SWL remote control for ICOM, IR remote control Operating Manual

Operating Manual

SWL IR Remote Control for ICOM

For

Firmware Version 1.43

Web Site: http://www.swl-remotes.com/

Support email: [e-mail]

May 30, 2005
Revision 2.51

Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 by swl-remotes.com,

All rights reserved.

2

Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 by swl-remotes.com,

All rights reserved.

Overview

Thank you for purchasing the SWL IR Remote. We are confident that you will get many hours of

listening pleasure from your radio using the remote. Don’t hesitate to contact us at support@swl-

remotes.com if you have any problems or questions. We want your experience with our products

to be as positive and enjoyable as possible. We also appreciate any comments on how we can
make our products better.

The SWL IR Remote is a microcontroller-based device that decodes the Infrared pulse stream
from a Universal Remote control and converts it into the remote commands for shortwave
receivers and transceivers. Several versions of the SWL IR Remote are available for different
models of Receivers and Transceivers.

The SWL IR Remote is connected to your ICOM radio using a 1/8in (3.5mm) audio type cable
connected from the SWL IR Remote to the Remote (CI-V) jack on the radio.

Power for the SWL IR Remote is provided by the included wall power supply. Alternatively, 9­12Volts DC at 100ma max can be supplied to the power connector. The center pin of the coax
power connector is positive. There is a blocking diode in the circuit, so reverse polarity will not
harm the SWL IR Remote control unit. Customers in Europe receive a DC cable that connects to
the coax power jack on the SWL IR Remote control unit and has pig tail leads on the other end
for connecting to a DC power supply.

All keys on the Universal Remote are indicated in this manual with bold type. The keys used for
radio control are the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Mute, Power, Enter, and Last or Previous.
All references to the Last key also refers to the Previous key on the remotes that have that key.

Any Universal Remote control should operate the SWL IR Remote. Follow the instructions in
the remote manual to set the remote to operate a Sony TV. The remote needs digit keys, Power,
Enter, and Last or Previous buttons. The remote should be in TV mode to operate properly.
Make sure you do not have Cable or VCR modes selected. The codes from the keys when in
Cable or VCR mode are different and will not operate the SWL IR Remote.

None of the settings are changed in the radio with the exception of memories that you write with
the remote. All settings are temporary in the remote control. You can go back at any time to
using your radio from the front panel.

Keep the Quick Commands Reference sheet by your remote as reference on the SWL IR Remote
operation.

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Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 by swl-remotes.com,

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Connection to Radio

The ICOM CI-V cable has a 1/8in (3.5mm) audio type plug on each end. Connect the cable to
the back of the SWL IR Remote control unit and then connect to the back of your radio to the
connection marked REMOTE. This will be a 1/8in (3.5mm) jack.

Plug in the wall power supply and plug into the back of the SWL IR Remote control box. The
power connector is located on the back left hand side of the control unit. The SWL IR Remote
draws very little power and does not include or need a power switch.

Note: If you use the RS-232C connector on the back of your Transceiver, leave the SWL IR
Remote powered at all times or remove from the CI-V port if not powered. The RS-232C
connector will be disabled if the SWL IR Remote is plugged into the CI-V port and not powered
on. If the SWL IR Remote is connected and powered, it does not interfere with the normal
operation of the radio front panel, or the RS-232C computer port.

The default CI-V address is 5A. The default baud rate is 9600.

Radio Addressing

Be sure that the CI-V setting and baud rate on your radio are the same as the SWL IR Remote. If

you are unsure about whether or not your radio is set up correctly, check your user’s manual for

instructions on how to check and verify these settings. The SWL IR Remote CI-V address and
baud rate can be changed if necessary to fit your requirements. Just be sure that the settings
match those of your radio.

4

Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 by swl-remotes.com,

All rights reserved.

Remote Control Operation

Description

The following describes the operation of the remote control. Some of these operations are only
available on certain radios. Refer to the Universal Remote Commands tables, or the Commands
Quick Reference guides for specific features.

Once you begin to use the remote you will get very comfortable with the operation. There is a lot
of functionality achieved by just a few remote buttons. You can stick with the basic operations of
the remote (frequency, and memory) and still achieve a lot of control over your radio. The
biggest problem you will have in the operation of the remote is the Enter key. If you do not enter
the codes exactly you will end up trying to enter a direct frequency. Direct frequency entry can
occur in either VFO or memory modes.

Power

Most Transceivers do not have the CI-V command implemented for power on and off, so the
SWL IR Remote will not be able to power the Transceiver.

Direct Frequency Entry

When entering frequencies directly, be sure to press a digit key before the first decimal point.
The Mute button functions to mute the radio, as a decimal point when entering frequencies, and
as a clear to abort any key entry to that point. When using the Mute button as a clear, be sure to
press it enough times to get the LED to blink twice, or for the volume to mute. This is
confirmation that the clear command has been accepted. When entering frequencies directly, the
Mute key will operate as a decimal point only after a digit key has been pressed before the first
decimal point. As an example, you can enter 0 Mute 3 Enter for 300KHz. Pressing the Mute a
second time during direct frequency entry will then enter 100Hz values. To enter 15.235.500 you
would enter 1 5 Mute 2 3 5 Mute 5 Enter. Zeroes are assumed when not entered. You can enter

15.235.500 by pressing 1 5 2 3 5 Mute 5 Enter. You can enter the frequency without any
decimal places, but you need to enter all the zeros so the frequency is not misunderstood. To
enter 15.235.500 without using the decimal key, enter 1 5 2 3 5 5 0 0 Enter.

The SWL IR Remote assumes that you are entering frequencies in kHz. Any frequency in kHz
can be entered directly. 9565kHz would be entered as 9 5 6 5 Enter. The decimal place (Mute)
is not necessary in this case. The decimal place is only needed to save zero entries or optionally
when entering a frequency less than 1MHz. When entering frequencies below 1MHz, press a
leading zero before the frequency and then Enter. For example: 0 7 0 0 Enter for 700kHz. Or
use the Mute key as a decimal place before or after the frequency entry. For example: 7 0 0
Mute Enter for 700kHz or 0 Mute 7 Enter for 700 kHz.

After a frequency has been entered, you can then use the CH+/- to step the frequency in the VFO
mode. Frequency steps of 1Hz, 10Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz, 5kHz, 9kHz, 10kHz, 100kHz, and 1MHz
can be used to adjust an entered frequency very quickly or step through stations with set
frequency spacing. The 1Hz step is not available on the Yaesu FRG-100 or the Drake R8/A/B.
The frequency resolution on the Yaesu FRG-8800 is 10Hz (frequency changes by 25Hz). The
1Hz, 10Hz, and 100Hz steps are not available on the Lowe HF-225. You can set User Defined
Tuning Steps for tuning CW and SSB below 1kHz. Press a numeric key corresponding to the
frequency step desired (see commands below), and then the CH+/- and the step frequency will be