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Split RS232?

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NZ0T

Split RS232?

I'm a computer idiot so I hope this is not too dumb of a question. I currently use N3FPR's ACLog using an RS232 cable to a USB adapter cable to my laptop. I recently started using K3_EZ and I would like to know if it's possible to link both programs to the K3 at the same time using a split cable or something like that. It's a pain to exit the logging program when I want to use K3_EZ. There is always the chance of acquiring a W2 which also has RS232 capability and it would be nice to use it too.

TIA 73, Bill nz0t

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Split RS232?

Bill,

Multiple applications using the same real serial port is one situation,
but your additional comment about the W2 is (I believe) a different
situation. The W2 needs its own serial port and the K3 needs another.
Perhaps something like the SteppIR controller with its Y cable may be
possible with the W2, but I have my doubts, the SteppIR just listens for
the band frequency information, but the W2 must send data to the computer.

There are software applications out there (like LP-Bridge) that make a
single serial port into several virtual ports each with its own com address.

73,
Don W3FPR

NZ0T wrote:

> I'm a computer idiot so I hope this is not too dumb of a question. I
> currently use N3FPR's ACLog using an RS232 cable to a USB adapter cable to
> my laptop. I recently started using K3_EZ and I would like to know if it's
> possible to link both programs to the K3 at the same time using a split
> cable or something like that. It's a pain to exit the logging program when
> I want to use K3_EZ. There is always the chance of acquiring a W2 which also
> has RS232 capability and it would be nice to use it too.
>
> TIA 73, Bill nz0t
>
>

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David Gilbert

Re: Split RS232?

According to the author on his web site, K3_EZ does not work with LP-Bridge.

73,
Dave AB7E

Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Bill,
>
> Multiple applications using the same real serial port is one situation,
> but your additional comment about the W2 is (I believe) a different
> situation. The W2 needs its own serial port and the K3 needs another.
> Perhaps something like the SteppIR controller with its Y cable may be
> possible with the W2, but I have my doubts, the SteppIR just listens for
> the band frequency information, but the W2 must send data to the computer.
>
> There are software applications out there (like LP-Bridge) that make a
> single serial port into several virtual ports each with its own com address.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> NZ0T wrote:
>
>> I'm a computer idiot so I hope this is not too dumb of a question. I
>> currently use N3FPR's ACLog using an RS232 cable to a USB adapter cable to
>> my laptop. I recently started using K3_EZ and I would like to know if it's
>> possible to link both programs to the K3 at the same time using a split
>> cable or something like that. It's a pain to exit the logging program when
>> I want to use K3_EZ. There is always the chance of acquiring a W2 which also
>> has RS232 capability and it would be nice to use it too.
>>
>> TIA 73, Bill nz0t
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> 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: Split RS232?

Dave,

That is true, I pointed out that an application *like* LP-Bridge
provides multiple virtual ports.
I did not intend to say that any particular application would work with
LP-Bridge. There are other similar applications, and some *may* work.
Sorry, but I do not have the details about what works and what doesn't.
The person with the question might want to do some research knowing that
there is a possible solution out there - some experimentation may be
required.

73,
Don W3FPR

David Gilbert wrote:

> According to the author on his web site, K3_EZ does not work with LP-Bridge.
>
> 73,
> Dave AB7E
>
>
>
> Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Bill,
>>
>> Multiple applications using the same real serial port is one situation,
>> but your additional comment about the W2 is (I believe) a different
>> situation. The W2 needs its own serial port and the K3 needs another.
>> Perhaps something like the SteppIR controller with its Y cable may be
>> possible with the W2, but I have my doubts, the SteppIR just listens for
>> the band frequency information, but the W2 must send data to the computer.
>>
>> There are software applications out there (like LP-Bridge) that make a
>> single serial port into several virtual ports each with its own com address.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>

NZ0T

Re: Split RS232?

I'll see what I can come up with as I really would like top be able to use K3_EZ along with my logging program. Thanks for the input.

Jim Brown-10

Re: Split RS232?

On Wed, 20 May 2009 19:08:07 -0700 (PDT), NZ0T wrote:

>I really would like top be able to use K3_EZ along with my logging
>program.

