RS-MS1A

Icom Inc.

About this app

The RS-MS1A is an application that allows your Android device to remotely use some of the D-STAR and DV mode functions of some D-STAR transceivers.

[Features]

DR functions
You can use some of the transceiver’s DR functions.

Share pictures
Send and receive voice and pictures.

Text messaging
Send and receive text messages.

Map
See the location of repeater sites or other stations on a map using received position data, or your transceiver’s repeater list.
Automatically set the transceiver’s “FROM” and “TO” fields by tapping a repeater site or a station on the map.

Offline Map
Use your own maps without needing an internet connection.

Receive History
In the DV mode, read and edit the received station’s information.
Download additional information from an Internet database, such as QRZ.com or APRS.fi.

Call Sign list
Edit call signs and names used in the DR function. Also, you can add a call sign and a name in the Call Sign list.

Repeater list
See the detailed data entered in the Repeater list.

Transceiver settings
Change some of the transceiver’s function settings.

Application settings
Select application software settings.

Import
Import a Repeater list and a Call Sign list.

Export
Export the Repeater list, the Call Sign list, and the Receive History.

[Device requirements]
The RS-MS1A operating requirements are as follows:
1. Android 8.0 or later
2. Touch screen Android device
3. Bluetooth function and/or USB On-The-Go (OTG) host function

[Usable transceivers] (As of July 2023)
- ID-31A/E PLUS
- ID-4100A/E
- ID-50 *1
- ID-51A/E (PLUS model / PLUS2 model)
- ID-5100A/E
- ID-52 *2
- IC-705 *3
- IC-9700 *4
- ID-51A/E *5
- ID-31A/E *5
- IC-7100 *5

*1 Supported in RS-MS1A Ver.1.4.0 or later.
*2 Supported in RS-MS1A Ver.1.3.3 or later.
*3 Supported in RS-MS1A Ver.1.3.2 or later.
*4 Supported in IC-9700 Ver.1.03 or later, RS-MS1A Ver.1.3.0 or later.
*5 Not all functions are usable.

[Preparation]
To use the RS-MS1A with a supported transceiver, you need an internal Bluetooth unit or the data cable. See your transceiver’s instruction manual for details.

Note:
- The RS-MS1A may not work with all Android devices, even if it is one of the tested devices. This is because an application program on your device may conflict with the RS-MS1A.
- You may need to install additional file managing and image processing software.
- Your Android device must be USB host function compatible to communicate with your transceiver through the data cable. Even if your device is USB host function compatible, the RS-MS1A may not function properly.
- You may need to connect to the Internet through a Wireless LAN, an LTE network or a 5G network for some functions.
- The RS-MS1A supports only portrait orientation. It does not support Auto Rotate.
- Remove the data cable when the Android device is not used to reduce the devices power consumption
- The RS-MS1A program may lock up while transmitting some high-quality or large-sized image files, or continuously operating for a long time. In that case, restart the program.
- Depending on the Android device, the power supplied to the USB terminal may be stopped while in the display sleep mode or power saving mode. In that case, remove the “Screen timeout” check mark on the Application Setting screen of the RS-MS1A.
- When you transmit an image file with the baud rate set at 4800 bps, some of that data may be lost. In that case, set the baud rate to over 9600 bps.

Ratings and reviews

ID-52A User. It's OK if you want to easily update and load DSTAR only repeater lists to your radio. It DOES NOT add FM repeaters to the list like you are able to by manually downloading from dstar website, which is unfortunate. Most repeaters used are regular FM and being able to download FM stations through the app is a missed opportunity. Hopefully this can get corrected in future updates. Also the ability to add/load memory channels from the phone would be useful.

This is an amazing yet apparently often overlooked app for anyone with a modern Icom radio. Useful with the programming cable. The real power is unlocked with any radios that support Bluetooth. The app allows transferring images and text digitally with existing D-star repeater infrastructure or simplex (145.670) in a grid down scenario. If you have an Icom radio with Bluetooth, you should familiarize yourself with the operation of this app! Wish initial radio selection were more streamlined.

A big letdown used with ID-52. Despite what is often misstated on interwebs, app does not support loading radio with repeater list that the app downloads from Internet. The app can control the radio to select one of the downloaded repeaters, but the full list cannot be loaded to radio. Also, downloaded repeater info does not include non-DV stations.

What's new

- Compatible with Android 13.
- Supported with ID-50.