Messages

1771

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: PROBLEMS AFTER NEW INTERNETT MODEM

« on: 2012-06-16, 22:29:57 »

Hi Per,

Sorry, I was out all day today, the weather finally got nice here in Munich.

Glad to hear that you got it working, although I am not quite sure why it works 

My theory is that your modem is not really a pure modem, but indeed does some
basic functions that a router does. I have seen that in Germany with the Alice modems.

Hopefully everything will continue to work.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1772

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: PROBLEMS AFTER NEW INTERNETT MODEM

« on: 2012-06-16, 00:30:11 »

Hi Per,

If you are positive that the subnet has not changed, then there is no logical reason why this
should no longer work. Changed line speeds has no effect.

I would recycle the radio RRC power as well, just to make sure. Perhaps it is a coincidence,
and something there is wrong, e.g. the dynamic DNS address didn't update correctly (although
then the green light wouldn't be on).

If that doesn't help, then we all need to put our thinking caps on. However, in that case I would suspect
something in the modem is blocking ports or something. Make sure you are NOT using port 5060 for
SIP, since in Europe many routers/modems block this port for internal VoIP use.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1773

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: PROBLEMS AFTER NEW INTERNETT MODEM

« on: 2012-06-15, 17:20:34 »

Per,

If you changed your router, you may have a new subnet, e.g. 192.168.X.100, where "X" is
the other subnet.  If you have your RRC with a fixed internal IP number instead of DHCP, then
it can't find its way to the internet.

Check your RRC with the USB cable and Setup Manager to either change your IP number to
match your network, or else to change it to DHCP. Then it should work again.

The other alternative is to change the new router to be the same subnet as the old router,
then the RRC and any other devices with fixed internal IP numbers will work as before.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1774

General discussion / Re: U.S. Availability

« on: 2012-06-14, 07:36:58 »

I asked George at HRO why....he said that the volume and demand did not justify
them selling it in the U.S.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1775

General discussion forum / Re: PC software

« on: 2012-06-13, 15:57:13 »

Hi Norby,

The choice of software is a personal one. It depends upon many factors: features, language, rig & accessory support, etc.
It is often an emotional decision and the only way is to try out various control programs to see which one you prefer to
use. Since this subject is not related to RemoteRig, I highly suggest you take it to a local language forum and post your
question on rig control software to local hams and get their recommendations. All programs however have trial versions,
or may be free, but that number is getting to be fewer and fewer.

The PC Client of course supports CW using the computer keyboard, you only lose support for a key.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1776

General discussion forum / Re: PC software

« on: 2012-06-12, 20:54:28 »

Hi Norby,

No problem to ask any question, that's what this forum is all about!

The answer is easy: your choice!

You can use any program over the RRC that you use on your local PC to control the radio.
You can simply forward CAT through COM2 to do so, and use either a serial cable or a USB
cable on the control end.

Note that you may prefer to buy the radio RRC with a PC Client instead of the second RRC.
This would save you some money and allow you to be more portable. However, you lose
the ability to send CW with a key. There were also some problems with many programs
supported by CAT in this software RRC, but this is supposedly solved in the latest version.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1777

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Using HRD with K3 - Setup problem

« on: 2012-06-11, 16:24:52 »

Hi Keith,

I wrote you direct, but here is my reply for the forum:

The kits from Elecraft were designed to work with the K3 Twin, not with a stand-alone K3 being controlled via software.

Most likely the serial cable on the radio RRC is correct - a straight through serial cable.

The supplied cable for the control side would be a null modem cable with pins 3 & 5 and 7 & 8 crossed. You would therefore have a problem if you attempted to use this cable for CAT control over the control RRC. Since you are apparently using USB for CAT, this is not the problem. Since the connectors on the null modem cable are different, you have not used this by accident on the radio RRC, which would also cause this not to work.

I didn't notice a configuration problem, but maybe I messed something. Bottom line is I would need to log onto your computer to try to figure it out, assuming it is not indeed a cabling problem (unlikely).

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1778

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Using HRD with K3 - Setup problem

« on: 2012-06-11, 10:00:46 »

Keith,

I think the problem is in your cabling. You said that you were using "Elecraft supplied cables", but that is only relevant for the K3 Twin. These cabling will not necessarily work with a stand-alone K3, although I am not sure how you are doing this.

Just make it easier on you:
- Connect a simple serial cable between the K3 CAT and COM2 on the radio RRC
- Use the USB port on the control RRC for HRD

This should be all you need to get this working.

Note that you will need to rewire everything and change some settings when you receive the K3/0.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1779

General discussion forum / Re: YAESU TWIN Known Bugs

« on: 2012-06-07, 09:01:34 »

Hi Guy,

My bug list from my 22 Sept. posting is still current, except that the problem with PC Client and power on was solved.

