USB Cables with Old SteppIr controller

Is anyone using the old SteppIR controller with the USB cable interface available in 1.10? I have been running the controller successfully with DDUtil in passive mode via the data-in port, but I thought I would try running the controller directly from my 6700.

I switched the SteppIR S12 cable to the Flex USB to Serial cable. I followed the Flex USB Guide directly. The cable configured ok in SmartSDR, basically the only configuration I needed to add to the defaults was changing the cable name to "SteppIR".

When I first powered up controller the antenna tuned to my operating frequency, but would not respond to any subsequent frequency or band changes. I went back to the DDUtil configuration to verify I hadn't broken anything; it worked fine. I power cycled everything and when I returned to the USB cableconfiguration I had the same behavior - initial tuning, but no further response.

Any ideas or do I need to trade in my old tried and true SteppIR controller for an SDA100.

I have searched the archives, but not seen anything like this.

Thanks - Keith - AC9S

AC9S

46 Posts
4 Reply Likes

Posted 1 year ago

1 year ago

Larry: KE2YC

66 Posts
5 Reply Likes

You have to use a null modum cable from the old controler with the USB cable to flex

Larry ke2yc

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1 year ago

AC9S

46 Posts
4 Reply Likes

Thanks Larry, I think that is what the SteppIR S12 cable is - a cross over. Are you successfully using the old controller with the new USB interface?

Thanks - Keith - AC9S

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1 year ago

Martin Ewing AA6E

288 Posts
57 Reply Likes

I use a normal DB9 null modem cable (female to female, pins 2/3 reversing), with an extension to pull up the Request to Send signal at the SteppIR box. Without pulling up RTS, no data transfer happens. This may be due to my using a no-name USB-serial adapter. (Cheaper than $50!) It may not do RTS/CTS as well as the Flex cable.

The SteppIR controller is set up for "Kenwood" and 9600 bps.

cable (male) -- SteppIR (female)
pin 2 -- pin 2
pin 5 -- pin 5
n/c -- jumper SteppIR side pin 7 to pin 9

extender with jumper, photo: (Not my best style!)

Image https//d2r1vs3d9006apcloudfrontnet/s3_images/1609752/RackMultipart20170613-2132-1kqmna-db9_inlinejpg1497394833

Image https//d2r1vs3d9006apcloudfrontnet/s3_images/1609752/RackMultipart20170613-2132-1kqmna-db9_inlinejpg1497394833

and the setup that I see in SSDR:
Image https//d2r1vs3d9006apcloudfrontnet/s3_images/1609760/RackMultipart20170613-107383-1rmt5zg-steppir-flex_inlinepng1497397968

Image https//d2r1vs3d9006apcloudfrontnet/s3_images/1609760/RackMultipart20170613-107383-1rmt5zg-steppir-flex_inlinepng1497397968

SteppIR reference: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.steppir.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F10%2...

GL/73 de AA6E

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1 year ago

AC9S

46 Posts
4 Reply Likes

Thanks Martin,

Great info - I really appreciate your input and effort. I think our club has a breakout box which I am going to use to verify what works before I wire up a permanent solution. I'll bet RTS is the solution. I have exactly the same configuration, but saw nothing with logging enabled.

This community is a real asset to Flex owners.

Keith - AC9S

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1 year ago

KENT HUFFORD

65 Posts
9 Reply Likes

I have an old STEPIR controller for my Big IR III. I just plugged in the USB to SERIAL adapter into the flex 6500, made a null modem adapter, plugged it into the Stepir controller, and set the controller to KENWOOD, and it works great.

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1 year ago

Ria - N2RJ, Elmer

2254 Posts
879 Reply Likes

I had the old green display controller which I traded up for a SDA100. It will work in kenwood mode with the kenwood cable. Just make sure it's set properly and the baud rates match. I found that to get it to track I had to power cycle the controller.

I have a SDA100 now with the ALP module which is 100% better since it has socketed driver chips and diagnostics on the control cable so if there is a short or open it will tell you.

The old controller didn't really have an in and out serial port. They were simply wired together and either one will work.

Ria

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