Messages

1

General discussion forum / Re: Missing virtual drivers

« on: 2018-11-28, 19:02:20 »

Thanks again, Mitch

COM1 is (and has always been) set to 9600. Sorry if I misled you or made a typo.

Right now I have a Serial cable and Keyspan Serial USB connected between the Radio RRC and Radio computer. That shows up as COM42. I am able to connect with both my logging programs, however, with N1MM+ I am unable to send CW from the program. This is confusing because at the CONTROL RRC, with a USB cable connected to the Control computer, I am able to send CW from N1MM+. At the CONTROL RRC I have USB to COM1 set to YES. 

I have toggled the USB to COM1 to NO at CONTROL and found that at the RADIO RRC, it makes no difference. I still can control the K3 through the logging program at RADIO site.  Do you know if I must use USB for both CONTROL and RADIO or can I have CONTROL RRC using USB at COM1 (set to YES and running USB cable) and run Serial cable at RADIO RRC?

Right now I am thinking my problem lies with my set up of N1MM+. I will search the forum for others' experiences.

THanks,
Phil, W3HZZ

2

General discussion forum / Re: Missing virtual drivers

« on: 2018-11-27, 00:16:04 »

Mitch,
Thanks for your patience....

Serial settings on RadioRRC:
COM1 mode   mode-7
COM1 baudrate   9600
COM1 data bits   8
COM1 stop bits   1
COM1 parity   0-Off
COM1 rts/cts   No
COM1 terminator (hex) 00

COM2 mode   Logical parallel with Com0
COM2 baudrate   38400
COM2 data bits   8
COM2 stop bits   1
COM2 parity   0-Off
COM2 terminator (hex) 0

I have a USB connected to Computer at REMOTE site, I see these ports:
Microbit virtual Comport (COM1)
RRC 1258 Come 0 (COM24)
RRC 1258 COM1 (COM22)
RRC 1258 COM2 (COM 23)
RRC 1258 COMExtra (COM25)
USB Serial Port (COM5)
USB Serial Port (COM4) (These last two are Green Heron rotator and unused)

I am unable to get connectivity with any of these. When I try to connect COM1 with N1MM+, I am told the port is being used by another application. When I try to connect to COM 22-25, nothing happens.

Recall that for the CONTROL setting, with a USB cable to a local computer, I get full rig control and I am able to send CW using the function keys of N1MM. In otherwords, the CONTROL functions perfectly.

On CONTROL, I have same settings as RADIO and USB is Yes. There is no setting on RADIO RR for USB

If I remove the USB cable on RADIO side and connect a serial cable with a Keyspan Serial converter (I have tried two) from RADIO RRC to Computer, I see COM1, COM4&5, and COM17. I am able to connect N1MM+ to COM17 and I am able to get rig control )it shows tuning, I can click and change frequency, etc, but I am unable to send CW through N1MM function keys.

I agree that there must be a setting off, but I am unable to find it. Baudrate for COM1 is set to 9600 for CONTROL and REMOTE. Baudrate for COM2 is 38400 for both CONTROL and REMOTE.

It appears that the Keyspan/TrippLite use FTDI, not prolific, chips.

Thanks again for your thoughts,

Phil, W3HZZ

3

General discussion forum / Re: Missing virtual drivers/now N1MM+ control

« on: 2018-11-26, 00:20:25 »

I spoke too soon. Although the CONTROL RR works great now that I swapped out the USB cable between the CONTROL RR and computer. I am able to use my regular loggin program as well as N1MM+, but the RADIO side isn’t working.

Decided to see if I could have the same luck with the RADIO setup. With a USB cable between the RADIO RR and my computer, I saw four new virtual COM ports (COM 22-25). I tried first my everyday logging program, N3FJP, and then N1MM+. Neither would connect with any of the 4 ports. I swapped out the USB cable from the CONTROL RR, just in case the cable was bad. No change.

