Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware mod needed
This may be old news to many but perhaps will save a few hours of frustration for newcomers.
In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking slowness with my Windows Vista computer, I reported there that ST was working very slowly with my Lenovo desktop running Windows Vista, but that it ran at normal speed with a laptop running Windows XP. However, the frequencies were not tracking properly -- the transmit frequency would "stick" as the receive frequency on my IC-7000.
It seems there is a hardware cause for this issue. After I gave up trying to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the laptop, I downloaded SatPC32, another program that automatically sets transmit and receive frequency to account for doppler. The same "sticking" problem occurred with that program.
The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what appears to be an explanation for this issue: ************************** With ICOM half duplex transceivers (IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000) hardware handshaking must be installed to suspend computer control while the radio is transmitting. Frequency changes are theoretically possible while the radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will occur, i.e., the frequencies of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged.
Unfortunately there is no way to check the PTT state of the radio via the CAT software. Therefore hardware handshaking is needed to prevent writing to the radio while it is transmitting. On the radio side pin 7 of the ACC socket can be used for this purpose. The voltage at this pin is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is in RX mode. In TX mode the voltage at pin 7 drops to 0.
Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected with the CTS pin of the serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the 9-pin, pin 5 of the 25-pin RS232 cable connector). I have connected these pins via a diode and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this sub folder.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS THIS LINE AT HIS OWN RISK!
When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin 7 to 0, it signals the PC not to send data. As soon as the radio is back in RX mode the frequencies are updated by the program.
ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between pins 7 and 8 of the 9-pin (5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at the PC side! Otherwise the voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore also at Pin 7 of the ACC socket will be pulled down and the radio will be switched into transmit mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder provide this bridge. If it is built in, please, remove it.
The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also provides a bridge between pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of the cable connector at the PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of the ACC socket. ************************* Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM CT-17 CAT cable will not work properly with SatPC32, and presumably not with HRD Sat Tracking either.
Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell modified CT-17 cables that will do the job?
73, Bill NZ5N
Hello Bill, the SatPC32.Exe and SatPC32ISS.Exe files that come with the 12.8 setup file require the hardware handshaking I have described in the Readme(Icom) text (the "normal" SatPC32 only with the semi duplex radios IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000 when used as single radio for satellite operation, SatPC32ISS with the IC-910H for "inband" operation in non-satellite mode).
Meanwhile this hardware handshaking is no longer necessary. Some time ago I have uploaded patch files on my website www.dk1tb.de (English page "Downloads", sect. 5 "Patches"). With the IC-910H and IC-7000 the PTT status is now checked via the software (CAT command hex. 1C. I didn't know that command when I released 12.8. My manual doesn't mention it). The IC-706MKGII doesn't provide such command, but Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, found a solution also for that radio and told me the trick - many thanks to him. So, also this radio does no longer require the extra line between the radio's ACC jacket and the PC's serial port.
On my website I have described how to use the patch files.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:05 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded
This may be old news to many but perhaps will save a few hours of frustration for newcomers.
In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking slowness with my Windows Vista computer, I reported there that ST was working very slowly with my Lenovo desktop running Windows Vista, but that it ran at normal speed with a laptop running Windows XP. However, the frequencies were not tracking properly -- the transmit frequency would "stick" as the receive frequency on my IC-7000.
It seems there is a hardware cause for this issue. After I gave up trying to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the laptop, I downloaded SatPC32, another program that automatically sets transmit and receive frequency to account for doppler. The same "sticking" problem occurred with that program.
The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what appears to be an explanation for this issue:
With ICOM half duplex transceivers (IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000) hardware handshaking must be installed to suspend computer control while the radio is transmitting. Frequency changes are theoretically possible while the radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will occur, i.e., the frequencies of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged.
Unfortunately there is no way to check the PTT state of the radio via the CAT software. Therefore hardware handshaking is needed to prevent writing to the radio while it is transmitting. On the radio side pin 7 of the ACC socket can be used for this purpose. The voltage at this pin is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is in RX mode. In TX mode the voltage at pin 7 drops to 0.
Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected with the CTS pin of the serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the 9-pin, pin 5 of the 25-pin RS232 cable connector). I have connected these pins via a diode and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this sub folder.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS THIS LINE AT HIS OWN RISK!
When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin 7 to 0, it signals the PC not to send data. As soon as the radio is back in RX mode the frequencies are updated by the program.
ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between pins 7 and 8 of the 9-pin (5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at the PC side! Otherwise the voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore also at Pin 7 of the ACC socket will be pulled down and the radio will be switched into transmit mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder provide this bridge. If it is built in, please, remove it.
The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also provides a bridge between pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of the cable connector at the PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of the ACC socket.
Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM CT-17 CAT cable will not work properly with SatPC32, and presumably not with HRD Sat Tracking either.
Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell modified CT-17 cables that will do the job?
73, Bill NZ5N
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Erich,
Wow, thank you so much for the reply. This is wonderful news. I was pulling my hair our trying to figure out an easy way to do the hardware mod, and like an angel you give me a much easier solution. The patch works fine and I am in business.
One question: In the last line of the patch description on your website, it says: "To correct the downlink frequency during a QSO use the "Downl. Corr." controls in menu CAT or the +/- keys of the numerical pad of the keyboard." I thought that the software automatically corrected the downlink frequency? Does this mean we should use the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys and not the VFO dial on the radio to QSY?
73, Bill NZ5N
--- On Sun, 4/12/09, Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de wrote:
From: Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded To: billdz.geo@yahoo.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009, 5:35 PM Hello Bill, the SatPC32.Exe and SatPC32ISS.Exe files that come with the 12.8 setup file require the hardware handshaking I have described in the Readme(Icom) text (the "normal" SatPC32 only with the semi duplex radios IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000 when used as single radio for satellite operation, SatPC32ISS with the IC-910H for "inband" operation in non-satellite mode).
Meanwhile this hardware handshaking is no longer necessary. Some time ago I have uploaded patch files on my website www.dk1tb.de (English page "Downloads", sect. 5 "Patches"). With the IC-910H and IC-7000 the PTT status is now checked via the software (CAT command hex. 1C. I didn't know that command when I released 12.8. My manual doesn't mention it). The IC-706MKGII doesn't provide such command, but Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, found a solution also for that radio and told me the trick
- many thanks to
him. So, also this radio does no longer require the extra line between the radio's ACC jacket and the PC's serial port.
On my website I have described how to use the patch files.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:05 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded
This may be old news to many but perhaps will save a
few hours of
frustration for newcomers.
In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking slowness with
my Windows Vista
computer, I reported there that ST was working very
slowly with my Lenovo
desktop running Windows Vista, but that it ran at
normal speed with a
laptop running Windows XP. However, the frequencies
were not tracking
properly -- the transmit frequency would
"stick" as the receive frequency
on my IC-7000.
It seems there is a hardware cause for this issue.
After I gave up trying
to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the laptop, I
downloaded SatPC32,
another program that automatically sets transmit and
receive frequency to
account for doppler. The same "sticking"
problem occurred with that
program.
The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what appears to
be an explanation for
this issue:
With ICOM half duplex transceivers (IC-706MKIIG,
IC-7000) hardware
handshaking must be installed to suspend computer
control while the radio
is transmitting. Frequency changes are theoretically
possible while the
radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will occur,
i.e., the frequencies
of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged.
Unfortunately there is no way to check the PTT state
of the radio via
the CAT software. Therefore hardware handshaking is
needed to prevent
writing to the radio while it is transmitting. On the
radio side pin 7
of the ACC socket can be used for this purpose. The
voltage at this pin
is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is in RX
mode. In TX mode the
voltage at pin 7 drops to 0.
Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected with the CTS
pin of the
serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the 9-pin, pin 5
of the 25-pin
RS232 cable connector). I have connected these pins
via a diode
and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this sub folder.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS THIS
LINE AT HIS OWN RISK!
