configure cat in 1.11.12

James Del Principe

I just upgraded my 6500 to V 1.11.12 from V 1.10.16 and now I cannot configure com ports in CAT as required. I had COM 4 for FLDIGI. As loaded it only had TCO: Port 5002 Slice 'A'. which is fine....radio works OK but when I tried to add Com 4, it only allows port 131 and above. I cannot define the port numbers. It will not allow me to edit or use any low numbers. I tried the 'advanced' settings but that also starts at port 131 and goes up from there. Am I doing something wrong ( probably) or is this unique to V 1.11.12?
DAX works just fine and I can decode in FLDIGI but no CAT control for frequency etc. Please advise.    73, Jim

K5CG

If the problem is that all your lower com ports are "assigned" check this page http://www.uwe-sieber.de/misc_tools_e.html for "COM Name Arbiter Setter".  Run it with admin privs and clear all non-present.

"All your com ports are belong to us"

James Del Principe

Thank you, Danny. I am most familiar with checking com ports at Windows 7 but not so much in Windows 10. I searched for the device manager but never found where the ports were shown. I just don't tip toe into Windows 10 often enough to be familiar (or remember HI HI).   I'll try your advice today.  73, Jim

K5CG

Hi Jim,

The "non-present" devices won't show up in the Device Manager, but you can see them listed in that arbiter setter application. I'm hoping that is all that is wrong with your situation. It's an easy fix.

James Del Principe

Danny, before I retire to the shack, can you answer a simple but baffling question?   I cannot seem to find the com ports under device manager in Windows 10. What am I doing wrong???    It was so easy in Windows 7. Makes me feel like a total idiot.   Jim

James Del Principe

OK, finally figured it out. This is enough to make a grown man cry. Found device manager and removed the unneeded or hidden ports:
1. Start menu
2. Windows administrative tools
3. computer management
4. system tools
5. device manager
6. Ports (com & lpt)
7. show hidden ports

then deleted the grayed out ports 4, 5 & 6, added ports 4, 5 & 6, rebooted, launched Logger 32 and FLDIGI and like magic, it worked again.   All apps talk to the radio. 
Thank you for your kind assistance, Danny.

A thought: Does Windows really need to be this complex???      Best 73, Jim

KS0CW

here is a shorter way...
1. right click window logo bottom left
2. left click device manager
3. view - show hidden ports
4. Expand Ports 

James Del Principe

Thanks for the shorter way, Kevin.    I'm going to write this on a sticky note and paste it on my shack bench. 73, Jim

K5CG

Also...
Win+X
M
Alt+v
w

James Del Principe

Many ways to skin that cat. Thanks, Danny.