DDUtil with Array Solns. Powermaster and Bandmaster

Ross Biggar

I have an Array Solutions Powermaster and a Bandmaster, both are to check my 6700.
I am looking for advice as to how to get them to work with DDUTIL, (which I use to control the ACOM 2KA) 
I have the Bandmaster feeding an Array Solutions  2X8 antenna switch, I would like to have the Bandmaster automatically change the antenna depending on the band in use, unfortunately so far I cannot get it to work with DDUTIL, so ideas please. Also so far I cannot get DDUTIL to see the Powermaser as well.
So advice please.

Best wishes to all.
Ross
ZL1WN

Wayne VK4ACN

Hi Ross
I have an array solutions Powermaster, the first one, connected to ddutil and my 6500.  Connected via serial port to pc via a usb to serial converter on port 62.  On ddutil, under WattMtrs tab, enable powermaster, the port and I have 38400 baud. (you can change the baud rate of the meter from the menu button on the meter, but mine is selected for 38400)   Enter in the trim, that should be marked on the coupler.  I think thats all I did, to have power and swr displayed on ddutil.

Hope that helps
Cheers
Wayne
VK4ACN

Ross Biggar

Thanks Wayne,
That is exactly what I have tried, but DDTIL does not like any of the comports I have tried.
How did you get to com-port 62?
Regards  Ross

Wayne VK4ACN

Im using a usb to 4 serial port converter, and i changed the ports on them in device manager to 60 numbers so they wouldnt conflict with other ports.  Do you know what serial port you have it plugged in, or are you using a usb-serial converter?

Glenn

Likewise, I am unable to get DDUtil to work with "real" COM ports either.   Have tried about every combination/permutation possible with baud rates and parity, but nada.

It sure would be nice if SmartCAT would be able to control/access traditional COM ports for station automation!

Glenn W0GJ

Ross Biggar

Wayne,
How did you get DDUTIL to see COM 60,? all I can see are the few virtual ports that SmartSDR CAT made.  And DDUTIL doesn't like those ports.
Regards
Ross

Jon_KF2E

I have never had a problem with DDUtil and "real" serial ports. By real, I mean an rs232 port usually on a PCIe board or PCI in older machines. Where you can get into trouble is with USB converters.

The simple way to test serial ports is to loop pins 2 and 3 and then open a terminal program set to that port and see if when you type in the terminal your characters are echoed on the screen. Newer versions of Windows don't have a terminal program but you can download PuTTY here as a simple program to use. 

Jon...kf2e

Wayne VK4ACN

Ross
Im not sure if you are using real com ports or a usb>serial converter.  I have both but am using the powermaster on a usb>serial converter. 
Have a look at this link

http://wa8lmf.net/ham/USB-Serial-Dongles.htm

I bough one from Amazon and it works perfectly.  It uses the ftdi chip not the prolific which
has problems.

http://www.amazon.com/GearMo%C2%AE-36inch-Windows-Certified-Drivers/dp/B004ETDC8K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8...

Cheers
Wayne

Jay Nation

My PowerMaster II meter only needed a usb-mini-usb adapter cable. Win10 uses the FTDI driver for the meters internal FTDI usb-serial chip. The older version I models didn't have USB built-in. The new ones do.

73, Jay - NO5J  

Wayne VK4ACN

Ross
Im not computer savvy, but Ill try to help

Plug the powermaster serial port into you pc serial port..  Go to Device Manager>Ports



My powermaster is on COM62 using the usb converter.
Click on properties of this port. 


Im using 38400 baud.
Click on advanced


Here is where you can change the port number.   Ive kept them high, away from the usual low number ports.  Some programs I use wont go high, so ive kept a few of the serial ports low numbers.

Exit out of this.

Go to your powermaster, press menu until you get to the baud rate.  If its not on 38400 press mode button, to scroll through to 38400.  You could use any I guess but they have to match the com port.  Restart ddutil,  see if the port is there on the setup page for watt meters.


Enter the trim on the front of your powermaster coupler. 

See if that works. 

Cheers
Wayne
Hope ive been clear and not too confusing, but maybe youve done this already

Wayne VK4ACN

Jay, I have the original powermaster I bought at Dayton in 2009, I didnt know the  new one has the usb, which would make life a little easier.  Planning trip to dayton, next year, so Ill check this out.
Wayne

Ross Biggar

Thanks all for the comments,
I am using all my real com-ports 1 and 3,  for the M2 2800 azimmuth controller, and to the ACOM 2KA, so I am left with only USB ports.
Wayne, DDUTIL will only see the ports that CAT made, and the real port 1,3.
It sees 1,3,4,6,7,8,9. 14,16,17,18,19. it wont accept any other ports such as the 2 USB-serial ports on 24 and 60.
And yes I have the latest Powermaster II with the FDTI chip, but so far no luck there either.

Wayne VK4ACN

Did you try to run the powermaster software?

http://www.arraysolutions.com/Downloads/PM_Software/PMBasic2_2.0.0.7.zip

I didnt realise you had the new one with the usb port

What port is the power master on, in device manager?

Also make sure your not running the powermaster app at the same time. 
Close off the app if you are.



Cheers
Wayne