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CAT port returns ` ` ` on QCXmini

 

Just curious if anyone has seen this and might know what's going on.? Using Putty on the CAT port of a QCX-Mini, the QCX returns a (`) with each character typed.? ?For example, if I type FA; and then ENTER, it returns a ` with each character typed.? I have Putty set to 38400 8,N,1.? I can't remember what flow control was set to but it appears from the manual that it doesn't matter.? The USB to RS232 cable that I'm using outputs 6 volts (unloaded) which I assumed is close enough to TTL level so as not to harm the unit. (did I assume correctly?)? I reversed the tip and ring just to make sure I had it connected correctly and no characters are returned.? I also connected tip and ring together for a loop-back test and characters that I type are returned on the screen on Putty.??

This followed a catastrophic accident just as I finished construction where I dropped a metallic object onto the top of the unit on the pins that connect the LCD to the Micro-Processor.? I replaced the Micro-processor with a new one from QRP Labs.? The LCD only shows only blank (black) characters after the accident.? I have a replacement display on order.? According to the manual, the LCD shares 2 of those pins with the CAT port.

I have verified that VFO tuning works by following the signal on a spectrum analyzer as I tune the frequency by wrapping a wire around the unit to use as an antenna for the spectrum analyzer.??

Thanks,
Jerry AC5JM
David Markovitch
 

Besides having higher voltages, a USB to RS232 signal will be inverted compared with a RS232 TTL signal.

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 10:29:30 AM CDT, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:


Just curious if anyone has seen this and might know what's going on.? Using Putty on the CAT port of a QCX-Mini, the QCX returns a (`) with each character typed.? ?For example, if I type FA; and then ENTER, it returns a ` with each character typed.? I have Putty set to 38400 8,N,1.? I can't remember what flow control was set to but it appears from the manual that it doesn't matter.? The USB to RS232 cable that I'm using outputs 6 volts (unloaded) which I assumed is close enough to TTL level so as not to harm the unit. (did I assume correctly?)? I reversed the tip and ring just to make sure I had it connected correctly and no characters are returned.? I also connected tip and ring together for a loop-back test and characters that I type are returned on the screen on Putty.??

This followed a catastrophic accident just as I finished construction where I dropped a metallic object onto the top of the unit on the pins that connect the LCD to the Micro-Processor.? I replaced the Micro-processor with a new one from QRP Labs.? The LCD only shows only blank (black) characters after the accident.? I have a replacement display on order.? According to the manual, the LCD shares 2 of those pins with the CAT port.

I have verified that VFO tuning works by following the signal on a spectrum analyzer as I tune the frequency by wrapping a wire around the unit to use as an antenna for the spectrum analyzer.??

Thanks,
Jerry AC5JM
Jim Campbell
 

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I tried USB to RS232 on my QCX Mini and it didn't work for me. USB to TTL worked like a charm.

Jim - W4BQP since 1953

On 8/29/2023 2:17 PM, David Markovitch wrote:

Besides having higher voltages, a USB to RS232 signal will be inverted compared with a RS232 TTL signal.

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 10:29:30 AM CDT, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:


Just curious if anyone has seen this and might know what's going on.? Using Putty on the CAT port of a QCX-Mini, the QCX returns a (`) with each character typed.? ?For example, if I type FA; and then ENTER, it returns a ` with each character typed.? I have Putty set to 38400 8,N,1.? I can't remember what flow control was set to but it appears from the manual that it doesn't matter.? The USB to RS232 cable that I'm using outputs 6 volts (unloaded) which I assumed is close enough to TTL level so as not to harm the unit. (did I assume correctly?)? I reversed the tip and ring just to make sure I had it connected correctly and no characters are returned.? I also connected tip and ring together for a loop-back test and characters that I type are returned on the screen on Putty.??

This followed a catastrophic accident just as I finished construction where I dropped a metallic object onto the top of the unit on the pins that connect the LCD to the Micro-Processor.? I replaced the Micro-processor with a new one from QRP Labs.? The LCD only shows only blank (black) characters after the accident.? I have a replacement display on order.? According to the manual, the LCD shares 2 of those pins with the CAT port.

I have verified that VFO tuning works by following the signal on a spectrum analyzer as I tune the frequency by wrapping a wire around the unit to use as an antenna for the spectrum analyzer.??

Thanks,
Jerry AC5JM
_._,_._,_
 

Jerry, you can’t send characters one at a time to the mini, that why you are seeing the ‘ reply. you have to put the whole command together and send it as a block.

73 Ken g4apb?
 

Sorry I wasn't clear.? Actually, I was sending the whole command, for example, typing KA; and then hit the enter key but I was getting that ` reply every time I pushed a button on the keyboard, including when I hit the enter key.? Or perhaps I don't understand.? Are you perhaps saying that typing the command and then enter on Putty just won't work because of the way Putty sending the characters before hitting enter?? ?Maybe there's just a setting somewhere that I need to change??

