Support for the Icom IC-7610 "tracking" feature seems to be missing from DXLab, or maybe I've just missed something.  The tracking function locks the two VFOs together and makes it possible to run in diversity mode with different antennas on the two receivers.  To make that work, you turn on "dual watch" and enable tracking in the 7610 menus.  That all works fine, but if I mouse on a DX spot in SpotCollector, it knocks the 7610 out of dual watch mode, and sends the spot frequency only to the main receiver.  The sub frequency is still updates when you tune the main receiver, but the frequencies are no longer the same as they should be.  Is there a way to make this work properly in DXLab?

I see that N1MM made an update for this function back in 2018 and I tested that and it works as it should.

73, Floyd - K8AC

+ AA6YQ comment sbelow

support for the Icom IC-7610 "tracking" feature seems to be missing from DXLab

+ Where does the DXLab documentation assert that the Icom-specific feature you cite above is supported?

+ Have you tried enabling Commander's "Dual Track" option?

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/commander/Help/ChangingFrequency.htm#Dual%20track%20box

+ Alternatively, you can configure Commander to ignore directives from other applications (like SpotCollector) that disable "Dual Receive":

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/commander/Help/Configuration.htm#Dual%20Receive%20panel

     73,

                Dave, AA6YQ

 

       73,

             Dave, AA6YQ

 

Perhaps I should have phrased the question differently.  While the support seems not to be "missing", it does appear NOT TO WORK.  From your response and my readings of your material, I should be able to configure Commander so that SpotCollector entries I mouse on should result in both VFOs being set to the same frequency.  Your words here: https://www.dxlabsuite.com/commander/Help/ChangingFrequency.htm#Dual%20receive%20%20checkbox

would seem to indicate it should work as I'd like it to.  It says: "when enabled, automatically updates the Sub-receiver VFO frequency to match the Main VFO frequency; this option is available if the Dual receive box is checked and the transceiver is:

an Icom IC-7610, IC-7800, IC-7850, or IC-7851

<snip>

In the Commander VFO panel, I have Dual Receive and Dual Track now checked.  In the Commander config General tab, General panel, I have both "Accept" boxes for dual receive directives NOT checked. The Use TX freq for devices.... box is unchecked.

With those items as described, when the transceiver is in dual watch mode with tracking on, and I mouse on a non-split Spotcollector entry, Dual Watch is no longer turned off.  But, the sub VFO is not updated with the frequency that the main VFO is, so the tracking feature is for all practical purposes disabled.  It's still turned on in the 7610 menu and the sub VFO is still logically connected to (tuning main results in sub on same freq) the main VFO, but the frequency is not the same.  But, when I turn the VFO knob on the 7610, the sub VFO frequency jumps to that of the main VFO.  So, is it your opinion that things are now working as they should?

Thanks for your assistance.

73, Floyd - K8AC

Commander has provided a "Dual Track" option since October 2009, initially for the IC-7800, and expanded over time to include the Elecraft, K3, FTDX9000, FTDX5000, FTDX3000, FTDX1200, FTDX101, IC-7610, IC-7850, and IC-7851.

Before yesterday, there were no reports of defects in this functionality.

After receiving your message, I tested "Dual Track" with my IC-7800; you are correct: double-clicking a Spot Database Entry does not set both VFOs to the Entry's frequency. I am investigating.

    73,

             Dave, AA6YQ

 

Floyd, I have sent you a new version of Commander that properly handles double-clicking a Spot Database Entry when Commander's "Dual Track" option is enabled. Please let me know how it goes...

73,

Dave, AA6YQ


Perhaps I should have phrased the question differently. While the support seems not to be "missing", it does appear NOT TO WORK. From your response and my readings of your material, I should be able to configure Commander so that SpotCollector entries I mouse on should result in both VFOs being set to the same frequency. Your words here: https://www.dxlabsuite.com/commander/Help/ChangingFrequency.htm#Dual%20receive%20%20checkbox

would seem to indicate it should work as I'd like it to. It says: "when enabled, automatically updates the Sub-receiver VFO frequency to match the Main VFO frequency; this option is available if the Dual receive box is checked and the transceiver is:

an Icom IC-7610, IC-7800, IC-7850, or IC-7851


<snip>

In the Commander VFO panel, I have Dual Receive and Dual Track now checked. In the Commander config General tab, General panel, I have both "Accept" boxes for dual receive directives NOT checked. The Use TX freq for devices.... box is unchecked.

With those items as described, when the transceiver is in dual watch mode with tracking on, and I mouse on a non-split Spotcollector entry, Dual Watch is no longer turned off. But, the sub VFO is not updated with the frequency that the main VFO is, so the tracking feature is for all practical purposes disabled. It's still turned on in the 7610 menu and the sub VFO is still logically connected to (tuning main results in sub on same freq) the main VFO, but the frequency is not the same. But, when I turn the VFO knob on the 7610, the sub VFO frequency jumps to that of the main VFO. So, is it your opinion that things are now working as they should?

Thanks for your assistance.

73, Floyd - K8AC

Dave - I'm afraid that I don't recall how this change to Commander worked out a year ago, but when operating the 160 contest this weekend, I see the problem still exists.  Do you know if I ever responded to your request to test the Commander change?  If so, did that change make it into the currrent Commander?  Thanks.

73, Floyd - K8AC

OK - found our emails from last year and the Commander change did fix the problem.  But, it doesn't work that way now.

+ AA6YQ comments below

Dave - I'm afraid that I don't recall how this change to Commander worked out a year ago, but when operating the 160 contest this weekend, I see the problem still exists. Do you know if I ever responded to your request to test the Commander change? If so, did that change make it into the currrent Commander? Thanks.

+ You are referring to Commander enhancement #943, which was implemented at your request in Commander 15.2.6 and sent to your on 2021-12-08. This functionality was publicly released in Commander 15.3.0 on 2022-01-20. It remains present in the current public release (15.5.1), and works correctly with my IC-7800, which like your IC-7610 supports "Dual Track".

+ So that I can see what's happening with your system, please do the following:

1. On the Configuration window's General tab, check the "Log debugging info" box

2. Terminate Commander

3. Set your IC-7610 as follows:

Main VFO: 7005

Sub VFO: 7010

4. Start Commander, and wait until it has fully initialized

5. In the "Main VFO" panel on Commander's Main window, check the "Dual Receive" and "Dual Track" boxes

6. In SpotCollector, double click a Spot Database Entry for a station operating on a band other than 40m, and wait until Commander has directed your IC-7610 to QSY

7. On the Configuration window's General tab, uncheck the "Log debugging info" box'

8. Attach the errorlog.txt file from your Commander folder to an email message, and send the message to me via

aa6yq (at) ambersoft.com

73,

Dave, AA6YQ

Not necessary to send the log.  I had a couple of things confused: Dual Receive and Dual Track boxes on Main VFO panel, and Accept 'Dual Rcv On' directives in General panel of Commander Config General  Tab.  Thanks for clearing this up - all works properly now.  Now if I can just get N1MM people to address the same problem in their logger.

73, Floyd - K8AC