VX-7 Commander

By Jim Mitchell, KC8UNJ

jimbo_48393@yahoo.com

http://www.qsl.net/kc8unj/

Please read the License/Disclaimer before using this software.

This software was developed independently. I am not affiliated with Yaesu/Vertex Standard.

VX-7 Commander is free programming software for the Yaesu VX-7 and VX-7R.

Main Features:

•	Advanced editing of memory channels: Edit, cut, copy, paste, delete, move Main Memory Data, One-Touch Memories, Scan Edge Memories, Home Memories, VFO Memories.

•	Copy and paste individual data fields or selected ranges of data.

•	Mass changes of selected ranges of data

•	Edit the VX-7 "Set Mode" settings

•	Edit Memory Groups

•	Edit Hyper Memories

•	Software modifications for MARS/CAP and Freeband

•	Software modification to enable the "My Menu" feature

•	Import from csv files and ARRL TravelPlus files

•	Configurable export of CSV files

•	Import data from VX5 EVE files and RDF files

•	Open VX-7 RDF files from ADMS software (must save as .vx7 files)

•	Recover deleted memories, even if VX-7 is reset

•	Custom Icon Editor, Custom Font Editor

•	Print memory range to default printer

•	Two selectable interfaces for editing memories.


Getting Started

•	First, be sure you have the interface cable connected properly to your VX-7 and your PC. See the Interface section for more information.

•	Before you use try to read or write data, set the port you have the interface connected to under Settings > Port.

•	Before any features are enabled, you must open a .vx7 file, or read from the VX-7.

I have included a default.vx7 file with VX-7 Commander, for “demo” purposes, which is basically the factory default settings for the vx-7. This allows users to test the software features if they don’t own a VX-7, etc. Please note however, that this file may not write successfully to your VX-7 if your radio configuration is different from mine. See the section on Mods for more information.

After opening a .vx7 file or reading from the VX-7, all of the available features in VX-7 Commander are enabled. Just double-click in the grid to edit a setting, or enter a frequency to define a new memory. See the sections on Grid Navigation and Editing Memories for more information.


Navigation Keys

When editing in the grid, the following keys may be used:

ARROWS - Move around in grid

[ENTER] - Toggles between “Edit” and “Navigate” mode

[PAGE UP] - Scroll up by page

[PAGE DOWN] - Scroll down by page

[CTRL] + [PAGE UP] - Scroll to top of grid

[CTRL] + [PAGE DOWN] - Scroll to bottom of grid

[CTRL] + [X] - Cut (Whole row only)

[CTRL] + [C] - Copy Selected Cell Range

[CTRL] + [V] - Paste Cut/Copied Cells

[TAB] and [SHIFT] + [TAB] - Advances through the different fields in “Edit Mode”

When the grid is in focus (one or more cells are highlighted), you can simply type the number of a row to go to that channel.


The Interface
The Interface Cable

VX-7 Commander has been designed to work with many different interface designs.

You can either build your own, or purchase one.

There are many different plans on the Internet for building your own interface cable. If you decide to build your own, the one I recommend for best results is a six-transistor design that can be found in the PC Hardware section of this page:

http://mywpages.comcast.net/sllewd/vx7rmain.htm

Personally, I use a homemade two-transistor Icom (OPC-478 style) interface. I use this same interface for the VX-2R, the IC-Q7a, the IC-R2, and the VR-120 without any problems. Other people have reported having problems building a working interface of this style.

Although VX-7 Commander should work with many different interfaces, not all are created equally. If you have built an interface (or already own a different style interface) and are having trouble getting the software to communicate, I strongly suggest either building the design referenced above, or purchasing one commercially.

The following items are also required to program your VX-7:

•	Yaesu CT-91 cable. The jack on the VX-7 is recessed, and the CT-91 screws into it in order to keep the unit submersible when used with accessories. To fit the special recessed jack on the VX-7, the CT-91 should be used.

