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[K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

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Mike Reublin

[K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure where the problem
lies.

I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable SteppIR provides.

Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3 causes the program
(N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.

I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.

Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working station? Maybe
something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually tried a load.

Win XP SP3.

73, Mike NF4L
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Mike Reublin

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

Just reloaded 4.05 and no help.

On 9/22/2010 10:20 AM, Mike wrote:

> Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure where the problem
> lies.
>
> I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable SteppIR provides.
>
> Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
> When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3 causes the program
> (N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.
>
> I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.
>
> Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working station? Maybe
> something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
> The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually tried a load.
>
> Win XP SP3.
>
> 73, Mike NF4L
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Guy, K2AV

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

Toggling to transmit when programs initialize usually indicates that
CONFIG:PTT--KEY has the PTT portion set to DTR or RTS. The same thing can
happen with keying CW if the KEY portion is set to DTR or RTS.

If that is set, the K3 has been instructed to cycle to TX on if anything
asserts RTS or DTR, whichever one is specified. Try setting the PTT portion
of PTT--KEY to OFF, and see if the TX cycling goes away.

If the Steppir program is doing that as it initializes, and you need to use
PTT via serial for something else you will need to take that up with
Steppir.

73, Guy.

On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Mike <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just reloaded 4.05 and no help.
>
> On 9/22/2010 10:20 AM, Mike wrote:
> > Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure where
> the problem
> > lies.
> >
> > I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable SteppIR
> provides.
> >
> > Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
> > When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3 causes
> the program
> > (N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.
> >
> > I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.
> >
> > Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working
> station? Maybe
> > something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
> > The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually tried a
> load.
> >
> > Win XP SP3.
> >
> > 73, Mike NF4L
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Mike Reublin

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

Good point, Guy. Unfortunately, CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to dtr-off.

The software isn't from SteppIR. It happens with any program which opens that comm port.

Mike

On 9/22/2010 11:36 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> Toggling to transmit when programs initialize usually indicates that
> CONFIG:PTT--KEY has the PTT portion set to DTR or RTS. The same thing can happen
> with keying CW if the KEY portion is set to DTR or RTS.
>
> If that is set, the K3 has been instructed to cycle to TX on if anything asserts
> RTS or DTR, whichever one is specified. Try setting the PTT portion of PTT--KEY to
> OFF, and see if the TX cycling goes away.
>
> If the Steppir program is doing that as it initializes, and you need to use PTT via
> serial for something else you will need to take that up with Steppir.
>
> 73, Guy.
>
> On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Mike <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> Just reloaded 4.05 and no help.
>
> On 9/22/2010 10:20 AM, Mike wrote:
> > Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure where the
> problem
> > lies.
> >
> > I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable SteppIR
> provides.
> >
> > Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
> > When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3 causes the
> program
> > (N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.
> >
> > I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.
> >
> > Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working station? Maybe
> > something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
> > The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually tried a load.
> >
> > Win XP SP3.
> >
> > 73, Mike NF4L
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

Dick Dievendorff

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

We're puzzling over this.

I read the SteppIR "Y" document to have only RxD and ground connected at the
K3 side of the "Y". If that's the case, it's hard to understand how any
data transmitted from the SteppIR would influence the K3.

If the SteppIR controller were wiggling the RxD, it might affect what the
computer sees. But not what the K3 sees.

Are you sure that the SteppIR Y cable has only RxD connected at the K3 end?

I'm looking at http://www.steppir.com/files/Y%20-%20Cable.pdf as the diagram
for the SteppIR Y cable.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 9:01 AM
To: [hidden email] >> "[hidden email]"
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

Good point, Guy. Unfortunately, CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to dtr-off.

The software isn't from SteppIR. It happens with any program which opens
that comm port.

