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As I recall, some of you are relatively new owners of FT-8x7 series radios. I have found a software program that I'm happy with for programming the memory channels that you may be interested in. It is called FTBasic MMO (http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/download.html). You can try it out for free (with some reduced functionality)... cost is just $15.
It has a spreadsheet type layout for entering in info for each channel such as frequency, mode, split (if any), tone, etc. If you decide later that you want to put something in between ch 14 and 15, you can do so, and channel 15 becomes channel 16, and the following channels similarly "ripple" to the following channel spot. Same for deletions. At least for the FT-857 and FT-897 radios, one of the optional configurations is to break memories up into "groups" of 20 channels each. This software knows how to accomodate that mode, and will intelligently allow you to insert and delete channel info in a particular group without it rippling through to other groups. It also allows you to configure the channel step spacing based upon frequency range and mode.
You can also import and export CSV files (such as from Excel). That is handy if you want to create nicer formatted print outs than the programs' rudimentary report ability. There is one issue you should keep in mind, though it hasn't been a problem for me. Aside from the channel step spacing, the ONLY data you can edit is that associated with memory channels. But... because the software is making use of the radio's "clone" feature to do this, ALL the radio's configuration data is read in and written back to the radio. The non-channel type configuration data is unique to each model radio and the author doesn't have time to make the unique code... so it isn't editable. The consequence is that if, for instance, you make changes to those types of configurations on your radio, and later re-upload the configuration file you have stored on your computer, those non-channel specific changes will get overwritten.
You can get around that by simply reading your radios current configuration, modify the channel info with the software, then write that back tot he radio, thus keeping the other stuff. In my exerience, I don't change the other stuff much anyway... or in some cases I change it enough (like what the meter display represents), that I don't count on it being configured a particular way anyway.
If you want to try out this software and would find it useful, I can give you a copy of my configuration file to use as a starting point. I have the channels divided up in groups... HF Voice, HF Data (two groups), 2m, 70cm, ERC, PVARES, "Favorites", and Misc.
Dave -
As some of you know, one of the things that was hampering my HF performance in recent mini-FDs, etc was a high noise floor... S7 to S8. I had assumed it was just atmospheric noise, but last weekend I verified that I had high noise even at the same location, same model radio, and similar antennas as others who did not have that high noise floor. Also, the noise floor dropped when I disconnected the antenna completely, but it was still S4 or S5. I suspected a problem with my radio.
Brett told me he had experienced something similar with his radio that went away when a "factory reset" was done. That seemed a bit strange, but I had looked over my configuration with a fine tooth comb and could find no misconfiguration to cause it and little to lose by trying that. So... I did the reset and Eureka!... noise problem gone! I was concerned that reloading the configuration file noted above would cause the problem to recur... thus requiring me to manually update a bunch of stuff. But for whatever reason, reloading my configuration file restored things to normal without causing the noise to recur. I think there was one or two settings that for some reason weren't restored for whatever reason (can't recall which), but basically the whole "fix" from factory reset to back-in-business took just a couple minutes.
So... lesson learned. And since this has occured for both Brett and my radio, I have to figure it might happen to one of you sooner or later. And it is another reason to have some software to make backing up your radio configuration easy...
Dave -
FYI, I just noticed there is a new version of the FTBasicMMO program mentioned above. It adds support for updating the frequency of ch3 of the 60m band in conformance with the recent FCC rule changes. IMHO, this software is easier to use than CHIRP. On the other hand, it costs $15 where as CHIRP is free, and CHIRP is compatible with a large number of radios, including those Chinese radios.
Also FTBasicMMO simply changes the single 60m frequency and doesn't allow YOU to specify the frequency. CHIRP allows you to specify any of the five 60 meter frequencies. Which depending on your operating practices, could be important since the specific frequency to enter is different depending on whether you are doing SSB or PSK31.
Dave -
I have heard of this back when i was researching radios to buy. But i picked the
FT-897D anyway. I figure its going to happen eventually and i have the programming software to restore my settings. What i'm not sure of, What is the button pushing sequence on the front of the radio to reset it? I'll google it in a minute and or hit the manual. I'm listening to a lot of guys on HF 116 to 2000+ miles out so local HF is out for my antenna unless i bend it over like a military humvee does. For NVIS. -
I just purchased a Wouxun HT and am reminded again that every ready has its own way of doing things. But as when I purchased my FT-897D, once I picked up the basic scheme of things, it was easy enough to remember. There are a few things on the FT-897D that don't lend them self to memory for one reason or another, so I made a one page crib sheet I put inside a sheet protector. I actually put a copy of our net "pre-amble" in the same sheet protector on the reverse side and that is all that I usually use! But when I'm going on an ARES mission, I bring this crib sheet with me in case I need to know one of those items.
I attached it in case it is helpful to you. A few things are specific to how I setup my radio and may or may not be useful to you... such as a reminder of how I setup my "groups" of memory channels.Attachments
FT-897D-tips.doc 36K
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