Hi Stan,
The idea is to hex edit the data for the "VFO" mode on the fly. This
is based on my current belief that single bytes in EEPROM can be
written via SB9600. This is the key.
So frequency / PL / DPL data comes into the "xcat 9k" via some means
(Doug Hall, CI-V, keypad, morse code, DTMF, voice recognition...)
which the"xcat 9k" converts to edits of the VFO mode via SB9600.
Additionally the EEPROM checksum would be adjusted as needed.
RSS could still be used in the usual manner. It should be easy to
write a new script to upload code plug binaries using a modern
computer to avoid the timing issues with RSS.
An ESP32 is certainly doable as easily or easier than a RPI Nano.
For the record the 3 GPIO lines are for Busy in, Busy out and Write
enable EEPROM (by grounding Mic high!).
Of course additional GPIOs or serial ports (or Bluetooth radios or
something) are needed to get information into the box on what to do!
Reprogramming mode names in the control head might be doable, but as
with the radio the code plug format would have to be understood first.
I've been disassembling the radio's firmware to understand things.
I'm not sure how accessible the control head firmware is ... it isn't
EPROM based is it?
73's Skip WB6YMH
BTW Much to my total shock and amazement AT28C64 EEPROMS in a DIP
package are still
readily available! Both Mouser and digikey have them in stock for around $6.
On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 12:43 PM swguest via groups.io
<swguest@...> wrote:
@ Skip,
That definately sounds revolutionary. As you might guess that creates a number of followup queries.
I am looking forward to hearing your POC testing criteria and results..
Control, as in a subtitute/replacement for PC based OEM RSS for block writes to the EEPROM (RSS emulation) and/or byte level writes equating to a form of direct EEPROM writes to effect FPP freq/PL control?
I did see EEPROM block writes by emulating RSS on a non PC platform comming.
I never gave thought to byte level writes using SB9600. I allways perceived it as a"write complete codeplug data to EPROM" routine.
Some are hoping for a replacement for the CH.
Mastering the SB9600 could lead to that as well, or at least enhancing some of it's operations.
Presuming the CH is retained, I guess another step would be to be able to re-program mode/MPL names in it as well with the same SB9600 setup.
With client side HW to be "almost anything with a serial port", depending on the complexity of th UI, that should put minimalist builds of the 16F8s, ATMega328s, etc back in the running.
Low GPIO count adds the ATTiny stuff to the list as well.
Actually since we are literally talking "outside the box" now, that brings us back to a closer look at the ESP32 w/built in 2.4g WiFi potential.
Not to mention the matter of a UI open to a variety of display and data entry configurations.
Beyond a basic UI, users could, if desired, develop a custon UI that fits their needs. Probably not as easy as building a Winamp "skin", but doable nontheless.
I do have a couple of those RIB clones.I have no complaints with them. Issues I've had using them was user error.
I checked Ebay and it looks like they are still in the 20-30 dollar range.
I know there is still much TBD, but I admit this has the potential to open a bunch of doors.
My mad scientist hat is beginning to smolder....
It is hard to think about giving up on a good old-fashioned hardware hack though....
