ARCHIVE: Australian Ham Radio Discussion Forum ( AHRDF ) - * READ-ONLY * - Computer related

FTDI USB-serial adapter PCBs

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 22:25:51 +0000

FTDI USB-serial adapter PCBs

So you have bought a nominal FTDI interface board from eBay or similar to use to interface to your handheld (+ ) so you can use Chirp. [ https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home ]

FTDI USB-ser PCB view 2.png (Size: 223.59 KB / Downloads: 135)

And most of these PCBs have a mini-USB socket instead of a type-C. Suitable USB leads are now hard-to-find.

You plugged it into a spare USB port via a cable and there isn't a new COM port appearing.. But.. the TX and RX LEDs flashed and the power LED is lit !

Even though you might have installed the FT232RL drivers from https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ , the serial port does not appear in Windows Device Manager under Ports (COM and LPT). In lieu the device might appear under the generic title USB devices when plugged in via the cable.

Checking the properties of it shows an error message like ‘Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)’
This device cannot start. (Code 10)
A request for the USB device descriptor failed.
No driver is loaded..

Sometimes there may be a good reason for that :
1. it could be a fake FT232RL chip;
2. or more likely, you grabbed a long unused USB type A to mini-USB lead that was supplied with your dash-cam or GPS or similar and used that to plug in the FTDI board.

Unfortunately, those type of leads do NOT support USB data exchange, some have only the 2 power wires in them in lieu of 4 etc, so if your USB lead is more than about 0.5 metre to 1.0 metre long, your very first thing to do is find/buy a short cable.

Plug in the new/short lead and up pops your new COM port !

PS Grab that old lead and mark it "Power Only" so you do not fall into that trap again..

visualising my logbook day by day

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 05:00:47 +0000

Hello there in AR world,
I have been considering ways to do a visual representation of my AR activity based on what's in my electronic logbook. In the bygone year I would flick back through the pages of my paper log to see what days were of interest but find looking at an electronic log page less than inspiring.

So far I have come up with only one idea for this, having a row of dates across a page and each contact for that day listed under the date in UTC order, should would give me un upside down bar graph of activity. Its a bit hard to draw it in this forum post but will see if I can mock up something to show what my mind is picturing.

Have any of you found a way to represent your log in different ways that are easy to interpret? as I would be interested to get some ideas from out there in the AR world.

Multiple instances of WSJTX

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 08:04:22 +0000

I have installed two unique instances of WSJTX on my laptop, one for my 7610 and the other for my 9700 and run both at the same time when doing meteor scatter. I had something strange occur the last time I used both. The 9700 decode screen was decoding exactly the same signals as the 7610 screen. The only way I can see this happening is a problem with the USB ports in the laptop. The 7610 uses ports 3 and 4 while the 9700 uses ports 7 and 8. I really doubt the stations I was copying on 6m were running identical transmissions on 2m. Has anyone else come across this?
I have resorted to only running one instance of WSJTX at a time now to avoid the problem.

WSJT-X and JTDX .adi files

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 10:18:01 +0000

Hello All,

I am considering having a play with JTDX, in the spirit of experimentation and self-learning...

After installing it, I realised that it will be a blank sheet - there will be no record of previous QSOs and therefore JT Alerts will not warn of "B4" contacts.

I gather JTDX uses logfiles with the same names as WSJT-X so you can copy the files between applications. While this will work it seems problematic to me.

Has anyone tried to use a Windows hard symbolic link to fool JTDX into using the file in the WSJT-X folder?

A hard symbolic link *should* work unless the application is doing some oddball stuff - I think it is unlikely as the .adi files are simple text files.

The only other issue I can see is if JTDX and WSJT-X were trying to use the file concurrently. This is unlikely as I struggle to use one application at a time, so running both won't be a thing.

Can it be done?

A supplementary question or two.

WSJT-X creates two log files wsjt-x_log.adi and wsjt-x.log with similar content. The .log file does not have the adif headers.

Does JTDX create both files? Which leads to the question; would it need two symbolic links?

It appears JTDX doesn't create any log files until it is up and running, so I can't simply look to see if it has both files.

ADS-B Receivers needed - AirScout Aircraft Scatter Software

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 06:36:03 +0000

Hi All,

Apologies as this will be posted across multiple groups.

Users of AirScout, the software that calculates the angle/line between two stations to enable a contacts to be made via AE enhancement, would have noticed that the plane feed information has not been working for a few weeks now due to the sites that the software was gathering the ADS-B data from, either no longer working or have closed off access to the data.

We may have a solution to have AirScout working for all VK Amateurs again!

As noted on the AirScout news page (http://airscout.eu/index.php/news), Thomas, OV3T is providing a server (and backup server) for gathering ADS-B data from volunteer receivers and then distributing the data for users of the AirScout software via a plugin and/or manual feed line. This has been very successful in Europe - details at http://airscatter.dk/index.php/how-it-works/

This has been so successful in Europe that Thomas now provides this as a free service (but donations are welcome to ensure the service continues).

I've emailed Thomas and asked if it would be possible to provide the same service for Australian Amateurs, and the good news is yes, it should be no problems.