Depending on what you want to accomplish, you might consider an
alternate approach -- try to find a logging program that controls
the K3 in the ways you need. Several do, with varying degrees of
sophistication. The logger DXKeeper works with control software
called Commander (same publisher, both are FREE). It's a very nice
logger. DXKeeper also works with Ham Radio Deluxe, which is QUITE
sophisticated control software, and it's FREE. Ham Radio Deluxe
includes a logging program, and that logger is being significantly
upgraded NOW. Also FREE. These are all "general purpose" loggers
and controllers, designed general QSOs and DXing. They do NOT do
contesting.

Almost any good contest logger supports the K3, including WinTest
($75-$100), WriteLog (about $75) and N1MM (FREE), and allow quite
sophisticated control and logging functions.

I'm sure there are other loggers to consider -- these are the ones I
know about.

73,

Jim Brown K9YC

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HowardZ

Re: Split RS232?

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

This free software will solve your problem

http://www.eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html

HowardZ

Re: Split RS232?

HowardZ wrote

This free software will solve your problem

http://www.eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html

Let's say your K3 has one 9pin RS232C port, and you want to connect it to
your amplifier so the amplifier will always know the band/frequency the radio is set to.
But wait - you also have the Palstar AT AUTO auto-tuner and you want to connect its RS232 port to the K3 so that the tuner will always retune every time you change the K3 frequency. But, that's not enough. You want to run Ham Radio Deluxe on the computer - and it needs to access the K3's RS232 port. What's a HAM to do?

This free VSPE software can solve it for you.

Let's say your computer has 3 COM ports:

COM1 - connected to the Radio.
COM2 - connected to the Apmplifier
COM3 - connected to the Antenna Tuner
Software 1: need to get access to COM1 (Radio) - Ham Radio Deluxe
Software 2: need to get access to COM1 (Radio) - perhaps some other software.

"Amplifier" and "Antenna tuner" devices must also be connected to the
Radio.
-------------------------------

Right?

1) Create VSPE Splitter (Source port=COM1, Virtual port = COM9)
2) Create VSPE Serial Redirector (COM9 => COM2) : (Radio => Amplifier)
3) Create VSPE Serial Redirector (COM9 => COM3) : (Radio => Antenna Tuner)
4) Change Software 1 settings to use COM9 instead of COM1
5) Change Software 2 settings to use COM9 instead of COM1

Now the problem is solved - everything can share the COM1 going to the K3 radio.

The only problem that may exist is that if several programs try to send data to the radio at the same moment, the bytes may get intermixed and if this occurs it will be an unintelligible mess to the radio. I have not tried this, so I do not know if it will or will not occur.

Howard

NZ0T

Re: Split RS232?

Thanks Howard - seems to work fine as I have ACLog and K3_EZ running and connected at the same time. Now I need to figure out why K3_EZ keeps messing the band map in the K3.

Let's say your K3 has one 9pin RS232C port, and you want to connect it to
your amplifier so the amplifier will always know the band/frequency the radio is set to.
But wait - you also have the Palstar AT AUTO auto-tuner and you want to connect its RS232 port to the K3 so that the tuner will always retune every time you change the K3 frequency. But, that's not enough. You want to run Ham Radio Deluxe on the computer - and it needs to access the K3's RS232 port. What's a HAM to do?

This free VSPE software can solve it for you.

Let's say your computer has 3 COM ports:

COM1 - connected to the Radio.
COM2 - connected to the Apmplifier
COM3 - connected to the Antenna Tuner
Software 1: need to get access to COM1 (Radio) - Ham Radio Deluxe
Software 2: need to get access to COM1 (Radio) - perhaps some other software.

"Amplifier" and "Antenna tuner" devices must also be connected to the
Radio.
-------------------------------

Right?

1) Create VSPE Splitter (Source port=COM1, Virtual port = COM9)
2) Create VSPE Serial Redirector (COM9 => COM2) : (Radio => Amplifier)
3) Create VSPE Serial Redirector (COM9 => COM3) : (Radio => Antenna Tuner)
4) Change Software 1 settings to use COM9 instead of COM1
5) Change Software 2 settings to use COM9 instead of COM1

Now the problem is solved - everything can share the COM1 going to the K3 radio.

The only problem that may exist is that if several programs try to send data to the radio at the same moment, the bytes may get intermixed and if this occurs it will be an unintelligible mess to the radio. I have not tried this, so I do not know if it will or will not occur.

Howard