Remote Rig

RRC-Micro PC Client in English => General discussion => Topic started by: w7ao on 2011-11-19, 15:25:02

Title: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-19, 15:25:02
I have owned RRC-Micro for six months and it is useless for me.  It only works with HRD but HRD requires that the radio be ON inorder to connect.  It is unacceptable to have my remote station ON 24/7.  I use the Yaesu FT-2000 and both DF3CB's excellent program FT-2000RC and Yaesu's CAT program PCC2000 will turn the radio OFF/ON but RRC-Micro will not work with these programs.  Microbit please tell us, your customers, why RRC-Micro will not work with any program that uses a serial port and is there any hope that it will ever work.  IT IS TIME TO BE HONEST WITH US!!!!

Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-11-19, 16:29:39
First. I don't know why FT-2000 is not switched on and off by HRD, both FT-950 and FT-5000 that i have used is no problem and they use the same protocol, maybe someone who has the FT-2000 can tell.
About the other PC-softwares I think we have done what can be done in our end to make it work. At least some of them uses old serialport drivers which will not accept the virtual comports without replacing them with more modern ones. For the TRX-manager we have good hope because we are talking with the developer and both we and him know what he need to do, to make it work. The DF3CB program I have never heard about, maybe we can do something together if we get in contact with him. The softwares from Yaesu I do not think we can do anything about, we just have to wait and see if they comes with an update of some other reason. I don't know what you mean about being honest, we are saying that it works with HRD and we do our best to make it work with others also.  We have spending several hundreds of hours testing different approaches but when you can not do debuging from both ends it's very difficult. But we will continue to follow the different softwares, and if there is an opening we will do what we can to make it work.

73 de mike
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: PD1DL on 2011-11-19, 17:51:06
I facing the same problem here and thats the reason i came for help to the forum. I have two Yaesu FT 2000D radio`s buth i whas planning to loggon sometimes with my labtob using the RRC micro. Search the last 2 days for a solution to set the radio remote ON/OFF with my labtop and RRC Micro. I thought that i made a mistake somewhere with te settings buth just read that it is not posseble to switch the radio ON/OFF with the RRC micro. Hopefully there ll be comming a solution. If not i ll probely sell the FT 2000D`s for a other system.

Dimitri  PD1DL
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-19, 20:17:15
Thank you Mike for the fast response. It is VERY doubtful that Yaesu will upgrade PCC-2000.  It is a free program and they have no reason to use resorces to chage it now.  I very much prefer the DF3CB program FT2000RC.  It seems to work with every serial port I have tried except RRC-Micro.  It works with Eltima virtual ports very FB.  Using RRC Micro Version 1.3.1, on my local test bed, I could get FT2000RC to turn the radio on but then nothing.  FT2000RC goes into a loop looking for the radio to report its status.  It never received any data from the radio.  With Version 1.3.2, I can not get FT2000RC to turn the radio on! I think we have the greatest chance for suscess with FT2000RC.  Go to  http://df3cb.com/ft2000rc/ and download a copy and give it a try.  It is free.

I am sorry if I was harsh in my comments but it is frustrating.  Why does RRC-Micro virtual COM port operate any differently than an Eltima virtual port?

Please accept my apolgizes.

Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-19, 21:27:39
Hi Mike again,
I have done futher checking reqarding HRD.  I am using V5 with latest update.  When the program starts, there a green connect button in the upper left side in the toolbar.  The radio must be ON inorder to connect.  Once connected, the radio screen comes up and it indeed has a PWR button and that button will turn the radio on and off.  If I could get HRD to start with the radio screen, everything would be Okay but I have not found any way to have HDR boot-up with the radio screen.

73
Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-21, 09:08:35
I have also reported the problem with the PC Client not turning on the FT-2000 a couple of times in the past:

http://www.remoterig.com/forum/index.php?topic=920.0
http://www.remoterig.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=276;area=showposts;start=15 (from 9/22)

This appears specific to the FT-2000, and since the guys in Sweden don't have access to an FT-2000, they
haven't been able to duplicate this problem. If Jan and Mike want me to help with some testing, I will be
happy to try to help solve this problem once and for all.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-11-21, 15:32:49
To make things clear, the RRC-Micro and the RRC  do not add, remove or interfere it just opens up a channel for the PC-progrsm like HRD to communicate with the radio. So itīs up to the software and the radio to handle this things

73 de mike
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-21, 16:48:36
Hi Mike,

Are you saying then that this is nothing that you can fix, and is a bug in the FT-2000 firmware?

