Denkovi USB8 Relay Board

EBSDallas

Hello Everyone:

I'm trying to set up a Denkovi USB8 relay board rev. 02/11/2016 to control a DX Engineering antenna switch but I can't seem to get the computer to recognize the board.  The computer is a Windows 10 Pro, v1903, Build 18362.356 box.  The cable/port shows in the Device Manager but the Denkovi Relay Manager software can't find it.  Neither can DDUtil.  The board is connected directly to the computer, not through a usb hub.

I've tried three different usb cables on different usb ports without any luck.  I've tried re-installing the device drivers a number of times without success.  I've tried the board with the same usb cables on two different Windows 7x64 computers here at the house and it works flawlessly with both of them; just not on the Win10 box in the shack.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting this to work on the WIn10 box?  If it comes down to it I can revert back Windows 7.  While I'm no fan of Windows 10, I'd rather not go back to Win7 as it's running up on EOL.

Regards.

Everett, KE5MMT

Neal_K3NC

Everett

Are the LEDs lit on the board?
Did you download the driver for the card per the instructions in the manual?
73

Tom W3FRG

Everett,

I have been using the PSTRotator pgm to control my remote relays using windows.
The Denkovi usb8 is on the list.

Try:     https://www.qsl.net/yo3dmu/index_Page346.htm

GL  Tom W3FRG

EBSDallas

Hello Neal:

Yes, the 12v "Relay Power" and the "USB On" LEDs are both lit. Yes on the driver.

Mack

Everett,

Another, better option I believe, is to connect the Denkovi board directly to the USB port on the back of the radio. That will eliminate the need for a computer or 3rd party software.

Configure the board as a bit cable in SmartSDR USB Cable settings. I run two 2 X 8 antenna switches using this technique. I also use it to switch my VHF/UHF/SHF transverters across five bands 144 MHz - 23 cm.

This the detail in the SmartSDR User Guide.

73,

Mack
W4AX
Alpha Team PS, you can look on my QRZ page to see a functional diagram.

Neal_K3NC

Mack, thank you for reminding me of this, its solves a need that I have for my station rebuild!

Mack

Neal, Pleased to help. Please let me know if I can answer any questions about my station configuration. My station, very complex configuration, is completely controlled by the 6600 or 6700 without need for a separate computer. It makes remote operation a snap! 73, Mack W4AX

EBSDallas

Thanks Mack, I'll look into the direct connection.

Regards.

Everett

Bob G W1GLV

I'm sorry I can't find the Denkovi reference, what page of the manual is it on?

Mack

Not sure if it's in the manual. Simply plug the Denkovia board USB into the back of the radio. Go to SSDR USB config and select bit cable. You can now define each relay using the configuration drops downs in USB config. That's it.

Mack

KI4P

yes! the Denkovi board works great into the flex, have mine setup to switch antennas automatically when i change bands, seen you are using a usb hub into the flex, havent needed to try that yet, how does the flex handle the hub as far as seeing more than 1 usb on hub? just curious, for future reference!
Thanks

Mack

USB hubs work great. I have about 14 USB connections via two hubs. Mack

EBSDallas

Well, I was able to get the board working on the Win10 box.  I ultimately uninstalled all of the DRM and Relay Manager software and drivers, downloaded a new copies of them and re-installed them.  Almost everything seems to work now.  the only exception is the latest version of DDUtil, it still can't find the board.

As Mack suggested, I did connect the board directly to the Flex and set it up as a bit cable.  Set up is a piece of cake and it works beautifully.  The only problem that I see is there appears to be no way to easily control a single feed line, multi-band antenna such as a 10-15-20 tri-bander.  It looks like the only option would be to wire the output of three different USB relays to the same control pin on the antenna switch.  The DDutil set-up form looks to offer  more (cough, hack) flex-ibility (pun intended) for controlling the relay board.  Is that correct; or, am I missing something on the set-up form?

Regards.

Everett

KI4P

On my switch, I use frequency setting instead of band, to switch to tri bander, I have it set from 14 to 29999, anytime in that portion of band it's on tri bander,

EBSDallas

That would work and is easy enough to set up.

Thank you.

Everett