ID-5100: SD Card for Programming

Programming the ID-5100 via an SD Card
with the RT Systems WCS-D5100 Programmer

Programming the Icom ID-5100 via an SD card begins with saving a file from the radio to the SD card first. This gives the radio a chance to build the directory system on the SD card that is required for this process. Even with a factory fresh or freshly reset radio, details are collected for use in programming.

This may be your first experience working with the SD card and the data transfer process. This is so much easier than taking your computer and a cable to the car after the radio is mounted! These steps will help you through that process.

Step 1: With the radio off, insert the SD card into the slot on the front of the body of the radio.
  • This radio uses a full size SD card or a MicroSD with an adapter.
  • There is only one way the card will fit into the slot.
  • Do NOT force it.
  • The slot is on the left side of the front of the body of the radio
  • The "teeth" of the card are down and go first as you insert it into the slot.
  • Gently press the card into the slot until it clicks and stays firmly in place.
Step 2: The radio will acknowledge the card with an icon on the display.
  • An icon will appear on the face of the radio letting you know that the SD card is properly seated in the slot and recognized by the radio.
  • Check for this indication to be sure you are ready to move on.
Step 3: Accessing SD Card Options on the Radio
  • Touch Menu on the face of the radio.
  • Press the down arrow at the right until SDCard appears as an option.
  • Touch the SDCard option to select this function.


Step 4: Saving the Radio's Details
  • From the list presented in the SD Card Menu, touch Save Setting.
  • For programming you want Save Setting. Generally formatting in the radio is not required as SD Cards come formatted.
Step 5: Create a New File
  • Create a New File for this process.
Step 6: File Name
  • A FileName screen opens. The default filename is appropriate for this process.
  • Notice that the filename is a combination of the date and a trailing number. If you do this repeatedly on the same day, that trailing number will increase.
  • Touch [CLR] to erase this default filename then enter another that works better for you.
  • Touch [ENT] to save the file with the name shown.
  • Answer YES on the confirmation screen that appears.
  • Wait while the radio saves the details to the card.
  • Back out of the menu before removing the SD card.
  • Remove the SD Card. Mount it in your computer for use by the Programmer.
Step 7: Remove the SD card for use in the computer
  • Touch Menu on the radio to exit the SD card options.
    Do not remove the SD card while in the SD card menu. This confuses the radio. If this happens, exit the menu to give the radio a good starting point for using the SD Card again.
  • Mount the SD Card in your computer for use by the Programmer.
  • Although not a necessity, you can confirm that the SD card is accessible through File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
Step 8: Start the RT Systems Programmer for this radio.
  • In this example, the Programmer opens the last file your were working in and saved.
  • The Programmer always opens the last file you saved if it is available.
Step 9: Open a New File
  • You need Read from the SD card to identify this radio to the Programmer. This process will destroy the file you worked in and saved.
  • To protect your file, click File | New from the menu at the top of the screen.
Step 10: A New file opens
  • While this file has frequencies in it, they are not important to save.
  • This is the file you will use to read data from the SD Card.
Step 11: Get data from (Read) the SD card
  • Select Communications | Read from SD Card from the menu at the top of the Programmer.
Step 12: Select the file
  • The Programmer will automatically find the SD card, but it cannot select the file to use.
  • Select the file that you created on the radio from the list presented.
  • Note: In the future when you have worked with this process repeatedly you may have many filenames from which to choose. Windows and Mac computers can share these files, BUT never select a file that begins wtih an underline "_". It will not work. Find the same filename without that leading character for success with the process.
Step 13: The File displays the details of the radio.
  • If you are looking at the Memories tab in the Programmer, you may see no change. This is normal if you have no memories saved to your radio.
  • The Programmer has collected what it needs to identify this radio.
  • Click the tabs at the top of the screen until you see the information you want in the radio.
Step 14: Write the information to the SD Card.
  • Select Communications | Write to SD Card from the menu at the top of the screen.
  • The current file (the one you are looking at in the spreadsheet) will be translated into a file that the radio can use.
  • Everything about this file will be used: Memories, Limit Memories, DR Memories, Call Channels, GPS Memories, Settings, DStar settings, Your Callsigns list and other radio details.
  • Click here for more details about how RT Systems Programmers help complete missing DStar information if you have had to reset your radio.
Step 15: Name the file.
  • A dialog opens for you to enter a filename.
  • There is a 10 character limit for this filename as dictated by the radio.
  • Click Save to complete the process.
  • Remove the SD Card from the computer and return it to the radio.
Step 16: Repeat Steps 1, 2 and 3
  • Mount the SD card in the radio.
  • Verify that it is acknowledged by the radio.
  • Access the SD Card option of the radio's Menu
Step 17: Load the file to the radio
  • In the SD Card menu, select Load Setting.
  • The list of files presented will include those you loaded from the radio plus those you loaded from the Programmer.
  • Select the one you want loaded to the radio.
    Remember: This one SD card could hold all the files that you need for a long road trip or for specific activities. By naming the files differently, you can easily tell what each is for.
  • MAC USERS: The Mac creates two files in the save process. One with an underline "_" preceding the name and one without that character. Be sure to pick the name without that leading character
Step 18:The Load File Dialog appears
  • From the Load File dialog, select:
    • All - To load all memory channels including DR Memories and Menu settings to the radio.
    • Except My Station - To load all memory channels including the DR Memories, Menu settings with omission of MY callsigns and TX Messages.
    • Repeater List Only - To load only DR memories.
Step 19: Keep "Skip" settings in the Repeater List
  • The process asks this next. This pertains to the DR Memories that you may have set to Skip manually from the face of the radio.
    • Yes - The skip settings are not disturbed when the file is loaded.
    • No - The skip settings you may have set manually through the radio are replaced by those from the file. A DR Memory can be set to Skip in the Programmer by unchecking the Use Repeater option on the DR Memories tab. This option controls which channels are included in DR Memory Scan and does not affect your ability to select and use one of these channels for DStar activities.
    • Cancel - Halts the process and returns you to the Load File options.
Step 20: Load File?
  • Your last step of confirmation.
    • Yes - Begins the process. The radio will check the file before loading it. Loading begins once the file is approved. COMPLETED! is displayed on the radio when the process is complete. The final step is to power the radio off and back on.
    • No - Halts the process.
Step 21: Storing the SD Card
  • The SD card can be stored in the radio.
  • If not and you use a different card in the future, it will be necessary to repeat all steps here to let the radio built the structure it needs on the new card.
  • Remember, you can store several files on this card to use separately for different locations or special events.
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