        IC-Q7 programming utility v1.05 Rel.09.02.99
        Goran Vlaski - Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
        http://www2.crosswinds.net/frankfurt/~vlaski
        --------------------------------------------------------------------

        Contents
        -------
        1. Introduction
        2. Interface
        3. Software
         - Memory Grid
         - Main Options
         - Scan Options
         - Power saving
         - Current Settings
         - Dial Options
         - Scan Edges
         - Tv channels
         - Info
         - Super RX
         - Up/Download
         - Adjustment mode
        4. I need
        5. Version History



        1. Introduction.
        ----------------
        First of all we have to thank the Radio Club OK1OMX, they have
        discovered the IC-Q7 Cloning Capability on 02.08.98,( look at
        http://www.hamradio.cz ) and they have written a simple Software
        just to Up/Download data.

        So the door was opened to the amateurs and professionals to offer
        complete solutions :)

        RT Systems has released a couple of days ago also a programming
        Software for the IC-Q7, as far I could see on they're web pages
        They have missed to implement standard things like the lock check
        Box, RIT function, the current settings, ... I will not even
        mention the hacking stuff like entering Frequencies below 30MHz,...
        Besides that missing is also the copy/paste for the scan edges,
        and ..., the Software will be copy protected also I guess, this
        could be a source for more problems, as this was the case with
        the Software for the VX1.

        But after it's all a matter of taste, analyze both Software's, and
        Chose the Software that is more comfortable to you, the Competition
        is makeing the progress.


        This is my contribution with my version of the Software. The style
        is a little bit different then similar products (spec. copy/paste)
        But you will see that it is a very easy way of programming.


        This kind of Software is nothing special, one weekend of work, most
        of the time is spend to find the meaning of bits and bytes in the
        transfer protocol.

        The Hacking is a different story.


        The IC-Q7 have the same ( or almost the same ) receive part as the
        IC-R2, it is full possible to receive CB,SW,MW downto 0.5MHz and
        more. The Problem is the Firmware, thank you ICOM.

        Why ICOM has done this? I don't now, it must be some Strategy
        to sell the IC-R2 to Ham's, and as usual, we are paying for it :)
        I know a couple of friends that have the IC-Q7 and have buy
        a IC-R2 also, thank you again ICOM.

        Ordinary people will get the IC-R2 anyway, so only Hams are
        afected by this Strategy.

        Well, ...


        Please send bugs reports, suggestions, ... to my Email.


        All you need is a IC-Q7, the Interface and this Software.



        2. Interface.
        -------------
        There are several Interfaces on the market from YAESU, ICOM, ...
        You have to consider that the IC-Q7 uses 3V and less
        rather then TTL, when powered by 2 NiCd the IC-Q7 is using
        2.4V. At that voltage levels the ICOM interface needs some
        modifikation and the YAESU also. Some Interfaces will work
        and some not, that is depending on the luck you have with the
        tolerances of the parts that were used.

        If you want to be shure that everything will work, just
        get the MAKInterface, thats what I am using.

        Take a look at my web page for more infos.



        3. Software.
        ------------
        First you must Load a data file or Download the data from the IC-Q7,
        afterwards you can edit/modify the data.

        At every download the Software is saveing the downloaded data in a
        Temporary file "temp.q7", do not use it.

        - Memory Grid
          On the Memory Grid are all memories from 0-199, the 8 Bank VFOs and
          the 2 Call Channels.
          You are selecting the Channel you want to edit by Clicking on it,
          Then you can edit/select the settings in the text boxes and list
          Boxes just above the Grid. Please read the IC-Q7 manual for the
          Explanation of the settings.
          If you want to add a new memory, enter the Frequency first, the
          other default settings will be add automatically.
          I have left the original Frequency Format, 6 digits only, above
          1GHz as follows A=10, B=11, ..  F=16
          Ex.: 1.234.567MHz is C34567

          Copy/Paste
          Click on the first col. On some memory you want to copy, and double
          Click on the new location were this memory should be paste. You can
          Also copy/paste ANY single setting using the same logic.

          To copy the step from mem 5 to mem 10 and 11 do:
           - Click on the Step col on mem 5
           - Double-click on the step col on mem 10
           - Double-click on the step col on mem 11

          Hide Checkbox
          The memories are NOT erased when resetting the IC-Q7, only one byte
          is being reset, to tell the IC-Q7 that the memory location is
          Empty. This byte is containing the Information's for T/TSQL,DUP,SKIP
          and MODE, so this infos are lost, but FREQ, OFFSET, STEP, R+Ctone
          can be recovered.
          Just click on the upper left CheckBox, and you will see all memory
          Banks, occupied and erased. You can recover the memories by setting
          The not defined values.

          M Checkbox
          If you want a larger memory screen, click on the upper right M Check
          Box and the Grid will increase on the whole screen, to decrease it
          Again click on the M Check box again.

        - Main Options
          Read the manual

        - Scan Options
          Read the manual

        - Power saving
          Read the manual

        - Current Settings
          These settings define the Status after the clone is done (power off
          Power on).
          You will noticed that there are some Bands (see the VFO box) that
          Are maybe not enabled in your IC-Q7, you can still set them!
          So for example select the VFO, and chose the TV Ch band. After the
          Upload procedure the IC-Q7 will be set to this bank. You can select
          From 1Ch to 12Ch, and if you are holding the Func button then up to
          62Ch. (or use the tv channels grid to enable all).
          The Menu Box defines what menu will appear when you press and hold
          The V/M button on the IC-Q7.
          Return = what operation the IC-Q7 will return to after power off/on

        - Dial Options
          Read the manual

        - Scan edges
          Click on some memory on the memory Grid, and double-click on the
          Desired location on the Scanedges Grid, the memory number will
          Be transferred in the Scan edges Grid.
          If you want to copy/paste a Scan edge, click on the Scan edge you
          want to copy and double-click on the scan edge location where you
          want to paste the copyed scan edge.

