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Memory editing


Recommended Procedure

The program uses the radio's clone facility to perform reading and writing. Because the clone process includes all of the radio's settings as well as the memories it is recommended that the following procedure be followed when changing memories:

a) read the radio to ensure you get the current radio settings and memories
b) save a copy to disk in case you need to revert back to the starting state
c) make your changes to the memories
d) write the amended file back to the radio

By setting up various configurations of memory settings you can build up a library of different configurations that you can load into the radio as required. Remember that the settings are included in the file together with the memories.

Warnings:
 
  • Before you can make any changes to the memories you must first either read an image from the radio, or read a previously saved image from disk.
  • Do not attempt to edit a saved image file with ANY sort of editor and then try to reload it into the radio.  
  • Do not rename a file from one radio with the file suffix for another radio.
  • If you modify your radio to 'wide-band' it and then attempt to reload an image you saved before the mod it will be rejected by the radio. Load the image into the program and then use the Export CSV function to extract the memory information. Then re-read the radio and perform an Import to read the memories previously exported.

    Radio Settings

    For the FT-847 you must first enable the Menu Expansion feature on the radio by turning ON Menu item 42.  The FT-847 CAT speed is Menu item 37, and the Clone speed is Menu item 94. You have the choice of 9600 or 57600. Make sure you set the Clone speed to the same value as in the radio.

    For the FT-817, FT-817ND, FT-818ND, FT-857, FT-857D, FT-897 and FT-897D the clone speed is fixed at 9600.

    Editing Memories

    To show the editing window click the picture of the radio you wish to manage. 



    You are then shown the memory editing screen



    At the top part of the screen a number of buttons are shown. FT-817, FT-817ND, FT-818ND, FT-847, FT-857, FT-857D, FT-897 or FT-897D can be substituted where <rigtype> is shown below:

    Read <rigtype> read the <rigtype> memories/settings
    Write <rigtype> write the currently shown memories/settings to the <rigtype>
    Read Disk File read previously saved memories/settings
    Write Disk File save the currently shown memories/settings to disk 
    Import CSV import memory definitions from a CSV file
    Export CSV export memory definitions to a CSV file

    Note that the screen shows columns for Group and Description. These two items are not actually a part of the rig's memory information, but are stored in a separate file each time the image is stored on disk, and also in the CSV files used for Export/Import. See Import/Export of memories for further details.

    Reading and Writing Memories

    To read from the radio click the 'Read <rigtype>' button and follow the on-screen instructions.  If the read is successful the grid is filled. If unsuccessful you will be told. 

    To write the currently displayed memory contents to a disk file click the 'Write Disk File' button.  A standard Windows file save dialog box is shown. An associated file containing any Group or Description details is also writen.

    To read a previously saved file to enable it to be changed and/or reloaded to the radio click the 'Read Disk File' button.  A standard Windows file open dialog box is shown. If an associated Groups and Descriptions file is found then these details are also read.

    To write the currently displayed memory contents to the radio click the 'Write <rigtype>' button and follow the on-screen instructions.  

    FT-847: If the write is successful you should hear a single beep from the radio. Check the LCD on the radio to make sure you have no error messages.  If you get a double beep with a message Cln Err1 on the FT-847 then power the FT-847 off/on and retry the operation. 

    Other rigs: If you get an error message with the radio then power off/on and retry the operation.

    Modified FT-847 radios:

    In addition to country-specific firmware the TX/RX coverage is determined by a diode/resistor pattern within the radio. Frequently this pattern is modified in order to change the coverage. When a clone is performed the sending rig supplies its rig type to the recipient to indicate the state of its hardware pattern. The recipient radio will refuse to talk to any radio type that does not match its own setting.

    If you have two radios, one of which is modified, it is not possible to write the same configuration to both because of the different diode/resistor pattern. In such circumstances there is a means of changing the radio type to match the clone image to the target radio. This can also occur if you use the Sample Memories file, which may not match the radio type of your own radio.
  • Determine the recipient Rig type by performing a read from the radio - the type will be shown at the top right of the screen.
  • Load into the program the image you wish to write to this radio
  • Click on the words Rig type - a drop-down list will appear to the left.
  • Choose the required type - the drop-down list will disappear and the chosen type displayed.
  • Write to the rig - the clone should be accepted.

    This facility does not change the recipient radio's type. It can only force the clone image to be a match for the recipient radio.

    If the required type is not available in the drop-down list then please contact the author.

    Changing Memory Contents

    Read the <rigtype> current memory using the 'Read <rigtype>' button, or load a previously saved file using the 'Read Disk File' button.

    To edit a cell you must first select it by clicking with the mouse or moving the rectangular highlight by pressing the arrow keys. When you are in the cell you want to change either a) press F2 to enable edit mode in that cell, or b) use the mouse to click on the drop-down triangle, and then select the desired setting.

    Not FT-847: If you choose a shift of Split, this means that the next box TX/Offset should contain the TX frequency, NOT an offset from the RX Frequency. This frequency may be any valid transmit frequency and need not be in the same band as the receive frequency. When in Split shift the TX Mode may be different to the receive mode. 

    FT-847 only: The FT-847 does not store the amount of repeater shift in general memories. The radio only uses the TX Freq column if the shift is Split. When creating a new memory the column TX Freq defaults to the same frequency as the RX Freq. For compatibility with other radios when performing an Export the TX Freq value is assigned an appropriate repeater offset if the shift is not Split.

    When you have made your changes you can save them to disk or load them to the radio.

    Copying and Moving Memories About

    To copy, first select the memory(ies) you wish to copy, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu (shortcut Ctrl+C). Now click on the row that you want to copy to and choose the Paste command from the Edit menu (shortcut Ctrl+V).

    To move, perform the same operation as for copy, but choose the Cut command from the Edit menu (shortcut Ctrl+X) instead of Copy.

    To move a single memory click on the memory number you want to move (in the leftmost column) and drag it to the desired position. Release the mouse button when you are in the desired place.

    To move one or more selected memories one position at a time in the grid first select the memories and then press F11 to move up and F12 to move down. To select the block to move drag over the memories in any column.

    Any cells that you select and then perform a Copy command will also have that selected data placed on the Windows clip-board. You can paste this information into any Windows program that accepts Pasted data (e.g. Excel, Word, Wordpad, Notepad). FTBasicMMO does not accept multiple cells of pasted data - only a single cell.

    Inserting, Deleting and Clearing Memories

    To Insert, first select the memory(ies) where you wish to insert, then choose the Insert empty memory above command from the Edit menu (shortcut Ctrl+I). Memories below are shuffled downwards into Empty positions.

    To Delete, first select the memory(ies) you wish to delete, then choose the Delete memory command from the Edit menu (shortcut Del). Memories after those deleted are shuffled up.

    To Clear to Empty, perform the same operation as for delete, but choose the Clear memory command (shortcut Shift+Del) instead of Delete memory. Cleared memories are made Empty.

    Filling repeated data

    To fill down repeated rows with the same data, first select the cells (multiple columns are allowed) to be filled. Then select the Fill selection Downwards command from the Edit menu. The information in the top-most cells will be repeated beneath. Any memory that is Empty will not have information filled in.

    Removing unwanted Empty memories

    To remove unwanted Empty memories choose the Compact empty memories command from the Edit menu.

    Sorting memories

    Memories can be sorted either by frequency or by name. Choose the appropriate sequence from the Edit menu.  To sort a range of adjacent rows simply highlight a selection of cells before choosing the Sort command. Only the selected rows will be sorted.

    Duplicate frequencies

    To find duplicate frequencies choose the Find duplicate frequencies command from the View menu.