Requirements for RT Systems Programmers

Computer System requirements
• A PC running Windows 8 or 8.1 (full version) (32 or 64 bit), Windows 10 (32 or 64 bit),
  or Windows 11.
• Mac OS requirement Version 10.13.6 or higher. (That's High Sierra (10.13), Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11), Monterey (12), Ventura (13), Sanoma (14) and Sequoia (15)) 64-bit operating system only for all.
Drivers / Windows / Mac / ARM
• Windows
• Drivers for RT Systems cables are installed with the Programmer on Windows machines running processors that are not ARM based.
• There are machines that require a little help getting the drivers in place and properly associated with the cable (There are just too many drivers on machines today and the poor thing gets confused about which one to use.) Tech support can help.
• On Windows machines running ARM based processors, driver installation is completed through a manual process. Complete details can be found at Driver Installation on a machine with ARM Processor
• MacOS
• Drivers for RT Systems cables are built into the kernel of Mac machines for operating systems after Catalina (actually... those from about midway through Catalina, but you can count on them being there for Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sanoma, and Sequoia.) Driver installation is NOT REQUIRED.
• Driver installation is required for High Sierra and early versions of Catalina.
• Driver installation is blocked for other Mac operating systems. Ignore the Driver icon in the dmg file that you download.
• Driver installation on a Mac running Parallels proceeds just as that described above for other Windows machines. Be sure you assign the device to the Windows operating system in Parallels.
• A variety of drivers for connection of radios to computers can be found on the RT Systems Cable Driver Download page. There are more here than just those for the RT Systems cables.
RT Systems Programmers for MacOS
• Many RT Systems Programmers are available for Windows or MacOS.
• Check here and search for your specific model. Remember, there are more released almost daily. Check back often or let us know if you are looking for a certain one
Internet Requirements
• An internet connection is good to have, but not an absolute necessity.
• Setup files are delivered electronically. (CDs are still available for Windows. CDs are not available for MacOS. There is a cost for that CD and shipping charges apply.)
• Installation needs an internet connection to register the serial number and your email address to the Programmer. This can be done by phone if this connection is not available.
• An internet connection is required for some features of the Programmer.
• Updates to the Programmer are retrieved electronically.
• Data sources for repeaters or DMR IDs and repeaters (Radio Reference, RepeaterBook, RadioID) are accecssed electronically.
• Sales receipts and serial numbers for transactions on the RT Systems page are delivered electronically via email.
• Some techsupport is completed much more quickly via an electronic connection.
Hardware Requirements
• A USB port for cable connection.
• The RT Systems cables use a USB-A connection at the computer.
• USB-A to USB-C adapters tend to be very universal. Although there may be some that will not work, every one wehave tried worked well.
• RT Systems offers three cables that use USB-C as the computer connection. The RT-62 (USB-C to USB-B), RT-61 (USB-C to Mini-B), RT-69 (USB-C to Micro-B) See more details for this collection here
• Programming Cable designed for your radio
• Radios are designed with requirements for the programming cable. These include the plug that addresses the correct port on the radio and the design of the electronics.
• The RT Systems cable specified for a particular radio is guaranteed to work for programming.
• The RT Systems Programmers have a com port selection that allows you to use generic cables that are appropriate for your radio with drivers installed properly.
• Programming Cable designed for your radio
• Radios are designed with requirements for the programming cable. These include the plug that addresses the correct port on the radio and the design of the electronics.
• The RT Systems cable specified for a particular radio is guaranteed to work for programming.
• The RT Systems Programmers have a com port selection that allows you to use generic cables that are appropriate for your radio with drivers installed properly.
• The RT Systems Programmers for the Mac can use generic cables. Com port selection on the Mac can be a little more confusing as the designation presented does not always clearly identify the cable.
• The RT Systems cables work without the necessity of installing drivers or identifying a com port on the Mac for operating systems after Catalina. This makes them very easy to use with the Programmers.
• The Yaesu SCU-18, SCU-19, SCU-20, SCU-35, SCU-56, SCU-59, SCU-55 as appropriate for a particular radio. Note: Prolific drivers for older cables may not work on Windows 11 (SCU-18, SCU-19, SCU-20) Unfortunately, there is nothing RT Systems can do in the software to make them work if the operating system loses the ability to load drivers for the device. There are replacement cables from Yaesu (SCU-35, SCU-56, SCU-59, SCU-55)or RT Systems has a complete line of cables for the Yaesu radios. The RT Systems cables have been compatible with Windows 11 since it's release. Get these cables from your local dealer or from RT Systems.
• An appropriate "straight through" USB cable for use with radios which have built-in electronics that form the port for programming. Remember, not all of these cables are created equally. A cable may be wired for charging which makes it wrong for programming. When in doubt, or after several faled attempts with the cables you have on hand, get the cable from RT Systems that is offered for your radio. It is guaranteed to work.
• SD Cards
• The Yaesu FTM-400, FTM-100, FT-1D and FT-2D prefer a Class 4 (old and slow) MicroSD Card. 8Gb is optimal. Other MicroSD cards may work, but these radios are just old technology making them very particular about the card to use. If the SDCard option does not become available in the Menu of the radio, try a different card.
• Newer Yaesu radios (FTM-200, FTM-300, FTM-500, FTM-510, FT-3D, and FT-5D) perform well with faster MicroSD cards.
• The RT Systems Programmers work through an SD card for many Icom radios including the IC-970, IC-7100, ID-5100, ID-4100, IC-905, IC-705, ID-52, ID-52Plus, ID-51, ID-51Plus, ID-51Plus2, ID-50, ID-31, ID-31Plus, IC-R30 and IC-R15. See the manufacturer's specifications for the MicroSD card.
• Generally, smaller is better when purchasing an SD card for radio programming.