        - TV Channels
          Click on the Button tv channels and the scan edges grid will
          disappear and the tv grid will be there instead. Just click on the
          3th col to toggle the skip to be yes/no.

        - Info
          If you press the "I" Button (the IC-Q7 should be online), you will
          Get the Hardware (diode, jumper, ..) configuration from your IC-Q7.
          Every bit represents a diode, jumper, resistor, ...
          This config status is defined by 3 bytes.

        - Super RX
          If you check the Super-RX check box, after the upload you will see
          30.000MHz an the display. You can now dial down to 0MHz and up to
          1999MHz.
          The IC-Q7 have the same RX Hardware as the IC-R2, so is reception
          Down to 0.500 MHz no problem. The quality 1.3GHz to 2.0GHz has to
          Be explored.
          You will exit the Super RX mode if you:
          a) Press the "BAND" key
          b) Scan any other scan edge then "ALL"
          All other actions are allowed: power on/off,V/M,SQL,...

          If you press the button "S-RX now!" the Software will set the
          IC-Q7 in Super RX mode in 1 second, no other data is changed.

          The memory location 129 is used for the S-RX, so if you use S-RX
          memory 129 will be deleted. (Do not use it)
          Why memory 129 , it was the best choise :))))), just belive me.

          If you try to save Frequencies below 30MHz in some memories, you
          Will Get a "CL-ERR" message on the IC-Q7 when trying to upload
          the Data, downloading is no problem.

          To solve this do as follows:
          1. remove the plastic cover for the batteries
          2. Start the Upload
          3. Put one finger on one battery
          4. As soon you see the message "Upload done" remove one Battery
             within less the 1 second. So the you will bypass the checking
             routine and you will be able to upload everything to the IC-Q7.
          5. Reinsert the battery

        - Up/Download
          These buttons will recognize now if the IC-Q7 is off or not
          connected.

        - Adjustment mode
          If you check the "Adj" Checkbox, the IC-Q7 will be set after
          the upload into adjustment mode, take a look at the Service
          manual at page 5-1.
          You can adjust the PLL, Transmitter and Reciever.
          You will have to open the IC-Q7 and for a total adjustment
          you will need:
          * RF power meter
          * Frequency counter
          * DC voltmeter
          * Audio generator
          * Standard signal generator
          * Oscilloscope
          * AC millivoltmeter
          * Attenuator

          The whole procedure is described in the Service manual, some
          things are adjusted by the "Dial", and some others with
          pots.
          If you don't have the Service manual, DO NOT play with these
          settings, you can just mess things up.

          The adjustment mode is not a toy.

          I have added the adjustment mode to my Software only because
          ICOM is not giving the Software to put the IC-Q7 in adjustemnt
          mode with the Service manual, so there is no chance to adjust
          the IC-Q7 even if you have the service manual.

          I have contacted ICOM Europe, ICOM Japan, ... no chance
          to get any instruction on how to put the IC-Q7 into the
          adjustment mode, hmmm, why are they selling the Service
          manual anyway? If I get it, I would assume I could
          repair and adjust my HT with it, well wrong, as usual
          here come's the ICOM secrecy, not a nice support.

          But don't worry, if ICOM does not give you support, I am :)))
          After all, what are friends for :)

          The files ADJ-XXX.Q7 have the programmed frequences you
          will need for the adjustment.

          Example: PLL Adjustment
          1. Load ADJ-ITA.Q7, chech the Adjust box and upload
          2. Power off&on, you will see the freq. 439.800 and FR
          3. Take a Frequency counter (Scout, Cub, ...)
          4. TX, if the Freqency is not 439.800 on the counter,
             then rotate the knob, you will see a scale like --I---
             rotate up or down untill you get 439.800
          5. Thats it, your PLL is adjusted.

          For the other stuff read the service manual, it's to long
          to retype it. (I have other things to do also)


        4. I need
        ---------
        I could need any help I can get, so if anyone can help me
        Here is what I need:

        1. The IC-Q7 uses a Mitsubishi 8 bit 8MHz CPU with 32KB ROM
        M38267M8L GP, if someone has the MSV3800 programmer he
        can download the ROM, I NEED THIS VERY MUCH.

        2. The IC-Q7 uses also a XICOR E2PROM X25650 AF with 8K*8 bits
        If someone have a programmer like the TopMax I would be
        Very happy to get a copy of the E2Prom also.


        5. Version History - public releases
        ------------------------------------
        0.99 beta - First public release on 24.10.98
        1.00 FinalBeta
           - The Software will not crash if the Q7 is not connected
             or powered off.
           - added a "Del" button for erasing Frequencies
           - extension for the data files changed to .Q7
           - added Super-RX mode for Frequencies below 30MHz
           - added copy/paste in the scan edges grid
        1.00 Release98
           - Fixed a bug when adding new Frequencies (Mode change)
           - Optimized for 640*480 Resolution
           - Windows does not need to be in C:\WINDOWS\ any more
        1.01 Release 98
           - Offset set to 5 digits :)
           - added unknown pointer, now it is WYSIWYG, every byte is
             on the screen, nothing unknown or secret.
        1.02 Internal release.
        1.03 Some minor bugs removed
           - Beta release time check removed
        1.04 Adjustment mode added, internal release
        1.05 Public release.



        So, that's all for now, happy playing and enjoy.


        Greetings, ...

        Thanks to: Riku Kalinen, Eric Free and the Radioclub OK1OMX and my
                   other friends that wish not to be menshioned :)))

        No Thanks: ICOM Europe and ICOM Japan, very poor support :(
