开云体育

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bradley Andrews via groups.io
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 12:47 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [xcat] DIY Xcats

OK, I've debugged and proven my Xcat PCB layout works. I've uploaded the files to the Files section of the group.

Xcat PCB layout by Brad KB9BPF: Notes 26SEP22

- I am NOT interested in building Xcats. These resources are for those who are interested in DIY.
- I used free ExpressPCB Classic software to create these files. It is available at
- I've found ExpressPCB to be extremely easy to learn and use.
- Boards are ordered through the ExpressPCB software using an internet connection.
- If I have spare PCBs I would be willing to sell them. Contact me if interested.
- If I have spare parts I would be willing to sell them. Contact me if interested.
- I can program PICs. Contact me if interested.

Anything I sell will be as close to my cost as possible. I would like to defray some of the modest costs I incurred developing and debugging.

I do not make any guarantees or provide any warranties.
- You must judge for yourself whether or not these resources meet your specifications or standards.
- You must judge for yourself whether or not your skills and tools are adequate to the task of assembling these very small surface mount devices.
- Any parts I provide will be new, or NOS, from a reputable source, usually Digikey or Mouser. All sales will be final - no refunds or returns.

Contact:
Brad Andrews KB9BPF

kb9bpf
- at -
A R R L
- dot -
ORG


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Skip Hansen
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 8:24 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [xcat] DIY Xcats

Wow that was fast! My fingers are crossed!

73's Skip WB6YMH

On Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 8:06 PM Bradley Andrews via groups.io
<kb9bpf@...> wrote:

Update 21AUG22:
I put it together this morning but didn't have a chance to test it. Next weekend!

I programmed the picldr with the Phyton before soldering to the Xcat PCB. I need to make a jig to provide 5v to the Xcat then I'll use the on-board RS232 to program v033 into the PIC.

I need to dig out my SyntorX stuff to do the functional test.

Will let y'all know how it turns out.

73,
Brad

-----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