Re: [Hamlib-developer] new to project--want to help

[Stephane F. <f4...@fr...>]

Hi Larry,


Welcome in the Hamlib team!

> My motivation in subscribing to the list come from owning an ICOM T81A and 
> finding the software/hardware necessary for programming the radio a bit 

I've made a quick search about the ICOM T81A, and it turns out that
this rig has only the ability to be cloned, in other words, it can
only be memory programmed. It's not possible to control the rig,
like changing VFOs, setting functions, get signal strength.
But I might me wrong. Do you have some kind of documentation available
in the manual?

> the radio, imho which would more than outweigh offering necessary items as 
> accesories for additional payment.

If only they would make the protocol specifications available.. 
However, some manufacturers do.

> My background is in information technology.  My radio interests are 
> homebrewing, both with tubes and silicon,  and 6 meter band communications.

The magic band is fun, and quite exciting for the least!
 
> I am not sure, at this point, if the control codes for the ICOM T81A are 
> available or how they compare to the HF rigs this company makes.  I realize 

Well, it looks like the ICOM T81A is not using the CI-V protocol.
Do you have some protocol specifications coming along with your manual?
Hamlib is not supporting any "clonable" rig yet, but through 
the rig_set_channel() and rig_get_channel(), this would be quite easy.
Maybe some rig_mem_sync() to cope with whole memory only bank transfer
would help. To be designed..

> the control codes in a case by case fashion.  So this project is a 
> commendable example of putting the horse before the cart, in my opinion.

Well, thank you. The Hamlib team is pleased to hear that, even though
there's still lot of work to be done (esp. testing on different rigs). 
We hope to see plenty of user applications using Hamlib. Some of them
are already working on it: kontakt, groundstation, etc.

Cheers,
Stephane / F8CFE