When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin 7 to 0,
it signals the PC
not to send data. As soon as the radio is back in RX
mode the frequencies
are updated by the program.
ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between pins 7 and
8 of the 9-pin
(5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at the PC
side! Otherwise the
voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore also at Pin
7 of the ACC
socket will be pulled down and the radio will be
switched into transmit
mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder provide this
bridge. If it is
built in, please, remove it.
The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also provides a
bridge between
pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of the cable
connector at the
PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of the ACC
socket.
Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM CT-17 CAT
cable will not work
properly with SatPC32, and presumably not with HRD Sat
Tracking either.
Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell modified
CT-17 cables that will
do the job?
73, Bill NZ5N
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are
those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the
amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings:
Hi Bill, my remark in the last line of the patch description relates to satellite operation with a single semi duplex radio, i.e. the IC-706MKIIG.
Of course, the software automatically corrects the uplink and downlink frequencies for Doppler correction and for QSY around the passband of SSB sats you can use the radio's VFO knob also with these radios.
The remark refers only to manual frequency "corrections" with SSB sats. With satellite radios, i.e. the IC-910H, you can fine tune your uplink frequency with the "Upl.Calibr." controls or the +/- keys for best audio pitch of your own signal and save the correction in Doppler.SQF for future program starts. That doesn't work with semi duplex radios, however, since you can't hear your downlink signal. But you can assume that a QSO partner will tune his radio for best audio pitch of your signal. That will possibly change also his uplink frequency. Then you should leave your uplink frequency unchanged and correct your downlink frequency for best audio of his signal via the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys. That's the reason why the +/- keys with satellite radios correct the uplink frequency but with semi duplex radios correct the downlink freqency.
Recently I had several SSB QSOs via FO-29 and VO-52 with a single IC-706MKIIG. That worked very well.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: "Erich Eichmann" erich.eichmann@t-online.de Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 4:18 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardwaremodneeded
Erich,
Wow, thank you so much for the reply. This is wonderful news. I was pulling my hair our trying to figure out an easy way to do the hardware mod, and like an angel you give me a much easier solution. The patch works fine and I am in business.
One question: In the last line of the patch description on your website, it says: "To correct the downlink frequency during a QSO use the "Downl. Corr." controls in menu CAT or the +/- keys of the numerical pad of the keyboard." I thought that the software automatically corrected the downlink frequency? Does this mean we should use the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys and not the VFO dial on the radio to QSY?
73, Bill NZ5N
--- On Sun, 4/12/09, Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de wrote:
From: Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded To: billdz.geo@yahoo.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009, 5:35 PM Hello Bill, the SatPC32.Exe and SatPC32ISS.Exe files that come with the 12.8 setup file require the hardware handshaking I have described in the Readme(Icom) text (the "normal" SatPC32 only with the semi duplex radios IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000 when used as single radio for satellite operation, SatPC32ISS with the IC-910H for "inband" operation in non-satellite mode).
Meanwhile this hardware handshaking is no longer necessary. Some time ago I have uploaded patch files on my website www.dk1tb.de (English page "Downloads", sect. 5 "Patches"). With the IC-910H and IC-7000 the PTT status is now checked via the software (CAT command hex. 1C. I didn't know that command when I released 12.8. My manual doesn't mention it). The IC-706MKGII doesn't provide such command, but Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, found a solution also for that radio and told me the trick
- many thanks to
him. So, also this radio does no longer require the extra line between the radio's ACC jacket and the PC's serial port.
On my website I have described how to use the patch files.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:05 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded
This may be old news to many but perhaps will save a
few hours of
frustration for newcomers.
In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking slowness with
my Windows Vista
computer, I reported there that ST was working very
slowly with my Lenovo
desktop running Windows Vista, but that it ran at
normal speed with a
laptop running Windows XP. However, the frequencies
were not tracking
properly -- the transmit frequency would
"stick" as the receive frequency
on my IC-7000.
It seems there is a hardware cause for this issue.
After I gave up trying
to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the laptop, I
downloaded SatPC32,
another program that automatically sets transmit and
receive frequency to
account for doppler. The same "sticking"
problem occurred with that
program.
