Here is a short explanation about the FT1000MP-SuperControl visual band scope (refer to picture 1.1). The FT-1000MP transceiver has a major problem when a new frequency will be submitted from a computer to the transceiver with a -so called- CAT command. In this case the transceiver will mute the VFO reception for some milliseconds. While using the visual band scope it is normal, that you will hear gaps between each scan step or each time when you send a new frequency to the transceiver. However, this is not a fault of the software, it is a problem of the transceiver.
So while i have developed the visual band scope, i came across a simple solution, which actually is now a tremendous feature of FT1000MP-SuperControl. The idea is to scan VFO1 while listening to VFO2 without disturbing gaps. And if this is not enough, you can "In-Scan-QSY" on VFO2, using the mouse selection of a desired frequency in the actual scan graphic. It is working only this way. Scanning VFO2 and listening to VFO1 is possible with gaps only. However again, this is not a fault of the software, it is a problem of the transceiver.
The best way to start this tremendous feature is to select the same starting frequency on both VFO's. Then please start the visual scanning on VFO1. Now please turn off AF-Gain of VFO1 (fully counterclockwise), so you won't hear the gaps. The AF-Gain of VFO2 should meet your needs of course. Now you will be able to visual scan the bandwidth beneath your working frequency. This is great to detect other signals while listening to a fixed frequency. If there is an interesting signal in the visual graphic, simply click with your mouse to the desired part of the graphic, to take over the frequency to VFO2, and now listen to this new frequency, while the band scanner is still scanning.
Small hint: Sometimes it is better to disable the tuner while scanning, otherwise the tuner is working all the time, and it may shorten the life of this device.
(picture 1.1 - visual band scope)
In the part "Tuning step size" you can select between different kilohertz-steps which will be used for the later scanning. You also can change the base-frequency by using the buttons in the area "Change base frequency" in this window. It is also possible to reach the normal memory banks from this window, to take over new memory-frequency as a base frequency for a later scanning. For this case you can find four buttons in the area which is called "View mem banks". If you are using a MEMx-button, the actual band scope window will disappear until you have selected your desired memory entry from a memory bank.
You can start the band scope scanner by using the buttons in the area called "Scope tuning direction".The buttons "<<", "<< >>" and ">>", will start the scanning in the selected direction. The button "STOP" will interrupt the scanner. The button "CLEAR" will delete the previously scanned graph, so the display will be empty then. There is also a button called "TEST" which is a remnant from earlier testings, but it is not of interest. The checkbox "colored" will make a colored display while scanning. Signals above S7 will get a light green color, signals above S9 will get a full green color then. The checkbox "stretched" will scan only every second step, so scanning should be faster.
If you now have scanned a frequency-range, you can see the scope-display with all the scanned s-meter data there (refer to picture 1.1). If you now move your mouse above the graphical display, you can watch a small frequency display which will change even with the movement of your mouse. If you now click on a desired part of that graphical display, the frequency of this part will be taken to the desired VFO of the software and of course to the VFO of the transceiver. This frequency will now be the new base-frequency, which will be used for the next scan. You can select your desired VFO in the area "Set VFO".
The button "EXIT" will end and close the visual-scanner window.
The scanning speed is too slow ?
Well, this is a problem caused by the very slow serial connection speed between the transceiver and the computer. Yeasu fixed this speed to 4800 Baud only. Because of the fact that FT1000MP-SuperControl is using all possible CAT commands, the serial bandwidth is too narrow to guarantee a fast scanning result while all the other program features are selected.
But there is a simple solution: do not use all polling CAT commands! Please open the pull down menu "Configuration -> poll settings" and shut down not relevant polls. The more features are turned off, the faster the software (and of course the scanning feature) is. Please do not turn off the S-meter polling, since this part is needed for the visual band scope !