Icom F8101 HF Transceiver Discussion

Re: TC4 ALE experiences?

robert@... (Robert Garrison) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 14:14:57 -0700

James

The TC4 is only a modem designed for the F8101 and provides the M110 protocol.

The ALE function is native to th F8101 and is still doing the ALE connection work and then the TC4 passes digital traffic. There is a software package from Rpidxomm that integrates the two together.

Robert wy7rg

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

TC4 ALE experiences?

morrisjl@... (James Morris (W7TXT)) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:14:44 -0700

Hi Folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has tried the ALE feature of the TC4, instead of the F8101's built-in ALE?

If so, how did it compare in terms of reliability and robustness? ION2G works great but is difficult to integrate with the TC4.

James Morris W7TXT

https://w7txt.net/

Re: Digital modes

bonniekq6xa@... (Bonnie KQ6XA) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:48:08 -0800

Use a standard USB cable to your computer. Use the USB built-in audio and the USB built-in rig control.

You don't need an external modem.

-Bonnie KQ6XA

Digital modes

radioactive1082@... (radioactive10) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:53:03 -0800

What modem and cables can I use for the8101, thanks. N1MXB

Re: Sounding on multiple ALE networks problem?

morrisjl@... (James Morris (W7TXT)) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:24:38 -0700

Following up: Icom has confirmed that this is expected behavior (i.e. scan multiple networks but only sound automatically on one).

James W7TXT

Sounding on multiple ALE networks problem?

morrisjl@... (James Morris (W7TXT)) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:25:42 -0700

Hi all, wondering if anyone has had issues with the F8101 when scanning & sounding on multiple ALE networks, where it seems the rig will only sound on one of the selected networks?

This is with the internal ALE + a TC4 card. I'd previously mostly used ION2G, so I'm not sure if this is a new issue, or if I'm missing something.

Note that I have verified that automated sounding works for each network individually, it's just when both are enabled. Manually triggered sounding also works for each, when both are configured, just not automated sounding.

James W7TXT

Re: RCS software

brian@... (WB5BL) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:55:11 -0700

On 8/7/24 12:31, James Morris (W7TXT) wrote:

[email protected]">
I'm looking at this, as I'm now using a TC4 and thus also the internal ALE.

What do folk think about the F8101 ALE implementation vs. ION2G? I suspect the latter is better at linking under marginal conditions, based on some observation, but I'm not entirely sure. If the F8101 ALE implementation is a downgrade, then I'd likely look for another solution.

I have ceased to use the internal ALE in my F8101. I use Ion2g exclusively. It is just better. And it isn't just the decoder, it is everything about the software: directory, multiple networks, sharing LQA data between channels in the same band, etc. Ion2g is just head-and-shoulders above any of the hardware-radio-based 2G ALE systems I have used, and that is not just Icom. It is Barrett and Codan as well. Their advantage is one box and possibly 3G ALE ... if your network is constrained enough to use it.

Brian Lloyd
WB5BL - J79BL - NNA6BL
706 Flightline
Spring Branch, TX 78070
brian@...
+1.210.620.0011

Re: RCS software

morrisjl@... (James Morris (W7TXT)) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:31:33 -0700

I'm looking at this, as I'm now using a TC4 and thus also the internal ALE.

What do folk think about the F8101 ALE implementation vs. ION2G? I suspect the latter is better at linking under marginal conditions, based on some observation, but I'm not entirely sure. If the F8101 ALE implementation is a downgrade, then I'd likely look for another solution.

James W7TXT

Re: F8101 scanning speed?

brian@... (WB5BL) — Sat, 04 May 2024 16:47:35 -0700

I’m currently running 120ms.

F8101 scanning speed?

morrisjl@... (James Morris (W7TXT)) — Sat, 04 May 2024 11:15:40 -0700

I'm wondering what the maximum useful ALE scanning rate is for this rig, when controlled by external software like ION2g.

Do people have success with say, 100ms dwell time?

James W7TXT

Ground Screw

jchriste@... (JackChristensen) — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:21:08 -0700

I did a dumb thing and lost the ground screw. Does anyone know the size and threads/inch so I can find a replacement?

Re: First contact

radioactive1082@... (Carlos) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:31:44 -0700

I just load the f8110 software from the Hflink site and I am trying to figure out how it works.

Re: First contact

w2ec@... (Paul) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:29:19 -0700

What program are you trying to test?

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 02:56:02 PM UTC, Carlos <radioactive1082@...> wrote:

I am trying to see if the program works on my f8101, is there any station that wants to do a test?

N1MXB Carlos

First contact

radioactive1082@... (Carlos) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 07:54:55 -0700

I am trying to see if the program works on my f8101, is there any station that wants to do a test?

N1MXB Carlos

Re: RCS software

jnrhodes@... (Jim-KØJNR) — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:42:02 -0700

I’ve been using it for about 6 months and it’s worth every penny. Makes using the 8101 significantly cheaper.

Re: RCS software

w6cjq@... (Chris Quirk) — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:02:38 -0700

Thanks for your response

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Re: RCS software

w2ec@... (Paul) — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 04:43:50 -0700

Good morning,

I've been using the Radcommsoft F8101ALE software since 2017. I first used my F8101 mobile without any software but I swapped out replacing it with my TK-90 and the F8101 is used now primarily in a MARS/ALE base station environment where I find the software indispensable. In this environment I often have to change frequecies quickly and the Radcommsoft excels at being able to quickly jump to the many frequencies available. Additionally it is very easy to initiate ALE operation, which provides a logging capability so I can see all the ALE activity that has occurred, such as date/time, whether just heard or or actual ale status, when linked or disconnected, callsign, BER, SNR,Channel and network id. Lots of useful info for tracking ALE activity. Additionally there is the capability to change many of the radio settings such as mode, power level, vfo or channel mode and many others without the need to toggle thru the radio panel switches, very intuitive.

Needless to say I am very pleased with it. Yes, it seemed expensive but for my use it is totally acceptable and I am fully pleased with it.

I started years ago with verson2, currenly at the latest, version 4.

73, Paul W2EC

RCS software

w6cjq@... (Chris Quirk) — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 18:21:04 -0700

Hi Is anyone using the Radcomm software http://www.radcommsoft.com/cart/ seems pricey but most thing involved in this hobby are pricey

DR-7800 P4dragon PACTOR 4 Modem cable

w6cjq@... (Chris Quirk) — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:33:47 -0700

HI Hoping someone has a part number for the cable that runs from the radio to the modem. I ordered a cable form a local marine radio supplier and it does not seem to work. The folks that sold it to me are not really familiar with the radio or modem.

Mic Connector

kd4gt.tn@... (Cliff) — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 20:14:43 -0700

Has anyone found a source for the round mic connector?
I'd like to attach a headset / mic / foot-switch to the rig. Heil doesn't have anything for this radio.