The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what appears to
be an explanation for
this issue:
With ICOM half duplex transceivers (IC-706MKIIG,
IC-7000) hardware
handshaking must be installed to suspend computer
control while the radio
is transmitting. Frequency changes are theoretically
possible while the
radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will occur,
i.e., the frequencies
of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged.
Unfortunately there is no way to check the PTT state
of the radio via
the CAT software. Therefore hardware handshaking is
needed to prevent
writing to the radio while it is transmitting. On the
radio side pin 7
of the ACC socket can be used for this purpose. The
voltage at this pin
is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is in RX
mode. In TX mode the
voltage at pin 7 drops to 0.
Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected with the CTS
pin of the
serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the 9-pin, pin 5
of the 25-pin
RS232 cable connector). I have connected these pins
via a diode
and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this sub folder.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS THIS
LINE AT HIS OWN RISK!
When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin 7 to 0,
it signals the PC
not to send data. As soon as the radio is back in RX
mode the frequencies
are updated by the program.
ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between pins 7 and
8 of the 9-pin
(5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at the PC
side! Otherwise the
voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore also at Pin
7 of the ACC
socket will be pulled down and the radio will be
switched into transmit
mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder provide this
bridge. If it is
built in, please, remove it.
The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also provides a
bridge between
pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of the cable
connector at the
PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of the ACC
socket.
Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM CT-17 CAT
cable will not work
properly with SatPC32, and presumably not with HRD Sat
Tracking either.
Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell modified
CT-17 cables that will
do the job?
73, Bill NZ5N
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are
those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the
amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings:
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hello Erich,
Thank you again. Yes, I would like to work the linear satellites with a single semi-duplex radio, the IC-7000. I have been trying to drum up some local interest in the linear satellites, and the usual response is that it costs too much -- need 2 radios or one expensive rig like the TS-2000. I am trying to show them that one modest rig is enough, with the help of a nice tracking program like yours.
Anyhow, SatPC32 is tracking the frequencies well now with the patch applied. The only small problem is that it seems to work only with a CT-17 cable attached directly to the computer's serial port. I tried 3 different serial-USB adapters, but each time I got the message "Error reading COM device." The USB-Serial adapters work fine with Ham Radio Deluxe and other radio software, but it seems they do not work with SatPC32, at least not on my computer running Windows Vista.
Thanks also for the explanation on the the "Downl. Corr." controls and the +/- keys for receive frequency correction. As I appreciate it, these are similar to the RIT function on the radio, but we can store the corrected offset permanently, correct?
73, Bill NZ5N
--- On Mon, 4/13/09, Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de wrote:
From: Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardwaremodneeded To: billdz.geo@yahoo.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Monday, April 13, 2009, 2:19 AM Hi Bill, my remark in the last line of the patch description relates to satellite operation with a single semi duplex radio, i.e. the IC-706MKIIG.
Of course, the software automatically corrects the uplink and downlink frequencies for Doppler correction and for QSY around the passband of SSB sats you can use the radio's VFO knob also with these radios.
The remark refers only to manual frequency "corrections" with SSB sats. With satellite radios, i.e. the IC-910H, you can fine tune your uplink frequency with the "Upl.Calibr." controls or the +/- keys for best audio pitch of your own signal and save the correction in Doppler.SQF for future program starts. That doesn't work with semi duplex radios, however, since you can't hear your downlink signal. But you can assume that a QSO partner will tune his radio for best audio pitch of your signal. That will possibly change also his uplink frequency. Then you should leave your uplink frequency unchanged and correct your downlink frequency for best audio of his signal via the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys. That's the reason why the +/- keys with satellite radios correct the uplink frequency but with semi duplex radios correct the downlink freqency.
Recently I had several SSB QSOs via FO-29 and VO-52 with a single IC-706MKIIG. That worked very well.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: "Erich Eichmann" erich.eichmann@t-online.de Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 4:18 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig
- CT-17 hardwaremodneeded
Erich,
Wow, thank you so much for the reply. This is
wonderful news. I was pulling my hair our trying to figure out an easy way to do the hardware mod, and like an angel you give me a much easier solution. The patch works fine and I am in business.
