CAT control via USB

[ei6al]

I am currently using version 2.26, IO for keying, RS232 for CAT control and RS232 for rotator control, all to TS480 and Prosistel over ethernet/3G link.  Everything is working fine, although took a bit of tweaking to get around latency problems on 3G leg.  I note that upgrade to version 2.35 suggests USB ports can be used for CAT?  I am reluctant to immediately upgrade to explore this further as current version is working well and its a long way to the site, but need additional port for amplifier control.  Details are a bit short on what is involved in switching from RS232 to USB for CAT control of the Kenwood if I upgrade.  Has anyone done this, and am I correct in thinking I then have a spare RS232 for Amp monitoring?
73,  Dave EI6AL

[dj0qn]

Hi Dave,

Yes, it works great. All you have to do is:

1) Install the Setup Manager, so that you have the driver installed
2) Check under Windows which serial port number was assigned
3) change the menu setting "Use USB Com Port as COM2" to yes
4) plug-in your USB cable and change your program to use that serial port

Note that there were some bugs in the first version, but it appears to be stable now.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[dj4mz]

Hi,

haven't tested myself, but thought that this option only affects the control side, i.e. no need for a RS232-to-USB converter on the control side, but on the radio side you still use COM2. So no spare port! Please correct me if I'm wrong.

vy 73
Simon, DJ4MZ

[dj0qn]

Correct, Simon, I just made the assumption that he was now using the COM2
port on the control RRC and wanted to use the USB port instead.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[ei6al]

Hi Mitch/Simon
Thanks for that...  It confirms my original concern that it just looked too good to be true.  It appears that Com2 at the remote will continue to be used for CAT control, so no gain.  So its back to sourcing an RS232 to ethernet convertor for the remote end and virtual comport software at the control end that will work with Win7.  That should do the job, but the problem is plenty of stuff out there for XP but very little for win7. 
If anyone has tried going that route for the additional comport, and is running win7, I would appreciate any feedback.....
73
Dave EI6AL

[ON4AOI]

Hi Dave,
why do you need virtual comports ?
I use SERIAL to TCPIP from MoxA,  Nport 5210 and also DE313....
once setup correct @ the remote end they can be
connected to your running computer just like they were inside
of the box, and what is even better they can be connected from
more then one pc at the same time.

Guy ON4AOI 

[ei6al]

Hi Guy,
I have been looking at adding an additional comport for the PA for some time and the solution appeared to be a serial server at the remote end - I assumed matching software at the control end would be necessary to interface ethernet to PC.  I have been playing around with a Hexin serial to ethernet server - no problem seeing it and configuring it on the system using the hexin software, but it came with Tibbo software for setting up the PC port and that was not win7 friendly.  The SPE software on the PC is looking for a comport and thats as far as I have been able to get so far...
Still a lot to learn!
73  Dave EI6AL

[ON4AOI]

Hi Dave,
you don't need to match the SPE software, it works with MoxA serial port(s) via ethernet
have posted more about this here on the reflector, btw I used once a serial to ethernet from Tibbo
and that didnt work like it should be

Guy ON4AOI

[ei6al]

Thanks Guy.  Have had a look at the links on some of your previous posts and think I know where to go from here....
73   Dave EI6AL

[ei6al]

Amplifier up and running with full remote.  Used a Brainbox ES-246 which had Win7 driver software.  No problems whatever in setting up...
Thanks to all for comments.....
73  Dave

[ON4AOI]

My pleasure

Guy ON4AOi