Re:-
Kenwood TS-2000 serial CAT control malfunction
From: Jan
Kappert
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2020 14:13:00 PST
Davi,
Yes you will need
an additional port for PTT, which is due to the limited commandset
of the TS. Using one port would have been much easier, but due to
the commandset issue not possible.
Br. Jan PAoPLY
Sorry Jan, but no, you do NOT need an extra COM port to do what
is wanted.
Use the SAME COM port's DTR line to key the ACC2 PTT pin9 (PKS)
via a small NPN transistor, "in the usual way". Yes, you may have
to build something, but it's really simple.
See https://www.qsl.net/sv1hao/Schematic1.htm for one
opto-isolated way.
I just use a NPN transistor (2N2222 or 2N3903 2N3904, or BC108
etc) with the port DTR line going to the base via a 4k7 resistor,
with an anti-parallel diode between Base and Emitter (Diode
Cathode to the Transistor Base.) After all, you've got the
serial port ground common now, between Rig and PC.
The Emitter & Diode Anode goes to the radio's ground, the
Collector goes to the ACC port Pin 9.
The Kenwood TS-2000 manual doesn't state the RX voltage, or TX
current that pin uses, but if it's like my TS-870s, it's well
within the capability of any of those transistors.
(If you switch a relay, you'll need some protection for the
transistor, from the back EMF from the relay coil when going from
TX to RX.)
In WSJTX's RADIO settings, either...
Use WSJTx's implementation of Hamlib, but select DTR under PTT
Method.
You could also use Flrig between WSJTx/Hamlib, and the radio, as
that can also use DTR PTT, and supports the TS-2000. It then gives
you more control of the rig from the PC, filter settings and so on.
I can describe how to do that too, either here, or if you PM me.
But it is perfectly possible to control many Kenwood (and
possibly other) HF radios, that "Need" Hardware PTT (so as to
route the sound-card audio to the TX modulator) with just one
single COM port, and a little ingenuity. Isn't that what were
supposed to be able to do?
The only downside, is that when the PC boots, it may key the
radio. But the Kenwoods have a nice menu item to disable any
transmission. Menu item 27 on my TS-870, item 54 in the TS-2000.
Or just make sure the radio is powered down when the PC boots,
but is powered up, before you run (FlRig if used, and then) WSJTx.
And for those afflicted with Windows, there are ways to prevent
the COM port "wandering" about by itself (COM1 changing to COM3
after next boot, and so on.)
This works on all Windows I've tried, Win2k on.
http://www.w1hkj.com/doku/doku.php?id=howto:taming_the_wild_comport_in_windows
I don't have Windows in the shack now, but it could perhaps work
on Win10 too, I don't have access to a Win10 box to try.
Under Linux, we have the ability to create and use "Udev Rules".
But that's beyond the scope of this list. However, good
tutorials & instructions can be found using your favorite
search engine, or for the real head bangers, at a command line
type man udev and enter.
These are what I have defined. (Running Mint 19.3)
# This lives in /lib/udev/rules.d on Mint 19.x it
can be in other places, in other distro's!
#FT-736r via FTDI
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{serial}=="A50285BI",
SYMLINK+="ttyFT736"
#TM-V71 via FTDI
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{serial}=="AK06ML2R",
SYMLINK+="ttyTMV71"
#PCR1000 via genuine Prolific
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{devpath}=="1.3.1",
SYMLINK+="ttyPCR1K"
#Thunderbolt via genuine Prolific
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{devpath}=="1.3.2",
SYMLINK+="ttyTBOLT"
#TS-870s via genuine Prolific
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{devpath}=="1.3.3",
SYMLINK+="ttyTS870"
#TNC-220 via genuine Prolific
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{devpath}=="1.3.4",
SYMLINK+="ttyTNC220"
#GPS-puck via fake Prolific
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{devpath}=="2-1.6:1.0",
SYMLINK+="ttyGPS"
The use of {serial} is preferred, and the major reason to use
genuine FTDI USB/Serial adapters, as they have Unique serial
numbers. Else, you have to use the "Path" to the device, and
that will change if you plug something into a different USB
socket!
All the above reliably come back as the symlink, irrespective of
how the OS enumerated them at boot/load time.
Within WSJTx (or FlRig) the HF radio's serial port is specified
as /dev/ttyTS870 for example, under Linux.
73 All.
Dave G0WBX, a TS-870s owner/user. One serial port ONLY used
between PC and Radio. Job done.
--
Created on and sent from a Unix like PC running and using free and open source software:
