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Using the WebXCVR Radio Control Interface

 

 

 

 

 

The WebXCVR control is intended for control and/or monitor of Kenwood radios.  It provides a user-friendly interface that handles most of the popular functions of the radios. Most of the interface is via mouse click and selection. A few functions, e.g. mode selection and direct frequency control, are keyboard accessible.  The general rule with this interface is to click on anything that is a red of green color or looks like a button. Most of the time a menu will appear, then select your choice. Menu and display clearing is via the ESC key on the keyboard.  If you need access to additional control features then you should use the more detailed Kenwood software, TRX-Manager, Ham Radio Deluxe, etc to access those features.

 

The two menu items on the top are used to access additional information (Info menu) or seldom used features (Setup menu).

 

The following will address some key concepts on this interface, but playing with it is the best way to learn. Note that the values of the display are changed immediately when you command the radio, but eventually the display reads the actual radio state and thus will accurately reflect the actually setup of the radio. So if you change something and it is different in the display, note that is how the radio is actually set.

 

Changing Frequency:  The easiest way to go directly to a new band or frequency is to type in the frequency, either in kHz or MHz, e.g. 7002, 7.002, 14, etc. This can be done ANYTIME that the window is active. Band up and down is done by clicking the <<  or >> arrows surrounding  ÒBandÓ. Tuning is done using the UP and DOWN arrow keys, with the specific digit (yellow number) selected via the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys.

 

Changing Modes: Click on the MODE NAME (CW in this example) and select a new mode from the list. Modes can also be changed using the L, U, C, A, AND F keys (note that case does not matter).

 

IF Filter bandwidths: Click on the current filter width (e.g. 600Hz in this example) and select a new bandwidth from the list. If the mode is LSB or USB, control over the low and high filter limits may be possible with your radio.  Click either the high or low frequency limit shown under the IF Band Pass label and use the < and > key to scroll through the available choices.

 

RIT: RIT can be turned ON and OFF by clicking the RIT value (currently OFF in this example) and selecting a state from the list. RIT tuning is done using the < and > keys to select an offset within the allowed range

 

Transmit VFO and SPLIT:  The three BUTTONS: ÒSplitÓ,  ÒA <==>BÓ, and ÒA==BÓ perform the same functions as the radio buttons. Note that the larger frequency  display is ALWAYS the receive frequency and the smaller frequency display is ALWAYS the transmit frequency.  It is possible to independently set a Tx freq offset in the SPLIT mode, by clicking on the ÒSET TX OFFSETÓ button below the Tx Freq display. The background will turn red and then the < and > keys can be used to change the Tx freq, e.g up 2kHz. Remember if you are using the RIT also, you should just click the RIT freq to restore its red background for tuning.

 

TRANSMIT (PTT and VOX):  VOX is automatically enabled when the CW mode is selected. This is to allow for the Keyboard CW.  Push-to-Talk (PTT) is done through either the red button (one click to enable TX and a second click to disable TX) or using the SPACE BAR on the keyboard (one click to enable TX and another to disable TX).

 

The question arises as to why we even need this radio control display if the TS480 keyboard is being used.  There are several reasons. First it supports direct entry of frequency better that the front panel. Second, it is a bit tricky to do PTT from the TS480 front panel (for more info see page 66 of the TS480 manual).  Next, this control reads the telemetry coming back through the CAT port of the radio, so keeps track of the current frequency, info that is needed to support some of the Alpha control, SteppIR control, Rotator control and logging.  Finally, this control is coupled to the DxCluster control, allowing automatic frequency (and possible mode) selection based on clicking on a selected spot.

 

 

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