frstack ver3 and SPE amp

Jamie WW3S

just discovered the latest version of FRStack, works great for allowing my Maestro to tune the radio and still display the SSDR software/scope/etc.....but having a hard time to configure FRStack to control my SPE amp.....looks like FRStack wants a comport for the amp control, and mine is connected via USB...is there a way to set FRstack with a USB to the amp? 

Mark_W3II

Just saw this question. You may have already figured this out. FRStack works with SPE 1.3, 1.5 and 2.0 models. The SPE Command USB port needs to be connected to the PC to allow FRStack to control the SPE functions. The SPE serial port should be connected to the Flex Radio USB port via a FTDI cable to send band info to AMP and allow AMP to set drive power level of radio.

Johan _ SE3X

Larry _ NY8T

Johan _ SE3X

Tnx! Didn't know of it. I'll try it tomorrow when having the time. I'm not getting rid of my 1KF-a, more likelly to add a 1.3KF-a. So high priority to fine some working software to use with the 1K.

Larry _ NY8T

I have never been able to get the SPE software to work with my 1K-FA but this mini console works, you just can't access the setup or change drive power settings with it other than hign/low power.

Johan _ SE3X

HB9EDM - Marco

Johan _ SE3X

Johan _ SE3X

Done my worst .. tried so many different ways and places on the harddrive to register this DLL. Only error messages saying it's not compatibel with my version of Windows. Can't think of more to do?  Good thing though, it brought back a lot of old memories in using the command window and some old Dos commands

Larry _ NY8T

Johan _ SE3X

RR, Tnx Larry. I'll try that tomorrow, just shut down for the evening. Will let you know when it works

Clay N9IO

Curious what result you had Johan?

Johan _ SE3X

Been working to much .. Sri for not coming back. Not had the time, hopefully during this weekend

Clay N9IO

Boy I can identify with that Johan.
Have a new 2K-FA picked up 3 days ago and no time to put it in service yet still in the box, (also want to do major rearrange on the shack.)
Working getting in the way with many things these days, can't keep up the pace.
Come in exhausted most of the time, so close to retirement I can taste it.

Maybe once I retire I will finally acquire the title "King of DX!" since I will have all of this extra time on my hands.

Johan _ SE3X

Larry _ NY8T

Johan _ SE3X

Tnx Larry

but I tried that just by chanse because the DLL is a Win32 one. No difference .. But I will give it another try. Just in case I did something else wrong when trying to register it. Seems like my W10 Pro don't recognize my command for registering it.

Larry _ NY8T

I had to start power shell with admin privledges.

Johan _ SE3X

Tnx Larry, I'll try that. I'm an old Dos and Solaris/Unix person .. Did the registering through the CMD. Might not work. Will be out for a couple of hours, I'll try to use powershell tomorow. Gets a message that registry refuse to take the update of the .dll? This has started being a challenge and I don't like very much to lose and give up

Larry _ NY8T

Johan _ SE3X

Don't really know what I did .. But MiniConsole app finally installed and seems to start as it should. I discovered that my USB/Serial converter was not with the FTDI chip. Ordered and waiting for it. I will wait trying Mini until I have the new cable installed.

But it looks promising. Tnx again Larry for your support. I'll let you know as soon as I have it working.

Larry _ NY8T

Excellent, it should work good for you.

Johan _ SE3X

Clay N9IO

Mark and all, Finally ready to set up FRStack, got past a few major hurdles recently now with ALL softwares working excellent, rebuilt ground busses now all RF issues taken care of working well. So now time to address the SPE 2K for use with FRStack. I currently have the 2K working with DDUtil. I made the cables myself from the DDUtil PDF. Both the PORT and CAT cables are wired to REAL com ports per the pdf as well. My problem is that FRStack doesn't recognize either com port. Mark I saw in your comment that one must connect to the Flex Radio and one to the PC. Would someone give me greater details of what I need to make this happen? On a positive note:. I LOVE what you have done to make the Stream Deck work with FRSTack. REALLY NICE! Well done... Clay N9IO

Mark_W3II

FRStack uses the USB Command port. You need to connect a USB cable from the AMP USB connection to the PC then configure FRStack to use the COM port created by Windows by plugging in the USB cable.

Clay N9IO

OK so won't work with the hard wired com port? Only with the USB cable's created com port. Thank you, that covers control of the amp vis the Stream Deck. Not FRStack related but I am going to use an FTDI USB to RS-232 com port cable from the Flex 6600 to the SPE CAT 15 pin for frequency data after I make a short 15 pin to 9 pin cable. Mark the Stream Deck addition to Stack is GENIUS! The more I use it the more I realize how crazy great it is! Now I just need to figure out how to play .wav files as a voice keyer. Anyone? Clay N9IO

Johan _ SE3X

Clay N9IO

Johan, Since I use N1MM+ thinking that will be the vehicle so I am more questioning how to get that to work with the Stream Deck. Now that's cool and very useful at the same time

Mark_W3II

FRStack 3.1.8.30 was released, this is the first release with SPE 1K support. Please report any issues to my email address found in FRStack's Help, Contact Support menu link. 73

Larry _ NY8T

I am now using the FRStack SPE control for my SPE 1K-FA and it works nicely, I like the fact that the SWR ATU button both activates tune on the radio and then tunes the SPE ATU all in one button push, after tuning the SWR ATU button has to be pushed one more time to turn off the radio tune. Also it can be set to put amp in standby mode automatically when the SWR ATU button is pushed and then it reverts back to Operate mode after tuning.

Nice job mark.