Random Comm Port Failure during Antenna Rotator Control Operation

Jim

Paul - K6HR

Just a guess. Have you tried substituting a different USB Serial cable? I had similar problems in the past before changing over to 'genuine' FTDI based cables. (with ferrites added) I haven't had a COM port drop since.

Steve Sterling

Erika - KØDD

When a windows 10 computer starts doing strange things on its own and doesn't have a virus... I seriously suspect the o/s itself. When I hear you saying characters that do not belong to any command set, and they aren't coming from RFI I suspect spy software probing ports. You might think this is a goofy direction to trouble shoot / Repair. But think about this.... You're now running a control computer... not a home PC or gaming toy computer... I started my computer career In commercial automation controls.... None of those machines are snooping on what you are doing and sending that info to a mothership. Intelligently written control software uses tools to deactivate things and lock them in their last state or a safe state when they detect unexpected control signals or activity. I have no idea what level ham programmers go to . Probably nothing but then the software may get confused when something non related to the control function grabs the port to see what it's up to..... interesting. That's the main difference between win 7 and 10... so the first thing you need to do is convert win 10 to a controller is cleaning up its counter productive processes... You guys are not the only peeps using win 10 in control applications. Theres other industries who are Way Ahead Of U. Do searches on using win 10 as an industrial or commercial or security control o/s and apply their suggestions too tighten machine security. Much of this should be done right from the start before ever installing the first piece if ham software. Good luck, Erika DD