Some people have been able to successfully grind down the 4-conductor plugs for their interface cables, so that they fit completely into the jack. But, a lot of people have had problems getting this to work. If the software will not communicate with the radio, and you are using a “ground down” interface, you should strongly consider purchasing the CT-91 from an Internet vendor or your local ham dealer.

•	1/8” Stereo to 3/32” Stereo adapter is also required, (unless you custom-built your own interface with a 3/32” plug). Most interfaces have a 1/8” plug. To fit the 3/32 hole in the CT-91, this adapter is required. In the US, these can be purchased at radio shack for a few dollars.

The most commonly used commercial cable is the one sold by RT Systems, the CT-29A.

For laptops without serial ports, a USB to Serial adapter can be used. However, users have reported some problems with these, especially those made by Keyspan. The following adapter has been reported to work well:

Manufacturer: Belkin

Model#: F5U109

Cost: 29.99

Where: Circuit City (in the PDA section)

Settings: default Com setting, except for FIFO buffers turned all down)

If you are having problems with another adapter, go to your Device Manager, Com Port Properties, Port Settings, Advanced, and try some different setting for your FIFO buffer sliders. If you can’t find any settings that work there isn’t really anything else you can do except try another adapter, such as the Belkin model listed above. I haven’t personally tested with any USB to Serial adapters.


Donate

VX-7 Commander is free for non-commercial use.

However, if you would like to express your appreciation for the time and resources invested into this project, monetary donations are graciously appreciated. Any donation amount is up to you.

You can donate online by credit card using PayPal. Just click HERE. You will also find a PayPal link on My Website. You can also send cash or check by snail mail, just look up my current address at the FCC or qrz.com.

Thank you for your support!

Jim

KC8UNJ

Jimbo_48393@yahoo.com


Adding Memory Channels

The first thing you must enter when adding a memory channel is the RX Frequency (Freq column). Other data fields in the row will be disabled until you do this.

•	When the Freq is entered, VX-7 Commander will apply default data to the other fields.

•	After entering the Freq, you can then edit the other fields in the row to your preference.


Deleting Memory Channels

When memory channels are deleted, the memory channels below it are moved up.To leave the blank memory channel in place, use the Clear feature instead.

To Delete a memory channel:

1.	Highlight the entire row, or a range of rows to be deleted.

2.	Click the Delete button to the left of the grid, or the Delete icon on the toolbar.


Clearing Memory Channels

Clear works the same way that delete does, except that memory channels below are not moved up. Leaving empty rows will free up the channels for the VX-7’s “next available” memory feature.

To Clear a memory channel:

1.	Highlight the entire row, or a range of rows to be moved.

2.	Click the Clear button to the left of the grid, or use the toolbar icon.


Moving Memory Channels

To move memory channels:

1.	Highlight the entire row, or a range of rows to be moved.

2.	Click one of the Move buttons to the left of the grid, or use the corresponding toolbar icons.


Inserting Blank Memory Channels

To insert blank memory channels:

1.	Highlight a row or multiple rows at the locations where you would like to insert blank memories.

2.	Click the Insert Blank button at the left of the grid, or use the corresponding toolbar icon.

The insert will be handled one of two ways:

•	If Insert Fills Empty Rows is checked in the Settings menu, then the memories below the insert location will be pushed together, filling in any empty memories, to make room for the inserted channels.

•	If Insert Fills Empty Rows is unchecked in the Settings menu, all memories below the insert location will be moved down to make room for the inserted channels.

If an insert will cause memory channels containing data to be lost off the end of the grid, VX-7 Commander will display a warning message allowing the Insert to be cancelled if desired.


Cut

Only entire rows (channels) may be cut.

To cut memory channels:

1.	Highlight the entire row, or a range of rows to be cut.

2.	Click the Cut button to the left of the grid, or the cut icon on the toolbar.


Copy

Any user-selected range of cells may be copied.

These may then be pasted to any row, however they will always paste to the same column area copied from.

To copy data:

1.	Highlight a range of cells to be copied.

2.	Click the Copy button to the left of the grid, or the copy icon on the toolbar.


Paste

This will paste any cut or copied data to the selected row.