One question: In the last line of the patch
description on your website, it says: "To correct the downlink frequency during a QSO use the "Downl. Corr." controls in menu CAT or the +/- keys of the numerical pad of the keyboard." I thought that the software automatically corrected the downlink frequency? Does this mean we should use the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys and not the VFO dial on the radio to QSY?
73, Bill NZ5N
--- On Sun, 4/12/09, Erich Eichmann
erich.eichmann@t-online.de wrote:
From: Erich Eichmann
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32
w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded
To: billdz.geo@yahoo.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009, 5:35 PM Hello Bill, the SatPC32.Exe and SatPC32ISS.Exe files that come
with the
12.8 setup file require the hardware handshaking I have described
in the
Readme(Icom) text (the "normal" SatPC32 only with the semi
duplex
radios IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000 when used as single radio for satellite
operation,
SatPC32ISS with the IC-910H for "inband" operation in non-satellite mode).
Meanwhile this hardware handshaking is no longer
necessary.
Some time ago I have uploaded patch files on my website
www.dk1tb.de
(English page "Downloads", sect. 5
"Patches"). With
the IC-910H and IC-7000 the PTT status is now checked via the software (CAT command hex.
1C. I
didn't know that command when I released 12.8. My manual
doesn't mention
it). The IC-706MKGII doesn't provide such command,
but Tony
Monteiro, AA2TX, found a solution also for that radio and told me
the trick
- many thanks to
him. So, also this radio does no longer require
the extra
line between the radio's ACC jacket and the PC's serial port.
On my website I have described how to use the
patch files.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill
Dzurilla"
billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:05 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32
w/ICOM rig -
CT-17 hardware modneeded
This may be old news to many but perhaps will
save a
few hours of
frustration for newcomers.
In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking
slowness with
my Windows Vista
computer, I reported there that ST was
working very
slowly with my Lenovo
desktop running Windows Vista, but that it
ran at
normal speed with a
laptop running Windows XP. However, the
frequencies
were not tracking
properly -- the transmit frequency would
"stick" as the receive frequency
on my IC-7000.
It seems there is a hardware cause for this
issue.
After I gave up trying
to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the
laptop, I
downloaded SatPC32,
another program that automatically sets
transmit and
receive frequency to
account for doppler. The same
"sticking"
problem occurred with that
program.
The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what
appears to
be an explanation for
this issue:
With ICOM half duplex transceivers
(IC-706MKIIG,
IC-7000) hardware
handshaking must be installed to suspend
computer
control while the radio
is transmitting. Frequency changes are
theoretically
possible while the
radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will
occur,
i.e., the frequencies
of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged.
Unfortunately there is no way to check the
PTT state
of the radio via
the CAT software. Therefore hardware
handshaking is
needed to prevent
writing to the radio while it is
transmitting. On the
radio side pin 7
of the ACC socket can be used for this
purpose. The
voltage at this pin
is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is
in RX
mode. In TX mode the
voltage at pin 7 drops to 0.
Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected
with the CTS
pin of the
serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the
9-pin, pin 5
of the 25-pin
RS232 cable connector). I have connected
these pins
via a diode
and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this
sub folder.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS
THIS
LINE AT HIS OWN RISK!
When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin
7 to 0,
it signals the PC
not to send data. As soon as the radio is
back in RX
mode the frequencies
are updated by the program.
ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between
pins 7 and
8 of the 9-pin
(5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at
the PC
side! Otherwise the
voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore
also at Pin
7 of the ACC
socket will be pulled down and the radio will
be
switched into transmit
mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder
provide this
bridge. If it is
built in, please, remove it.
The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also
provides a
bridge between
pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of
the cable
connector at the
PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of
the ACC
socket.
Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM
CT-17 CAT
cable will not work
properly with SatPC32, and presumably not
with HRD Sat
Tracking either.
Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell
modified
CT-17 cables that will
do the job?
73, Bill NZ5N
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions
expressed are
those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support
the
amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings:
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are
those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the
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Hello Bill, I use the Keyspan 4-Port USB-to-Serial adapter and a 1-Port Prolific USB-to-Serial adapter and both work flawlessly under XP and Vista 32. For my old Keyspan adapter I had to update the driver for Vista. I don't have the original CT-17 but use a homebuild CAT interface that is similar to the CT-17 (see. Max232IF.PCX in the sub folder "Icom" in the SatPC32 program folder). I have connected IC-706MKIIG simply parallel to IC-910H to the interface.
Try the following: Plug in one of your USB-to-Serial adapters and with the Windows System Panel (System - Device Manager) check what COM port number the generated virtual COM port has. In the SatPC32 menu "Radio Setup" choose that port. Save the change and restart the program.
The "Downl. Corr." works like a RIT function but the correction value can not be stored and must not be stored. There is a difference between the uplink correction and the downlink correction: When you correct the uplink (with a full duplex satellite radio) you can be sure to be on the correct uplink frequency when you hear your own signal with the right audio pitch. When you correct the downlink for best audio of the other station you don't know whether he is on the correct frequency. Therefore it would not be good to change your frequency data permanently.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: "Erich Eichmann" erich.eichmann@t-online.de Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 3:55 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardwaremodneeded
Hello Erich,
Thank you again. Yes, I would like to work the linear satellites with a single semi-duplex radio, the IC-7000. I have been trying to drum up some local interest in the linear satellites, and the usual response is that it costs too much -- need 2 radios or one expensive rig like the TS-2000. I am trying to show them that one modest rig is enough, with the help of a nice tracking program like yours.
Anyhow, SatPC32 is tracking the frequencies well now with the patch applied. The only small problem is that it seems to work only with a CT-17 cable attached directly to the computer's serial port. I tried 3 different serial-USB adapters, but each time I got the message "Error reading COM device." The USB-Serial adapters work fine with Ham Radio Deluxe and other radio software, but it seems they do not work with SatPC32, at least not on my computer running Windows Vista.
Thanks also for the explanation on the the "Downl. Corr." controls and the +/- keys for receive frequency correction. As I appreciate it, these are similar to the RIT function on the radio, but we can store the corrected offset permanently, correct?
73, Bill NZ5N
--- On Mon, 4/13/09, Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de wrote:
From: Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann@t-online.de Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardwaremodneeded To: billdz.geo@yahoo.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Monday, April 13, 2009, 2:19 AM Hi Bill, my remark in the last line of the patch description relates to satellite operation with a single semi duplex radio, i.e. the IC-706MKIIG.
Of course, the software automatically corrects the uplink and downlink frequencies for Doppler correction and for QSY around the passband of SSB sats you can use the radio's VFO knob also with these radios.
The remark refers only to manual frequency "corrections" with SSB sats. With satellite radios, i.e. the IC-910H, you can fine tune your uplink frequency with the "Upl.Calibr." controls or the +/- keys for best audio pitch of your own signal and save the correction in Doppler.SQF for future program starts. That doesn't work with semi duplex radios, however, since you can't hear your downlink signal. But you can assume that a QSO partner will tune his radio for best audio pitch of your signal. That will possibly change also his uplink frequency. Then you should leave your uplink frequency unchanged and correct your downlink frequency for best audio of his signal via the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys. That's the reason why the +/- keys with satellite radios correct the uplink frequency but with semi duplex radios correct the downlink freqency.
Recently I had several SSB QSOs via FO-29 and VO-52 with a single IC-706MKIIG. That worked very well.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: "Erich Eichmann" erich.eichmann@t-online.de Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 4:18 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig
- CT-17 hardwaremodneeded
Erich,
Wow, thank you so much for the reply. This is
wonderful news. I was pulling my hair our trying to figure out an easy way to do the hardware mod, and like an angel you give me a much easier solution. The patch works fine and I am in business.
