Icom 706 MKIIG CI-V issues

[wb4gcs]

All:
I have a RemoteRig system operating with my Icom 706-MKIIG.  It works great.  Configuration:

Control RRC:
Version 4, Hardware 5, Software 2.78
Program Mode 2 for IC-706 et al
IP address fixed
COMM0 19K2 baud, 8, N 1

Radio RRC:
Version 4, Hardware 5, Software 2.78
Radio ON
Connection OK
SLIP Errors NONE

I made the modifications to cut an Icom cable between radio and control head and rewired to connect to RRC -- works great.
Audio is set to Mode 8 - Linear coding, 16 bits, 16 KHz

I am now trying to use the use the CI-V interface.  If I connect a USB-RS232 device between the laptop and the Icom RS232 - CI-V converter, all is well.

Control RRC Serial configuration:
COM1 Mode -- Inactive
COM2 Mode -- Mode 2, Icom CI-V
9K6 baud, 8 N 1
Use USB port as COM2 -- Yes
I have installed the latest configuration manager and its virtual serial port drivers.  Several RRC virtual ports are seen by the laptop.  I pointed my software to the virtual com port which is RRC COM2.

Radio RRC Serial configuration:
COM1 Mode -- Inactive
COM2 Mode -- Mode 2, Icom CI-V
9K6 baud, 8 N 1

As you might guess, when I try to use my CI-V control program, it checks the serial link and finds that it doesn't work.

Questions:
Does the Use USB as COM2 setting apply to BOTH units?  Right now, I'm connecting laptop to Control RRC via USB and Radio RRC to Icom RS232-CI-v converter via serial cable connected to COM2 on the Radio RRC.  Is this why it doesn't work?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!!
Jim
wb4gcs@amsat.org

[sm2o]

I guess the RS-232 to CI-V converter is the problem. It must be a converter which has separate power supply like ICOM CT-17 a pirate converter which takes it's power from the serialport will not work.

73 de mike

[wb4gcs]

thanks, Mike.
I left out that the RSW232-CI-V converter IS the CT-17.   It has a separate power supply, and the LED is lit, indicating that it DOES have power.

In addition, if I disconnect it from the RRC and connect it to a USB-Serial converter (FTDI chipset) everything works fine.

Any other thoughts??

Thanks & 73,
Jim
wb4gcs@amsat.org

[sm2o]

Ok then the hardware is correct, you can try by connecting the USB-RS232 converter to Control-RRC Com2 and deactivate the use of the USB in the RRC

/mike

[wb4gcs]

Jan:
are you saying to deactivate USB as COM2 and connect the computer to the Control RRC to COM2 and then the CT-17 to the Radio RRC COM2??

Jim

[sm2o]

Yes, try that

/mike

[wb4gcs]

Mike:
This works.

Now, what does it take to make the USB work??  If I make the USB serve as COMM2 in the Control RRC, does that make the USB in the Radio RRC also serve as COMM2?  If so, this would be OK, I bought USB to Ci-Vadapter, and it would simplify the remote radio setup, as well as the local computer setup.

Thanks & 73,
Jim
wb4gcs@amsat.org

[sm2o]

In Control-RRC activate USB on COM2 and change the serialport in HRD to match. In Radio-RRC no changes.

USB cannot be used in Radio-RRC there need to be USB-host which is a different hardware.

73 de mike