BUT, we need ADS-B data. If you have a ADS-B receiver currently up and working it could be as simple as feeding the data to Thomas' server. My understanding is that you can still feed your data to where ever you're currently feeding it to, but you can also send it to Thomas' server to help get AirScout working in Australia again.

Once enough data from Australia is sent to Thomas, Thomas' servers will be able to provide coverage.

Thomas is happy to liaise directly with people willing to share their ADS-B data for setup etc. Thomas's email address is ov3t@ov3t.dk Please keep us informed as how you progress.

73
Jayson
VK1JA

Who can write me a wee bit of software?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 11:32:32 +0000

At the moment I use Windows Task Scheduler to turn off my PC at a particular time.
What I would like it to do is send the "Turn Off" CAT command to my FT817ND ( and my IC7300) prior to shutting down my PC.
I have no knowledge of how to write pc software. I stopped at Qbasic umpteen years ago and I think I have had too many birthdays to start learning.
Is there anyone out there who could do this for me?
It would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Nev

New laptop for AR use?

Fri, 12 May 2023 09:05:54 +0000

I’m after a new laptop running Windows OS that will be dedicated to AR use, i.e. various AR applications and programming software, some of which these days won’t run below Windows 10.

I know the old adage re PCs is "always go for more than what you currently need because one day you will need it ...".

I do have a Dell desktop that meets my other non AR needs, and even an old Dell laptop running XP for older programming software and applications.

A high end machine might be overkill as I’m not into SDR, and it may not get a lot of use. I’m particularly looking at compatibility with typical AR applications and with the necessary ports.

Interested in recommendations and what fits your current needs.

GNUradio

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 03:30:58 +0000

An interesting software package for homebrewers is Gnuradio. Freeware, runs best under Linux. It is an extensive collection of DSP modules together with a software generator Gnuradio Companion). GRC takes a schematic of a DSP chain and generates an executable program.

It pairs well with the transceivers on a board, like the LimeSDR, the Hack RF One, the Pluto and the Ettus B20x. These are IQ devices and need the DSP to make an operational transceiver.

My experience in building a couple of transceivers with an Ettus B200mini confirms that GR is versatile and powerful. It's documentation is not the best but is improving. Some knowledge of DSP basics is needed. DSP is one of those topics that moves from mysterious to straightforward as you fall into the mindset.

There is a wealth of material on the Web. Be aware that many reports on amateur radio projects are not strictly correct.

Dave VK1DJA

mapping heard activity from my station

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 23:00:51 +0000

Hi,
about 18 months ago I created some visual Basic scripts to interpret the log files generated by JTDX so I could use this data to create visual maps of the stations heard from my home station on 50 MHz.

At that time my efforts did not work out as I now realise I was attacking it the wrong way, sorry to those who provided files back then, as it was a bit of a flop.

Recent activity from Juan, TG9AJR on 50 MHz inspired me to take another look at my previous efforts as I want to see if I could map the activity from the TG9AJR point of view.

So first look at my old scripts was a major disappointment but it seemed a worthy task to put effort into so once again I became the hermit in front of the home PC each night with the occasional pause to join my partner in her binge watch of Downton Abbey on the TV.

The web site I have used to create the maps from my cobbled together ADIF files is : mapping web site

With a few stumbles and many bug fixes I was able to create some maps for Juan and have sent them to him, so what next, well time to do some maps of what my 50 MHz station has heard of the last 6 months, which was for me very illuminating.

you can see some examples of the maps here: activity maps

it is important to understand these maps show the stations you have decoded and are not limited to the ones you worked/logged, that you would get by an export of your normal log to an ADIF file.

I will not bore you too much with the nitty gritty but the scripts read each log file I nominate, then create FAKE ADIF files that can then be uploaded to any mapping website of your choice to create maps. All lines without a valid GRID square are discarded as they contain no position information, the remaining lines are filtered and processed to created the ADIF file. This file still needs some manual editing to weed out the false decoded that occasionally pop up and those stations sending wrong grids.

Once I have the log file it takes about 15 minutes per file to process and create a map, queue starts to the left

what is psk2k?

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 18:58:31 +0000

from ac4m:

PSK2K is a meteor scatter type of mode
written by DJ5HG
Using a modulation scheme of
Phase Shift Keying at 2000 bits per second also The pulse shape is a sinc-function. The result is a minimum-energy modulation, not a constant-amplitude modulation

Bandwidth : As a consequence of the sinc-pulse, the spectrum of the transmitted signal has a rectangular shape
of 2000 Hz width

Advantges of PSK2K is it is a fairly senstive mode
+you can have different intervals of calling and returning times
+and an automated QSO sequence option
- Not many people know about these advantages

only problem is that it requires a 120Mb download...

suggestions for a drawing package

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 01:44:07 +0000

Hello,
I am looking to create some basic drawings of a yagi antenna boom where two different sized square tube material come together, not looking for a full blown CAD package, with its associated learning curve but something a bit simpler. Some inbuilt libraries of shapes and the ability to put some shading on surfaces.