Mike

On 9/22/2010 11:36 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> Toggling to transmit when programs initialize usually indicates that
> CONFIG:PTT--KEY has the PTT portion set to DTR or RTS. The same thing can
happen
> with keying CW if the KEY portion is set to DTR or RTS.
>
> If that is set, the K3 has been instructed to cycle to TX on if anything
asserts
> RTS or DTR, whichever one is specified. Try setting the PTT portion of
PTT--KEY to
> OFF, and see if the TX cycling goes away.
>
> If the Steppir program is doing that as it initializes, and you need to
use PTT via
> serial for something else you will need to take that up with Steppir.
>
> 73, Guy.
>
> On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Mike <[hidden email]
<mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> Just reloaded 4.05 and no help.
>
> On 9/22/2010 10:20 AM, Mike wrote:
> > Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure
where the
> problem
> > lies.
> >
> > I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable
SteppIR
> provides.
> >
> > Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
> > When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3
causes the
> program
> > (N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.
> >
> > I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.
> >
> > Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working
station? Maybe
> > something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
> > The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually
tried a load.
> >
> > Win XP SP3.
> >
> > 73, Mike NF4L
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
<mailto:[hidden email]>

> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]

<mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

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Dick Dievendorff

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

In reply to this post by Mike Reublin

Whoops! Got my ends backward. Corrected note below:

We're puzzling over this.

I read the SteppIR "Y" document to have only RxD and ground connected at the
SteppIR side of the "Y". If that's the case, it's hard to understand how
any data transmitted from the SteppIR would influence the K3.

If the SteppIR controller were wiggling RxD, it might affect what the
computer sees. But not what the K3 sees.

Are you sure that the SteppIR Y cable has only RxD connected at the SteppIR
end?

I'm looking at http://www.steppir.com/files/Y%20-%20Cable.pdf as the diagram
for the SteppIR Y cable.

Dick, K6KR

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Guy, K2AV

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

In reply to this post by Mike Reublin

Do you have PTT-Key set to dtr-off for a reason? What that means that any
assertion of DTR that comes in on the serial port IS SUPPOSED to place the
K3 in the transmit mode. Turn it off unless you specifically need it for
something specific. 73, Guy.

On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 12:00 PM, Mike <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Good point, Guy. Unfortunately, CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to dtr-off.
>
> The software isn't from SteppIR. It happens with any program which opens
> that comm port.
>
> Mike
>
> On 9/22/2010 11:36 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> > Toggling to transmit when programs initialize usually indicates that
> > CONFIG:PTT--KEY has the PTT portion set to DTR or RTS. The same thing
> can happen
> > with keying CW if the KEY portion is set to DTR or RTS.
> >
> > If that is set, the K3 has been instructed to cycle to TX on if anything
> asserts
> > RTS or DTR, whichever one is specified. Try setting the PTT portion of
> PTT--KEY to
> > OFF, and see if the TX cycling goes away.
> >
> > If the Steppir program is doing that as it initializes, and you need to
> use PTT via
> > serial for something else you will need to take that up with Steppir.
> >
> > 73, Guy.
> >
> > On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Mike <[hidden email] <mailto:
> [hidden email]>> wrote:
> >
> > Just reloaded 4.05 and no help.
> >
> > On 9/22/2010 10:20 AM, Mike wrote:
> > > Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure
> where the
> > problem
> > > lies.
> > >
> > > I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable
> SteppIR
> > provides.
> > >
> > > Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
> > > When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3
> causes the
> > program
> > > (N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.
> > >
> > > I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.
> > >
> > > Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working
> station? Maybe
> > > something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
> > > The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually
> tried a load.
> > >
> > > Win XP SP3.
> > >
> > > 73, Mike NF4L
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > Elecraft mailing list
> > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:
> [hidden email]>
> > >
> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > > Please help support this email list:
> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:
> [hidden email]>
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Mike Reublin

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

In reply to this post by Mike Reublin

Guy, Dick, Mike, and Paul

Thanks for the attention and suggestions.

I checked the cable with an ohmeter, and it's correct, and plugged in correctly.