To paste data:

1.	Click in the row for the data to be pasted to, so that at least one cell is highlighted.

2.	Click the Paste button to the left of the grid, or the Paste icon on the toolbar, or choose Paste from the right-click menu.

Data cannot be pasted to blank memories, unless the Freq field is part of the copied cells. If a partial row is pasted into a blank row, VX-7 Commander will apply default data to the rest of the cells.


Insert Cut/Copied Channels

When entire rows are cut or copied, this option becomes available.

After cutting or copying the memory channels:

1.	Left-click the # column to highlight the row where you want to insert the data.

2.	Right-click the # column and choose Insert Copied Cells (Or Insert Cut Cells)  from the menu.

3.	The memory channels will be inserted at the selected location.


Auto-Fill Tags

This feature may be used to fill in a range of rows with similar tags:

1.	Enter one memory tag

2.	Highlight the range of tag fields below it that you want to auto-fill.

3.	Right-click on the highlighted tags fields and choose Auto-Fill Tags.

The fill will be handled one of two ways:

•	If the tag above the highlighted fields does not have a number at the end, then that tag will be replicated for each of the highlighted fields.

•	If the tag does have a number at the end, that tag will be auto-incremented for each of the highlighted fields.


Non-Displayable Characters

Non-displayable characters are denoted in the grid by a copyright symbol "©".

Things to know about non-displayable characters in VX-7 Commander:

•	If VX-7 Commander sees a copyright symbol "©" in the text tag, it will leave the non-displayable characters intact.

•	You cannot edit any portion of a tag containing non-displayable characters directly in the grid, except to remove any copyright symbols "©" and enter a new tag.

•	If you have non-displayable characters in your text tags that you read from the VX-7, you can cut, paste, and move the entire row and it will leave the tags with those characters intact.

•	Cut, copy and paste of only the tags with non-displayable characters is not supported, because of the way these characters are handled. You must cut/copy/paste the entire row.

Tags with non-displayable characters can be entered with VX-7 Commander:

1.	Double-click the grid cell where you want to enter the tag. Be sure the cursor is flashing.

2.	Hit the [F12] key to display the dialog. The last 5 characters in the table are the user-defined custom font characters.

3.	Click a character to add it to the tag.

•	If the character is displayable, it will appear in the box at the bottom.

•	If the character is not displayable, a copyright symbol "©" will be displayed in place of the character.

4.	If you make a mistake, click the “<<<” button to erase the previous character entered.

5.	Click OK when finished.

6.	When you write to the VX-7, the character you clicked will appear in the tag, even though it can not be displayed in VX-7 Commander.

When using this dialog, you must enter a complete tag, a previously entered tag cannot be edited.


Recover Deleted Memories

Settings > Recover All Deleted Memories

If you do a [BAND]+[VM]+[4] reset to the VX-7, the memories are marked as unused, but the memory data is still there. You can recover the memory data using VX-7 Commander.

To recover your memory data:

1.	Read the data from the VX-7

2.	Choose Settings > Recover All Deleted Memories

3.	Your memory data present prior to the reset will appear in the grid.

Note: Memory #1 is not recoverable.


Wipe Unused Memories

Memories > Wipe Unused Memory Channels.

Normally, if a memory is deleted, the channel is marked as unused, however the memory data is still there. If this option is checked, VX-7 Commander will clear this memory data when written/saved so the memories are not recoverable. This might be helpful anyone wanting to analyze their memory data in a hex editor, as it will clear some of the "junk" from memory.


Find

Memories > Find, or toolbar Icon.

You can search for memories, by tag or frequency.

This is a case-insensitive sub-string search. Wildcards are NOT supported, as the wildcard characters could be valid tag characters. But, wildcards are not needed either. Just enter the part of the freq or tag that you know.

Example:

Searching for "456" would find the frequencies "456.000", "145.600", "123.456" etc

Searching for "ABC" would find the tags "ABCDEF", "MMABCM", "nnnABC" etc


Licanse/Disclaimer
License/Disclaimer

Copyright (c) 2002-2003 Jim Mitchell. All rights reserved.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

This software is FREE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE, provided the following conditions are met:

The user must assume the entire risk of using this software.

