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The Icom PCR-100

    This is a groundbreaking, and fairly popular radio. The PCR-100 is unique among short-wave radios, in that it has no controls, at all. There is not even an on/off switch. This has permitted Icom to make it very small, and to make it quite a good radio for the money. The real power of the PCR-100 is in it's software, and it's real versatility lies in the ability to easily update, or add to this software. There are a number of short-wave sets which can be connected to a computer, but the PCR-100 (along with the PCR-1000), is the only unit to be designed specifically for computerized operation. I have had this unit for a couple of years, and am very happy with it.
    The physical unit measures only 5.2(w) x 1.4(h) x 6.1(d), and is a simple black box, which may be put out of sight. There are connections for the computer (rs-232 port), external speakers, power, a 50 ohm antenna, and a ground. The unit weighs just over a pound. Mine is stuck to the wall behind the computer which controls it.
    The receiver has a range of from 500khz, all the way up to 1.3ghz. This is very near the entire radio spectrum, as we know it. Below is a copy of some manufacturer's specs:
    Though the radio has fairly good specs, it's real strength lies in he software written for it. Icom has designed, what amounts to , a software suite for the PCR-100. There are numerous features, including a built in spectrum analyzer, direct entry or dial tuning, and an unlimited number of frequencies. The frequencies are held in files, which consist of 20 banks, each containing 50 frequencies. So there are 1000 frequencies in each file. There is no limit to the number of files that can be created. They take the form of text files, and are very small. The radio should, in theory, never become obsolete, since the newest software will always be available in the net.
    The controls are easily used; buttons are mouse clicked, while dials are operated using the left and right mouse buttons. It's a pretty intuitive system. Programming the banks, and frequencies is a simple procedure, and during manual scan, frequencies found can be easily saved, and put in the appropriate bank. Frequencies, and banks can be named by the user, for latter reference, and there is even a memo feature, for entering more extensive information. There are also controls for the various filters, and noise limiters, along with mode, and scan controls.
    There are a number of hobbyists, and third party software authors, who write additional programs for the PCR-100. This is perhaps the greatest advantage of the computer controlled unit. Software is available to decode FSK, RTTY, weather, fax, and digital communication. There are also programs available for logging, and for remote operation of the unit over the Internet. Another nice feature is the flexibility of the frequency files. Once frequencies are entered, or found and saved during a scan, the frequency files can be copied and saved, or even traded with other users. There are web sites which have frequency files, which may be downloaded, and then imported. This is a far faster process, than consulting a frequency book, and hand entering the frequencies. Frequencies may be easily updated, over the net, and may be downloaded for areas or services all over the world.
    Hook up of the radio, is uncomplicated. The unit is plugged into it's power adapter, the antenna is connected, the 9 pin RS-232 cable is hooked up, and the speakers are attached (or the unit is plugged into the Line In jack of the sound card). A special antenna is not required, and I use a simple wire, which is included with the radio. Certainly, performance will be much improved with a proper antenna, but I am perfectly satisfied with the performance of the wire. Once the physical installation has been made, the software must be configured. This is a simple matter of selecting the COM port, and entering frequencies. The impatient user, may wish to skip the frequency programming, and simply start to scan, or to manually tune the bands. Operation is seamless, with no band switching required. The frequency steps may be set from 1khz to 1mhz, and can even cover some of the odd stepping done by the military.
    I presently have this radio hooked up to Porky the computer, and have the following banks set up:     As a police, and PS band radio, this is all the radio that anyone could want. The only feature that is lacking, to make this the ultimate shortwave, is the ability to receive sidebands. This feature is included on the PCR-1000, but as I have a short wave transceiver, with full receive on the shortwave bands, I didn't figure I needed this ability on my scanner.
 Drivers
This reciever is no longer manufatured or supported. If you have lost your set up discs, I have zip files of the two floppies at the links below.
Floppy 1
 Floppy 2