######################################
VX-2 Commander - version 1.0
######################################

By Jim Mitchell, KC8UNJ

Freeware programming software for Yaesu's VX-2R. 
Tested on Win98SE, Win2000, WinXP.


######################################
*** LICENSE & DISCLAIMER ***
######################################

The user must assume the ENTIRE RISK of using this software.
In other words, I am not responsible if it brain-deads your VX-2 or screws up your PC.

Before using this software, thoroughly read the file LICENSE.txt in the installation folder for official disclaimers and license information.


######################################
THE INTERFACE CABLE
######################################

There are many interface designs on the internet that you can build yourself, and also commercially available interface cables. Many of these designs will work just fine, others will not.
 
For best results, I recommend the six-transistor design that can be found on this site:
http://home.comcast.net/~sllewd/vx7rmain.htm


######################################
MAIN FEATURES
######################################

-Read and Write to the VX-2

-Add, edit, delete, cut, paste, move regular memory channels, scan edge memories

-Edit memory channel text tags, name, frequency, mode, step, masked, repeater shift, 
repeater shift freq, Sql Type, Tones, DCS Codes, TX Power, Half Dev, Clock Shift

-Edit Memory Banks

-Edit Set-Mode Settings, Open Message, ARTS CW ID, My Menu Settings, Priority Channel

-Import and Export to CSV

-"Frequency Import Tool" to extract frequencies from any file, or copied text from a webpage etc

-Auto-Mode and Auto-Shift Options

-Search for duplicates, auto-delete if desired

-Sort Memories By Tag or Freq

-Print memories

-Software Modifications for MARS/CAP and Freeband


-Import the following file types: 

.TPE - ARRL TravelPlus 
.VX5/.RDF - VX-5 Commander, ADMS for the VX-5(R) 
.VX7/.RDF - VX-7 Commander, ADMS for the VX-7(R) 
.TK1 - TK120 Files (Bob Parnass tk120 format) 
.r2, .icf, .ic2, .tr2 - Icom R2 Files
.Q7 - IC-Q7 Files (Goran Vlaski's Programming Utility) 



######################################
Getting Started
######################################

-Before you use try to read or write data, set the port under Options > Port.

-All features are disabled until you open a vx2 file, or read from the VX-2.

The GUI is pretty self explanatory. Just double-click to edit a setting.



######################################
UNDO
######################################

The undo will work for most major operations (move, import, insert, etc) but not for minor editing of individual items in the grid.



######################################
SETTINGS MENU
######################################

USE ALTERNATE INTERFACE
This is an alternative to the spreadsheet interface. It displays one memory at a time.

USE AUTO-SHIFT
This will automatically apply the default repeater shift based on the frequency entered.

USE AUTO-MODE
This will automatically apply the default mode based on the frequency entered.

SHOW COMM STATUS WINDOW
This will display a status window when reading and writing to the VX-2. This is useful for troubleshooting purposes.

INSERT FILLS EMPTY ROWS
When checked, inserts will cause memories below the insert location to be "pushed together" filling empty rows. Normally, ALL memories will be pushed down when there is an insert, including blank ones.


######################################
CUT-COPY-PASTE
######################################

You can freely copy cell ranges to any row you want. However, they will only paste to the columns from which they were copied.
To copy cells into a blank memory, the Freq field must be included. 


######################################
MOVE UP, MOVE DOWN, INSERT BLANK, DELETE, CLEAR
######################################

These are accessible via the toolbar icons.
Multiple rows can be selected for all of these operations.

Deleting channels frees them up for the "Next Available Memory" storage feature.


######################################
RECOVER DELETED MEMORIES
######################################

If you do a reset to the VX2, the memories are marked as unused, but 
the memory data is still there. So if you need to recover this, then just read the 
data from the VX2 and choose this menu item. 
Memory one is not recoverable. 
Using this item for any other purpose will yield mixed results.



######################################
FIND
######################################

You can search for memories, by tag or frequency. 
This is a "case-insesitive substring search". 
Wildcards are NOT supported, they are not needed. Just type part of the freq or tag that you know, and the software will find it.

Example:

Searching for "56" would find the frequencies "456.000", "156.000", "100.560" etc
Searching for "ABC" would find the tags "ABCDEF", "MMABCM", "nnnABC" etc



######################################
DUPLICATE FREQUENCY CHECK:
######################################

This will check all of your memories for duplicate frequencies, and report back.
If the report says "Duplicates: 19, 100, 233" that means that these 3 memories have the 
same frequency. 



######################################
CHECK FOR USA BLOCKED FREQS
######################################

This will check for frequencies blocked in the US version of the VX-2R. They can be deleted if desired.



######################################
CSV EXPORT
######################################

Here are some things you should know about the way VX-2 Commander handles CSVs.

Use "#" Field

If an CSV DOES contain the "#" field (memory number):
When imported back into VX-2 Commander, the memories will import to the exact memory specified by the number field in the file. This will allow users to edit CSV's and have CSV's set up for different memory ranges.

If an CSV DOES NOT contain the "#" field (memory number):
When imported back into VX-2 Commander, you will be prompted for a row at which to start the import.

If unused channels are included, then this will ensure that these memories will be blank upon import.



######################################
CSV IMPORT
######################################

-The CSV import features assumes the first line is the "VX-2 Commander header".

-If the first line is NOT a "VX-2 Commander header" or has no header, the CSV will still import, however VX-2 Commander will only extract the frequency info from the line and apply defaults to the rest of the fields. This will also allow VX-2 Commander to import almost any CSV regardless of the program it was exported from, however it will only import the frequency information.

-ALL fields need to be in valid "VX2 Commander format" in order to be imported.

-Any file exported by VX2 Commander should be able to be imported back in, as long as the file uses the default header applied, regardless of the other settings used for export. 

-The frequency field must exist for import, all other fields are optional. If other fields are omitted, defaults are applied.



######################################
TPE IMPORT
######################################
This is designed for import of ARRL Travel Plus files. I believe I have implemented this properly, however I do not own this CD. 



######################################
VX-5, VX-7, VR-120, IC-R2, IC-Q7 Import
######################################

You can import the file types from these different handheld radios.
You will be prompted for a row at which to start the import.



######################################
PRINT
######################################

This will print the VX2 main memory data to your default printer.
Be aware that if you print all of it, it will be 30+ pages, so specify a range unless you
are really sure you want to print it all.



######################################
AUTO-FILL TAGS
######################################

To use this feature, enter a tag. Then, highlight the block of tag cells underneath the tag you entered, that you want to auto-fill. Then, right-click in the "Tag" column, and choose "Auto-Fill Tags".

If the original tag ends with a number, the highlighted cells will be filled with the same tags and will increment the numbers on the end.

If the original tag does not contain a number, the highlighted cells will be filled with the same tags as the original number.


######################################
INSERT COPIED CELLS
######################################

To use this feature, cut or copy a range of rows.
Then, highlight a row where you would like to insert the rows. 
Right-click in the "#" column, and choose "Insert Cut/Copied Cells"



That should pretty much cover it.
Any questions, email me.


Jim
KC8UNJ

Jimbo_48393@yahoo.com




