开云体育

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
  1. QRPLabs
  2. Topics

AVR

mkx mkx
 

开云体育

Hi All,,, I noticed a few messages back conversation about an AVR loader...

Will this be a required 'tool' for the QCX 20m rig?? Will there be monthly/yearly/weekly software updates to justify the purchase?

Would the following do the job if required.? Not sure if this is what they were talking about.

thanks

73 Mike
 

The QCX has a 6 pin ISP programming header.? Search on eBay for ?? USBASP v2.0 6 pin??? for a programmer that includes the 10 pin to 6 pin adapter ...

73, Bob? ZL1RS
 

You can also just use the relevant six pins (which are usually clearly marked on the PCB) via DuPont jumpers, if you have a bunch of those lying around from breadboarding, etc.? There are three redundant grounds and a non-connected on the ten-pin configuration, so it works out to just six pins anyhow.

The trick is to get a USBasp that actually works.? I've spent all day trying to get one to set up on three computers and two operating systems with no luck.? Unless the ATmega8A chip requires an absent bootloader or something, I think the one I bought is DOA.
 

I flashed both my U3S and QCX using an Arduino Uno. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected. And the Uno can be called on to do a lot of other things! There's a pretty good document in the Files section on the process. You also need a few DuPont style jumpers which are easy to source, or make your own using one of the kits of DuPont connectors.

Cheers!

--Al
WD4AH
 

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 05:30 pm, Al Holt wrote:
I flashed both my U3S and QCX using an Arduino Uno.
Seriously?? I have sitting here and I was wondering what earthly use there was for it.? I just loaded IDE and ran the "Blink" sketch with test modifications to the on/off times, and it merrily accepted the upload on the first try and runs with the altered LED patterns -- so I think I trust its general health. I imagine any Arduino/clone with ICSP pins would work as well.

It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.
I'll reserve judgement on this part...but it has to be easier than what I've been going through today with this USBasp junker, which is about as useful as a programming device as a Fig Newton.

I have a bunch of DuPont jumpers of all possible genders, plus there's room for the 10-conductor plug on the boards to use six of them.
 

Here's the tutorial I used:


The only glitch or hang-up was the document tells you to use ATmega328 for the MCU, in my case I had to use ATmega328P since that was the chip I have. Hans recently wrote that QRP Labs uses both, depending on price.

Good luck!

--Al
 

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 06:28 pm, Al Holt wrote:
The only glitch or hang-up was the document tells you to use ATmega328 for the MCU
Yeah, I immediately caught that one.? I think most use the 328P; both of my U3Ss do, anyway.? The other confusing part is that it seems to say that you use a 5-pin ICSP configuration instead of the 6-pin one required for the USBasp, which it also shows.? Naturally, I just converted the blank voltage pin on the U3S to a live 5V as the U3S instructions show, just to accommodate the (useless) USBasp I got.

There's a .TXT file on using the Arduino to program the main chip and it is pretty scary.? This seems straightforward.

When Hans finishes the FT8 firmware update for the U3S I think I'll try to do it this way.

Thanks for the tip!
mkx mkx
 

开云体育

thanks

73 Mike

---------- Original Message ----------
From: TrueBlue <44-40@...>
Date: December 28, 2017 at 10:47 PM

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 06:28 pm, Al Holt wrote:
The only glitch or hang-up was the document tells you to use ATmega328 for the MCU
Yeah, I immediately caught that one.? I think most use the 328P; both of my U3Ss do, anyway.? The other confusing part is that it seems to say that you use a 5-pin ICSP configuration instead of the 6-pin one required for the USBasp, which it also shows.? Naturally, I just converted the blank voltage pin on the U3S to a live 5V as the U3S instructions show, just to accommodate the (useless) USBasp I got.

There's a .TXT file on using the Arduino to program the main chip and it is pretty scary.? This seems straightforward.

When Hans finishes the FT8 firmware update for the U3S I think I'll try to do it this way.

Thanks for the tip!


?
mkx mkx
 

开云体育

thanks

73 Mike

---------- Original Message ----------
From: TrueBlue <44-40@...>
Date: December 28, 2017 at 10:47 PM

On Thu, Dec 28, 2017 at 06:28 pm, Al Holt wrote:
The only glitch or hang-up was the document tells you to use ATmega328 for the MCU
Yeah, I immediately caught that one.? I think most use the 328P; both of my U3Ss do, anyway.? The other confusing part is that it seems to say that you use a 5-pin ICSP configuration instead of the 6-pin one required for the USBasp, which it also shows.? Naturally, I just converted the blank voltage pin on the U3S to a live 5V as the U3S instructions show, just to accommodate the (useless) USBasp I got.

There's a .TXT file on using the Arduino to program the main chip and it is pretty scary.? This seems straightforward.

When Hans finishes the FT8 firmware update for the U3S I think I'll try to do it this way.

Thanks for the tip!


?
 

I have used this programmer for everything -
Tutorials here are good -
Just thought to add this info.
Jim
 

For those who haven't been following the other thread, it turns out that my problem with the USBasp I ordered boils down to it not being a USBasp at all but a new driverless version of a similar ATMEGA8A device that was substituted instead.? I found one like I received listed with this "helpful" description :

No need to install the driver
The new type of latest automatic speed adjustment.
Applicable to WIN8.1/8/7/XP 32-bit/64-bit, system computer.
The product can be connected directly to the computer USB port, and the real USB reader product is connected to the target plate.



Maybe you can make sense out of that, but I think I'm going to stick with doing it using the Arduino.? It appears that this "new" device is being shipped as the USBasp in some cases, so you'll have to figure it out on your own if you receive one, but it doesn't appear that it's actually defective...just odd.? Apparently, having it connected to the ICSP pins on a hot target device before plugging the USB into the computer will set it up...I dunno for sure.? Then what?? I dunno...
 

That image doesn't come up unless you happen to be connected to eBay at the same time...Sorry!

Here's a good link to an image:

Matthias Zwoch
 

I flashed my QCX with an USBTiny ISP. It has two cables with 6 and 10 pin. Works fine under Win10. They are still available at ebay below 5 Euro.


73 de Matthias, DD7NT

1 - 13 of 13