutely as easy as it could be. The memories are laid out in banks of ten, with ten memories in each bank for a total of 100. Most radios have memories these days, but I'll bet none are as convenient as Commander's. I have only scratched the surface of its capabilities, but let me tell you what I have found. It is part of the DX Lab suite of programs and it can be run either in stand alone mode or integrated with the other DX Lab software. Reasonable requests for enhancements and fixes are answered almost instantaneously and the price cant be beat.Ĭommander is a free program written by Dave, AA6YQ, which provides extensive rig control for Icom, TenTec, Kenwood, Elecraft, and Yaesu radios using a Windows computer. I routinely recommend it for users looking to troubleshoot rig control in other programs.įinally, support is second to none. Its not a huge download, and doesnt require the entire suite to get rig control. As a stand alone application, while it may not be as flashy as some programs, its got by far the smallest footprint, and setup is a snap. In the entire suite of apps, its a must for automatic frequency tracking, rig control, and station settings. Installation and update proceedures have been vastly improved and automated via the DXLauncher program, and documentation and setup couldnt be better. Commander is a very capable stand alone product, however its ultimate intention is to run along with all of the other applications in the DXLab suite. The previous review, while quite old, has some issues that have been addressed in the past few years. Overall, DXLab offers a strong set of integrated features combined with a lot of flexibility, not only in terms of picking and choosing which features you want to use, but also in terms of being able to size and re-size the window for each module the way you want and then being able to place each window how you want on your computer screen (or two screens).Ĭommander is the rig control portion of AA6YQ's excellent DXLab suite of programs, giving the user a completely computerized interface to Ham RAdio activities. Also, when you click on a "spot" it will trigger the radio to change frequency and mode and set up the Logger module (DXKeeper) with frequency, name, location and associated information from the robust look-up function. It has a stronger suite of filters than I have been able to find in other dx spotting programs so I end up chasing down fewer dead-ends. Next I would point to the effectiveness of the DX spotter program SpotCollector. This one particular feature is one that I am using constantly as I jump around the bands and switch from CW to SSB mode (because it will also change the mode). Commander's main page reflects one of ten banks of individual saved frequencies at a time. Commander's fairly diminutive window is laid out very efficiently such that you can point and click on saved frequencies and also write-over an existing saved frequency to change it. The CAT control module (Commander) allows you to save up to 100 separate frequencies (and an associated Mode) for easy recall. In this regard I want to highlight a few specific aspects of the program. The DX Lab suite has really facilitated my ability to do these things, so it saves me a lot of time and makes it all the more enjoyable and "productive". I spend much of my time in front of the radio tuning around to see what is on the bands and also checking out DX spots to see if I am receiving them. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |