Connecting The HRD/DM-780 Radio Interface

To take full advantage of the features of Digital Master, you must have a real radio connected to your computer and to RD. The connection between DM-780 and the HRD Rig Control module uses an internal TCP/IP connection on port 7809. This connection is normally made automatically for you and does NOT need any configuration on your part.

Next, you need to configure the Radio Pane in DM-780. On the Digital Master toolbar, click on the "RADIO" icon. This will open the Radio Pane on the left side of the Digital Master display. When running Digital Master for the very first time, or, before configuring the Radio Pane, the frequency display in the Radio Pane will show "CLOSED". There will either be a "CONFIGURE" button in the area BELOW the frequency display, or, if you place your cursor on the group of icons immediately above the frequency display, the Icon on the right will have the "Configure" tooltip appear. Click on this icon to open the actual configuration display for the Radio Pane.

Configure Radio Pane:
Once the configuration window opens, you will see the following items.

1. Address - the address or name of the computer where the HRD User Interface is running, localhost (or 127.0.0.1) can usually be used to connect to the local computer.

Do NOT enter the address of the HRD Remote Server, always use the HRD User Interface address. Even if HRD is connected to a remote radio, you always connect to the HRD User Interface.

2. Port - the default port is 7809. This port should NEVER be changed unless you are experienced and understand exactly what you are doing. The incorrect port number will cause other issues with the software and will more than likely require a call to HRD Support to help you get things working properly again.

3. Always connect to HRD - if checked an attempt is made to connect to HRD when the program starts even if not connected when the previous session ended. By default a connection attempt is only made if previously connected.

4. Press Connect.


Radio Layout
When a connection with HRD is established all buttons related to your radio should be enabled. The Dropdown menu buttons are automatically loaded with the dropdown buttons shown in the HRD display and the TX push button should be automatically loaded (if available for your radio), however we do recommend you manually load this button just to be on the safe side.

To load the TX push button, place your cursor on the TX push button and left click. If the "TX" is not displayed on any of the push buttons, place your cursor on the push button located on the top of the first column in the group of buttons where there are 3 columns of buttons with 4 buttons in each column. Once this button is selected by left-clicking, a menu will appear with the heading "Select Button". Scroll down the list until you see the "TX". Click on this command to highlight and click the "OK" at the bottom of the Select Button window. The "TX" should now appear in the selected push button.

Some radios do not use the TX button for PTT when operating in the digital modes. Instead, they may use the TX Alt or TX Data button for PTT via the rear connector on the radio. Your radio owner's manual should tell you exactly which to use for your digital PTT. If one of the later two buttons are used for PTT do NOT configure the TX button on the layout.

When you have finished defining your layout press Save. The definitions are saved in your local storage folder (from the Tools menu select Program Options, then select the Storage pane). For example, the IC-703 definitions are stored in DMRadioLayout_IC-703.xml .

Connecting
In the Radio pane press the Connect button '>' to connect to HRD.