You are hereby granted a license to use and distribute this program in its original unmodified form and in the original distribution package. You can make as many copies as you want, and distribute it via electronic means. There is no fee for any of the above.

You are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or documentation with other products (commercial or otherwise) without prior written permission.


CSV Export

File > Export to CSV.

For More information on CSVs in VX-7 Commander, see the topic About CSVs.

Through the CSV Export dialog, the user has full control over the way the CSV is exported. This will allow you to export a CSV that is closer to the format of the program you are going to be importing the CSV into.

If you are exporting a CSV for import back into VX-7 Commander, you can leave all of the settings on this dialog at their default and just click Export.

To omit the # field, change the drop-down menu with the # field to None. See the topic About CSVs for more information on the different ways the CSVs are handled.

•	You can choose the order that fields are included in the CSV by using the Field drop-down menus. You can also choose to omit a field from the CSV by choosing None in any of these drop-down menus.

•	In the Header boxes, you can customize the header text for each field of the CSV.

•	If you do not want the CSV file to contain a header, uncheck the Use Header checkbox.

•	You can use quotes around all or none of the CSV fields. Check the Use Quotes checkbox next to the fields of your choice, or use the Check All or Uncheck All buttons at the bottom.

•	Memory channels without any data are not exported by default. You may wish to include blank areas of the CSV, to separate groups of similar memories etc. If so, check Include Unused Channels.

•	To preview what your CSV file will look like before exporting, click the Preview button. A dialog will be displayed with your CSV information, allowing you to be sure you have the export configured the way you want, before actually exporting the file.


CSV Import

File > Import From CSV

This feature will import CSV files. See the topics About CSVs and CSV Export for more information.

You will be prompted for a channel at which to start the import.

You can only import channels to the special memory areas if these are specified in the CSV by a # field. Any other imports will stop at channel 450.


About CSVs

Here are some things you should know about CSVs in VX-7 Commander.

All CSVs

•	To properly import into VX-7 Commander, the data in a CSV must be valid “VX-7 Commander Data” (same as you would see in the grid), and the default field headers must exist.

•	Without a header, VX-7 commander doesn’t know the format of the CSV. VX-7 Commander then attempts to find the frequency field and import it, and apply the auto-mode and auto-shift to the frequencies. The other fields will not be imported, and VX-7 Commander will apply defaults to the rest of the fields.

VX-7 Commander Exported CSVs

•	VX-7 Commander can import any CSV that has been exported from it, provided they have the default header for each field.

•	It doesn’t matter what order the fields are in, as long as they have the default header, they will import to the right place.

•	For VX-7 Commander to import a CSV, the Freq field is required to exist in the CSV.

•	If the CSV does contain a # field, (default), then when you import it back into VX-7 Commander, the CSV fields will be imported directly into the memory channels denoted by the # field in the CSV. This is useful for maintaining different CSVs for different memory channel ranges. You can have a CSV for just the Scan Edge Memories, a CSV for the One Touch Memories, etc.

•	If the CSV does not contain a # field, then when you import it back into VX-7 Commander, then you will be prompted for a channel at which to start the import. The advantage to this is that multiple CSVs can be imported, one after another, to a range that can be chosen at the time of import.

CSVs From Other Programs

•	Most other programs export CSVs that are not directly compatible with VX-7 Commander, and will require manual editing to achieve a complete import of the data.

•	VX-7 Commander can usually extract the frequency data from these CSVs (and apply the auto-mode and auto shift) so that the frequency data can be imported without editing the CSV. However the other data fields will NOT be imported and VX-7 Commander will apply defaults to the rest of the fields.


Travel Plus TPE Import

File > Import From TPE.

This feature is used to import .tpe files from the ARRL Travel Plus CD. It has been tested with files from Versions 6 and 7.  It does recognize the TV channels from the latest Travel Plus.

