Topics

1

General discussion / Volume control not working. - Resolved - Operator error again!

« on: 2013-06-02, 05:42:40 »

Problem was my laptop had the laptop speaker selected as default rather than the Microbit speaker.  Made the change and all is well.  I still have to update my software at work which should be OK now that I figured out what was wrong at home.

Also updated 1258's to 2.72 prior to updating PC Micro.  They seem to be working fine at least on receive.  While I was at it, seeing as DYNDNS decided that I would have to update my free account every 30 days to keep it active, I switched to the remoterig ddns service.

The volume control had been working before when I was running version 1.5.x something.  I am testing in the shack at this time.

I am running a Yaesu FT-1000MP MARK-V and although I have only been using my PC Micro to receive audio at work while controlling the home station through LogMeIn it has all been working fine until the upgrade.  All settings appear to be the same as they were before the upgrade.  I am using the dongle connection for my audio and I noticed that although I cannot change the volume with the Micro volume control I am able to do so with the volume control on my laptop.  I have never been able to get the audio to run through the laptop to use that for my audio and I use a little battery powered speaker to kick up the volume out of the dongle when a bit extra is called for.

I had a problem with the volume control not working in the past after an upgrade but the solution I used then no longer works.

73 de Walt,  W6SA

2

General discussion / Sound Buffer question

« on: 2012-06-26, 05:13:59 »

I am testing my RRC Client at work and it quite often fills the sound buffer indicator bar completely with Red bars.  I saw that a filled indicator indicates that the speaker is not processing the incoming data quickly enough.  What would be the cure for that?

Could this just be a symptom of an overloaded and crappy computer system?  At work we run XP Professional SP3.  I have to run multiple applications on this computer and they usually have some lag time and hang ups.

I have to test this out at home on my network and see how it responds to a more robust system.  Just getting back to setting up again and had a lot of glitches along the way.  Once I have this worked out I will have to update the MKII boxes to the latest and greatest.

Also, I see Green and Blue Bars in the Indicator when it is not full of red bars.  I know that as long as it doesn't go to zero I am fine but what is the signifigance of the different colors?

Thanks for any suggestions.

73 de Walt, W6SA

3

General discussion / Volume Control Slider has no affect on audio level using Dongle connections

« on: 2012-04-10, 03:30:35 »

I haven't tried my setup for quite some time.  Before upgrading the RRC Client to the latest version I upgraded the MKII units to the latest version. 

Prior to actually upgrading the Client I checked the MKII units which were working and then checked the Client which works but the volume slider does not adjust the audio level.  I upgraded the Client and still no audio adjustment.  I should have tested the Client before upgrading the MK II units.

I haven't tested transmitting yet as I first need to resolve the receive audio issue.

I saw that the latest version for Client now works with more control programs than HRD and I am hoping I will be able to control my station using Writelog.  Probably won't work but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The last time I tested my system the audio adjustment had been working properly.  I probably overlooked something.  Any thoughts on a quick solution or do I need to go read the latest version of the user manual.

73 de Walt, W6SA

4

Configuration, RRC 1258 / New features available in versions 2.40 & 2.41

« on: 2011-07-12, 06:31:11 »

I have been searching the site for more detailed information regarding the new capabilities of versions 2.40 & 2.41.  I have been unable to find any details explaining hookup and operation for the new features.

Is there something I am overlooking or could you post information to assist in hooking up and taking advantage of the new features offered?

73 de Walt, W6SA

 

5

General discussion / Background noise on mike audio.

« on: 2011-06-13, 00:15:27 »

It's always something!

I finally got my PC Client issues squared away and audio now goes both ways using the dongle as my connection for the mike and headphones.  I can't seem to get the audio in my laptop to work for the mike or headset.  Got to be a setting somewhere for that.  Just haven't found it so far. 

I am still testing things out here to be sure I am putting a good signal on the air so I have been monitoring the rig audio with another set of headphones at the rig.  I have a constant background noise which begins the instant I key the PTT on the dongle.  If I have my processor on it just about breaks into oscillation it is so loud.  Just about drowns out my mike audio.  Without the processor on I can hear my mike audio clearly above the background although I think I can still detect it below my modulation. 

