Remote Footswitch - How to (LAN/ VPN solution)

Richard - W1RW

Michael, This problem still occurs when Flow control is set to "None" or when it is set to "Hardware".  I am using a FTDI Cable. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RBK2P47/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is wired as was illustrated by Mark - W3II with the Black (GND) and Brown(CTS) on each side of the switch and a 10K resistor between Red(VCC) and Brown(CTS)

Richard - W1RW

Michael, This problem still occurs when Flow control is set to "None" or when it is set to "Hardware".  I am using a FTDI Cable. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RBK2P47/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is wired as was illustrated by Mark - W3II with the Black (GND) and Brown(CTS) on each side of the switch and a 10K resistor between Red(VCC) and Brown(CTS)

Mike-VA3MW

OK, thanks.  On mine, I have no extra parts.  I short Pin 7-8 or 4-6 through the foot switch (see the first post) so that makes the solution I am using different.  

Mike 

WX7Y

I hate to even say anything on this subject because of the attitudes and comments by some FLEX employees in past posts BUT seeing MANY more people are trying remote operation now have also ran into this issue and I'll try to help before they get to frustrated and stop trying because it really is a awesome experience to run remote. 

 I tried several different USB to COM Port devices from different manufactures with both FTDI and Prolific chip sets and I finially found a Cable on Amazon from "Plugable" 
 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00425S1H8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1# 

This cable has worked for me on my 2 NUC computers, a couple Laptops and a Windows Tablet for the last 8 months after several months and many cables trying to fix this issue and being told it wasn't a "SmartSDR CAT" issue even though FRStack worked with all the cables I tried.

I did not have to use any external pull up resisters or debounce circuit with this cable,  I hope this cable works for the majority of those who try it BUT like anything  else with Windows OS and all the different hardware AND driver configuration of course it may or may not work for you so your mileage WILL vary.
(BE SURE to download the correct drivers from the cable manufacture) 

GOOD LUCK and hope it helps you out and the cable works for you like they have for me. 

73's 
Bret 
WX7Y

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Bret

Please do not take this the wrong way.  I want to get it to fail.   

In order to get it fixed at some point, I have to have it fail in a LAB environment so that we can then toss more tools at it to see what or why it is failing.  If I can get it to fail, then I can run some serial port monitors and look at the registers.   

Right now, we are dealing with 2 serial ports.  The physical one the foot switch is on and the other virtualized in SmartSDR CAT.  Which one is failing when this fails, I have no idea sadly and all we have is the symptom.    

Just to confirm, are you using my solution or Marc's?  On mine, I just have a DB 9 connector on the end of my foot switch connected to pins 7 and 8.  Oh, since the thread is a bit long, is this with or without SmartLink?

If FRStack works, that is great and a solid and valid solution.   

73 and enjoy the long weekend, Mike 

WX7Y

I am only using the PTT in SmartCAT DB9 ports RTS Pins 7 & 8.
My original Posts started about year ago for my foot switch and heil thumb PTT switch issues. 
as I stated in my previous post a few minutes ago I tried many cables and finally found one that works so I put the rest aside. 
I tried several different buffering and debouncing circuits using 2N7000's, relays and opto isolator but still worked the same until I got the "Plugable" cable then I abandoned all the junk I built because there was no difference then just the cable which work fine and didn't want another failure point.  
This happened with SmartLink and direct on the same network
On my Windows tablet I couldn't have the overhead from FRStack with it's limited resources so I needed a direct connection

Bret
WX7Y

Mike VE3CKO

I've recently setup a Studio C, in our sunroom and implemented this PPT method to my computer using a USB to serial with FTDI chipset. The Heil footswitch is unusable as it stays keyed until you press down a bunch of times, the Heil handswitch is better but bothersome as every other xmission I have to key 2 or 4 times to xmit.

My radio is a 6700 with the latest software. Has anything been determined if it's a chipset or software issue?

Mike-VA3MW

@Mike VE3CKO

What pins are you using for the foot switch?

Mike

Mike VE3CKO

7 & 8 as per for RTS

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Mike

That is strange. Can you try a different USB/RS232 adapter? Could there be power saving turned on with it?

Also, watch in the LOG on SmartSDR CAT and see if you the TX ON and OFF messages.

We have had a few report the same thing and I can't recreate it. I've even used Prolific USB adatpers without issue, as long Windows can see it.

Mike

Mike VE3CKO

Here is the log from Heil handswitch

Engaging handswitch:

2021-01-18 12:28:28.352 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

2021-01-18 12:28:28.405 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

2021-01-18 12:28:28.419 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

2021-01-18 12:28:28.419 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

2021-01-18 12:28:28.420 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

2021-01-18 12:28:30.179 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

Lettting go:

2021-01-18 12:28:30.180 COM19 [rcvd]: TX1;

2021-01-18 12:28:30.182 COM19 [rcvd]: TX0;

I may have to put a de-bouncer in there. I will have to find one of four hundred or so 555 timers in some box somewhere. Now that I thought about it I remembered coming across another post related in the past of of a software debouncer. Yes, I found it:

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/6987425/push-to-vox-version-1-0-0-is-now-available

I googled found latest version 1.0.2 on github https://github.com/K1DBO/push-to-vox/releases/tag/1.0.0

Ran the program set the comport for the PTT, used the default latch times. This has fixed the problem on both the Heil hand switch and foot pedals. I can't see anything now in the log for that comport PTT any longer.

Mike-VA3MW

I wasn't even aware that that was written by Don. Very nice.

There is also an FTStack version.

No, you won't see TX commands any more since the app it communicating to the radio via the TCP/IP port.

73

WX7Y

I could never get any of the FTDI several REAL FTDI chipset's I tried worked with out PTT dropouts, even the ones FLEX sells so I tried the Cable Maters Prolific chipset cable with the latest PL2303 chipset and it NEVER skipped a beat.

I used this cable on several laptops and my work Desktop in remote operation and it just works.

I bought several of these cables and they all worked the same so it is repeatabley.

Your mileage may vary of course