IC-R30 Loading Frequencies From Squawker PC & Squawker Online

Summary: What Squawker PC and Squawker Online can do for an IC-R30: live logging with Squawker Connect, and what isn’t supported (Programmer and export formats), with ways to load frequencies.

At a Glance

• Squawker PC Connect supports the IC-R30 for live monitoring and logging over CI-V.
• Squawker PC’s Scanner Programmer does not support the IC-R30. Its Icom programmer is written for the IC-R15 only (which uses its own CSV layout).
• Squawker Online has no IC-R30 export. Its Icom formats are the IC-R6, IC-R8600 and IC-R15. Don’t assume the IC-R15 export will import into the IC-R30: the two receivers’ CSV files are not documented as the same layout, and the IC-R30 stores no categories.

Squawker PC: Connect (Live Logging)

Squawker PC is UKAFG’s Windows app. In Connect Settings create a profile with Scanner System ICOM CI-V and Scanner Type IC-R30, choose the COM port and the CI-V address 9C (the IC-R30’s default), and use Test Connection. Squawker PC then follows the frequency the receiver is on and matches it against UKAFG’s data so you can see and log who you’re hearing.

On the receiver (MENU, Function), the defaults already suit it: USB Connect = Serialport, USB Serialport Function = CI-V (Echo Back OFF), CI-V Transceive = OFF and CI-V Address = 9C. Install Icom’s USB driver first and confirm the COM port in Device Manager (see IC-R30 USB, CI-V & Cloning). The receiver can’t be in SD Card Mode at the same time, so switch USB Connect back to Serialport after using the card.

The Connect guides: Supported Radios & Scanner Systems, Creating a Connection Profile, Connecting Your Radio: Drivers, Ports & Menu Settings and Launching a Profile.

Loading Frequencies

Options for getting UKAFG frequencies into an IC-R30:

1. Type them in. Look up frequencies in Squawker Online (search at ukafg.co.uk/squawker-online-search) and write them to memory on the receiver (see IC-R30 Memory Channels: Groups, Writing & Editing).
2. Use the receiver’s own CSV files. Export Memory CH from the receiver (MENU, SD Card, Import/Export, Export) to see the layout it uses, edit that file in a spreadsheet with frequencies copied from Squawker’s CSV or Excel export, then import it back. The card’s memory files are in IC-R30 > Csv > MemoryCh. Keep the file name to 10 characters or fewer, back up first, and remember that choosing ALL when importing deletes all channels except the Auto MW and Skip groups. See IC-R30 microSD Card: Backup, CSV Import/Export & SD Card Mode.
3. Icom’s CS-R30 software (optional) edits the settings and memory data on a PC.

Squawker Online’s general exports are in Exporting to Scanner Software, Exporting to CSV, Excel & Clipboard and Exporting to Icom Radios. More UKAFG tools: Common Scanner Frequencies, WTR Business search and Amateur Repeater search.

Tips for a Good Result

• Save your settings first (MENU, SD Card, Save Setting) and copy the card’s IC-R30 folder to your PC.
• Set the mode and step: airband is AM with the 8.33 kHz step; most other UK voice is FM or FM-N. The B band covers only AIR, 146, 370 and 440 MHz bands (108-520 MHz).
• Digital channels need the right digital mode and code (NAC, RAN, COM ID/CC or UC); see IC-R30 Digital Modes: D-STAR, P25, dPMR, NXDN & DCR.