SteppIR Transceiver Interface

Richard - N7HX

I have a 6500 which I am using with a SteppIR SDA 100 Controller.  I have the transceiver interface installed in the controller and am using the S12 serial cable.  I am connecting the controller to a serial card in my desktop computer which uses comm 6.  I read the instructions from SteppIR about the transceiver interface, but can't make much sense out of it.  All I want to do is control the antenna to follow the frequency the 6500 is tuned to.  Can someone give me some step by step instructions on how to do this?

k0eoo

Hello Richard,

The way I control my SteppIR is via DDUtil V3.  I also have the 6500.  Download and install the latest V3, http://k5fr.com/DDUtilV3wiki/index.php?title=Download 

Once you have done that I or one of the other guys can take some screen shots and show you what boxes to check.  Is the SDR CAT connected to 3rd party program port COM5?  What other devices do you have com ports that you might want to control or supply input, like a Watt meter?  What is your logging program?  With DDUtil you can connect them all to your 6500....

Regards, Dennis, k0eoo

Richard - N7HX

On my Device Manager I have FlexRadio VSP com 5 and 15.  The main tab on SDR CAT shows my radio as available with "Connect 3rd Party Program to Port: COM5, but shows CAT connected to COM15 under the Port Map tab.  And I have PCI Express UART Port as COM6 to connect the SDA 100 to.

I  am using HCLog as a logging program.  I also have a Yaesu rotor with an Idiom Press Rotorcard that I would like to control also.

KY6LA_Howard

Use DDUTIL. It allows your flex to control virtually any peripheral.

KY6LA_Howard

I use DDUTL to control my SteppIR via a SDA100 and a Yaesu Rotor and several different logging and contest programs.

np2g

Yes use Ddutil. It will connect anything. And still no drop outs.

WBB

1. Download latest DDUTIL

2. Purchase USB to Serial Converter; something like TRENDnet TU-S9

3. Purchase Serial Null modem cable

4. Open Windows Device Manager, look at Ports (COM & LTP); write down the various Com ports; these ports are in use elsewhere

5. Plug TRENDnet USB side into computer, other side of TRENDnet to Serial Null modem

6. Plug other side of Null modem cable into “DATA out” on SteppIR controller; turn on controller

7. Setup SteppIR  controller; “Tranceiver - Mode to KENW”; “Tranceiver - Din to 9600”; “Tranceiver - Dout to 9600”

8. Look at the device manager ports again.  A new port would have appeared.  The new one is the com port to the SteppIR (each time u plug and unplug the serial connection to the SteppIR controller, the com port appears and disappears on the list; it usually remains the same port number)  IF u check the port's property, u will set it will be set to 9600; from step 7 above

9. Open DDUtil; setup, other; on top right u will see SteppIR.  Check Enable, Check Tran Inhib, select proper com port (from step 7 above), interval set to 300, Comm setting to 9600 8N1

10. Put Steppir IR controller on AutoTrack

11. You will notice the frequency of the FlexRadio “transmit” slice on DDUtil; move the slice the frequency changes.  The steppIR will now follow this slice frequency

12. Have fun

Richard - N7HX

Thanks.  I'll give it a try.