[amsat-bb] Re: LVB Tracker Firmware v0.9

[Howard Long]

Hi Alan

You should have either the MAX232 or the USB board in place, but not both!

Having both devices installed causes contention in the incoming lines and
it's not designed to work that way. You may well get undesired effects. It
only works for you by luck, not by design!

73, Howard GJ6LVB


-----Original Message-----
From: Alan [mailto:ve4yz at mts.net] 
Sent: 27 May 2008 23:21
To: 'Howard Long'; amsat-bb at AMSAT.Org
Subject: [!! SPAM] LVB Tracker Firmware v0.9

Hi Howard and the group...

I successfully updated my LVB from v0.7 to v0.9

The question is: if you only use the LVB Tracker with a USB cable, can you
leave the MAX232 chip installed?

Here is why I ask...

After the successful update, replacement of the USB board and recalibration,
I ran a pass and the LVB behaved normally.  I then realized I left the
MAX232 installed.  The installation and DIY assembly instructions suggest
you run either the USB board or MAX232 serial but not to have both
installed.  Or I cannot read or comprehend the instructions???

The AMSAT fully assembled USB version of LVB Tracker including the case
requires a lot of extra steps to do a firmware upgrade.  To remove the USB
board from its socket so that the MAX232 chip can be installed and used, you
have to remove the motherboard from the case.  This is the only way for the
USB connector to clear the case so that it can be pulled straight up and
out.  Afterwards, to remove the MAX232, there is not enough clearance for a
chip puller so you fiddle around with a small screw driver or something
similar to pry out the chip.

BTW, I took this opportunity to try to upgrade via the USB port and can
confirm it is flaky.  The serial upgrade took less than a 1 minute of
processing time to upload the firmware and verify.  Using the USB only took
about 1 hour (yes I waited ) and did not verify 100% ( 5 errors - flipped
bits - found in my case ).

Thanks... Alan