On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 08:22 AM, Skip Hansen wrote:
So questions for all that are interested:
Do we still need RS232 level converters for the serial port?? My opinion is NO, 3v3 levels and an FTDI USB cable for a PC connection.
Do we still need Doug Hall support?? If so we will need level converters for that interface.? Personally I'd like to drop it, I don't have any way to test it.
What did we miss on the original Xcat that we can add now?? One request I remember is support for 64 modes, that should be no problem for the new board.
I agree with the baby step process, It is easier to interface to the X's hardware. Not that it matters with the Pico, but it runs a bit slower too. No SB9600 commands to deal with. Wirelrss UI and no PC programability would still be PH II, but it would serve as an up to date Xcat 2.0 (Xcat 2022)
Serial port - I dont see any reason to mandate legacy serial support either. Real com ports have all vut completeey dissapeard from new devices. USB for better or worse it it's replacement.
Doug Hall support - That's a question for the remote base users and if those controllers are still around. If the code can be ported easily enough, sure, other wise probably not worth the extra effort.
I thinks CI-V is still widely used and it is not hard to replicate a stand alone DTMF based controller/interface. BTW, are you any kin to or familiar with the work of a guy named? John Hansen?
http://www.amalgamate2000.com/radio-hobbies/radio/a_dtmf_controlled_icr75.htm
New features -
More modes of course. Why stop at 64?
An MPL type function that has them all in a table in FW and linked to a mode by executing a (probably custom) CI-V protocol command
Motorola's interpretation of scan needs revised for our purposes. They think in PS/commercial terms as in "How many channels do you really need to monitor?" If you are listening to something other than dispatch, your being inattentative to your task.
Banks of n channels, ala zones that can be chained to scan every channel in every bank if desired.
Per mode lists are likely a bit too much.
I do realize all that may be too much of a re-write of your PC based control program.
See what happens when you ask a mad scientist for a Christmas wishlist?
