PSK PTT doesn't work with USB to serial converter

[TI2/NA7U]

I have a working PSK31 setup with my K2 using a homebrew serial to K2
mic cable. That is, it works FB with my desktop computer that has an
actual serial (DB9) port. I'm trying to now use an XP netbook, which has
no serial port. Instead I'm using a USB to serial converter (Sabrent
brand). The driver seems to have installed correctly, but not
combination of settings of the device or Digipan results in PTT being
activated.

Anyone know how I can debug the device to see if it's setting RTS?
Perhaps the signal level is too low?

I don't know for sure, but I think this converter uses a Prolific chip
and I have read that for CAT people have better luck with an FTDI based
converter. What is the difference between the chips that makes FTDI
better?

73,

Casey

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[Mike Reublin]

  No comfort for you, but my USB to serial converters all use a Prolific driver, and
work flawlessly on my Win XP Pro box. I don't know the diff between the brands, I
think it may have to do with being able to work at slower speeds.

What does Windows Device Manager have to say? Does it show up there with no
conflicts? If so, is the port number the same one your software is set to? If you can
toggle RTS, you could put an ohmeter across the output and see if it changes state.

73, Mike NF4L

On 7/3/2010 2:49 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> I have a working PSK31 setup with my K2 using a homebrew serial to K2
> mic cable. That is, it works FB with my desktop computer that has an
> actual serial (DB9) port. I'm trying to now use an XP netbook, which has
> no serial port. Instead I'm using a USB to serial converter (Sabrent
> brand). The driver seems to have installed correctly, but not
> combination of settings of the device or Digipan results in PTT being
> activated.
>
> Anyone know how I can debug the device to see if it's setting RTS?
> Perhaps the signal level is too low?
>
> I don't know for sure, but I think this converter uses a Prolific chip
> and I have read that for CAT people have better luck with an FTDI based
> converter. What is the difference between the chips that makes FTDI
> better?
>
> 73,
>
> Casey
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Mike and Casey,

DO NOT put an ohmmeter across the RS-232 pins if you value your
ohmmeter.  You can use a voltmeter to see what the voltage levels are.  
They should go from greater than 3 volts negative to greater than 3
volts positive - the absolute value of the voltages could be as great as
15 volts, but more likely 12 in a PC environment.

73,
Don W3FPR

Mike wrote:
> If you can
> toggle RTS, you could put an ohmeter across the output and see if it changes state.
>
>  
>
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[Mike Reublin]

  Oops, good catch Don. Thanks.

Mike

On 7/3/2010 8:30 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Mike and Casey,
>
> DO NOT put an ohmmeter across the RS-232 pins if you value your ohmmeter.  You can
> use a voltmeter to see what the voltage levels are.  They should go from greater
> than 3 volts negative to greater than 3 volts positive - the absolute value of the
> voltages could be as great as 15 volts, but more likely 12 in a PC environment.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Mike wrote:
>> If you can toggle RTS, you could put an ohmeter across the output and see if it
>> changes state.
>>
>>
>

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[Brett Howard]

Heck a lot of the current quality DMM's will take this in stride...  One
of the tests we do when demoing meters (and I've seen it done commonly
from reviewers) is to run a meter through the different feature settings
while connected to the mains.  Often we'll just dump the probes into the
wall at 120VAC (or often 240VAC) then slowly turn the meters knob
through all possible settings.  Then run the knob back to off, remove
probes from the wall and power the unit back on.  If its not still
working perfectly and within its calibration spec we won't buy them.
Every Agilent and Fluke meter I've tried this with passed with flying
colors.

~Brett (N7MG)

On Sat, 2010-07-03 at 20:30 -0400, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Mike and Casey,
>
> DO NOT put an ohmmeter across the RS-232 pins if you value your
> ohmmeter.  You can use a voltmeter to see what the voltage levels are.  
> They should go from greater than 3 volts negative to greater than 3
> volts positive - the absolute value of the voltages could be as great as
> 15 volts, but more likely 12 in a PC environment.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Mike wrote:
> > If you can
> > toggle RTS, you could put an ohmeter across the output and see if it changes state.
> >
> >  
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
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[W8JI]

> Heck a lot of the current quality DMM's will take this in stride...  One
> of the tests we do when demoing meters (and I've seen it done commonly
> from reviewers) is to run a meter through the different feature settings
> while connected to the mains.  Often we'll just dump the probes into the
> wall at 120VAC (or often 240VAC) then slowly turn the meters knob
> through all possible settings.  Then run the knob back to off, remove
> probes from the wall and power the unit back on.  If its not still
> working perfectly and within its calibration spec we won't buy them.
> Every Agilent and Fluke meter I've tried this with passed with flying
> colors.

Good on ohms and volts, but watch out if the meter passes that test when
measuring current. We should at least have to change a fuse, otherwise any
meter that would survive 120 volts in that test without opening a fuse would
have significant burden when measuring current in a low voltage circuit.

73 Tom

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[Don Cunningham]

Also, Brett, most of us, and most new hams cannot or do not buy Fluke or
Agilent meters on our budgets, hi.  Unfortunately the price line we buy
won't pass that test.  Just a thought.
73,
Don, WB5HAK

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[Brett Howard]

I got a used Fluke 179 for a pretty dang reasonable price that I use for
home use.  I don't see them as all that much more extravagant than say a
K3 purchase.  Its one of those things that can be seen as one of the
best of breeds and will last you a long time.

~Brett (N7MG)

On Sun, 2010-07-04 at 09:14 -0500, Don Cunningham wrote:
> Also, Brett, most of us, and most new hams cannot or do not buy Fluke or
> Agilent meters on our budgets, hi.  Unfortunately the price line we buy
> won't pass that test.  Just a thought.
> 73,
> Don, WB5HAK
>


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[TI2/NA7U]

Windows DM says everything is fine. Tried various settings of the
device, no change.  I dug up another USB-to-Serial in the junk box and
it is definitely Prolific.  It appears to trigger PTT with that one (not
totally sure, but the rx mutes), but no audio gets through so maybe
not.  However, it doesn't release the rig from mute/PTT, whatever state
it's in.   I put the cable back on the desktop and all works there OK.  
Haven't had time to take stuff down to the bench to check voltages yet.

73,

Casey

On 7/3/2010 1:29 PM, Mike wrote:

>  No comfort for you, but my USB to serial converters all use a
> Prolific driver, and work flawlessly on my Win XP Pro box. I don't
> know the diff between the brands, I think it may have to do with being
> able to work at slower speeds.
>
> What does Windows Device Manager have to say? Does it show up there
> with no conflicts? If so, is the port number the same one your
> software is set to? If you can toggle RTS, you could put an ohmeter
> across the output and see if it changes state.
>
> 73, Mike NF4L
>
> On 7/3/2010 2:49 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> I have a working PSK31 setup with my K2 using a homebrew serial to K2
>> mic cable. That is, it works FB with my desktop computer that has an
>> actual serial (DB9) port. I'm trying to now use an XP netbook, which has
>> no serial port. Instead I'm using a USB to serial converter (Sabrent
>> brand). The driver seems to have installed correctly, but not
>> combination of settings of the device or Digipan results in PTT being
>> activated.
>>
>> Anyone know how I can debug the device to see if it's setting RTS?
>> Perhaps the signal level is too low?
>>
>> I don't know for sure, but I think this converter uses a Prolific chip
>> and I have read that for CAT people have better luck with an FTDI based
>> converter. What is the difference between the chips that makes FTDI
>> better?
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Casey
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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