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K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

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Tighe Kuykendall

K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

Strange issue and haven't found much by searching.

I use a MacBook Pro with my K3 and KX3. It had worked fine for rig
control and with the K3/P3/KPA utilities. I added an iMic audio
interface (bought it for the iPad and was experimenting) and setup
CocoaModem for use with the KX3 to do digital modes. When I connected
the MBP back to the K3, any type of USB activity for rig control or the
K3/P3/KPA utilities causes the K3 to go into TX which can't be stopped
except by unplugging the USB from the MBP. If there's no USB control
activity with an app, the K3 works normally.

I simplified the radio down to just the K3 with no other accessories and
it still happens. KPA utility works as expected with the KPA, even with
the K3 powered ok and it going into TX. I checked for grounding issues
and reseated all of the serial cables. The USB ports work normally for
everything except interfacing to the K3. I tried a different MacBook
with the K3 and it works fine, so it's something with the MBP side of
the USB connection on my shack laptop.

I then took a questionable troubleshooting action to test K3
communications, which I had planned to do anyway, was to move to the new
beta K3 firmware. I forced the K3 into MCU Loader and upgraded the
firmware with the shack MBP. No issues in communicating with the K3
during the upgrade. Once the K3 was back operational, same issue as
before with unexpected TX on rig control.

Anyone experience an issue like this before? Thought I'd ask before
stripping CocoaModem and related pieces off the shack MBP.

Tighe
NK4I
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Tighe Kuykendall

Re: K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

I should have added that when the shack MBP is connected to the K3 and I
attempt rig control using RUMLog, it communicates with the K3 and
receives info such as freq even though it's in TX. So there's
communication there, I just can't stop the TX.

Tighe

On 2/16/14, 8:01 AM, Tighe Kuykendall wrote:

> Strange issue and haven't found much by searching.
>
> I use a MacBook Pro with my K3 and KX3. It had worked fine for rig
> control and with the K3/P3/KPA utilities. I added an iMic audio
> interface (bought it for the iPad and was experimenting) and setup
> CocoaModem for use with the KX3 to do digital modes. When I connected
> the MBP back to the K3, any type of USB activity for rig control or the
> K3/P3/KPA utilities causes the K3 to go into TX which can't be stopped
> except by unplugging the USB from the MBP. If there's no USB control
> activity with an app, the K3 works normally.
>
> I simplified the radio down to just the K3 with no other accessories and
> it still happens. KPA utility works as expected with the KPA, even with
> the K3 powered ok and it going into TX. I checked for grounding issues
> and reseated all of the serial cables. The USB ports work normally for
> everything except interfacing to the K3. I tried a different MacBook
> with the K3 and it works fine, so it's something with the MBP side of
> the USB connection on my shack laptop.
>
> I then took a questionable troubleshooting action to test K3
> communications, which I had planned to do anyway, was to move to the new
> beta K3 firmware. I forced the K3 into MCU Loader and upgraded the
> firmware with the shack MBP. No issues in communicating with the K3
> during the upgrade. Once the K3 was back operational, same issue as
> before with unexpected TX on rig control.
>
> Anyone experience an issue like this before? Thought I'd ask before
> stripping CocoaModem and related pieces off the shack MBP.
>
> Tighe
> NK4I
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

In reply to this post by Tighe Kuykendall

Tighe,

Check your menu CONFIG: PTT-KEY entry. Set it to OFF-OFF and see if the
problem stops.
Something in your computer setup is probably activating either RTS or
DTR or both.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/16/2014 8:01 AM, Tighe Kuykendall wrote:

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

In reply to this post by Tighe Kuykendall

What is your setting for CONFIG: PTT-KEY? Set it to OFF-OFF and see
if your problem doesn't resolve itself.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2/16/2014 8:15 AM, Tighe Kuykendall wrote:

> I should have added that when the shack MBP is connected to the K3 and I
> attempt rig control using RUMLog, it communicates with the K3 and
> receives info such as freq even though it's in TX. So there's
> communication there, I just can't stop the TX.
>
> Tighe
>
>
> On 2/16/14, 8:01 AM, Tighe Kuykendall wrote:
>> Strange issue and haven't found much by searching.
>>
>> I use a MacBook Pro with my K3 and KX3. It had worked fine for rig
>> control and with the K3/P3/KPA utilities. I added an iMic audio
>> interface (bought it for the iPad and was experimenting) and setup
>> CocoaModem for use with the KX3 to do digital modes. When I connected
>> the MBP back to the K3, any type of USB activity for rig control or the
>> K3/P3/KPA utilities causes the K3 to go into TX which can't be stopped
>> except by unplugging the USB from the MBP. If there's no USB control
>> activity with an app, the K3 works normally.
>>
>> I simplified the radio down to just the K3 with no other accessories and
>> it still happens. KPA utility works as expected with the KPA, even with
>> the K3 powered ok and it going into TX. I checked for grounding issues
>> and reseated all of the serial cables. The USB ports work normally for
>> everything except interfacing to the K3. I tried a different MacBook
>> with the K3 and it works fine, so it's something with the MBP side of
>> the USB connection on my shack laptop.
>>
>> I then took a questionable troubleshooting action to test K3
>> communications, which I had planned to do anyway, was to move to the new
>> beta K3 firmware. I forced the K3 into MCU Loader and upgraded the
>> firmware with the shack MBP. No issues in communicating with the K3
>> during the upgrade. Once the K3 was back operational, same issue as
>> before with unexpected TX on rig control.
>>
>> Anyone experience an issue like this before? Thought I'd ask before
>> stripping CocoaModem and related pieces off the shack MBP.
>>
>> Tighe
>> NK4I
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Tighe Kuykendall

Re: K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

Bingo! That was it. It was set to rts-dtr from some previous digital
mode play which oddly hadn't interfered with K3 control the last time I
used the radio.

Thanks for the quick help.

73, Tighe NK4I

On 2/16/14, 8:40 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
> What is your setting for CONFIG: PTT-KEY? Set it to OFF-OFF and see
> if your problem doesn't resolve itself.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>

______________________________________________________________
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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Scott Manthe-2

Re: K3 unexpected TX after iMic + CocoaModem

Got to love the Elecraft list, Tighe! One of the many benefits of owning
an Elecraft...

That and being able to copy and work four DX CW stations last night,
CN2AA, CR2X, OL7M and KP2M, which were as a group in about 2 kHz of
bandwidth. Even with their attendent pile-ups, I worked them all with
ease and while working one station, couldn't tell the other pile-ups
were there. A true story that none of my previous radios could tell,
unfortunately.

73,
Scott, N9AA

On 2/16/14 9:21 AM, Tighe Kuykendall wrote:
> Bingo! That was it. It was set to rts-dtr from some previous digital
> mode play which oddly hadn't interfered with K3 control the last time
> I used the radio.
>
> Thanks for the quick help.
>
> 73, Tighe NK4I
>
>
______________________________________________________________
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
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