Here is the remaining list:

- Low audio output, no difference how JMP4 is set (using amplified PC speakers)
- Changing antennas in split uses only the last one set by the radio side on the B VFO
- Some controls are inconsistent, such as power output. Haven't spent time trying all controls

The antenna problem is a real issue, and seems related to what you noted above. It seriously affects
split operation. The problem with controls is essentially also what you noted, it affects buttons, but
sometimes controls like power. I am using 2 x FT-2000.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1780

General discussion forum / Re: WASTE OF MONEY-RCS-12 Automatic Antenna Switch - except for TS-480 ?? :(

« on: 2012-06-06, 07:00:04 »

Hi Dave,

Don't get frustrated too fast......I highly suggest that you ask your question on a specific forum
or Yahoo Group related to Ameritron/MFJ. There you will find people with the knowledge, since this
is not really related to RemoteRig. Alternatively, you can call their hotline.

The manual of course always refers to BCD data, which is the standard when it comes to switching.
Kenwood unfortunately does not provide this output natively, so there is always some some of process
required to convert Kenwood CAT to BCD, either directly within the switch, or by using a band decoder
that can understand CAT. I have a mail that I wrote that summarizes what I have seen on the market
to switch remotely, and can forward that to you if you are interested, but in your case you already have
the RCS-12.

I have set-up a number of remote stations and helped many others do so. By far the most complex issue
has been antenna switching. However, I have always seen these challenges as part of what makes ham radio
the hobby it is. We are not there for "plug and play" pleasure, but need to have some basic technical skills and
are willing to put work and knowledge into getting our stations (and now remote stations) working. At least
that has been part of the fun I have had the past 44 years since I received my first license. So please see this as
part of the fun and challenge, since there will be further pitfalls along the way, this is surely not the last one.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1781

General discussion forum / Re: RCS-12 Automatic Antenna Switch - except for TS-480 ?? :(

« on: 2012-06-05, 20:05:47 »

Dave,

We already determined that it is no longer "incompatible", so keep cool.

I downloaded the manual again. As far as I can tell from page 7, it should
work automatically if the correct cable is used, i.e. plugged into the TS-480's
remote port. Did you buy or make your cable?

There are otherwise no apparent settings to be made on either the TS-480
or the RCS-12 as far as I can tell. Maybe there is someone on the forum that
has used the RCS-12 and can verify, since I have never seen one before.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1782

General discussion forum / Re: RCS-12 Automatic Antenna Switch - except for TS-480 ?? :(

« on: 2012-06-05, 17:57:03 »

Hi Dave,

You can't change anything in the TS-480 except for baud rate, the protocol is standard. It is in the
RCS-12 where this mode must be selected.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1783

General discussion forum / Re: RCS-12 Automatic Antenna Switch - except for TS-480 ?? :(

« on: 2012-06-05, 08:17:41 »

Dave,

I just downloaded the manual and took a look. Seems that the old model only used BCD data, as do
most other switches. The newer model has a mode to convert Kenwood CAT to BCD, which makes it
a bit slower.

From page 2:
"New Kenwoods: This category is for new Kenwoods that have a DB-9 connector for computer control.
Serial data is read from this port to get the band data."

From page 7:
"Since the Radio Control Port is used to get the band information from the radio. The radio must be
switched on first before powering up the RCS-12. Upon power up, the RCS-12 sends the Auto Information
(AI) command to the Kenwood radio. This instructs the Kenwood to send the radio’s status information
anytime it changes. Failure to do this will result in the radio not receiving this command and the RCS-12
not detecting a properly connected radio.
Anytime the status of the radio changes, there is a one second delay before the new information is sent
over the serial line to the RCS-12. This causes the switch to appear to respond slowly to the band changes.
This is a result of the delay from the Kenwood radio, NOT the RCS-12."

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1784

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Connection issues between boxes.

« on: 2012-06-04, 21:23:24 »

Shawn,

Just a hunch: did you remove JMP2 in the control RRC to use the TS-480 head per the
manual? The TS-480 needs more voltage to work properly.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

1785

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Remoterig FREE Dynamic DNS service

« on: 2012-06-04, 18:28:35 »

Juan Carlos,

Maybe I can take a look and figure it out, however...........

You really don't need a second device with a dynamic DNS address on the same network, unless the
first device requires a backup for some reason. Since you only have one external IP number, you can
reach any device on that network through the single dynamic DNS address from your router.

Of course, every device must have a different port(s) that is in turn forwarded through the router. Since
that is anyway required with the radio's RRC, then just use your router's dynamic DNS address to reach
it from the control RRC.

Maybe I misunderstood you, but I think that is what you are asking.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX