Site Questions Pages.
The simple answer is that I kept getting emails asking me what software and connecting cable (usually a level converter too, not just a plug at each end) that a certain Icom ex-PMR radio (my preferred brand) required to program it from a PC as they were converting it to Amateur use, or re-programming for the local volunteer fire department (I kid you not!) due to local frequency changes and didn't want to pay the dealer's high charges, and could I help them track the items down?
I decided that it was far easier to tabulate the information that I had (listed in various documents including, but not limited to, owners, dealers and service manuals) and add links for places to look for the software so that it could be "tried before purchase". Any further requests could then be referred to the relevant page, rather than search for the info myself every time.
Once the Icom pages were up and the search engines had "found" them I had a request from someone who has some Vertex/Standard (Yaesu) PMR kit and required similar info (they were asking if I was going to add pages for other manufacturers as they were trying to find out what lead/software was required for the radios they had). I assisted that person with their immediate needs and started tabulating information for Kenwood owners. Yaesu/Vertex Standard soon followed.
Before you ask; cloning (radio-to-radio copying of settings, memories etc.) information was also added at the request of a couple of owners who were told that their ex-PMR Kenwoods could be linked together and one copied from the other rather than hand programming both, they couldn't get the software to work so had done one radio by hand but it was a "daunting task" (their words not mine!). By the way I managed to advise them on how get the PC software working too!
Because the method was a little complex (there was a data password to enter too). I thought that I would add a series of pages for the different radios to assist others (I don't fancy writing large emails with the same or similar info each time) and the other brands were, naturally, added for completeness.