Welcome to the FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR or 4O3A Genius Product Software?

SmartSDR v3.9.19 and the SmartSDR v3.9.19 Release Notes
SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes

The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
If you are having a problem, please refer to the product documentation or check the Help Center for known solutions.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.

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

Leave a Comment

Rich Text Editor. To edit a paragraph's style, hit tab to get to the paragraph menu. From there you will be able to pick one style. Nothing defaults to paragraph. An inline formatting menu will show up when you select text. Hit tab to get into that menu. Some elements, such as rich link embeds, images, loading indicators, and error messages may get inserted into the editor. You may navigate to these using the arrow keys inside of the editor and delete them with the delete or backspace key.

Comment As ...

Categories