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Re: Micro Track AIO reprograming
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What he said! Some TT3's and some old AIO's use a PIC16F644. Newer versions use a PIC16F1827. The newer chips are drop-in compatible with older gear, but not the other way around, as the 644 used a 10MHZ resonator to control it's clock. The 1827 PIC's use a Byonics bootloader that will let you install new firmware ( Even if it is not compatible with your hardware) Like the WX, Tinypack, etc, and any firmware/software updates that may come along.? 73, Allen AF6OF
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 08:34:06 AM PST, Rob Giuliano via groups.io <kb8rco@...> wrote:
Sounds like either a power issue or RF issue which is causing the unit to constantly reset. Two things to try here: ?? Connect to a dummy load and see if the behavior changes.?? ?????? For these brief transmissions, you could probably get away with a 2W 50 ohm resistor,? ?????????? but 2x 2W 100 ohm would be better.? ?? Make sure your power supply has enough voltage and current I don't have an MT-AIO, but I have used "surrogate" equipment to make changes to settings when there appears to be a hardware issue.? I recommend asking Allen or Byon about the specific equipment you plan to use as a "surrogate". The 3 most important things: 1. Make sure the "surrogate" equipment uses the EXACT same chip. ??? Power ground, etc. match 2. Make sure the serial interfaces match (if the serial pins are different). ??? Make sure the computer cable connects to pins 2 (Tx) and 3 (Rx w/ voltage divider) of the chip in both cases. 3. Make sure you use the configuration software that matches the chip and not the "surrogate" hardware. BECAUSE of these 3 things, I will repeat: I recommend asking Allen or Byon about the "specific equipment" you plan to use as a "surrogate". Robert Giuliano
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:03:38 AM EST, Joe N7IV <ferrara@...> wrote:
Allen,
Thanks for the great advice!? That all made sense.? I downloaded (and installed) the proper driver and program from Byonics.? Then I wiggled/pushed the plug quite a bit.? Still no joy.??
This unit was bought by one of our club members (W0OVX) at a hamfest and when Bob couldn't make it play, he donated it to one of our club's silent auctions.? ?John (AB0KZ) bought it.? He couldn't make it play and brought it to me for a cure.? YIKES!?
I'm beginning to wonder if its sickness might require more than reprograming.? When turned on, it transmits cyclically every second (or so).? When I used the scope on my IC-9700 to look at its signal, I found that it's not transmitting an APRS packet at all.? It just keys the transmitter, generates a wide key-click, returns to receive, and repeats.? So, I'm thinking that it may be more than a programming and communication issue.? In any case, it didn't work.
Unless you tell me it's a dumb idea, I'm going to pull the chip from the unit and drop it into an unused TT3.? Then I'll connect the TT3 and read the chip using my standard com port/null modem to see if the chip is the root of all evil.? At the very least, I can make sure that it's programmed properly and then attack any remaining problems.?
Best Wishes and thanks for your help... Like I said, you made sense!
Joe, N7IV? ? ? On Tue, 23 Jan, 2024 at 5:02 PM, vhsproducts via groups.io <vhsproducts@...> wrote: ? Joe, You cannot program the MT-AIO with a terminal program; you will need to use the TT3 config program:?? Also, you will need to download and install the Prolifics USB Drivers from the Byonics website to use that USB programming cable. Other Prolifics drivers, and Windows Versions older than 10 may require a great deal of heartache and tears. One of the most common difficulties with configuring the AIO is that the serial jack's on units that have not been used a fair bit, may be very tight. Make sure you push the plug in firmly, even having the plug a tiny bit out of battery can deny your serial connection. 73, Allen AF6OF
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 02:53:58 PM PST, Joe N7IV <ferrara@...> wrote:
I¡¯m working with an older version of the micro trak AIO (version 1.4.4 on circuit board) trying to change the callsign in its program using ¡°Real Term,¡± and I have a failure to communicate.?
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