How to run Gpredict for Windows on the Icom IC-9700 and rotators controllers. VA2CST
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- Time coded. PLEASE READ BELOW FOR LINKS AND DESCRIPTIONS.
Hi, my name is Claude, VA2CST, I made this video to demonstrate how I did configure GPredict for windows using Git daily snapshot of hamlib 4.1 drivers to run the Icom IC9700 and a Yaesu G5500 through a ERC-M controller, all over USB. There might be other ways to make this work, including how to run and configure the IC9700 with satellite memories, parameters and such but this is how I did it and I find it works well for me. If you find a better way to do this, fell free to share in the comments below.
Remember that all those files are free and I made this video for free. There might be bugs, hangs or software crash from time to time. That is the price to pay for free stuff. IF this happens to you, the simplest way is to shut all the programs down and restart the whole suite of software including hamlib drivers, most of the time, it will solve the crash or misscommunication issues.
It is a rather long video because there are important things to understand on how to parameter things properly and understanding how certain satellite types are working with the radio and GPredict. I also wanted to give you as much details as I could for the ones who do not know how to do this. I have tried to time code the best I could so you can find the information you need.
These instructions are for the current version of Gpredict 2.3.37 for Windows and daily snapshot hamlib 4.0 (Backend version: 20201018.1) as of october 2020. Future updates of Gpredict or hamlib may render these instructions invalid or changed but this is how it is still working for me in november 2020. The future release of hamlib 4.0 RC3 should include all the correct files so you might not need to download hamlib from the Git daily snapshot page.
Here are important links. These are the only links I use to find softwares, drivers, databases and other instructions. I get everything I needed from those links.
GPredict website
gpredict.oz9aec.net/
Gpredict for Windows download
sourceforge.net/projects/gpre...
Hamlib Git daily snapshots
n0nb.users.sourceforge.net/
Note that at the time my video was produced, I had to download the daily snapshot to get the full IC9700 feature working. When the version of Hamlib 4.0 RC3 will be out, it should fully support the IC-9700 and files can be found here:
sourceforge.net/projects/haml...
Linear Satellite Frequency Summary
www.amsat.org/linear-satellit...
FM Satellite Frequency Summary
www.amsat.org/fm-satellite-fr...
Communication satellites
www.amsat.org/two-way-satelli...
AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page
www.amsat.org/status/index.php
AMSAT Current Two Lines Elements
www.amsat.org/tle/current/
These are the only TLE I use in GPredict as I have no need for other satellite at this time so I deleted all the other sources. Feel free to use the one you prefer. I found these one works nice and are kept updated daily.
Icom CS9700 programming software
www.icomjapan.com/support/fir...
Time coding:
0:00 1. Intro
0:30 2. Setting the CIV option in the IC9700
1:14 CIV menu page 1/3
1:43 CIV menu page 2/3
2:05 CIV menu page 3/3
2:17 3. Setting the USB serial port of the IC9700
3:57 4. Setting the USB serial port of your rototaror controler
5:27 5. Understanding memory channels and inverting transponder
5:58 Memory example arrangements on the IC9700
6:36 IMPORTANT, understanding inverting transponders
7:49 IMPORTANT settings for inverting satellite memories on the IC9700
8:59 Result memory operation with inverting transponders
9:26 Don't forget the NOR/REV button
10:08 Not following instructions will result in loss of signal
10:44 6. Setting radio in Gpredict for Windows
11:20 Access the radio settings
12:47 7. Setting rotors in Gpredict for Windows
14:06 8. Configure hamlib drivers, radio
14:17 Download hamlib
14:49 Configure hamlib RIGCTLD radio driver switches
16:12 Understanding radio driver switches structure
17:06 Starting RIGCTLD
18:07 9. Configure halib drivers, rotators
18:28 Configure hamlib ROTCTLD rotors driver switches
19:50 Understanding rotors driver switches structure
20:39 Starting ROTCTLD
21:07 10. Run Gpredict for doppler control
22:40 Reset frequencies to the middle of the transponder
22:53 Tweak downlink or uplink frequecies
23:33 11. Run Gpredict antenna control
25:00 12. The new -x 1 switch to RIGCTLD
25:21 IMPORTANT, understanding how the -x 1 switch work
26:50 13. IMPORTANT, running doppler with the -x 1 switch
27:23 IMPORTANT limitation of the CIV protocol and RIT control
28:47 Setting up RIT BEFORE starting doppler
29:21 14. Adding the -x 1 switch to RIGCTLD
29:53 15. Running example of doppler control with the -x 1 switch
32:11 16. Ending notes
73 de VA2CST - Věda a technologie
the information on this video is impressive for it's precision and clarity ... the fact that there is a time table on it is great and easy for reffering to it forward and backward thank's for your help i hope to see more video from you 73
Thanks for the info. Had trouble getting mine to work correctly. Gpredict would disconnect from my 9700 after only a few seconds. Fixed the problem by downgrading from Hamlib 4.4 to Hamlib 4.0.