One question: In the last line of the patch
description on your website, it says: "To correct the downlink frequency during a QSO use the "Downl. Corr." controls in menu CAT or the +/- keys of the numerical pad of the keyboard." I thought that the software automatically corrected the downlink frequency? Does this mean we should use the "Downl. Corr." controls or the +/- keys and not the VFO dial on the radio to QSY?
73, Bill NZ5N
--- On Sun, 4/12/09, Erich Eichmann
erich.eichmann@t-online.de wrote:
From: Erich Eichmann
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32
w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware modneeded
To: billdz.geo@yahoo.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009, 5:35 PM Hello Bill, the SatPC32.Exe and SatPC32ISS.Exe files that come
with the
12.8 setup file require the hardware handshaking I have described
in the
Readme(Icom) text (the "normal" SatPC32 only with the semi
duplex
radios IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000 when used as single radio for satellite
operation,
SatPC32ISS with the IC-910H for "inband" operation in non-satellite mode).
Meanwhile this hardware handshaking is no longer
necessary.
Some time ago I have uploaded patch files on my website
www.dk1tb.de
(English page "Downloads", sect. 5
"Patches"). With
the IC-910H and IC-7000 the PTT status is now checked via the software (CAT command hex.
1C. I
didn't know that command when I released 12.8. My manual
doesn't mention
it). The IC-706MKGII doesn't provide such command,
but Tony
Monteiro, AA2TX, found a solution also for that radio and told me
the trick
- many thanks to
him. So, also this radio does no longer require
the extra
line between the radio's ACC jacket and the PC's serial port.
On my website I have described how to use the
patch files.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill
Dzurilla"
billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:05 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Sat Tracking and SatPC32
w/ICOM rig -
CT-17 hardware modneeded
This may be old news to many but perhaps will
save a
few hours of
frustration for newcomers.
In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking
slowness with
my Windows Vista
computer, I reported there that ST was
working very
slowly with my Lenovo
desktop running Windows Vista, but that it
ran at
normal speed with a
laptop running Windows XP. However, the
frequencies
were not tracking
properly -- the transmit frequency would
"stick" as the receive frequency
on my IC-7000.
It seems there is a hardware cause for this
issue.
After I gave up trying
to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the
laptop, I
downloaded SatPC32,
another program that automatically sets
transmit and
receive frequency to
account for doppler. The same
"sticking"
problem occurred with that
program.
The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what
appears to
be an explanation for
this issue:
With ICOM half duplex transceivers
(IC-706MKIIG,
IC-7000) hardware
handshaking must be installed to suspend
computer
control while the radio
is transmitting. Frequency changes are
theoretically
possible while the
radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will
occur,
i.e., the frequencies
of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged.
Unfortunately there is no way to check the
PTT state
of the radio via
the CAT software. Therefore hardware
handshaking is
needed to prevent
writing to the radio while it is
transmitting. On the
radio side pin 7
of the ACC socket can be used for this
purpose. The
voltage at this pin
is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is
in RX
mode. In TX mode the
voltage at pin 7 drops to 0.
Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected
with the CTS
pin of the
serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the
9-pin, pin 5
of the 25-pin
RS232 cable connector). I have connected
these pins
via a diode
and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this
sub folder.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS
THIS
LINE AT HIS OWN RISK!
When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin
7 to 0,
it signals the PC
not to send data. As soon as the radio is
back in RX
mode the frequencies
are updated by the program.
ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between
pins 7 and
8 of the 9-pin
(5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at
the PC
side! Otherwise the
voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore
also at Pin
7 of the ACC
socket will be pulled down and the radio will
be
switched into transmit
mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder
provide this
bridge. If it is
built in, please, remove it.
The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also
provides a
bridge between
pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of
the cable
connector at the
PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of
the ACC
socket.
Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM
CT-17 CAT
cable will not work
properly with SatPC32, and presumably not
with HRD Sat
Tracking either.
Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell
modified
CT-17 cables that will
do the job?
73, Bill NZ5N
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participants (2)
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Bill Dzurilla -
Erich Eichmann