Upon import, a dialog will be displayed allowing you to select the field in the .tpe file used for the text tag, as well as a channel at which to start the import.

All imports will stop at channel 450, and will not import to special memory areas.


VX-5 EVE/RDF Import

File > Import From VX5 .EVE.

File > Import From VX5 .RDF.

This feature will import the main memory data from a VX5 .eve file or .rdf file.

You will be prompted for a channel at which to start the import.

All imports will stop at channel 450, and will not import to special memory areas.


VX-2 File Import

File > Import From .VX2 File

This feature will import the main memory data from a .VX2 file from VX-2 Commander.

You will be prompted for a channel at which to start the import. You can also specify the VX-2 memory range to import.

All imports will stop at channel 450, and will not import to special memory areas.


Frequency Import Tool

File > Frequency Import Tool

This dialog can be used to import frequency data from a web page, a text file, another application, or almost anywhere.

The frequency import tool can monitor the Windows clipboard, and when a block of text is copied, it will parse through it and extract any frequency data it finds. You can also open a text file or any other text-based file containing frequency data, and the frequency import tool will search the entire contents of it for frequency data.

Before using, configure these options:

Search For Multiple Freqs Per Line - By default, the frequency import tool will only search for one frequency per line. You must check this option if the source for the frequency data contains more than one frequency per line, such as:

462.550  GMRS-1  462.650  GMRS-5

462.575  GMRS-2  462.675  GMRS-6

462.600  GMRS-3  462.700  GMRS-7

462.625	GMRS-4  462.725  GMRS-8

If you have more than one frequency per line and do not check this option, the tool will only find the first frequency in the line.

Attempt to Extract a Tag - If you would like for the tool to attempt to extract a tag from the data, check this option. This will only work properly if the data is laid out a couple of different ways:

•	If the frequency is at the beginning of the line, the tool extracts the 8 characters after the frequency for use as the tag.

•	If the frequency is not at the beginning of the line, the tool extracts the 8 characters at the beginning of the line for use as the tag.

I found that this does work reasonably well for the way frequencies are laid out on many web pages.

To use the Frequency Import Tool:

•	Click Monitor Clipboard. (or click Open File, and skip the next few steps)

•	Go to the webpage, file, application, etc containing the frequency data you want to import.

•	Highlight the block of text containing the frequency data (or highlight the whole page if you want).

•	Copy the text to the windows clipboard (File > Copy, [CTRL]+[C], etc)

•	Go back to VX-7 Commander. (if you are through copying frequencies, you can click Monitor Clipboard again to turn off clipboard monitoring)

•	All frequency data will be listed under Frequencies Found.

•	Select the frequencies you want to import: select frequencies from the Frequencies Found list, and add them to the Frequencies To Import list by clicking the Add or Add All buttons.

•	Select where to start the import, under Import Starting At.

•	Click Send Data To Grid.


Custom Icon & Font Editors

VX-7 Settings > Font Editor

VX-7 Settings > Icon Editor

Left click to fill, right click to erase. You can also hold the mouse button down and drag.

You can save the current font or icon to a file, to allow easy exchange of fonts and icons.


Auto-Shift

Settings > Use Auto-Shift

If this item is checked, VX-7 Commander will apply the default repeater shift for entered frequencies, after you are finished entering the frequency and have exited the cell.

The auto-shift is based on the US shifts listed in the VX-7 manual. Non-US users may have to edit these manually.


Auto-Mode

Settings > Use Auto-Mode

If this item is checked, VX-7 Commander will apply the default receive mode for entered frequencies, after you are finished entering the Frequency and have exited the cell.


Insert Fills Empty Rows

Settings > Insert Fills Empty Rows

This setting controls what happens when inserting blank memories or cut/copied cells:

•	If Insert Fills Empty Rows is checked, then the memories below the insert location will be pushed together, filling in any empty memories, to make room for the inserted channels.

•	If Insert Fills Empty Rows is unchecked, all memories below the insert location will be moved down to make room for the inserted channels.


Port

Settings > Port.

Here, you can select the port that your interface is connected to.

