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Antenna switch not receiving BCD Data

hochocke
hochocke Member ✭✭
in Peripherals & Station Integration

I recently purchased a Flex 8600. As part of setting it up, I bought a C232HM-EDHSL-0 USB cable to send BCD data from the USB port on the back of the 8600 to my homebrew antenna switch. It worked perfectly. I could not believe how easy it was to set up. My antenna switch is an Array Solutions Rat Pak with United Microsystems BCD-14 and HSD-9 boards added for automation.

After a couple of weeks of experimenting with the radio, I had explored many settings to learn the ins and outs. I also discovered that I had overwritten some of the microphone profiles. I decided to perform a factory reset now that I know what I'm doing.

Everything is working fine, except that the antenna switch is no longer receiving BCD data. I checked the USB cable setting, and it is as shown.

image.png

My thought is that I am missing some detail to have the radio send the BCD data through the USB cable to the antenna switch.

As an aside, I used this same setup with a Yaesu FTdx101D for several years with no issues.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Howard N8HO

Answers

  • hochocke
    hochocke Member ✭✭

    I thought of something else that may be affecting my BCD issue. I also performed a factory reset on my TGXL to clear the memories so I could start over again.

    Howard N8HO

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Hi Howard, can you select the cable, click the edit button and send a screenshot of that pop up window? You may have an issue there.

  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    edit the cable and change from BIT to BCD. Happens to me when I factory reset.

    73

    Dave wo2x

  • hochocke
    hochocke Member ✭✭

    Thanks, Dave. I neglected to change the default cable type from BIT to BCD. If anyone else has this issue, here is a screenshot of the proper setup.

    image.png
  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Nice catch Dave!

  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    it bit me last weekend when I downgraded my radio to 3.9.18 for use at the show in Germany. I was in a rush and reset the radio, not thinking the bandpass filters needed BCD. Wondering why the bands were “dead”. Changed it the next day from BIT to BCD. I put a reminder next to the radio power button for next time I factory reset the radio.

    :-/

    73 Dave wo2x

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