Icom Ic-Prc100 Communications Receiver For Computer Instruction Manual

							INSTRUCTION MANUAL
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is sub-
ject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
iPCR100
COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER FOR COMPUTER 
						

							i
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONScarefully and com-
pletely before using the receiver.
SAVE THIS  INSTRUCTION  MANUAL —This
instruction manual contains important operating instructions
for the IC-PCR100 COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER FOR
COMPUTER.
USEantenna(s), such as a well-matched 50 Ωantenna and
feedline. For radio communications, the antenna is of critical
importance, along with sensitivity.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
• IBM PC/AT compatible computer
• An RS-232C serial port (38400 bps or faster)
• Microsoft
®Windows®95 or Microsoft®Windows®98
• Intel i486DX4 processor or faster (Pentium®100 MHz or
faster recommended)
• At least 16 MB RAM
• At least 10 MB of hard disk space
• At least 640 ×480 pixel display (800 ×600 pixel display rec-
ommended)
OPERATING THEORY
Electromagnetic radiation which has frequencies of 20,000
Hz (20 kHz*) and above is called radio frequency (RF) energy
because it is useful in radio transmissions. The IC-PCR100
receives RF energy from 0.5 MHz* to 1300 MHz and converts
it into audio frequency (AF) energy which in turn actuates a
loudspeaker to create sound waves. AF energy is in the range
of 20 to 20,000 Hz.
* kHz is an abbreviation of kilohertz or 1000 hertz, MHz is abbrevia-
tion of megahertz or 1,000,000 hertz, where hertz is a unit of fre-
quency.
OPERATING NOTES
The IC-PCR100 may receive its own oscillated frequency, re-
sulting in no reception or only noise reception, on some fre-
quencies.
The IC-PCR100 may receive interference from extremely
strong signals on different frequencies or when using an ex-
ternal high-gain antenna.
Versions of the IC-PCR100 which display “CE” on the serial num-
ber seal, comply with the essential requirements of the
89/336/EEC directive for Electromagnetic Compatibility. 
						

							CAUTIONS
RWARNING! NEVERconnect the receiver to an AC
outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or result in an electric
shock.
NEVERconnect other than the specified AC adapter to the
receiver. This connection will ruin the receiver.
NEVERconnect the receiver to a power source of more
than 16 V DC such as a 24 V battery. This connection will ruin
the receiver.
NEVERexpose the receiver to rain, snow or any liquids.
DO NOTuse or place the receiver in areas with tempera-
tures below 0°C (+32°F) or above +50°C (+122°F) or, in areas
subject to direct sunlight.
AVOIDplacing the receiver in excessively dusty environ-
ments.
AVOIDthe use of chemical agents such as benzine or al-
cohol when cleaning, as they damage the receiver surfaces.
Place unit in a secure place to avoid inadvertent use by children.
For U.S.A. only (FCC information)
CAUTION:Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by Icom Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate
this receiver.
Class B digital device users
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment gen-
erates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not in-
stalled and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installa-
tion. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equip-
ment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interfer-
ence by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
For Canada only
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device
may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any in-
terference, including interference that may cause undesired opera-
tion of the device.
ii
IBM is registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in
the U.S.A. and other countries. Microsoft®and Windows®are registered trade-
marks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A and other countries. Screen shots
produced with permission from Microsoft Corporation. All other products or
brands are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. 
						