The proper port must be selected before you can read or write any data to the VX-7.


Print

File > Print, or toolbar icon

This will allow you to select a range of memories to print to your default printer.

Be aware that if you print all of it, it will be 15+ pages; so specify a range unless you are sure you want to print it all.


Mods

Advanced > Mods

As with the use of VX-7 Commander, mods will be done at your own risk!

In the USA, FCC laws govern the use of amateur radio equipment, and other nations have similar laws. It is your responsibility to know, understand, and obey the laws that effect you. The author or contributors of VX-7 Commander will not be responsible for the unlawful misuse of your VX-7.

Quick and Easy Way to do Software Mods:

1.	Choose Advanced > Mods

2.	Check the Enable Mods box.

3.	Select one of the following, to expand the TX range:

•	Freeband: 40 - 224.995, 300 - 579.995 MHz

•	Mars/Cap: 50 - 54, 140 - 174, 222 - 224.995, 420 - 470 MHz

•	Unmodified:50 - 54, 144 -148, 222 - 224.995, 430 - 450  MHz

4.	Click OK. Be sure to leave Enable Mods checked from this point on (see below).

5.	Write the data to the VX-7.

Detailed Information About Mods:

Enable Software Mods

This box does two things:

1.	It enables the other fields in the dialog.

2.	It allows VX-7 Commander to “remember” your radio’s config, so you do not get CLONE ERRORS and you are able to write any file to the VX-7 without any problems.

Any of the values under VX-7 Hardware Settings can cause a clone error when writing to the VX-7, if these values in the .vx7 file being written do not match the values in the radio.

If Enable Mods is checked, VX-7 Commander remembers these values every time a file is read or written. Therefore, it will always know the proper values, and will apply them to any file saved or written. This makes it possible to open and write any file to the VX-7, and to try different software mods seamlessly, without getting any CLONE ERRORS.

However, if you ever reset a software-moded VX-7, hardware modify your VX-7 etc, then VX-7 Commander will no longer know the configuration of your radio, and you will get a CLONE ERROR when trying to write unmatched files. The way to recover from this is to read from the radio, so VX-7 Commander knows the new configuration. You can then open and write any file, without a CLONE ERROR.

Virtual Jumpers

The virtual jumper is a one-byte value, and when this is changed and the data written to the VX-7, it has the ability to change the VX-7s transmit coverage. Other values may have the ability to change things such as default repeater shifts, frequency bands, etc.

The checkboxes represent the hardware jumpers found in the back of your VX-7, and will achieve the same result through software as unsoldering/soldering these jumpers.

The byte value to the right corresponds to the checkboxes.

When the checkboxes are checked or unchecked, they will change the byte value to the right. Alternatively, if this byte value is changed, it will check or uncheck the checkboxes accordingly. Note: in case anyone was wondering, the Checked/Unchecked (soldered/unsoldered) boxes do not convert directly to 0 and 1 bit values for calculation of the Virtual Jumper value. The high 5 bits are flipped.

Known Settings for the Virtual Jumper byte:

Unmodified = E0

MARS/CAP  = F0

Freeband   = E8

Japanese Default =  F8

VX-7 Hardware Settings

Any of these values will cause a CLONE ERROR when writing to the VX-7, if they do not match what the current values in the radio are.

You should never change the Current Config byte, unless you know exactly what you are doing.

When the virtual jumper byte is written to the radio, the Current Config Byte in the VX-7 memory will be changed to the same value as the virtual jumper byte you wrote to the radio. You can see this by reading from the radio again.

Byte 8 and Byte 9 should never be changed.

Changing the CPU version bytes will always cause a CLONE ERROR when writing. These denote the CPU version of your radio, and the VX-7 will not accept another file if these bytes are different..

These are automatically remembered by VX-7 Commander when reading from the VX-7. They are then applied to the data when a file is written or saved. This allows files from VX-7's with foreign CPU versions to be written to your VX-7, without receiving a "CLONE ERROR".

