Letter to ICOM America

Concerning Programming Software for the IC-2720H

If you agree with the following, please send a polite note to Icom America, with a similar request.

From: "ARS KX7Q"
To: "ICOM-Amateur Division" <amateur@icomamerica.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 12:59 PM
Subject: A sincere request...

I'm not sure where to send this email, but I trust that you will be able to route it to whatever department or person--either in the U.S. or in Japan--can consider and (hopefully) act upon it.

My position

First, let me frankly state that I am a long-time ICOM user.  As a ham for over 30 years, I've used many different brands of equipment, but have always seemed to gravitate back to ICOM.  I've never regretted that.  From my old IC-2AT to my old IC-730, and my beloved IC-735/AT-150/PS-55 station (which I still own and use, almost exclusively at home, and still in almost mint condition), to my IC-2720 (in my wife's car) and IC-706MKIIG (in my restored 1990 Chevrolet Astro van), I think I've earned the right to speak as a long-time user and friend of ICOM.  My next purchase will probably be a new IC-7000, but my wife thinks I can do without it for awhile.

Furthermore, I own and use the ICOM marketed software for my IC-2720.  My copy was purchased from Amateur Electronic Supply (Las Vegas) over a year ago; it is legit and has never been pirated (though I've been asked, many times).  At the time, it "burned" me to have to purchase software that I believe then--and believe even stronger, today--is both necessary and required for proper installation, configuration and optimal operation of the IC-2720.  And so, my purpose for sending this note.

My request

I am respectfully requesting that ICOM change or modify its current position on separate marketing of software for its new technology Amateur radio products, and that ICOM include said software with all original purchases of ICOM Amateur radio products.  Furthermore, I am respectfully requesting that these software products be made available for download by subsequent purchasers of ICOM Amateur  radio products.

My justification

It is, quite simply, unreasonable to expect hams to purchase radios that cannot be properly installed and optimally configured without the software that permits said installation and operation, in the absence of those software products being provided in the initial purchase.  Most certainly, ICOM has developed software that is required for manufacturing and it is but a small step--and very economically feasible--to include a sub-set of that software to the purchasers of ICOM Amateur radio products.  I believe this should also include necessary cables required for standardized connection to computers (eg. USB-2), or utilize such connection processes that may already be present (eg. Ethernet/RJ-45).

Thank you, in advance, for your sincere consideration of this request, and I remain,

Yours, most humbly and repectfully,

rb
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Royce P. Bell, KX7Q

Do You Agree?

If you agree with my letter, please send a polite note to Icom America, with a similar request.  Be sure to cite your experience with and preference for ICOM equipment, and please remember that ICOM is a Japanese-culture business, which responds well to deep, even extreme expressions of respect.  In particular, they are quite unlikely to respond to typical American sarcasm and ridicule.

Be polite!