Messages

1

Hardware, Cabling, Installations / Re: Com Ports

« on: 2015-05-03, 17:35:23 »

Figured out that RTS is passed through on COMM1.
STill doesn't work.

Using my RS-232 display device, looks like my Icom device needs more power than the RRC provides.  Unfortunate, but realities of "RS-232", which never really was "standard".

Time to try something else.

Jim

2

Hardware, Cabling, Installations / Re: Com Ports

« on: 2015-05-03, 14:21:39 »

Mike:

Thanks.  This was not clear to me in the manual, but is now.

Are RTS/DTR passed through on COMM1?  If so, is there any reason I should not use COMM1 for the IC-706 CAT?

As far as I can tell, the radio/control head only use COMM0, is that correct?

Thanks,
Jim

3

Hardware, Cabling, Installations / Re: Com Ports

« on: 2015-05-03, 05:24:48 »

I have a similar question.
I am controlling a IC-706 MKIIG with RemoteRig; works great!
Have successfully used COM2 with Icom CT-17 to operate the radio CAT via the CI-V protocol.

Replaced the CT-17 with a RPC-I17 serial to CI-V cable.  Unlike the CT-17, it has no external power input; I assume it is getting power from DTR, CTS, etc.  It does NOT work.  Asserting RTS and DTR in the radio control software (which worked with CT-117) has no effect.

Questions:

Does COM2 pass through RTS and DTR?  Reading between the lines in the documentation suggests maybe not, since COM1 has settings for RTS/DTR and COM2 apparently does not.  Is this my problem?  If RTS and DTR do NOT pass to COM2, is there any reason (other than gender of the connectors) that I couldn't use COM1??

Some Icom folks have cited that many "RS232" ports on newer laptops do not go +/-12V per the standard, but only 0/+5.  What does RemoteRig do?  I always assumed it to be "true" RS-232.

Any other thoughts?
Thanks,
Jim
wb4gcs@amsat.org

4

General discussion forum / Re: Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-25, 00:01:07 »

Jan:
Interesting developments today.

I discovered that, with both 1-wire busses disconnected, it comes up fine on the normal power supply, but not the battery, even when the battery is at 12.6 volts.

Then I discovered that, with both 1-wire busses (temperature sensors and rotor), it wouldn't respond, whether I powered up on battery or normal power.   (battery and normal power connect to WebSwitch through "auctioneering" diodes.)

Then I discovered that, the "ground" on the rotor 1-wire buss had become disconnected from the common on the WebSwitch.  Reconnected it, and now it responds fine when I power up on the normal power supply.  Still does NOT respond when I power up from the battery.

Then I was able to successfully add one of the new temperature sensors that started all this, scan it, name it, and have it read properly.

Additional information:  The backup battery is a gel-cell, about 1 year old.  When normal power is on, it is monitored and charged as necessary by a "BatteryTender" device.  Ultimately it will be charged by some solar panels, connected via controllers which will prevent it from being over-charged and disconnecting the load if battery voltage gets too low.

Additional observation:  When WebSwitch powers up, the green and yellow LEDs near the ethernet jack come on.  When powering up on battery, the green flickers in sync with the "data" LED on the adjacent switch; the yellow stays on.  It will not respond.  When powering up on normal power, both LEDs come on, but then the yellow goes out, and only the green flickers.  Once I can see the green only, it responds instantly to the browser.

Additional observation:  Battery voltage during startup attempts ranged from 11.6 to 12.6 volts; label on WebSwitch says 8 VDC is minimum.

Question:  What does the yellow LED indicate?

Question:  I have the 1-wire "ground" connection isolated from power ground and cabinet ground.  Should it be?  Or should it be connected to power ground and/or cabinet ground?  Or are they connected inside WebSwitch, and it doesn't matter?

Making progress and learning things here.

Thanks,
Jim

5

General discussion forum / Re: Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-24, 02:44:37 »

Jan:

I tried USB long ago.  Windows 7 reports faulty USB device and disables it.
Interesting suggestion on power.  Since it is not functioning, it is on the battery backup, which I measured at 10.69 volts.  Removed all power and applied primary power -- came right up.  You may be on to something here.