Any of you bright sparks have a recommendation that will not empty my wallet?

my not so Raspberry PI adventure

Wed, 25 May 2022 10:43:03 +0000

Hi,
well as Raspberry PI's are in short supply I have had to move up in the world to a slightly bigger box, heralded by the arrival of a INTEL NUC for a new project.

Okay so I have the hardware, Intel NUC with an I5 8th generation processer and 8GB of RAM... 256 GB of M.2 solid state storage.

What now, well its linux of course as this will be going hopefully away to a far flung corner of VK to sit in a small cabinet and run all day... no Windows updates for me :-)

This will be a slow journal of the build of the system, I have chosen to use the linux distro called Linux Mint. Only as I have used it a few times at work to build up some school related work stations. Within the Mint family there a few flavours of the desktop experience, I have opted for the lower spec Xfce desktop as apposed to the top of the line 'Cinnamon' desktop or the middle 'Mate' desktop.

Once you have your O/S installed (too hard to cover here) the first challenge was WSJT-X, which was really easy to do.. Open the software manager and search for WSJT-X and you get a few entries, be sure to chose the one that gives you version 2.54 of WSJT-X as there are some old packages out there in the Linux land.

I plugged up my IC-7100 after the install of WSJT-X had concluded and found I had some new sound devices already showing up, the wonders of modern Linux distros, did not even need to install a sound manager, wow I could get used to this. BUT my serial port was a different story, seems my user account does not have permissions to access the serial ports ... Arrghh..

Doctor Google to the rescue, access to serial ports on linux distros that are serious about security rely on the user being a member of the right security group called 'dialout' and of course my account was not..

A good description of the problem is shown here: https://websistent.com/fix-serial-port-p...ors-linux/

In a terminal windows its : $ sudo usermod -a -G dialout

in may case thats: $ sudo usermod -a -G dialout vk5pj

now you need to log out / login to pickup group memberships but I decided it was time for a reboot. After logging in WSJT-X was hap[y to talk to the radio over the serial port, chalk up an early win.

Next it will be grid tracker, VNC and minor tools..

.apk for 6+10m

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 12:16:48 +0000

Ham radio .apk
I have updated the meteor calendar at qsl.net/zs1agx
http://www.qsl.net/zs1agx/Metrcal54h3.apk
This apk has a few problems; it needs a fast android with at least 800x400 screen.
And I don't yet know what versions of android it works on; a 'file error' at program start is a bad thing.
If you use 6m or 10m, this application (if it works for you) may be interest.
There are a few notes that show up the 2nd time (?) the program runs.

This .apk is signed with a bogus certificate, so if you have google on your 'phone you might need to adjust play store settings
so that the .apk is not removed. Alternatively, ask a luser to unzip and resign the .apk
73 'agx
This program (and included notes) were written for southern hemisphere (for latitude not exceeding 40° since
meteor radiant needs to be at least 63° elevation )

update January 2023. I don't know if the connection from the .apk to the cluster(s) still work,
But the wspr displays are OK.

Grid Tracker, spread out across multiple computers

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 05:47:35 +0000

Hi.
it seems there are no end to the number of add-on programs we can use to try and improve our on-air operating. One I was pointed towards some time ago is a thing called Grid tracker. Now if you have not heard of it, do a google and see for your self.

It produces a nice onscreen map and over lays the activity being decoded by your WSJT-X or clone there of (JTDX etc). Which is all well and good BUT to make the map use full it needs to take up a fair bit of screen area so I have generally not had it running all that often.

Now leveraging off my other topic of sending all the reporting data from my copies of WSJT-X (across 3 computers) to a single location, it came to mind I could try Grid tracker on one of the other PC's that has a smaller monitor and let it take up the whole screen there, leaving the primary PC free to have VKspotter, ON4KST and other resources open along with WSJT-X..

Once again, in all your instances of WSJT-X you need to set up the "Reporting" tab to have the broadcast address to be '224.0.0.0' not '127.0.0.1' and tick the option to send the data to the "Ethernet" or 'Wifi' network port. Once this is done, you set Gridtracker to look for its data on the IP of 224.0.0.0 and the default port 2237.

Then like magic all the data from across the network is piped to Gridtracker as if it was on your local PC.. this even works if I go to the House PC and fire up gridtracker as a silent monitoring screen that I can glance up at when other interests lets me..

Yet again, we can get the information we want, without having to 'be there' all the time.

Extract WSJT-X files without running the installer

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 03:20:16 +0000

Hi,
for a while now I have found that the constant growth in the list of installed version of WSJT-X is out of control in my PC. Every little update registers a new entry in the My App's section of Windows 10 ... arrgh how do I stop this.

Now the Nulsoft installer that WSJT-X uses does not support an extract files option like a few others do but the good old 7ZIP utility (great at compressing and extracting files, we use it at work [2,000 Pc's] and on my home PC's) will read the installer file as downloaded from the WSJT-X web site and allow you to extract just the folders needed to run a new copy of WSJT-X.

Now I am ready to run the new Q65 mode in the preview release of WSJT-X 2.4

see you on Q65 soon

Peter, vk5pj

ARCHIVE: Australian Ham Radio Discussion Forum ( AHRDF ) - *** READ-ONLY *** - Computer related