Preface to versions of CSVUserlistBrowser
CSVUserlistBrowser originally was developed for the WiNRADiO series G3xDDC out of personal interest in the XRS interface. Later
support for other receivers/softwares was added upon user requests and partly out of self-interest.
Receiver communication
There are various ways to exchange data with the receivers and their softwares. For the WiNRADiO series an
XRS-Plugin is required. SDR# needs a special plugin as well. Both plugins are included in
CSVUserlistBrowser (folder "Plugins"). Some applications are controlled by a TCP or UDPconnection, like Elad FDM SW2,
SdrDx, QtRadio or R2T2-GUI.
The most popular way is a "classical" serial interface which works, depending on the model,
with ICOM, Kenwood or YAESU CAT commands or own commands introduced by the manufacturer. The link between CSVUserlistBrowser and the SDR application
is established through so called "virtual COM ports" which you must set up in a "COM port emulator". The most often
used COM port emulators are com0com (free), VSPM by K5FR (free, by email) and VSPE (for 64 bit systems a fee is charged).
For the RIG version (Hamlib or Omnirig control of external receivers) a COM port emulator is only required when a software
is to be controlled. Normally the target is a rig connected to a physically present COM port in the PC.
Web links for COM port emulators
Signed versions of com0com 3 (free)
VSPE by ETERLOGIC (32 bit version free)
VSPM by K5FR (free upon email request)
About installation of COM port emulators
Due to restrictions of Windows when trying to install drivers not approved by Microsoft this procedure can be frustrating, especially on
64 bit versions of latest Windows versions.
The author could install signed versions of com0com 2 and com0com 3 successfully on 64 bit Windows (running setup as administrator) without having to switch off the signature
check of Windows or putting the system into the test driver mode.
For the configuration of the virtual COM port emulators please read the documentation provided by their authors or
search the web for installation hints!
The image above shows a configuration example in com0com setup.
Here is an instruction video in English (© SDRPlay): Virtual Comport setup
Note: It is not recommended to select "emulate baud rate" in the COM port emulator. When low transfer speeds are chosen the
receiver response is delayed substantially. This can in circumstances even lead to data errors.
Renaming the executables
The concept of CSVUserlistBrowser is to detect from the executables's name which receiver is to be controlled. When starting CSVUserlistBrowser.exe
for the first time after a download, you are prompted to choose the receiver(s) which you want to control. This step is only required once after a fresh download of a new
version. Please also read the corrresponding notes on the pages for the individual receiver versions here.
First steps and opening lists
Please read the instructions on the page First steps.
Restrictions
Note that the SDR applications often only provide the most basic settings in their interfaces, mainly controlling frequency and
the most important modes. Sometimes they have restrictions in setting (and retrieving) mode and bandwidth and other functions (or the functions
are even implemented faulty). This is partly also true for Hamlib and Omnirig control.