Then I removed the USB cable and connected a serial cable between COM1 of the RADIO RR and the computer (using a Keyspan Serial USB adapter). I saw one new COM port, in this case COM14. I was able to use the logging program, and to get some functionality with N1MM+, namely I was able to have N1MM track frequency, but when I tried using the function keys to send CW, the TX light on the K3 lights, but I seem not to be sending anything. On the other hand, if I use the paddle, I am able to key the transmitter.

Clearly I have a setting not correct. Why doesn’t the USB cable work on the Radio RR? It does on the other side

Why don’t I hear a tone when using the function keys with COM1 port connected? Baudrate is 9600. The K3 TX lights, but I am not sure i am sending anything.

Any thoughts appreciated.....

Phil, W3HZZ

4

General discussion forum / Re: Missing virtual drivers

« on: 2018-11-24, 22:42:26 »

I changed the USB cable from CONTROL to computer. Success. Virtual drivers loaded. Computer CAT/logging control of K3/0 now working! Thanks.

I also updated the K3/0-mini firmware, was unable to figure out how to set the baudrate - seems to default to 38.4, but I am guessing that it will find the correct speed. But since I have the USB port working, that is a moot point.

Thanks for your help.

Phil, W3HZZ

5

General discussion forum / Re: Missing virtual drivers

« on: 2018-11-24, 18:19:11 »

Yes the Keyspan is a Serial to USB adapter. I works fine on my RADIO unit.

I have tried in Serial Settings changing "USB COM PORT as COM2" as YES and as NO. Rebooted the Control RR and then plugged in the Keyspan USB Serial Port to CONTROL RR at COM1 on RR and USB on Computer. I only see COM15 "Keyspan USB Serial Port" as connected in the device manager. I am unable to interface logging program (Amateur Contact Log) with computer.

I removed Keyspan and connected a USB cable directly from CONTROL unit to Computer, in serial settings after I changed "USB ComPort as COM1" to YES, rebooted. No ports were found at all in the computer.

I am using a MacBook Pro running Windows 10 under Bootcamp. Although arrangement is similar to the one I am using on RADIO side (MacMini, Bootcamp, Windows 10), perhaps this has something to do with the lack of virtual drivers. I am grasping at straws.

Any ideas appreciated.

Phil, W3HZZ

6

General discussion forum / Re: Missing virtual drivers

« on: 2018-11-24, 15:05:26 »

Yes, under Serial Settings Use USB as COM1 is YES.
Using Mode 7, 9600 Baudrate.
I've taken the serial cable and Keyspan adapter from RADIO unit and put it on CONTROL. The only port I see is COM15 "Keyspan"


73,
Phil, W3HZZ

7

General discussion forum / Missing virtual drivers

« on: 2018-11-24, 03:49:05 »

I have an Elecraft Twin setup using a K3 and K3/0 mini. All works well, both at CONTROL and at RADIO sites.

I am unable to establish rig/CAT control on CONTROL side. On the RADIO side I have a serial cable (with keyspan adapter) going from COM1 on RR to the computer and am able to get control.

When I try this same set up CONTROL unit I am unable to get it to work.

On both RADIO and CONTROL sides, I do not see any Microbit Serial drivers. even though I have installed and reinstaled the Setup program several times. The only COM port I see is the Keyspan adapter when it is connected to RR unit. Without adapter, I see no COM ports.

I am on Windows 10 Ver 1803. Could there be an incompatability problem?


Thanks,
Phil, W3HZZ

8

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Using the USB or COM1 port on Radio RRC for CAT control by FT8 software

« on: 2018-08-26, 17:15:57 »

I am a complete novice at this, so forgive this basic question.

I am running a K3 and K3/0-mini in twin mode. At the remote station, I have an antenna switch, AS-1289, connected to the RR through the D-sub. As I understand it, I have no other serial ports available for CAT control of the K3 from the remote position. Is there a workaround that will allow me to run both the AS-1289 and CAT control of the K3 at my remote station. I am mostly at the remote location, so CAT is needed. (I am able to get CAT control of the station from the control position using a USB, mode-7.


Phil, W3HZZ