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Robert AD6XJ
I've begun to have my 3-4 yr old MT-RTG FA to fail to be seen by my local digipeaters. I am trying to connect it to the TT3 config v1.4 to check the programming and to "see" if the processor is still alive. When I power up I get 2 green blinks and 1 red led blink and I can hear it send a packet on a local receiver (MT-RTG FA into dummy load) [I have NOT tested if packet is valid by viewing with my FT5D yet]. I am trying to connect to my confuser using the blue USB to serial adapter connected to the DB9 interface cable as follows; Bk-5, R-4, W-4, G-3 (I have swapped W & G several times). My Q. now is-- what bps (baud), data bits, parity, stop bits, & flow control should my port settings be in order for my confuser to talk to the TT3 software & the MT-RTG FA hardware?
Thanks in advance for any guidance, Robert AD6XJ |
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Robert, When the GPS is plugged in, do you get a flashing green LED (segment) and if so, if you leave it on, does the green LED light solidly? If the green LED never flashes at all, except for the Start up packet ( Which will NOT show up on aprs.fi ) your GPS is probably dead or has a bad connection. The communications with your computer for configuration are set by the TT3 Config program, irrespective of how your port settings are otherwise set, at 4800,N, 8 and 1. Connecting to a USB-to-serial adapter generally requires a null modem adapter, which will essentially reverse pins 2 and 3 ( TX an RX) to make your computer look like a GPS, or a peripheral device instead of a host.? Trying to torture your RTG with experimental connections and terminal programs runs the risk of corrupting the firmware, which may require re-flashing the RTG. Since the LED is flashing in the manner described, and it is transmitting a start-up packet, the PIC and the software are probably fine. GPS receivers can lose their memories, and sometimes their lives, when they are not plugged in and powered occasionally. If you can't see an LED on the GPS, or the green LED does nothing after powering the unit, on, your GPS is probably unwell.? 73, Allen AF6OF
On Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 11:41:34 PM CDT, Robert AD6XJ <91710robert@...> wrote:
I've begun to have my 3-4 yr old MT-RTG FA to fail to be seen by my local digipeaters. I am trying to connect it to the TT3 config v1.4 to check the programming and to "see" if the processor is still alive. When I power up I get 2 green blinks and 1 red led blink and I can hear it send a packet on a local receiver (MT-RTG FA into dummy load) [I have NOT tested if packet is valid by viewing with my FT5D yet]. I am trying to connect to my confuser using the blue USB to serial adapter connected to the DB9 interface cable as follows; Bk-5, R-4, W-4, G-3 (I have swapped W & G several times). My Q. now is-- what bps (baud), data bits, parity, stop bits, & flow control should my port settings be in order for my confuser to talk to the TT3 software & the MT-RTG FA hardware? Thanks in advance for any guidance, Robert AD6XJ |
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Robert AD6XJ
Thank you Allen. The GPS5 blue comes on steady at power on then blinks continuous after <1 minute but the green LEDs on the MT-RTG FA nor on either of my TT3+ (8/19/05) & (v2 rev F) ever get a green light at all using the GPS5. I know the hunt for the elusive green light all too well! I finally did get ublox neo-7M modules to communicate with the TT3+s via a MAX 232 "hw044" module, that green light was a delight! Unfortunately that combo doesn't work on the MT-RTG :-( Oddly, and I don't know if it is relevant, the GPS5 did work on a friend's very old TT3 (no plus) just a few days ago, even though that GPS5 was the one from my dead MT-RTG. Maybe I'll have him bring that unit back to test.
I had a typo in my original post-- USB green went to DB9-2 and white to DB9-3, basically skipping the TT USB adapter and null modem. Thank you again for all your help and everyone else for listening;-) |
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Robert, Several ideas come to mind. If you can't get it going, just send it to me and I will test it for you, and fix it if humanly possible. FYI, I am in Missouri now, so don't send it to Byon in Arizona or my old address in Napa, California. 73, Allen AF6OF
On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 04:58:44 PM CDT, Robert AD6XJ <91710robert@...> wrote:
Thank you Allen. The GPS5 blue comes on steady at power on then blinks continuous after <1 minute but the green LEDs on the MT-RTG FA nor on either of my TT3+ (8/19/05) & (v2 rev F) ever get a green light at all using the GPS5. I know the hunt for the elusive green light all too well! I finally did get ublox neo-7M modules to communicate with the TT3+s via a MAX 232 "hw044" module, that green light was a delight! Unfortunately that combo doesn't work on the MT-RTG :-( Oddly, and I don't know if it is relevant, the GPS5 did work on a friend's very old TT3 (no plus) just a few days ago, even though that GPS5 was the one from my dead MT-RTG. Maybe I'll have him bring that unit back to test. I had a typo in my original post-- USB green went to DB9-2 and white to DB9-3, basically skipping the TT USB adapter and null modem. Thank you again for all your help and everyone else for listening;-) |
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Robert AD6XJ
Hi Allen,
I've got a lot of "life" going on now, as I'm sure you do with your relocation. We're looking into building an ADU to have a parent live close, for health/medical reasons. I'd like to send my RTG to you but I don't know when I'll find the time. I thought I had your email from my AIO purchase but can't find it in my contacts (probably buried in an ebay msg?) . My call at ARRL.net is good, no rush, it seems I can go 1.5 months between filling my gas tank these days-- so APRS isn't used as often as when I was commuting to/from work.
I hope your move went smooth and all the benefits you'd hoped for came to fruition.
73 AD6XJ Robert |
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Robert, You can always reach me via allen@.... ( I have a bunch of email addresses) The shipping address for Micro-Trak tech support?is: A.R. Lord 566 Crestfall Drive, Washington, MO 63090 They told me that it did not rain much in Missouri in the?Summer... "They" lied. It seems like the weather has two speeds, hot and humid, or hot and raining. The people who lied about the rain ( Missourians talk about the weather a lot) tell me that it's going to cool off next month. If that does not include a lot of rain, I am going to set up a 25 Foot mast, and place a couple of flags on it with an antenna?on top. Probably a Missouri flag. This will be a test antenna and a digipeater or I-Gate antenna, since the nearest digi is 18 miles away, and the terrain is not VHF friendly. Since this is also kind of a GMRS ghost town, I am considering?setting up a GMRS repeater too. On the other hand, the cost of living is about 40-45% of that of my old house in Napa, California. Electricity here runs about?$100.00 a month with the AC on all day and part of the night. In Napa, that would have run us about $600.00 a month to run the AC. The prices on housing will make Californian's laugh out loud when they see how much even brand new houses sell for. There is no crime to speak of in my neighborhood. Send me your RTG when you are ready. 73, Allen On Sat, Aug 31, 2024 at 1:31?AM Robert AD6XJ <91710robert@...> wrote:
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