One thing that does puzzle me.....the PC Client does turn the TS-480 on before I connect with
HRD, so are you saying that Yaesu rigs must be turned on instead by HRD? I wasn't aware that this would
behave differently between rig type using the PC Client, so that is why I expected the FT-2000 to be
turned on by the PC Client before connecting with HRD, like it does with the TS-480.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-21, 17:41:18
Mike said-To make things clear, the RRC-Micro and the RRC  do not add, remove or interfere it just opens up a channel for the PC-progrsm like HRD to communicate with the radio. So itīs up to the software and the radio to handle this things

If this is true, I should be able to remove JMP-3 from the RRC-1258/Radio unit and then FT2000RC should connect and operate the FT-2000 using RRC-Micro EXACTLY as it does using a Eltima virtual port.  This is on a local radio test bed.



Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-11-21, 19:06:12
Hi agn

It does not replace the cable, what i mean is that the system in this mode are not sending any messages created by it self or removing any messages sent by HRD for example. In the case with TS-480 the RRC switch on the the TS-480 if you have set it in the TS-480 mode (5) for using the control panel. Then we know there is a TS-480 connected and can handle it in  a separate way. If you set it up in mode 4 it will not know if there is a FT-2000 or a TS-480 connected and the on/off switching is up to the PC-software to handle. Of course there should be possible to make the firmware in the way you can select what radio you have connected and then send the switch on command automatically when the SIP-connection is up. But I don't know why HRD  don't do it with FT-2000 if does with other rigs ?

73 de mike
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-22, 13:52:56
Thanks for the explanation, Mike, I think I understand the difference now, after reading your
answer a few times.

In my case, My FT-2000 is using mode 10 and TS-480 mode 5 (of course, two different RRC's).
If I understand correctly, the reason the PC Client turns the the TS-480 on, is because of this
special mode 4. Mode 10 requires the CAT software to turn it on, which doesn't work in my case,
or, judging from the other comments, with the FT-2000 at all.

So what are the options to make this work? Is there a work-around that you could implement in
the firmware?

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-11-22, 20:26:13
We tested today with HRD and found that the creator of HRD has forgot to include the Power on command in FT-2000 mode. You can test to setup HRD in FT-950 mode then the FT-2000 will start up. Of course there will be other problems using it in FT-950 mode.

We will make a new setting where you can tell the RRC to send the "Pwr On" command automatically when you connect in mode 4.

73 de mike
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-22, 20:28:32
Thanks, Mike, this is terrific! Sorry you have to make up for other software's mistakes,
but we all appreciate it.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: PD1DL on 2011-11-23, 15:13:26
Thats great news !

We waiting for it and thanks insted.

Dimitri PD1DL
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-11-25, 15:34:27
Hi

there is a new firmware version with support for Yaesu pwr on/off. The function is activated under the Advanced menu. I hope it will solve your problems.

73 de mike


http://www.remoterig.com/firmwares/RRC-1258-CRC_v2.47_2011-11-25.zip

Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-25, 16:15:53
Thanks, Mike,

I tested the update and now can turn the FT-2000 on using the PC Client and use HRD.

I know this was a work around caused by HRD and not a bug in your firmware, so I really
appreciate that you and your team took the time to resolve this problem.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-29, 22:27:18
I have done a lot of testing of RRC-micro the last few days and I have found the following:
I can connect RRC-micro to my local RRC-1258-Radio box.  With my FT2000 turned on, I can hear the audio A-OK. When I try to connect my CAT using FT2000RC, I get no data from the radio.  Using a RS-232 tester, I never see any RTS signal come from the RRC-1258 box even though I know FT2000RC has made RTS active.  In the PC, I can see the RTS signal using my RS-232 Port Monitor program.  With the radio still on, I try to connect with HRD and get the same results.  HRD can never connect.  I never see any RTS signal from the RRC-1258-Radio box comming from the PC even though HRD said it was active.  I do see a CTS signal comming from the radio. I am using version 1.31 of RRC-micro.  I will try 1.32 tommorrow but I don't expect any change.  The FT-2000 is never going to send data until it sees RTS.
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-29, 22:47:00
I upgraded my local RRC-1258-Radio box to version 2.47 today.  RRC-micro does NOT turn the FT2000 on when it connects.  In advanced I have it set to "yes."
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-29, 22:56:59
Russ,

I have tested this thoroughly, and it works just fine now. I was reporting this problem for several
months as well. Please explain more how you are making the connection through HRD; you are
not supposed to click on DTR or CTS. Make sure you use COM2 for CAT, either of the ports that
the PC Client installs can be used. You said that you changed the new "Yaesu Power Off" to yes.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: ON4AOI on 2011-11-30, 12:06:46
Mitch,
there was a work around in HRD also if you added a macro for switching on/off
but easier from reoterig ofcoarse

Guy ON4AOI
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-30, 17:43:30
Hi Mitch, DJ0QN,
That is amazing. Yes, I am using COM2 for the FT2000 CAT.  I installed Version 2.47 yesterday however connecting does not turn my radio on.  I never see any TXD/RXD activity comming from the RCC1258 box to the radio.  I think if I can get the radio to turn on, everything else will start to work.  Also in HRD, I do not have the CTS/RTS boxes checked.

