Can't control IC-9700 - VFO swapping

[c-x-berger]

I'm having trouble controlling my (club's) IC-9700 with Gpredict. Whenever I click "Engage" on the radio control window, the rig goes in to satellite mode, swaps between the two VFOs(?) for a moment, and then the "Engage" button pops back out. There's no output from rigctld while this happens unless I use -vv. (Output from -vv here.)

I've configured the radio and GPredict as documented in doc/notes/ic-9700.txt. I'm using the latest version of gpredict-git and hamlib-git in the AUR (in other words, fresh builds from master of both.)

This seems similar to #181, but that thread would have me believe this issue's been solved...

[mpippins]

To see debug information in rigctld, you need -vvv (at least 3 v's). If you want a LOT of information, use 5 v's.
Use Hamlib 4.0. I can't get anything above 4.1 to work when the 9700 is in SAT mode. I have a ticket open with Hamlib.

[mdblack98]

What version of hamlib? rigctld --version Mike W9MDB On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 12:15:50 PM CDT, Caleb Xavier Berger ***@***.***> wrote: I'm having trouble controlling my (club's) IC-9700 with Gpredict. Whenever I click "Engage" on the radio control window, the rig goes in to satellite mode, swaps between the two VFOs(?) for a moment, and then the "Engage" button pops back out. There's no output from rigctld while this happens unless I use -vv. (Output from -vv here.) I've configured the radio and GPredict as documented in doc/notes/ic-9700.txt. I'm using the latest version of gpredict-git and hamlib-git in the AUR (in other words, fresh builds from master of both.) This seems similar to #181, but that thread would have me believe this issue's been solved... — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[c-x-berger]

rigctld --version:

rigctl Hamlib 4.4 Thu Dec 02 23:46:51 2021 +0000 SHA=5f8c4c

[KaComet]

This appears to be related to the compatibility problem that was introduced when Hamlib 4.1 switched to using SATMODE for radios that have a built in satellite mode. I have a pull request, #314, that corrects this issue (I use the fix practically every day.) If you're not feeling up to compiling my PR yourself, you can downgrade Hamlib to 4.0 and that should allow you to use your IC-9700.

[KaComet]

@mdblack98, I noticed that the latest commit of Hamlib works with the IC9700 and Gpredict. After some digging, I discovered that commit Hamlib cd2b73415076488f47821b705ff6e4cfc16eb3be corrects this issue. Assuming this fix works after Hamlib 4.5 is released, my PR #314 is unnecessary. So right now, the best fix might be to compile and install the latest commit of Hamlib.

[kareiva]

If I understand correctly, Gpredict actually tries to send an unsupported VFO string:

network.c(979):multicast address=0.0.0.0, port=4532
Connection opened from 127.0.0.1:48740
mutex_rigctld: client lock engaged
mutex_rigctld: client lock disengaged
mutex_rigctld: client lock engaged
mutex_rigctld: client lock disengaged
rig_parse_vfo called
rig_parse_vfo: '1' not found so vfo='None'

It should be somehow sent as "Main" and "Sub".

[kareiva]

@KaComet can you please share your working configuration and parameters passed to rigctld? Are you using the --vfo option?

[KaComet]

@kareiva, I am using the following:
rigctld -m 3081 -s 115200 -vvv -r /dev/icom-9700-a

Gpredict and Hamlib were compiled and installed from the latest commit.

[mdblack98]

Add --vfo to the rigctld line. And what version of hamlib do you have? rigctl --version Mike W9MDB On Friday, November 4, 2022 at 04:45:04 PM CDT, KaComet ***@***.***> wrote: @kareiva, I am using the following: rigctld -m 3081 -s 115200 -vvv -r /dev/icom-9700-a Gpredict and Hamlib were compiled and installed from the latest commit. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[KaComet]

@mdblack98, I'm not sure we are on the same page here. My Gpredict config works with the latest Hamlib commit. In fact, adding --vfo breaks the compatibility. As previously stated, I am using the latest commit of Hamlib.

[kareiva]

I have built gpredict and hamlib from git, as advised, gpredict is 2.3.115-0f3be and hamlib is 4.6~git.

Without the --vfo option, the frequencies go back from VHF to UFH (uplink to downlink) on the transceiver every period (1s) - is that normal? I can't switch the modulation on the rig and do anything else (subtones, etc) because of that quick blink.

[KaComet]

@kareiva, that's normal. When Hamlib sets the uplink frequency the IC-9700 will switch the selected VFO. Unfortunately, that's how Icom has setup the CAT interface. I would recommend setting the update timer to three seconds so that you can have time change modes. After you're done getting your RIT set up, you can lower it to one second.

If you prefer a more simple solution, I am working on a version that includes changing both the RIT and the TX/RX modes from Gpredict. It works for the IC-9700, but I am still yet to test it with some of the other radio types. I you want, I can go ahead and push the commit to my fork of Gpredict. From there you would only have to compile from my testing branch.

[kareiva]

I kind of felt it like almost "normal" because one can actually operate and navigate across the spectrum. For some satellites this is not even relevant, as the rig itself can track the main/sub vfo pretty nicely. I was concerned that this operation mode would temporarily swap main with sub vfo and then I might end up transmitting on the downlink, but this doesn't seem to be the case.

Combined with iCom's wfvew, I can handle gpredict remotely and so far it looks good, although a bit quirky. I might be interested in contributing to the ongoing work you've mentioned.

So @KaComet - thanks for sorting this out for me and, I hope, for some other icom users. Much appreciated.

[KaComet]

@kareiva, Glad I could help. Gpredict is kinda old. So contributions and bug fixes are always helpful.