| Theory of Operation
The SWL IR Remote consists of a control unit, a wall power supply, and a cable specific to your radio or scanner. Connection to the radio is made using the supplied cable. The wall adapter supplies power to the SWL IR Remote control unit. The SWL IR Remote can optionally be powered with a 9-12Volt DC source at 100ma. Any Universal Remote that can be programmed for Sony TV codes should work with the SWL IR Remote as the remote control. The Universal Remote does not need any other modes but TV to work with the SWL IR Remote. You can use your own Universal Remote or one of the Universal Remotes found at Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. A very simple remote is best.
Inside the SWL IR Remote control unit is a 20MHz microcontroller that contains the logic (in firmware) for the remote operation. The control interprets the pulse stream from the Universal Remote and communicates with the radio to perform the desired operation. The built in Computer Interface (KEYPAD port on Lowe receivers) is used to interface the remote. No soldering or modifications are required on any radios for the SWL IR Remote to work. Two-way communications to the radio is used whenever possible so the remote is reliable and stays fully synchronized to the radio. This translates to very fast, reliable, and robust operation.
The newer Shortwave and Scanner Radios are very sophisticated and have most features controllable by an external device such as the SWL IR Remote. Features particular to each radio are implemented on the Universal Remote control using the Power, digits (0-9), Enter, Mute, Last (or Previous), Volume (or VOL) +/- and Channel (or CH) +/- keys. An LED on the front panel provides status indications so you can get feedback on the operation of the remote. The SWL IR Remote is quite intuitive and easy to operate. The advantage of the SWL IR Remote is that you can easily control the operation of the receiver very much like operating your TV's remote control from the comfort of your easy chair.
With the addition of the optional RS-232C Level Converter to the SWL IR Remote, you can also have computer operation of your receiver transparently through the SWL IR Remote and you won't have to purchase a separate level converter or change any cables to operate the receiver from your computer.
The SWL IR Remote connects to your receiver or scanner with an included cable. The cable type depends on your radio. We do not provide a cable for the BC895XLT. Getting started is easy. Just connect to your receiver's Computer Interface, or KEYPAD port, plug the wall power supply into the SWL IR Remote and you are ready to enjoy remote control of your radio. If you purchased our optional Universal Remote, then you are ready to immediately enjoy remote control of your radio. The optional Universal Remote comes complete with batteries and is preprogrammed for proper operation with the SWL IR Remote. You will be up and running in just a few minutes. If you have the optional RS-232C Level Converter, just plug your computer into the back of the SWL IR Remote using a standard RS-232C DB9 cable (straight cable - not a null modem cable) and you are ready to use your favorite software to control the receiver.
Operation with other Receivers, Transceivers, or Scanners
Drake
The Drake R8, R8A, and R8B can all be operated with the SWL IR Remote. The R8E is a European model that is compatible with the R8. There are some differences in the R8, R8A, and R8B. Most notably is the number of memories. The R8 has 100, the R8A has 440, and the R8B has 1000. The SWL IR Remote is configurable for these different versions and operates properly with each version of the R8.
ICOM
The R75 is the newest of ICOM's receivers and implements additional CI-V commands that are not available in older receivers or transceivers. An example would be the remote control of the volume. Because the CI-V protocol is standard, though, you can control the features that are available on older Receivers and even Transceivers that have the CI-V protocol. The SWL IR Remote will not work with the CI-IV protocol.
If you are looking for a basic R75 control, this version will give you basic control of the R75. It does not have the advanced features of the full R75 version.
Kenwood
The Kenwood R-5000 control will operate the Kenwood TS-440 Transceiver.
Lowe
The SWL IR Remote for the HF-225 only works with the HF-225. The HF-150 version only works with the HF-150.
Yaesu
The CAT interface protocol is not the same on all Yaesu radios. The SWL IR Remote for the FRG-100 will only work with Yeasu radios compatible with the FRG-100. The Yaesu FRG-8800 version will only work with the FRG-8800.
Uniden
The Uniden Scanner protocol is reasonably standard and the SWL IR Remote is compatible with the BC780XLT, BC895XLT, BC785D, BCT8, BC898T, and the BC796D. The remote has been tested with the BC780XLT, BC895XLT, BC785D, BCT8, BC898T and the Radio Shack PRO-2052. We will keep you updated when other Uniden Scanners have been tested.
If you have a special need, we will be happy to look at your need and evaluate the usefulness in a standard product offering. Just email our sales department and let us know what you'd like us to develop. |