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-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bradley Andrews via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2022 9:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [xcat] DIY Xcats

Hi Skip, and thanks for the tips.

Yes, I did include the extra SIP resistor network. I also changed the two smaller SIPs to a single SOIC resistor network, included a couple extra bypass caps, and scooted things around slightly for space. And I changed the resonator to an SMT.

I'm attempting to attach a PDF of the schematic and the artwork for perusal Only when I have confirmed that the circuit boards work will I post the ExpressPCB files. I don’t remember of this group allows attachments or not, but I'll try it.

Regarding programming, when you say "The two steps aren't necessary; you can flash everything in one go if you combine the hex files. I did it that way to test the serial port." Do you mean an overlay of the two? I haven't looked at PIC programming for a long time, and only did a couple easy things when I did do it. Back then I used a serial programmer from MBasic, if I remember correctly, and it used standard DIP sockets. I thought I'd use the Phyton because it I have a PLCC adapter for it, but it's made for the ZIF DIP socket on the Phyton, not regular DIP sockets. I'll have to get out the PIC docs again and study up on programming requirements before I waste a lot of people's time and patience asking questions I should figure out on my own.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Skip Hansen
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2022 7:45 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [xcat] DIY Xcats

On Sat, Aug 20, 2022 at 4:53 PM Bradley Andrews via groups.io <kb9bpf@...> wrote:

Hi Skip,

Thank you for giving your blessing to those of us who are brave/crazy in this way. I’ve wanted to do this for some time but didn’t want to step on your (or Lee’s) toes.



Would you mind answering a couple questions for me?

1. How did you guys program your PICs? Did you do it in a stand-alone programmer before soldering to the PCB, or did you do it via the RS232 serial port on the Xcat?

Neither. The programming pins are available via a combination of the accessory cable and the connector normally connected to the Syntor. I connected the necessary pins to a PIC programmer and programmed the bootloader. Once the bootloader has been programmed I flashed the application firmware via the serial port. The two steps aren't necessary; you can flash everything in one go if you combine the hex files. I did it that way to test the serial port.

2. Regarding the Xcat firmware, xcat_v033/xcat.hex, if I wanted to program it in my standalone programmer before soldering, would I use ‘Standard/Extended Intel HEX (*.hex, *.mcs)’ whose checksum comes to 001EA2F4, or force it to read in Binary whose checksum is 000CF1CF? I don’t want to do it incorrectly and not find out until the PIC is soldered in place.

You need to program the bootloader first. In addition to the bootloader itself there are configuration bits which are needed.

FYI, my programmer is a Phyton ChipProg-40.

I don't recall what my programmer was. It wasn't a Microchip product and the company that made it when out of business long ago. If your programmer supports the chip it should be fine.

I like ExpressPCB and that’s what I used to lay out my Xcat ‘clone’ boards. If it works, and I expect it will, I’ll have some spares available if anyone is interested in obtaining them (at my cost) and using them to assemble their own. I’ll also be happy to upload the ExpressPCB .sch and .pcb files to the file section of this group, if you give that your blessing, Skip. I’d be willing to provide programmed PICs for those who are interested, as well as the other parts, but only with your blessing, Skip.

That would be EXCELLENT !

Hopefully you've added the pullup resistors that we forgot !

73's Skip WB6YMH