It may be a matter of balancing adjustments in the RemoteRig setup with the audio setup in the laptop.  I have cranked the audio for the mike all the way down to nothing and the noise follows the volume setting until it disappears along with the audio.

I have tested with the rig going into a dummy load and with it going to the antenna.  There is no difference so I don't believe it has anything to do with RF.

I run the same test with my 1258 system and the noise is also there but not as loud.  If I turn on the processor it gets up to the level that the PC Client produces when used without the processor on. 

Basically I need to eliminate this background noise from the system and preferably to the point where I can use my processor on the rig otherwise my audio is not as strong as I would prefer it to be.  With only 200 watts into an R7 vertical mounted 5 feet above ground I need all the boost I can get when fighting it out in a pile up.

The rig is a Yaesu FT-1000MP MKV.  I have a line isolator at the antenna and another just outside the shack which is connected to my 10 foot ground rod.  I have split ferrites all over the wiring in the shack.  I will try adding some to the latest wiring additions but it doesn't seem to be an RF issue.

If I could figure out a way to record the noise I would attach a file for suggestions.   I am using the same microphones I normally would use with my rig.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I realize this is difficult without hearing the background noise. 

73 de Walt, W6SA

6

General discussion / Free Wi-Fi Hotspot connectivity - Problem resolved.

« on: 2011-05-13, 23:59:11 »

After a lot of effort from Roland & Mike I finally got my PC Client working on my home network and they were able to access my rig through HRD.  My FT-1000MP MKV runs at 4800 baud and they had to do some reprogramming to make it work with HRD.  They also resolved my audio dropout issue.  They are great guys and really work hard to help their customers.

I bought the PC Client and the MKII system with the idea of having access from free hotspots and hotel rooms.  

I have tested this out at my local Starbucks & McDonald locations and my ports are apparently blocked.  I cannot connect with my DNS address and the port I am using at these locations.  I cannot even connect to my router using the remote port I use for management.  

I have to try a local hotel and library to see if I can connect from there.  I can connect to my DNS page and router from work but I am not allowed to attach anything to their system and definitely not allowed to connect to their wireless network.  I'm pretty sure I would be able to connect from work just based on the availability of those ports.

Just wondering if anyone else is being successful in using free Wi-Fi hotspots.  I have no plans for a remote station other than accessing my home shack from on the road.  If this is not something that will work out for me I may end up, after all this work and aggravation, putting the MKII and PC Client up for sale.  I would really like to have the remote capability RemoteRig offers but if it won't work the way I need it to...

73 de Walt, W6SA
 

7

General discussion forum / Is anyone using Windows 7 - 64 bit and ICS for remoting to their station?

« on: 2010-08-25, 16:53:23 »

This is somewhat repetitious of my original post but I am looking specifically for someone familiar with Windows 7 – 64 Bit version.

My problem is that I can operate the system with no problem on my home network when it is set up in a Bridge but not in ICS, using Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit version. I need to get it to work from other locations.  I can get receive audio fine when NICS are Bridged but not when using ICS.

I have been testing my setup at Starbucks as that is my closest hotspot.
 
I tried at Starbucks one morning in Bridged setup. Everything seemed OK. I pulled an IP for the laptop with no problem. I agreed to their terms from my laptop connection thinking this would fall through to the Bridge connection.
 
I was able to browse the remote control unit, (which showed a proper IP setup), through the Setup screen, via my USB connection, with no problem but could not get a connection through the Internet to my station. I'm thinking this is because I could not agree to their terms through the Control unit.

I don't travel away from home often enough to have much experience with hotspots. I had hoped to use this system on trips but I assume I would have the same issue at a hotel with accepting their agreement, if that is truly the issue.

I assumed that ICS would fall through into their network as it would not technically be a wireless connection after passing through the Ethernet NIC.

I set up for ICS on my home network and the Ethernet NIC got an IP with no problem. (192.168.137.1) The Ethernet NIC does not show a Gateway or DNS IP which appears to be normal for ICS.

I can get the remote control unit to accept a DHCP assigned address from the Ethernet NIC but it will not connect to the Network. I have to enter the IP settings in manually using 192.168.137.1, which is the IP assigned to the NIC as a Gateway and DNS address.
 