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 03:45:44 PM CDT, KEN G4APB <lfoofui.nbz42@...> wrote:


Jerry, you can’t send characters one at a time to the mini, that why you are seeing the ‘ reply. you have to put the whole command together and send it as a block.

73 Ken g4apb?

 

Actually I just tried it with FLRIG and it has a "Send" function where you type in the string and hit send.? When I did that the QCX returned a single (`).? Also commands like FA; and FA28074000; also returned the same symbol.? So something else is wrong with it.

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 09:43:27 PM CDT, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:


Sorry I wasn't clear.? Actually, I was sending the whole command, for example, typing KA; and then hit the enter key but I was getting that ` reply every time I pushed a button on the keyboard, including when I hit the enter key.? Or perhaps I don't understand.? Are you perhaps saying that typing the command and then enter on Putty just won't work because of the way Putty sending the characters before hitting enter?? ?Maybe there's just a setting somewhere that I need to change??

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 03:45:44 PM CDT, KEN G4APB <lfoofui.nbz42@...> wrote:


Jerry, you can’t send characters one at a time to the mini, that why you are seeing the ‘ reply. you have to put the whole command together and send it as a block.

73 Ken g4apb?

 

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Sometimes there's a inter-character timeout on the cat. I know the 991 has that...

On 8/29/23 20:38, Jerry Moyer via groups.io wrote:

Actually I just tried it with FLRIG and it has a "Send" function where you type in the string and hit send.? When I did that the QCX returned a single (`).? Also commands like FA; and FA28074000; also returned the same symbol.? So something else is wrong with it.

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 09:43:27 PM CDT, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:


Sorry I wasn't clear.? Actually, I was sending the whole command, for example, typing KA; and then hit the enter key but I was getting that ` reply every time I pushed a button on the keyboard, including when I hit the enter key.? Or perhaps I don't understand.? Are you perhaps saying that typing the command and then enter on Putty just won't work because of the way Putty sending the characters before hitting enter?? ?Maybe there's just a setting somewhere that I need to change??

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 03:45:44 PM CDT, KEN G4APB <lfoofui.nbz42@...> wrote:


Jerry, you can’t send characters one at a time to the mini, that why you are seeing the ‘ reply. you have to put the whole command together and send it as a block.

73 Ken g4apb?

 

Hi Jerry

Yes, QCX has a timeout. You can't type a command in one character at a time at human speed. You need to prepare the command elsewhere, then copy-and-paste it in so that all the characters are sent one after another, and the timeout doesn't get triggered.?

The?Arduino serial monitor is almost entirely YUCK but the one thing that is good, is that you get to type in the whole command at human speed, and it doesn't get sent to the device until you click the send button, then it gets sent all in one go.?

73 Hans G0UPL



On Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 7:02?AM Paul - AI7JR <paul.hanchett@...> wrote:

Sometimes there's a inter-character timeout on the cat. I know the 991 has that...

On 8/29/23 20:38, Jerry Moyer via wrote:
Actually I just tried it with FLRIG and it has a "Send" function where you type in the string and hit send.? When I did that the QCX returned a single (`).? Also commands like FA; and FA28074000; also returned the same symbol.? So something else is wrong with it.

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 09:43:27 PM CDT, Jerry Moyer via <ac5jm@...> wrote:


Sorry I wasn't clear.? Actually, I was sending the whole command, for example, typing KA; and then hit the enter key but I was getting that ` reply every time I pushed a button on the keyboard, including when I hit the enter key.? Or perhaps I don't understand.? Are you perhaps saying that typing the command and then enter on Putty just won't work because of the way Putty sending the characters before hitting enter?? ?Maybe there's just a setting somewhere that I need to change??

-Jerry AC5JM

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 03:45:44 PM CDT, KEN G4APB <lfoofui.nbz42@...> wrote:


Jerry, you can’t send characters one at a time to the mini, that why you are seeing the ‘ reply. you have to put the whole command together and send it as a block.

73 Ken g4apb?

 

Hi Jerry,?
I just realized you should get a ? reply to an unrecognized command, not a '. You cant use an RS232 to USB adaptor either, you need a SERIAL to USB adaptor (as in the QLG2...?)
73 Ken G4APB


On Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 07:23 AM, Hans Summers wrote:
Hi Jerry
?
Yes, QCX has a timeout. You can't type a command in one character at a time at human speed. You need to prepare the command elsewhere, then copy-and-paste it in so that all the characters are sent one after another, and the timeout doesn't get triggered.?
?
The?Arduino serial monitor is almost entirely YUCK but the one thing that is good, is that you get to type in the whole command at human speed, and it doesn't get sent to the device until you click the send button, then it gets sent all in one go.?
?
73 Hans G0UPL

On Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 7:02?AM Paul - AI7JR <paul.hanchett@...> wrote:

Sometimes there's a inter-character timeout on the cat. I know the 991 has that...