For reference, here are the known values for the CPU version bytes, that VX-7 Commander uses to determine CPU version:

Byte 8

01 - US

00 - JAP

03 - EURO

Byte 9

00 - US

01 - JAP

02 - EURO

If there was a way to change these without causing a CLONE ERROR, it might be possible to do some interesting things…

Other

Bytes 12, 13, and 14 can be changed freely, without receiving a clone error.

Bytes 13 and 14 also assume proper Virtual Jumper settings. These are the bytes that get modified when you perform a [MON/F] + [HM/RV] + [Internet Key] reset/toggle operation.

Byte 13 - This can be used to set the VX-7 to Wide RX, or Ham-Only RX.

Byte 14 - This can be used to set the VX-7 to Wide TX, or Ham-Only TX.

Byte 12 - I haven’t figured out what it does (if anything), but haven’t spent much time on it either. I do know it is usually 01 in US VX-7s and 00 in Japanese VX-7s.

I do not know any specifics about what the different Virtual Jumpers/other settings do, except for what is presented here. I encourage people to experiment, and report how different jumpers and settings effect the VX-7 operation.


Single-Click Editing

Settings > Single-Click Editing

When this option is checked, only one click in a grid cell is required to enter “edit mode” for the selected cell. This requires less clicking, however this will cause problems for selecting ranges of data.


the Alternate Interface
Alternate GUI

Settings > Use Alternate GUI.

The alternate GUI displays the memory channels one at a time instead of the grid format.


Duplicate Frequency Check

Memories > Check For Duplicate Freqs

This will check all of your main memory channels for duplicate frequencies.

There are options to not flag channels with different TONE/DCS, ot text tags as duplicates.

You can specify whether to have VX-7 Commander delete duplicates automatically, or generate a report.

If the report says:

Duplicates: 19, 100, 233

it means that these 3 memories have the same frequency.

The report can be printed, or copied to the clipboard.

VX-7 Commander does not remove duplicate frequencies, this is left up to the user.


Check For USA Blocked Freqs

Memories > Check For USA Blocked Freqs

This will check for frequencies that are blocked in the USA version of the VX-7R. It will allow you to delete any channels containing blocked frequencies, if desired.


Clear All Memories

Memories > Clear All Memories

This will clear all memory data from the grid.

This is useful if you want to create a new file, while retaining the Set-Mode settings of the file you started with.


 My Menu

Advanced > Internet/My Menu

The My Menu feature of the VX-7 allows you to assign a Set-Mode item to the VX-7 [Internet] key.

Yaesu actually scrapped this feature at the last minute, in favor of adding a second Internet connection protocol. This caused some confusion among some of the first VX-7 owners, since this feature was still referenced in the manual. However, with VX-7 Commander, this feature can be enabled through software, if you would rather use it instead of the Internet connection feature.

This dialog allows you to select the function of the Internet key. You can choose either the Internet connection feature or the My Menu feature. You can also choose the Set-Mode item that will be displayed for the My Menu feature.

Please note, that with the software mod, you cannot toggle between the "Internet Connection" function and the "My Menu" function as outlined in the original procedure from the manual. You must choose EITHER the the "Internet Connection" functions OR the "My Menu" function, and this must be toggled through software.

Once My Menu is enabled, you can assign menu items from the keypad, using the following procedure:

"MY MENU" Short-cut Key Setup

The MY MENU key function allows you to create a short-cut path for

recall of one of Menu Items. The key then serves as the "Short-Cut"

key.

1. Recall the Menu Item, which you wish to assign to the key as a Menu

short-cut.

2. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to assign the Menu Item

to the key...


Cannot Read from the VX-7 (Timeout, etc)

Watch the status window (View > Status Window) when you press the BAND key.

If you get this in the status window when trying to read from the VX-7:

Opening Port...

Waiting for first data block...

ERROR: Timeout while waiting for first data block.

Number of bytes in buffer: 0

Dump of buffer:

Port closed.

then you have one of the following problems.

•	Your cable has a bad connection. Be sure it is FIRMLY plugged into the PC.