What caused me to start this thread with a rather angry note was the fact that microBit has never told the customer that the RS-232 emulation in RRC client does not emulate the complete RS-232 package.  I had assumed that all signals ie. TXD,RXD,RTS,CTS and DSR were being sent.  It is clear to me now that only TXD and RXD are there.  No wonder they have so much trouble getting most PC CAT programs to work.

I don't know what to try next.  I think I will install RCC client on another computer and see if can get it to turn the radio on.

73--Russ, W7AO

 
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: dj0qn on 2011-11-30, 17:49:26
Ok, Russ, let me know if I can help. We can use Skype and Teamspeak if you
want me to help you out directly. I am GMT +1 (end of next week GMT +7 for
three weeks).

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-11-30, 17:59:27
The pwr on/off function has nothing to do with the pc client or setup of HRD.
It's sent when SIP ocnnection is up, independent of the control side. It will send the message even if you use box to box solution. You should use radio mode 4 or 10 and enable the function under advanced settings.

The problem with old PC softwares accepting virtual com ports has nothing to to with if RTS/DTR etc.  is used or not, the problem is on a totally different level.

I assume you have coonected pin 7 and 8 and set jmp 3 in place.

73 de mike
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-11-30, 19:42:30
Partial Success!
Yes Mike, I understand how you are doing ON/OFF; however I still can not get the radio to turn on when RCC-Client connects. Yes, I am in mode 4 and I have Yaesu power set to YES in the advanced section.

I reflashed the RRC-1258-Radio box and reinstalled RRC Client in the PC.  Now, if I turn the radio on and then connect RRC-client, I can connect and operate the radio using HRD.  Hooray!!

With the radio off, I can connect RRC-Client and then start FT2000RC.  FT2000RC will turn the radio ON with its ON/OFF button.  RT2000RC will control the radio completely; however FT2000RC never sees any data from the radio.  The PC screen with FT2000RC running never changes but the radio will change mode/bands/frequency and anything else by clicking the buttons on the PC.  SO CLOSE TO PERFECTION!!!

Vy 73
Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-12-01, 17:51:54
I installed V 2.48 in RRC 1258-Radio today and I still do NOT turn the radio on when RRC-Client connects.  I am using Mode 4.

Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-12-01, 18:11:16
Now have radio turning on A-Okay when RRC-Client connects.  Had cable disconnected.  Sorry about that.
Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-12-01, 18:15:37
Cables are important some times, even in this wireless world. Good luck

/mike
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-12-02, 16:43:49
Mike,
I think you should take another look at the Yaesu ON/OFF fix.  Yesterday, I saw the radio start when RRC-Client connected.  I tryed it two times and it worked and I thought the problem was solved.  When I tried later in the day, the radio would not turn on and has not turned on after many tries last night.  If I change the radio type in HRD to FT-950, as you suggested, the radio comes on every time with I start HRD.  Something not right here.  Today, I will flash my RRC-1258-TWIN box to V2.48 and try in Mode 10.
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-12-02, 17:10:16
Maybe there is some differences in timing between different FT-2000. Setup portforwarding for port 23 (telnet) and email me the info we need to connect to your Radio-RRC. We will test on Monday when the software guys are at the office.

73 de mike

Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: Jan (Microbit) on 2011-12-02, 17:32:44
Maybe there is some differences in timing between different FT-2000. Setup portforwarding for port 23 (telnet) and email me the info we need to connect to your Radio-RRC. We will test on Monday when the software guys are at the office.

73 de mike
Some of us are still here  ;)
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-12-02, 23:01:04
Mike,
I am set-up for telnet.  E/mail me at w7ao@yahoo.com and I will reply with the URL and pswd for the unit.  Have not had time today to try the TWIN unit so it will be the standard RRC 1258 MkII.

Russ,W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: w7ao on 2011-12-05, 14:43:17
Mike,
Still waiting for e/mail from you so I can reply with info you wanted.  I do not know your e/mail address.
Russ, W7AO
Title: Re: Exactly what is wrong!
Post by: sm2o on 2011-12-05, 15:54:28
I have mailed you

/mike