							iiiIMPORTANT ...................................... i
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS  .............. i
OPERATING THEORY  ....................... i
OPERATING NOTES  ......................... i
CAUTIONS ........................................ ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS  .................... iii
1 INSTALLATION ...................... 1 – 5
Hardware installation  ................ 1
Antenna installation  .................. 2
Grounding ................................. 2
AF output level selection ........... 3
Software installation  ................. 4
RS-232C port setting  ................ 5
Mouse property setting  ............. 5
2 PANEL DESCRIPTION  ........ 6 – 15
Multi-function receiver screen ... 6
Function display ...................... 10
Simple function receiver 
screen ..................................... 12
Function controller screen  ...... 14
Simple function receiver sub
screens ................................... 153 BASIC OPERATION  ........... 16 – 21
Receiving ................................ 16
Setting a frequency ................. 17
Setting a tuning step  ............... 18
Receive mode selection  ......... 18
Automatic mode selection  ...... 19
Setting squelch level  ............... 20
IF filter selection  ..................... 20
Attenuator function  ................. 21
Automatic noise limiter  ........... 21
4 MEMORY CHANNELS ....... 22 – 25
General ................................... 22
Saving memory channels ........ 22
Selecting a memory channel ... 23
Memory channel 
programming .......................... 24
Clearing a memory channel .... 24
Editing the memory list  ........... 25
5 SCAN OPERATION ............ 26 – 33
Scan types  .............................. 26
Programmed scan  .................. 27
Setting scan edges  ................. 28
Auto memory write scan  ......... 29
Memory scan  .......................... 30Versatile memory scan  ........... 31
Scan resume condition  ........... 32
Scan speed setting .................. 33
6 BAND SCOPE  .................... 34 – 35
Operation ................................ 34
Changing the automatic 
sweep step limit  ...................... 35
7
TONE SQUELCH OPERATION... 36
8 TROUBLESHOOTING .............. 37
9
SPECIFICATIONS AND SUPPLIED
ACCESSORIES 
.................... 38 – 39
Specifications ......................... 38
Supplied accessories .............. 39
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
						

							1
1INSTALLATION
Hardware installation
Refer to the diagram below for connections.
GroundSupplied antenna
to an AC adapter to an 
RS-232C port External speaker
Personal computer 
						

							2
1INSTALLATION
Antenna installation
Antennas play a very important role in receiver operation.
Connecting a poor quality antenna to the IC-PCR100 will re-
sult in less than optimum performance.
Select antenna(s), such as a well-matched 50 Ωantenna and
feedline. 1.5:1 of Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is rec-
ommended for a desired band. Of course, the antenna line
should be a coaxial cable.
CAUTION:Protect your receiver from lightning by
using a lightning arrestor.
NOTE:The supplied antenna is a simple plain antenna which
may not obtain indicated specifications. To obtain maximum
performance from the IC-PCR100, you must purchase an ex-
ternal wide band antenna such as an optional Icom AH-7000
(25–1300 MHz), etc.
Contact your nearest Icom Dealer or Service Center for re-
garding optimum antenna locations.
The antenna connector type is BNC, so an adapter may be
necessary to connect an optional antenna.
Grounding
RWARNING: NEVERuse a gas pipe or electrical
conduit pipe for grounding.
To prevent accidents involving electricity and interference
from computers, ground the receiver through the GROUND
terminal on the rear panel.
For best results, connect a heavy gauge cable to a water pipe
or long, earth-sunk copper rod. Make the distance between
the [GND] terminal and ground as short as possible. 
						

							3
1INSTALLATION
AF output level selection
The received audio can be input into your computer via the
sound card.
Before inputting the received audio into the [LINE IN] con-
nector (connector name depends on your sound card), the
output level of the [EXT-SP] must be set properly. Perform as
follows:
CAUTION:Setting ‘STEREO’and connecting a 2-con-
ductor plug cause a short-circuit. This may damage the
audio power amplifier.
DMulti-function receiver screen
qSelect ‘EXT-Speaker’in the option menu to bring up the
[EXT-Speaker Setting] dialog box.
wSelect the plug type as shown below.
•“STEREO”for 3-conductor stereo plug.
•“MONO”for 2-conductor
monaural plug.
eSelect the output level
as shown at right.
•“SP”for internal or exter-
nal speaker.
•“LINE”for PC sound
card or headphones.
rConnect an appropriate cable between IC-PCR100 and
PC.
•Use a 3-conductor stereo plug for connecting to the receiver.
DSimple function receiver screen
qRight-click* the frequency indication to display shortcut
menu and select ‘EXT-Speaker’in the Option menu to bring
up the [EXT-Speaker Setting] dialog box.
* When the mouse property is set for right-handed.
wSelect the plug type.
•“STEREO”for 3-conductor stereo plug.
•“MONO”for 2-conductor monaural plug.
eSelect the output level.
•“SP”for internal or external speaker.
•“LINE”for PC sound card or headphones.
rConnect an appropriate cable between IC-PCR100 and
PC.
[EXT-SP] to [LINE IN]
(depends on 
your sound card) 
						

							4
1INSTALLATION
Software installation
NOTE:Before using the program, make a backup copy of
the original disk. After making a backup copy, keep the
original disk in a safe place.
NOTE:Depending on the Windows
®system files, the PC
may require rebooting. In this case, repeat the installation
from the beginning.
DInstallation
qBoot up Windows.
•Quit all applications when windows is running.
wInsert the backup disk 1 into the appropriate floppy drive.
eSelect ‘Run’from the [Start] menu.
rType the setup program name with full path name, then
press the [Enter] key. (A:\SETUP [Enter])
tFollowing dialog appears. Follow the prompts.yProgram group ‘IC-PCR100’appears in the ‘Programs’
folder of the [Start] menu.
DSoftware update information
Software update information will be available at the Icom
America home page:
http://www.icomamerica.com/ 
						

							5
1INSTALLATION
RS-232C port setting
‘COM Port Error’or ‘Communication failed’dialog box appears
when the RS-232C serial port is not set correctly.
NOTE:When launching the program for the first time, this
setting dialog appears for setting the RS-232C serial port.
DMulti-function receiver screen
qBefore launching the program, make sure the IC-PCR100
interface unit is connected correctly.
wLaunch the IC-PCR100 software.
eClick the [POWER] button in the tool bar or select ‘Power
OFF’in the File menu to temporarily pause the program.
rClick the [PORT] button or select ‘COM Port’in the Option
menu to bring up the [COM Port Setting] dialog box.
tClick the desired
COM port number to
choose it.
yClick the [OK] button.
DSimple function receiver screen
qBefore launching the program, make sure the IC-PCR100
interface unit is connected correctly.
wLaunch the IC-PCR100 software.eClick the [POWER] button to temporarily pause the pro-
gram.
rRight-click* the frequency indication to display shortcut
menu and select ‘COM Port’in the Option menu to bring
up the [COM Port Setting] dialog box.
* When the mouse property is set for right-handed.
tClick the desired COM port number to choose it.
yClick the [OK] button.
Mouse property setting
The IC-PCR100 uses left and right buttons to rotate a control
knob on the multi-function receiver screen or to call up the
shortcut menu from the simple function receiver screen. De-
pending on the mouse property setting of the control panel,
main and sub mouse button functions are alternated.
In this instruction manual, the operation is described with
setting for right-handed (Windows
®default setting).
DSetting the button configuration
qSelect ‘Settings’from the [Start] menu and click ‘Control
Panel.’
wOpen the mouse control panel.
eSelect the button configuration to right- or left-handed.
rClick [OK] to set and exit the control panel. 
						

							Multi-function receiver screenqPOWER BUTTON [POWER]
Toggles the receiver power ON and OFF.
wFILE MENU [File]
Used for turning the software on/off, saving memory chan-
nel contents or quitting the program, etc.
eVIEW MENU [View]
Used for showing/hiding the memory list screen/tool bar or
selecting the simple function receiver screen.
rSIMPLE FUNCTION RECEIVER BUTTON
Push to selects the simple function receiver screen.
tBANK MENU [BANK]
Used for selecting the memory bank.
yMEMORY LIST SCREEN BUTTON
Push to display or to hide the memory list screen.
uEXTERNAL SPEAKER SETTING BUTTON(p. 3)
Push to display the external speaker setting dialog box.
iOPTION MENU [Option]
Used for displaying the external speaker setting dialog box
or COM port setting dialog box.
oCOM PORT SETTING BUTTON(p. 5)
Push to display the COM port setting dialog box.
!0EXIT BUTTON
Push to quit and exit this software.
6
2PANEL DESCRIPTION
Function displayquw erty io!0 !1
!2 !3 !7 !8 !9 @0 @1 @2 @3!4 !5 !6