K3/Mini Sound and Serial problem

[dl6dh]

Hi,

last days I changed the transeiver at my home remote location to the K3 and using the K3/Mini to control the remote radio.
The setup is not new and it worked as suggested, in CW.

But I like to use the setup in SSB as well. I am using a Heil Pro Micro attached at the Mini without any success. I have tried several settings on remote site as well on the control site (setting the K3/Mini in local config by pressing MENU longer than two secounds) But I will not get any audio to the K3... I tested full MIC gain with full Comp settings, not generating any output... Using the RRCMicro, audio is working, so I suggest the remote site is fine... 
Can anybody tell me the correct local setting for the K3/Mini (rP or fP)? Or do you have any other suggestion?

Second problem is to control the remote site via CAT commands from the logging software. I have COM1 parallel to COM2 (or the recommended setting, I am not sure in the moment and i cannot confirm it right now) and can control the rig via COM1 to USB. But I like to attach my serial port directly the RRC on COM1. I changed COM1 to USB to no, but without any success. I also changed the normal serical cable to a null modem cable with a gender changer, nothing works. Set all the things back to USB, it works...

Who can give me any hints to solve my problems?


73 Henning

EDIT: I have a second RRC control unit here, with the same results...

[dj0qn]

Hi Henning,

Understand that if you are connected to the remote K3, then anything you change on the menu will take effect
only on the radio side and not on the control side. In order to change mike or other settings on the control end,
you must be disconnected from the remote K3.

For the mini there is no mike selection. The front panel mic socket is enabled as long as you do not plug-in anything
into the left mic socket. As soon as you do it will disable the front panel socket and take audio from the 3,5 mm plug.

The K3/0 mini has an internal jumper that sets mic bias for the 3,5 mm socket. You may also need to check if it is set
accordingly.

As far as CAT is concerned, here is my checklist for the K3:


CAT Checklist for K3 Twin
----------------------------------
Note first that in a "Twin" configuration, COM2 is used to "tie" the two ends together and carries the CAT data. In order to access CAT, you need to get to COM2 without touching it. The easiest method is to duplicate COM2 over COM1 using a function in the RRC as follows:

- Change both RRC's COM1 to mode-7. Note that the baud rate does not have to be identical with COM2 to fit a lower bandwidth or software requirement.

- If using a "real" serial cable:
     - connect between the control RRC's COM1 and the PC, but note that the pinout is not the standard straight-through serial port. Use the pinout description in the RemoteRig manual, or just try a null-modem cable which usually works (may need a gender changer).
     - The  serial setting for COM1 "Use USB Com Port as COM1" must be set to NO

- If using USB:
     - make sure that first Microbit Setup Manager is installed first on the control PC to get the drivers.
     - Then change the serial settings for COM1 to change "Use USB Com Port as COM1" to YES
     - connect the USB cable between the RRC and computer and wait for the drivers to finish installing
     - go to the Windows Device Manager and look at which virtual serial port was assigned to COM1 and use that for your software, taking the correct baud rate into account.

Note also that you can pull CAT data in parallel off of the radio RRC to use a PC on that end, or to sync with a remote device (amplifier, SteppIR, etc.)

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[dl6dh]

Hi Mitch,

thank you for your suggestions.

I will use the 3.5mm plug for the mic. I will check the internal jupers tomorrow. I am aware of which settings are on remote and control site... With the MircoRRC it works, so something with the settings or installation on control site is nasty.

According CAT control: Here as well, it works with the activated USB port as suggested and also with the MicroRRC. But not with a serial cable (strait or crossed on COM1), internal change from using USB or not was done... If it was not working with the USB port or with the MicroRRC I would check the settings but it does... 

73 Henning

[dj0qn]

Hi Henning,

The Micro RRC uses COM2, but that is occupied by the control K3 when using the K3 Twin mode.
That is why you must use COM1 instead.

Good luck & 73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX