IC-R30 Bluetooth & the RS-R30 Apps

Summary: How to use the IC-R30’s Bluetooth: pairing a headset, connecting the RS-R30I and RS-R30A remote control apps, and the Bluetooth settings.

Overview

The IC-R30 has a built-in Bluetooth unit for wireless headsets (the optional VS-3 is the example) and for the free RS-R30I (iOS) and RS-R30A (Android) apps that remotely control the receiver. The range is about 10 m (33 ft) and can be shorter in some environments. Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz band, so it can interfere with the IC-R30 when it’s receiving in the 2.4 GHz band, and Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and similar can disturb it. Move away from them if the connection is unstable.

Turn Bluetooth On

MENU, Bluetooth Set, Bluetooth, ON.

Pairing a Headset (VS-3 Example)

1. Turn the VS-3 off, then hold its [PWR] button for 6 seconds (a melody sounds; the LED alternates red and blue in pairing mode).
2. MENU, Bluetooth Set, Pairing/Connect, Device Search, Search Headset.
3. Choose the headset, ENTER, then YES. The Bluetooth icon shows when connected.

If “No Device Found” appears, push [QUICK] and choose Re-search. Auto Connect (default ON) reconnects to the last paired device automatically.

Disconnect and Unpair

• Disconnect: Pairing/Connect, choose the connected device, ENTER, YES. Choose it again to reconnect.
• Unpair: disconnect first, then choose the device, push [QUICK], Delete, YES.

Headset Options

• AF Output (Headset Only): or Headset & Speaker.
• Auto Disconnect (OFF): 0-10 seconds of no audio or operation drops the audio link and it reconnects automatically.
• Power Save (OFF): with the VS-3, temporarily disconnects after 120 seconds of no audio or operation.
• Custom Key Beep and Custom Key: assign functions to the VS-3’s keys: UP, DOWN, VOL UP/DOWN, SQL UP/DOWN, RF Gain UP/DOWN, ATT, Monitor (Push/Hold), VFO/MR, Home CH, BAND, SCAN, Temporary Skip, SPEECH, MAIN/DUAL, MODE, DUP, PRIO, MW, MUTE, NB, ANL, AFC and REC (defaults: [FWD] UP, [RWD] DOWN).
• RX Priority Setting (LE Device) (RX Audio): when a headset and an iOS device are both connected, whether D-STAR fast data or receive audio gets priority.
• Serialport Function (Data Device Set): CI-V (Echo Back OFF) (default), CI-V (Echo Back ON) or D-STAR Data for a Bluetooth SPP data device or PC.
• Bluetooth Device Information, Initialize Bluetooth Device (restarts the receiver; pairing info is deleted; the unit name stays until a reset) and Editing the Bluetooth unit name (default ICOM BT-003).

The RS-R30I and RS-R30A Apps

Download RS-R30I from the Apple App Store (iPhone 5s or iPad Air with a 64-bit CPU and iOS 9.0 or later, as of October 2018) or RS-R30A from Google Play. Before connecting, set on the receiver:

1. Function, CI-V, CI-V Transceive = ON.
2. Bluetooth Set, Data Device Set, Serialport Function = CI-V (Echo Back OFF).
3. The same CI-V address on the receiver (default 9C) and in the app.

Then start the app, turn Bluetooth on, choose <<Pairing Reception>> on the receiver (there’s a time limit), and on the device tap Scan and the receiver’s unit name to send the pairing request. The receiver shows “… Connected.” and the Bluetooth icon. Once paired you can also connect from the receiver’s Pairing/Connect list with the app running. The Advanced Manual gives the matching steps for Android.

Interference Note

Basic Manual: in the 2.4 GHz band the IC-R30 can be affected by nearby Bluetooth devices. See also IC-R30 Troubleshooting if no sound comes from the speaker (a connected headset mutes it when AF Output is Headset Only).