[amsat-bb] Re: LVB Tracker & G-5500 Rotator

[Greg D.]

Hi Bob,

You might take a look at the serial port's configuration for flow control handshaking.  I don't know if the Tracker supports it, but the symptoms sound like the PC is set for Hardware handshaking and either the tracker doesn't support it, or the cable between the Tracker and the PC is missing those wires.  Most loopback hoods have these signals wired up, so that would explain why it worked and the tracker did not. 

Try either turning off handshaking, or "hotwire" the port by connecting pins 1, 4, and 6 together (on the PC side; 9-pin connector assumed), and separately, pins 7 and 8.  (I think those are the right pins - it's been a while since I played with this sort of thing.)  This connects DSR, DTR, and Carrier Detect together to tell the computer that there's something out there to talk to, and hotwires the RTS/CTS hardware flow control to always permit transmission.

Good luck,

Greg  KO6TH


> Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 11:19:04 -0600
> From: aj5c at cox.net
> To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
> Subject: [amsat-bb]  LVB Tracker & G-5500 Rotator
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I am having problems trying to use the LVB Tracker/G5500 on the Serial 
> Port. My box will not communicate. Mike Young sent me another box with 
> the MAX232 chip and I am not able to communicate with it either. I can 
> control the G5500 via the LVB faceplate.
> 
> I am using COM Port 1, 9600, 8-N-1 None and CAN communicate with 
> hyperterminal with a loopback plug. When it is plugged to the LVB box I 
> am NOT able to communicate via hyperterminal or SatPC32. The SDX Server 
> is set correctly to COM1/9600, has been saved and SatPC32 recycled. 
> Still no go.
> 
> My original box, when the USB chip is removed and a MAX232 chip 
> installed appears to communicate with the G5500, but when the G5500 is 
> powered off, both meters on the G5500 peg to the max. Very strange. 
> Still not control via Serial port.
> 
> Anyone have any ideas? Mike & I are stumped on this one.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bob Herrell  AJ5C
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