On 8/29/23 20:38, Jerry Moyer via wrote:
Actually I just tried it with FLRIG and it has a "Send" function where you type in the string and hit send.? When I did that the QCX returned a single (`).? Also commands like FA; and FA28074000; also returned the same symbol.? So something else is wrong with it.
?
-Jerry AC5JM
?
On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 09:43:27 PM CDT, Jerry Moyer via <ac5jm@...> wrote:
?
?
Sorry I wasn't clear.? Actually, I was sending the whole command, for example, typing KA; and then hit the enter key but I was getting that ` reply every time I pushed a button on the keyboard, including when I hit the enter key.? Or perhaps I don't understand.? Are you perhaps saying that typing the command and then enter on Putty just won't work because of the way Putty sending the characters before hitting enter?? ?Maybe there's just a setting somewhere that I need to change??
?
-Jerry AC5JM
?
On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 03:45:44 PM CDT, KEN G4APB <lfoofui.nbz42@...> wrote:
?
?
Jerry, you can’t send characters one at a time to the mini, that why you are seeing the ‘ reply. you have to put the whole command together and send it as a block.

73 Ken g4apb?
?

?

?
 

On 30/08/2023 06:23, Hans Summers wrote:
You can't type a command in one character at a time at human speed. You need to prepare the command elsewhere, then copy-and-paste it in so that all the characters are sent one after another, and the timeout doesn't get triggered.
It is a long time since I played with my QCX so I do not remember exactly my solution.
Using Windows I had to find a suitable terminal program, or reset something for it to work.
If not Putty then maybe Termite worked.

73 Alan G4ZFQ
 

On Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 02:23 AM, Hans Summers wrote:
Yes, QCX has a timeout. You can't type a command in one character at a time at human speed. You need to prepare the command elsewhere, then copy-and-paste it in so that all the characters are sent one after another, and the timeout doesn't get triggered.?
Have you tried Termite?? Current version is rather old and may even I have is 3.4:?
?Very simple terminal program with a separate "line input with send button" for this type of transmission.
There are others (including variations of Termite like Termie).
-------
Rob KB8RCO
 

On Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 03:56 PM, David Markovitch wrote:
Besides having higher voltages, a USB to RS232 signal will be inverted compared with a RS232 TTL signal.
Not to mention that TRUE RS232 levels swing + and - at those higher voltages.? So your 6V RS232 logic is very likely switching between +6V and -6V.
There is a good explanation here:??of?

-------
Rob KB8RCO
 

Putty can be configured to wait for carriage return to send message.? Just set "local line editing" and "local echo" to "force on"?in the terminal options.


--
Cheers,
Chuck

 

I have a TTL to RS232 converter that was designed to interface directly with Raspberry Pie I/O pins that I will try and let you know.? It should also work in reverse to convert RS232 to TTL.??

Thanks!
Jerry AC5JM

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 08:21:31 AM CDT, Rob Giuliano via groups.io <kb8rco@...> wrote:


On Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 03:56 PM, David Markovitch wrote:
Besides having higher voltages, a USB to RS232 signal will be inverted compared with a RS232 TTL signal.
Not to mention that TRUE RS232 levels swing + and - at those higher voltages.? So your 6V RS232 logic is very likely switching between +6V and -6V.
There is a good explanation here:??of?

-------
Rob KB8RCO

 

Thanks, I'll try that as well.

-Jerry AC5JM

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 09:16:16 AM CDT, Chuck - K3FLN via groups.io <chuck.salmon@...> wrote:


Putty can be configured to wait for carriage return to send message.? Just set "local line editing" and "local echo" to "force on"?in the terminal options.


--
Cheers,
Chuck

 

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Thanks everyone for your help. ?I now have CAT control of the QCX mini so I can continue to troubleshoot until I have an LCD display again. ?What I didn’t understand initially was that it wasn’t just about RS232 voltage levels that were preventing CAT access it was also that TTL does not swing to a negative voltage like RS 232 does. ?I inserted a TTL to RS232 converter that I previously purchased for another project and now I have CAT access using FLrig software.

Thanks and 73,
Jerry AC5JM?


On Aug 30, 2023, at 11:51 AM, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:

?
Thanks, I'll try that as well.

-Jerry AC5JM

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 09:16:16 AM CDT, Chuck - K3FLN via groups.io <chuck.salmon@...> wrote:


Putty can be configured to wait for carriage return to send message.? Just set "local line editing" and "local echo" to "force on"?in the terminal options.

<dummyfile.0.part>

--
Cheers,
Chuck
<dummyfile.0.part>

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