•	Your adapter or CT-91 has a bad connection. Be sure these are FIRMLY connected. The CT-91 must be SCREWED IN to the VX-7 all the way.

•	Be sure you are using an 1/8" to 3/32" adapter (such as Radio Shack - Catalog# 274-373). This plugs into the SMALLER 3/32” jack in the Yaesu CT-91 speaker/mic adapter cable.

•	You should NOT use the 3 to 4 conductor adapter that comes with the ADMS cable with the CT-91 and 1/8" to 3/32" adapter. This should only be used when it is ground down, INSTEAD of the CT-91.

•	If you are using a modified ADMS adapter instead of the CT-91, it is likely not "ground-down" thin enough to allow a good connection, even if it “seems to”. If you are using a ground-down adapter and are having problems, you should strongly consider purchasing the CT-91 cable from an Internet vendor or your local ham dealer. Many people have reported having problems getting their ground-down adapters to work, even though they seemed to bottom out in the jack.

•	It is possible you may have a bad cable, adapter, or CT-91. If you purchased your cable from RT Systems, read the help on their website and use HyperTerminal to test your cable.

•	Your port setting in VX-7 Commander is not the one the cable is connected to. This can be set under Settings > Port. If the cable works for another application, check what the port setting is in that software, and use the same setting in VX-7 Commander.

If, on a failed read, your status window looks different from above, the most likely problem is a bad interface cable, but it could be other things as well. You can copy the test from the status window and paste it into an email to me, and I will try to help you if I can.


Cannot Write to the VX-7 (Can read just fine)

If the VX-7 resets, goes back to the VFO, or CLONE ERROR immediately when trying to write, but the current programming usually isn’t lost:

The config info in the VX-7 does not match what is in the file being sent.

Solution:

Goto Advanced > Mods

Check Enable Mods.

Read from the VX-7. It does not matter what is in the VX-7.

Open the file you want to write, and write it to the VX-7.

Enabling mods does not actually apply any mods. It only allows your file

config to be changed, based on the last successful read or write to your VX-7. See the topic on Mods for more information.

If the write seems to go OK at first (CLONE RX for a while), but you eventually get a CLONE ERROR, or current programming is lost when trying to write:

On some PCs, the software routine that writes to the VX-7 is executing too fast, and the VX-7 cannot receive the data quick enough.

Solution:

To slow down the write routine:

Go To Settings > Port.

Click the "!" button. This will display the Write Delay dialog.

The default value is 15. Try higher values to make the write take a little longer (17,20,25).

Increase the value a little, and try to write to the VX-7 again.

Very high values will cause corruption or a clone error. However, the VX-7 seems very tolerant of slower write times.

The time it takes for a write operation is displayed in the status window after all of the data is sent. Usually, for reliable writes to occur every time, the write should take 35-40 seconds.


USB to Serial Adapter Problems

Users have reported some problems with these; especially those made by Keyspan.

Try going into device manager, COM port settings, advanced. Slide both FIFO Buffer sliders all the way to the left. Try some different setting for your FIFO buffer sliders. If you can’t find any settings that work for your adapter, there isn’t really anything else you can do except try another adapter. The following model has been reported to work with VX-7 Commander:

Manufacturer: Belkin

Model#: F5U109

Cost: 29.99

Where: Circuit City (in the PDA section)

Settings: default Com setting, except for FIFO buffers turned all down)


Insert Frequency List

Memories > Insert Frequency List

This is a feature that allows you to easily add common lists of frequencies to your grid data.

1.	Click in the row to select the insert location, so that at least one cell is highlighted.

2.	Choose Memories > Insert Frequency List and choose the frequency list you want.

I have included lists for FRS, GMRS, MURS, TV Audio (except Chs 57-61 and 64-68, blocked in US VX-7s), and CB.

In the VX-7 Commander folder, there is a directory called CSV. You can put your commonly used CSV files here, and the filename will appear for selection in the “Insert Frequency List” menu in VX-7 Commander.  You can use up to 10 CSV files in this directory. The CSV files must have a header.