Will advise.

Jim

6

General discussion forum / Re: Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-21, 23:53:01 »

Jan:

Powered up after being off 24 hours with rotor controller (only, no temp sensors) connected.  Won't respond.  Power off. 

Disconnected rotor controller.  Will let it sit 24 hours and see what is happening.

This is incredibly perplexing, especially since the LEDs at the ethernet port sure look like they're acting normally.  Green on and Yellow intermittently on and then off.

Jim

7

General discussion forum / Re: Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-20, 23:15:43 »

Jan:

After leaving power off for 24 hours, it responded and controls the two switches I reconnected.

I just powered it down and reconnected the rotor controller.  I'll let it sit overnight and see what happens.

Jim

8

General discussion forum / Re: Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-19, 02:30:30 »

Jan:

Powered down for four days.  Disconnected everything.  Power up -- it came up and I could connect to it.  Of course, nothing worked, but settings (labels for temperature sensors) were still there.

Powered down and reconnected relays 1 and 2, both of which switch 12VDC at < 1 Amp.

Powered up.

Can't connect.  LEDs on webswitch and network switch sggest network activity, just like before.

Relay 1 and relay 2 connections were part of the original installation over a year ago and have worked fine.

I'll power it down for 24 hours and see what happens tomorrow.

Jim

9

General discussion forum / Re: Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-09, 03:36:48 »

Jan:

Thanks.

I have power cycled it several times, including one iteration where I left it de-energized for hours.

I will try this again, disconnecting everything while the power is off.

Will advise.
Thanks,
Jim

10

General discussion forum / Webswitch won't communicate

« on: 2014-12-06, 20:06:08 »

All:
My webswitch 1216H has been working fine.  After reading temperatures, I shut it down (removed all power) to add some additional 1-wire temperature sensors.  Added the first one.  Power  back on.

Can't find it on the browser  (Fixed IP address, 192.168.1.226)
Can't ping it.
Yet, the link light is lit and the activity light flashes on the webswitch and the network switch to which it is connected.

Power down, disconnected new 1-wire sensor, power back on -- same problem.

Thinking IP settings got corrupted, I ran SetupManager and plugged in the USB connection.  Windows7 complains that it can't find a device driver, and then shuts down the "Unknown Device".  Tried it several times, including rebooting Windows, it won't connect to the Webswitch.

Webswitch has the rotor controller board attached (Used to work fine).
Webswitch firmware version is 4.4.

SetupManager is latest, 1.27, I think.

This is the first problem I've ever had with it.

Any suggestions??

Thanks,
Jim

11

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: CW connections for RemoteRig and IC-706 MKIIG

« on: 2014-10-03, 21:49:10 »

Mike:
I THINK this works.  Haven't yet been able to make a QSO, but radio seems to transmit....

Thanks,
Jim

12

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Icom 706 MKIIG CI-V issues

« on: 2014-10-01, 02:30:42 »

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

13

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: CW connections for RemoteRig and IC-706 MKIIG

« on: 2014-10-01, 00:27:29 »

Mark:
Thanks, I understand all that you say.

I am seeking clarification on exactly how to connect the radio RRC to the 706 Radio.

The manual is a bit ambiguous.
Thanks!
Jim
wb4gcs@amsat.org

14

Configuration, RRC 1258 / CW connections for RemoteRig and IC-706 MKIIG

« on: 2014-09-30, 04:01:17 »

I'm connecting CW capabilities for my IC 706 MKIIG.  I'm using a paddle with either the remoterig keyer or the Icom keyer -- which ever works.

I get from the RemoteRig manual that the paddle connection goes into the control RRC.

I'm confused about the connection between the Radio RRC and the radio.  In one place, it suggests connecting a stereo cable from the radio RRC to the radio paddle input, leaving the keyer function in the radio.  In another place, it suggests connecting only the sleeve and tip to the radio, leaving the keyer function in the RRC.

Can anyone tell me how to get it right?

Thanks,
Jim

15

Configuration, RRC 1258 / Re: Icom 706 MKIIG CI-V issues

« on: 2014-09-26, 02:13:51 »

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