Thanks! Saved me.
Muy buen video y muy claro. Muchísimas gracias VA2CST.
Gracias por tu apreciación ! ¡Me alegra que el video te haya sido útil! 73 de Claude VA2CST.
With a big difference from others ,this is the best video i see .Congratulations 73 de SV1RXI
Thank you very much for your appreciation ! I know it is a bit long video but I am glad it was helpful and it was useful for you ! 73 de VA2CST
Excellent video, really helped me in getting my IC-7000 set up with my Yaesu G-5400B and GPredict. Merci beaucoup..!
you're welcome, I really appreciate your positive comment !
@@Aleziss The tracking is fine but I still have a problem with frequency control of the rig. I get the following message when I run Hamlib rigctl 'rig_get_vfo: no get_vfo' Any idea how I can solve this issue? When I enter 'f' in rig command it reads the frequency just fine , it just doesn't track the frequency of the selected satellite.
@@lioii you must run rigctld to have control on the radio, NOT rigctl, in your previous message you typed "rigctl" or you said that just because you wanted to test ? in the radio control, you must "engage" and "lock" (if you use -x switch only) and then "track".
@@Aleziss Thank you! My mistake, I had copied the wrong exe to the desktop, working fine now..!
@@lioii you're welcome ! enjoy !
Thank you ....... really good video !!!!
thank you for your appreciation ! Means a lot to me as I did put a lot of effort into this video project ! I'm glad you found it helpful !
Wow what a wealth of information here. Thank for your well laid out info. 73 KY4K
thank you very much for your appreciation ! It means a lot to me, I worked hard to make that video so I hope it will be helpful for you to run gpredict on windows. 73 de VA2CST
Great video Claude. Have had multiple issues with other programs getting radio control to work. Something I note and have seen with other control program my 9700 goes to the VFO when I click Engage and does not stay in my memory channel. It works but noted yours stays on your memory channel. Now to get to work on my 705. Saw it working in another video but no setup info.
Hello Scott, thanks for your appreciation on my video. Have you been able to make it work and stay on the correct memory channel ? IF you are using the -x 1 switch and are trying to tune the RIT while doppler control is engaged, the moment Gpredict will write the sub vfo (it will switch for a brief moment on the sub vfo) and you were spinnning the MULTI know on the 9700, then yes, it will probably switch the memory frequency and mess everything up. If it is what you are doing, you MUST only tune the RIT while the main VFO is highlighted (you have 2s or so to do this). It is not perfect at this time but this is how it works with the 9700 and Gpredict at this time.
As for your 705, if you are trying to make this work with the 705 only, you won't be able to use TRX mode in Gpredict. It will have to be configured a completely different way. If you are trying to make a combinaison of both the 9700 and 705 (because it does work also that way, I am doing it with my 7300/9700 at the same time) this also require a different configuration than what is said in this video.