I have also had to manually set the IP for the remote control unit to 192.168.137.2. This still does not allow the Control Unit to connect to the network. The only way I have been able to get the Control unit to connect is using the DNS address for my ISP which is 68.105.28.13.

I am then able to get the remote control unit to connect to the Radio unit and I can key the microphone and transmit OK. I just cannot seem to get any audio out of the speaker which is attached to the Control unit. Audio is over SIP which is using Port 5070.
 
All necessary ports are being forwarded and the Windows Firewall which also has the ports forwarded is off for testing with ICS. Firewall ON works fine when using Bridging.
 
In the ICS setup I am getting a SIP connection to the remote control unit as the Yellow light on the remote control unit is on steady as it should be. I just don't get any audio. The system has not been tested on Windows 7 64 bit so has been no feedback on my issue.
 
Apparently this works just fine for everyone else with other Operating Systems. There is no need for a crossover cable for the RJ45 connections but I have tried that with no difference just to cover all bases.

Operating system:

All settings under ICS settings are checked and I added ports 5070, 11000, & 12000.

I have a Netgear wireless router connected to my Cable Modem. I am using WEP for my network.

Toshiba 18.4" laptop.

The remote control unit uses Ports 5070, 11000, 12000, 80, and 23.

Using RRC MKII.

The unit at the station end is connected via CAT 5 cable to my router and has a fixed IP.

FT-100MP MKV in the same room where I am testing.

Would WEP be an issue for the Remote Control unit via the Ethernet NIC connection? Is the control unit technically a wireless node? There is no way to use WEP on this unit that I can see.

Should a bridged Internet connection require accepting an agreement from the hotspot provider for the unit connected via Ethernet as the IP is in their subset?

I have researched and made sure that all ICS dependent services are started and I have set them to Automatic start up.
 
Any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks for reading my post.

73,

Walt, W6SA

8

General discussion forum / Remote connection and Receive audio issues - HELP!!

« on: 2010-08-06, 22:39:24 »

I have tried a couple of things to enable my remote Control to connect from a hotel or Starbucks.  So far I have only been able to try accessing from Starbucks.

I first tried a Dlink pocket router connected to the Remote Control unit in client mode.  This worked fine at home but I could not connect at Starbucks.  I figured it was probably because you have to accept the Starbucks agreement before you gain actual Internet use.

I then tried Bridging to the NIC in my laptop which was operating in wireless mode.  This also worked fine at home.  I set everything to DHCP and had no problem pulling an IP for the Control Unit. 

Tried again at Starbucks this morning.  Everything seemed OK.  Pulled an Ip for the Remote with no problem.  I agreed to their terms from my laptop connection thinking this would fall through to the Bridge connection.  I was able to browse the unit through the Setup screen with no problem but could not get a connection through the Internet.  I showed an IP and all the other settings required by their system. 

I believe I did see a message at one point that the HTTP Port could not be accessed, while jumping between screens. 

I'm thinking this is because I could not agree to their terms through the Control unit or else they are using a different port for HTTP. 

I think it is the agreement that is causing the problem.   I bought the system just so I could connect to my home station on the rare occasions that I am away from home.  I believe that I will run into this issue anywhere I go which makes the system useless to me.

One other bit of information...

I use Writelog for logging and operating RTTY and CW at the home station.  I do have HRD set up in addition as it allows for better tuning capability.

I am using LogMeIn for connectivity to my home desktop which already allows me to run RTTY successfully, just by running the software at home over the Internet.  You don't need sound for RTTY.  I wanted to have sound and audio so I could use SSB & CW which is why I purchased the system. 

I cannot use my tighter filters with AFSK so I prefer not to run with HRD on my laptop, therefore I have not tried the serial connectivty provided. 

Mike has told me that he operates from hotels but I cannot figure out how he is able to do so.

Has anyone a solution to this problem?   Have you operated from a hotspot successfully?  How do you manage to get a useable connection to the Internet for the Control unit?  I would assume that I would have the same issue from a wired connection if it is an issue with agreeing to their terms. 

All suggestions will be gratefully considered.

Thanks and 73,

Walt, W6SA