Switch BOX: is a automatic T/R switch senses for RTX and your SDR

Switch BOX della Elad: è una unità di commutazione dei collegamenti d’antenna tra un RTX ed un ricevitore SDR separati. Distribuita da WoodBoxRadio di IK3VIG, Beppe, è dotata di sensore di RF trasmessa (100W max)  che permette l’uso di un Ricevitore SDR come il PERSEUS, unitamente ad un qualsiasi Transceiver HF in modo automatico tramite un relay interno, che mette a massa l’antenna RX durante la trasmissione.  L’unità Switch BOX, consente di gestisce anche i segnali audio provenienti dal ricevitore o dal monitor del trasmettitore, permettendo un rapido ed agevole confronto di ascolto tra i due segnali così ricevuti. Usando la CAT dell’RTX, con una partizione di software sul PC per la funzione di sincronismo trà l’RTX e il Perseus, si ottiene un nuovo e performante transceiver.  Protezione: Switch BOX è dotato di uno scaricatore a gas che si inserisce sull’ imput di antenna.

Link to: Download the Connection diagram .pdf

ENG: SWITCH BOX by Elad, is a automatic T/R switch senses transmitted RF (100W max) and switches your
antenna from SDR receive (PERSEUS)  to transmit using a relay. It shorts your receiver antenna input to ground to protect your SDR (Official distribution by WoodBoxRadio, IK3VIG, Beppe). Instead of using RF sense to switch the antenna, a control line input lets your key/keyer or PTT line switch the antenna. A complete switch control is available for the audio path of receiver and transceiver. Using CAT of your RTX, with third parts software which provide a SYNC function between RTX and your Peseus SDR, you can make an outstanding and high performance transceiving operations. Protection: The SWITCH BOX provides gas discharge protection on the antenna input.

FT-450 disponibile Update Software Ver. 0165

ENG: The software version is available on the LCD display: Hold the Mode Down button; press the Power switch to turn the transceiver On (this is possible from the update ver. 0109).

28.05.2008: There is a new firmware available at Vertex Stand/Yaesu website HD024_v0165.
You will need a serial cable RS-232C, DB9F to DB9F straight cable to connect the FT-450 transceiver to your computer. If you use the USB to serial adaptor you might need to change the COM Port. It depends on your computer. Locate the program switch thru the access hole on the bottom at the front left corner of the radio. Carefully move the switch to the right (program position). See the V/S procedure information; Ver. 0165 implements improvements: Improve KEY CLICK. Also includes all previous updates.

Link to: V/S Yaesu official Update information (Download 137KB .pdf)
Link to: I0GEJ’s Ham Radio News FT-450 page

IC-7800 Update Firmware Ver. 2.12, Improved the DSP Unit

Firmware Update on the IC-7800 Ver. 2.12; La Icom jp world support, ha rilasciato il 12.06.2008 la nuova Ver. 2.12 del Software per il transceiver IC-7800. Come si legge dalla immagine (da ingrandire) i miglioramenti interessano l’aumento delle performance del DSP Unit. Per aggiornare l’apparato leggere il manuale di istruzioni con cura, si suggerisce di inserire prima tutti i precedenti aggiornamenti rilasciati.
Utilizzare l’alimentazione con un UPS inserito, l’interrutore [ON] generale sul retro acceso, spegnere solo l’interruttore sul frontale  ed evitare così che manchi tensione durante la procedura di aggiornamento. 

Link to: Icom.co.jp official support web site    Link to: I0GEJ’s Ham radio News IC-7800 page

ENG: Major points of update from Ver.2.11to Ver.2.12: “Improved software performance for the DSP Unit“ 
NEVER turn off the power from the back without shutting down the radio first (front button). These radios should be run off a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply); Never cut off power supply while updating firmware! Before starting the download, please read through “Section  (UPDATING THE FIRMWARE)” of the IC-7800’s instruction manual.
NB: there are actually two versions of the IC-7800 manual on theirwebsite, and which version you get appears to be related to whether you usethe search facility or follow their links. The older version has a code on the bottom of the page which reads A-6328H-1EX-4-1. What I assume to be the newer version has the code A-6328H-1EX-8-1, but unfortunately it is still dated 16/10/2007.

IC-7700 RSGB review summary, RadCom July 2008

RadCom reviews: IC-7700.  Queste le conclusioni di Peter Hart, G3SJX che ha curato la recenzione per la RSGB, in merito all’analisi dell’Icom IC-7700:
“The IC-7700 is without doubt a most impressive radio. Its performance, its features and its ergonomics place it high in the top league. As a general purpose and contest radio it is excellent, but for serious DXing with split frequency operation the lack of a second channel receive capability or dual-watch is a major shortcoming, particularly with a price tag around 4,000 UK Pounds. It all depends where your interests lie as to which features are most important”.

Link to: Radcom RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) Home Page

The FT-450 is a sturdy and competente purpose radio in the under $1000 class

ENG: FT-450, includes a Morse code trainer. As the Op. Manual suggests: you can improve yourCW proficiency whether or not the bands are open.
The frontpanel’s DSP button stepsthrough CONTOUR, NOTCH, DNR and WIDTH settings, and these are reflected viaa graphic display.
The FT-450 does not have an automatic notch filter, but the manual notch is very effective. With the FT-450’s contour and notch capabilities, it’s possible to do some rather creative filter shaping! DNR works very well, there are n. 11 algorithm settings. IF SHIFT control lets you shift the center of the receive passband and the NOTCH, WIDTH and SHIFT functions clearly operate within the AGC loop (see the S-meeter) The WIDTH function sets the IF bandwidth, and it’s mode dependent. The DSP filters seem to work well and the bandwidth offers just three fixed settings per mode. In SSB these are 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 kHz. On CW, the choices are 500 Hz, 1.8 kHz and 2.4 kHz. For AM, you can select 3.0, 6.0 or 9.0 kHz, and on FM, 2.5 and 5.0 kHz.