73 de VA2CST
excellent tutorial - well eplianed and well written - congrats and thanks 73 9V1MH
thank you very much Matt, I really appreciate the positive comment and I'm glad the tutorial was helpful to you ! 73 de Claude VA2CST
Nice video
thank you sir, I really appreciate your comment, I worked hard to make this long video !
For a few days now I have been testing an IC-9700 with the given configurations. It works great, compliments!
Now I'm still wondering (I don't know the 9700 well yet):
1-How do I find out the rough RIT settings with the IC-9700 ? Also using RIT ?
2- I have noticed for some time that some stations vary greatly in frequency on the band. I normally always leave then the transmitter frequency constant (of course + and _ doppler). Because this is fr the other station the most convenient. And vary ( follow ) via RX main dial. Is it possible also follow these stations RX with the 9700 via the main dial ?
Thanks for your comment and appreciation, to respond to your questions :
1) I am not sure I understand correctly your question but the way I use to do it was to track myself first, this is where I can adjust the RIT accordingly so I can hear myself. Then I can track other stations with the VFO wheel.
2) There are stations how do NOT have doppler control and they track everything manually so in that case, It is going to be difficult for you to tune on them because they are always shifting on frequency.
I don't know if I ansered your questions but thanks again for your appreciation. It took a while for me to make that video and I am always grateful when other find the information valuable.
Which cable do I use to connect the IC 9700 to that software?
Can I buy from Icom ?
Thanks greg
Great video thanks
you don't need a special cable, just connect the USB cable to a computer. Thank you for your appreciation.
Hello Aleziss, I also trying to get a FT991A working as of 1-30-23.The rigctld 4.6 connects because I see "opened rig model 1035, 'FT-991' however gpredict does not CAT my FT991A on any bird using updated TLE data and updated transponder data. Further more rigctld will only connect when I use switch -vvv at the end of the target code in the bin file. Please help. Herbert (WA0TEY)
Hello Herbert, when you do not use the -vvv switch, rigctld get connected but you get a blank screen, if rigctld would not connect, you would see an error message or rigctld window would shut off.
There is another important thing is that the FT991A is NOT a dual band radio and cannot be configured as seen in my video. Your 991A would be setup as Simplex TRX for the radio type. In that mode, it might work a little bit clunky because rigctld has to monitor when you press on the PTT so it changes band and when you let go the PTT return to the other band. For that to work, you need to set PTT status at Read PTT.
I am not sure how this will work with the 991A as I have never used one. But my guess would be to change the configuration in gpredict. I think your rigctld works if you see the status ok when the -vvv switch is there, if you remove it, it will also be connected but won't show it to you.
If you want to see more, you get set a -vvvv or -vvvvv, I would not recommand for regular use because it generate a lot of diagnostic stuff but just for the sake of it, you will be sure you see activity and rigctld talks with your radio.
Good luck, I hope this will work for you !
Claude VA2CST
@@Aleziss Hello again Aleziss, you have done a fantastic job on your video here. I tried the older version of rigctld 4.0, still won't work, but now I get the message "main: #0 vfo_mode=1" so I moved to the SatPc32 platform and it is working fine on CAT with my FT-991A. Thank you so much for your time and your great video.
@@roboticsdiy390 Sorry you could not make this work with your 991A, another user in the comment section seemed to have some success with my procedure and FT991A but as long you find an application that suits your need that's great, you figured out a way to make this work. I just to like satpc32 and wanted to find an alternative to that old clunky software and I did my best at describing how to do this. Seems other people liked your move to go with satpc32 but thanks for your appreciation on my video. If I ever find procedure with the 991A I will reply here. 73 !
Hello Claude, great video, compliments ( and thanks of course fr it hi :-) ) ! In / after 10
you show an adjust with offset. A question, do you perhaps know if this is also possible with a FT-991 ? During doppler shift corrections and L button active ? I have this the question because you did perhaps test it with a 991.
73 Leo PC1L.
Hi Leo, unfortunately I do not test with the 991. I am not sure the 991 has satellite mode though so not sure how this will work. If it does work anyway, it should work the same with the L button active, use the RIT on the 991 to fine tune the receive end only and not the TX. If the 991 has no satellite mode, I am affraid it is a different configuration that is required. I'll see what I can find about the 991 but it will be difficult since I do not have one to test.
