How to get band data from a Parallel Port

Bob G W1GLV

Does SSDR send band data to the parallel port like PSDR did?

W5UN_Dave

I use DDUtil to do this with my 6700 (or any rig that can talk to DDUtil), and it does a great job.

Dave, W5UN

Jim K4JAF

No, it does not and the port on the back is not a parallel port ( it is a DB-15).  I believe BCD data has been requested as a future enhancement.  73s Jim K4JAF

Al K0VM

Bob,
   DDUtil is your friend when it comes to interfacing to hardware.

AL, K0VM

Mike va3mw

DDUtil is the tool to use and it is free (many thanks Steve).

 It is the same thing that we used for PowerSDR too.  PowerSDR did not talk to a parallel port directly either.

Mike va3mw

Bob G W1GLV

I've never used DDUTIL. The band data file that comes with it, can I use that without modification?

W5UN_Dave

It depends on how you will use the outputs. I wanted to use in accordance with what my "Band Aid Band Decoder" requires. It uses pins 2 (lsb), 3, 7, and 8 (msb). If this is your need, then the file will need to be modified.

Dave, W5UN

Bob G W1GLV

Thanks, Dave, appreciate it.

W5UN_Dave

Bob, I was mistaken about the LPT pin numbers for my band decoder (and for N1MM band data). The correct pins are 2(LSB), 7, 8, & 9(MSB).

WB9IXS

Has anyone been able to read the band info from the Flex 6500 and use to automatically select the correct band for a solid state amp? I built my own solid state amp and controller. I use a 18F series pic micro. I also built an automatic band switching board that reads the RF and then outputs the correct BCD band data for my amp. I did all this before I got the Flex because the rig I was using did not have and band data available. I haven't looked into vet 1.10 yet but I thought that that was going to have some USB control options. It would be great to select the band on the Flex and at the same time send the band data to the amp without sending any RF.

Thanks
Jim

Mike va3mw

Have a look here

http://www.flexradio.com/downloads/usb-cable-interface-guide-pdf/

Mike va3mw

W7NGA

Jim,

I used an Arduino Uno to read the band data from the Flex USB/RS232 cable (in auto-update mode) and then control ancillary devices based on that frequency. I can control unlimited devices this way including switching antennas mid-band or providing the requisite voltage for older Icom tuners via i2C DAC.

W7NGA  dan
Seaside, Oregon

Jason NR0X

I might have an answer that someone might like.   I bought this thing on Amazon..
https://www.amazon.com/Communication-FT245RL-Parallel-Evaluation-Connector/dp/B00DTS6DE2/ref=sr_1_1?...
I plugged it into the back of the radio, and configured it as a BCD usb cable.    then you can use pins D0 to D3 for 5vdc band data logic, and it works perfectly when wired straight into the back of a Bandmaster band decoder.  I'm pretty sure it will work perfectly for my Quadra amp, too.  But I haven't wired it up yet.  It's on my list though.    

But this little thing is like $12 on amazon Prime, it plugs right into the radio, and it pumps out BCD Band Data.  it doesn't get much simpler.

Jason NR0X

Ryan - NC4RA

Do you think this would work with the als-1306 amp? Thank you Ryan -NC4RA

Jason NR0X

Hi Ryan.  I would assume so.  you would have to figure the pinout for the radio interface jack on the back of the amp.  I'm browsing the manual now, but I haven't found it yet.  If that pinout has ABCD and gnd on it, you should be in business.  

Jason NR0X

Jason NR0X

P.S. I can confirm the board works with my Yaesu Quadra.  I made up a cable, connecting ABCD pins on the amp connector, to D0-D3 pins on the FT245 board (and the gnd).  The Quadra now follows the Flex during band changes.   Now I have to figure out how to get the the amp to turn on and off with the radio!

Jason NR0X