The problem is somewhere in my USB setup. I put it on a real serial port, and it
works flawlessly. I had previously tried 3 different USB/serial adapters (1 Prolific
and 2 FTDI) , and two different USB ports on the computer. So something changed on
the 'puter re: USB stuff.

Every thing else I have on USB works FB (he said as he knocked on wood with crossed
fingers).

73, Mike NF4L

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Mike Reublin

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

In reply to this post by Guy, K2AV

I'm confused. Fairly normal state for me . . . :-)

I assumed off was..... off.

My logging program asserts DTR for RTTY and PSK so I don't have to have VOX on for
anything except CW.

73, Mike

On 9/22/2010 12:51 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> Do you have PTT-Key set to dtr-off for a reason? What that means that any assertion
> of DTR that comes in on the serial port IS SUPPOSED to place the K3 in the transmit
> mode. Turn it off unless you specifically need it for something specific. 73, Guy.
>
> On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 12:00 PM, Mike <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> Good point, Guy. Unfortunately, CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to dtr-off.
>
> The software isn't from SteppIR. It happens with any program which opens that
> comm port.
>
> Mike
>
> On 9/22/2010 11:36 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> > Toggling to transmit when programs initialize usually indicates that
> > CONFIG:PTT--KEY has the PTT portion set to DTR or RTS. The same thing can happen
> > with keying CW if the KEY portion is set to DTR or RTS.
> >
> > If that is set, the K3 has been instructed to cycle to TX on if anything asserts
> > RTS or DTR, whichever one is specified. Try setting the PTT portion of
> PTT--KEY to
> > OFF, and see if the TX cycling goes away.
> >
> > If the Steppir program is doing that as it initializes, and you need to use
> PTT via
> > serial for something else you will need to take that up with Steppir.
> >
> > 73, Guy.
> >
> > On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Mike <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> <mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>> wrote:
> >
> > Just reloaded 4.05 and no help.
> >
> > On 9/22/2010 10:20 AM, Mike wrote:
> > > Something has recently gone sour in my station, and I'm not sure where the
> > problem
> > > lies.
> > >
> > > I have a SteppIR controller hooked to the K3 with the "Wye" cable SteppIR
> > provides.
> > >
> > > Turning on the controller causes the K3 to toggle to xmit 6 times.
> > > When the SteppIR controller is on, changing frequency on the K3 causes the
> > program
> > > (N1MM, Dx4Win, DxDevil) to freeze and the rig to stop responding.
> > >
> > > I've tried AUTOINF:nor and Auto 1.
> > >
> > > Is there any setting in the K3 that would upset what was a working station?
> Maybe
> > > something in the latest firmware to accommodate the P3?
> > > The K3 utility seems to communicate OK, altho I haven't actually tried a load.
> > >
> > > Win XP SP3.
> > >
> > > 73, Mike NF4L
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > Elecraft mailing list
> > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> <mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
> > >
> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> <mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

KK7P

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

CONFIG: PTT-KEY
dtr-off

This means that PTT is mapped to DTR, and KEY is disabled (off).

If you wanted to disable PTT and CW KEY, then you'd adjust

CONFIG: PTT-KEY

to

off-off

73,

Lyle KK7P

> ...
>
> I assumed off was..... off.
> ...
>
>> Good point, Guy. Unfortunately, CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to dtr-off.

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Mike Reublin

Re: [K3]Computer interface & SteppIR

Thanks, Lyle.

Another nugget of info to file in the old brain pan.

73, Mike NF4L

On 9/22/2010 2:51 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:

> CONFIG: PTT-KEY
> dtr-off
>
> This means that PTT is mapped to DTR, and KEY is disabled (off).
>
> If you wanted to disable PTT and CW KEY, then you'd adjust
>
> CONFIG: PTT-KEY
>
> to
>
> off-off
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
>
>> ...
>>
>> I assumed off was..... off.
>> ...
>>
>>> Good point, Guy. Unfortunately, CONFIG:PTT-KEY is set to dtr-off.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>