Last but not least, a small addition .. I know, of course the 991 is not a duplex radio but you can set it like that ( doppler functions: also during transmission the corrections will be executed, it works then too ). For full duplex to use a second (t)rx. As far as everything works very well for VHF / UHF satellite and it may be worthwhile to work with the (CLAR) function and the L button in gpredict ( as with 9700 RIT ). But can not find a adjust / configuration method for the 991 that this works. Also I tried hamlib versions above 4 and -x 1 in the configuration files ( rigctld ) ..
@@Leon55494 I suppose you have configured gpredict that it is not full duplex right ? I've seen gpredict work with non satellilte radios with vfos being swapped when transmitting, it was working correctly.
continued : anyway, when using the L button (here) always within the cycle time is switched back to the basic values transponder frequencies .. regardless of the CLAR function, I wonder if this could be due to the configuration of the 991 something I have overlooked
@@Leon55494 it reset the CLAR value to 0 at each refresh ?
Merci Claude pour ce tuto très utile, pour l'instant je ne paramètre pas le rotor , juste l'IC-9700 j'ai tout fait mais c'est le Hamlib j'ai bien suivi et il ne reconnait pas les VFO Je ne vois pas où est mon erreur ..73de F5NZO Didier
Bonjour Didier, c'est possible que tout soit correctement configuré mais que la version de hamlib que tu utilises te cause ces problèmes... J'ai eu plusieurs commentaires que les versions récentes de hamlib ne fonctionnent pas toujours en suivant ma procédure et je ne sais pas pourquoi... Ça serait peut-être à vérifier en prenant une version plus ancienne, tu règlerais peut-être ton problème. La version utilsé dans le vidéo était hamlib 4.0 (Backend version: 20201018.1) est c'Est toujours celle là que j'utilise puisque ça fonctionne correctement, j'ai pas vu l'utilité de faire de mises à jour. Merci pour ton appréciation !
@@Aleziss Merci beaucoup je vais essayé cela ..C'est vrai que j'ai pris la dernière version mais je vais en prendre une plus ancienne pour voir , je te tiendrai au courant..en attendant encore merci pour cette vidéo.
73
I have followed your setup for the 9700 and it still won't work. When Hamlib opens, all it shows is 2 lines at the top of the screen
what version of hamlib are you using ? tryi with the version describe in the video, I also had difficulties with newer releases
@@Aleziss it is hamlib 4.4. sorry i misspoke, it should have said when rigctld opens.
@@TheKiltedHam try with v4.0, this is the one I am currently using and it works perfectly, it should also work on your end too since we have the same equipement !
Is there a way to use the ic-2730
Hi, at the end of the video, you can see the full list of supported radios by hamlib, scroll the video until you find ICOM and you will know if your radio world with hamlib, of it does, that should work
@@Aleziss do you have that list in print?
@@TheKiltedHam it's acutally in the rigctld help switch, it will show all compatible radios this is where I got the list from
@@TheKiltedHam I think if you type rigctld ? you are going to get all the available switch option, there is one with all the radio list
Hello ... I am trying to connect my Yaesu FT991A but with no success would you be able to help ... M0csi ... Mike ... P.S I have seen it done on You Tube ...
there are a lot of missing information there, what does not connect ?
Managed to get my FT991a working with software ...
@@mickwood4641 perfect !
Hello, I also trying to a FT991A working as of 1-30-23.The rigctld connects because I see "opened rig model 1035, 'FT-991' however gpredict does not CAT my FT991A on any bird using updated TLE data and updated transponder data. Further more rigctld will only connect when I use switch -vvv at the end of the target code in the bin file. Please help. Herbert (WA0TEY)
@@herbertstites4118 Herbet, try to find hamlib v4.0, a lot of comment in here state that it did not work with the laster versions of hamlib but it does work fine with v4.0.