"K3 VFO A not responding" message

[RLVZ]

Hi Guys,
 
I've been a happy K3 owner for aprx. 3 years.  Regardless  which CPU I use,
I've always had an occassional problem receiving the error  message "VFO A
not responding".  When this happens  while "running" during a contest it
presents a serious problem as the  computer and radio lock up for aprx. 30
seconds.
 
During this 3 year span, I've operated with a dozen  different Windows XP
and Windows 7 computers, always using N1MM Logging  Software.  I've operated
from several different QTH's and have the  same problem.  I always connect
via a Serial Port  regardless of which CPU I use and have not tried a USB  to
Serial Adapter.  During the past few months, this problem has  really
increased, such as: during last weekends CQWW  Test, I got the dreaded "VFO A not
responding" message and computer lock-up  at least once every hour.  By the
way, I do not have a 2nd  receiver in the K3 so I cannot say if I'd have
the same problem with VFO  B.  
 
I'd be grateful for ideas on how to eliminate the "VFO A not  responding"
problem.
 
Thanks & 73,
 
Dick- K9OM
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[Paul M Dunphy]

On 11/27/2012 12:09 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Hi Guys,
>  
> I've been a happy K3 owner for aprx. 3 years.  Regardless  which CPU I use,
> I've always had an occassional problem receiving the error  message "VFO A
> not responding".  When this happens  while "running" during a contest it
> presents a serious problem as the  computer and radio lock up for aprx. 30
> seconds.
>  
> During this 3 year span, I've operated with a dozen  different Windows XP
> and Windows 7 computers, always using N1MM Logging  Software.  I've operated
> from several different QTH's and have the  same problem.  I always connect
> via a Serial Port  regardless of which CPU I use and have not tried a USB  to
> Serial Adapter.  During the past few months, this problem has  really
> increased, such as: during last weekends CQWW  Test, I got the dreaded "VFO A not
> responding" message and computer lock-up  at least once every hour.  By the
> way, I do not have a 2nd  receiver in the K3 so I cannot say if I'd have
> the same problem with VFO  B.
>  
> I'd be grateful for ideas on how to eliminate the "VFO A not  responding"
> problem.
>  
> Thanks & 73,
>  
> Dick- K9OM
>

     Just a guess, and a poor one because you have used multiple
computers, but what about RFI?  Try reducing the baud rate down one
interval and/or putting a RF choke on the serial cable.  It's not likely
that, but I can't think of anything else and it sure sounds like a
communications problem.  Are you driving an amp?

73, Paul VE1DX
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[Rick WA6NHC]

So what you're saying is that the N1MM software is the common thread with
the multiple QTH and computer combos?

I presume that it is up to date, along with any OS updates, drivers etc.?
What bit rate are you using on the serial line?  Maybe try other settings?

I've been using HRD with good success and V6 will handle the K3 even better
since they loaned on to the author.  Juzz sayin'

Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]

Hi Guys,
 
I've been a happy K3 owner for aprx. 3 years.  Regardless  which CPU I use,
I've always had an occassional problem receiving the error  message "VFO A
not responding".  When this happens  while "running" during a contest it
presents a serious problem as the  computer and radio lock up for aprx. 30
seconds.
 
During this 3 year span, I've operated with a dozen  different Windows XP
and Windows 7 computers, always using N1MM Logging  Software.  I've operated

from several different QTH's and have the  same problem.  I always connect
via a Serial Port  regardless of which CPU I use and have not tried a USB
to
Serial Adapter.  During the past few months, this problem has  really
increased, such as: during last weekends CQWW  Test, I got the dreaded "VFO
A not
responding" message and computer lock-up  at least once every hour.  By the
way, I do not have a 2nd  receiver in the K3 so I cannot say if I'd have
the same problem with VFO  B.  
 
I'd be grateful for ideas on how to eliminate the "VFO A not  responding"
problem.
 
Thanks & 73,
 
Dick- K9OM

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[KC6CNN]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[N5GE-2]

That sounds like a serial port processing problem in the software and
would indicate that the software can't keep up with the VFO and when
it can't keep up it simply sends a message that the VFO isn't
responding.  That's just my guess.  I could be wrong.

Look at N1MM's manual and see it there is a setting that doesn't pole
the VFO continuously.

My home brew software doesn't attempt to keep up with the VFO, since
usually when I am tuning quickly I'm looking at the rig and the P3's
tracking of the VFO.  The software gets a reading of the Both of the
VFO's states only when the auto update that the K3 VFO sends arrives
in the data stream from the K3.

Disclaimer:

I've never used N1MM and my statement is just one from a retired
software developer.  It is not intended to disparage the quality of
the software.  

On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:09:07 -0500 (EST), [hidden email] wrote:

>Hi Guys,
>
>I've been a happy K3 owner for aprx. 3 years.  Regardless  which CPU I use,
>I've always had an occassional problem receiving the error  message "VFO A
>not responding".  When this happens  while "running" during a contest it
>presents a serious problem as the  computer and radio lock up for aprx. 30
>seconds.
>
>During this 3 year span, I've operated with a dozen  different Windows XP
>and Windows 7 computers, always using N1MM Logging  Software.  I've operated
>from several different QTH's and have the  same problem.  I always connect
>via a Serial Port  regardless of which CPU I use and have not tried a USB  to
>Serial Adapter.  During the past few months, this problem has  really
>increased, such as: during last weekends CQWW  Test, I got the dreaded "VFO A not
>responding" message and computer lock-up  at least once every hour.  By the
>way, I do not have a 2nd  receiver in the K3 so I cannot say if I'd have
>the same problem with VFO  B.  
>
>I'd be grateful for ideas on how to eliminate the "VFO A not  responding"
>problem.
>
>Thanks & 73,
>
>Dick- K9OM
>______________________________________________________________
>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

Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member

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