Ron,

 

I found several problems in the code for the TS-590S (a result of not checking the patched in code from another project!) There were also several errors in the Help for the setup.  I have it running fine now here on my TS-590S.  There is no need for a serial cable for PTT control ...the new code will correctly control the PTT though the normal USB port and set the internal mux of the TS-590S to select the USB sound card output as well as put the radio into the correct mode of USB Data.  I will get an update out for this tomorrow along with the updated help.

 

Rick

 

From: Ron Wenig

Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 11:42 PM

To: V4Protocol@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [V4Protocol] TS-590 USB Data Mode

 

 

Thanks Rick,

The new version works great with the TS-590.  I am now using a serial cable for rig control and PTT control and the USB port only for sound.  I am getting TR Latency about 40 to 70 ms and the CW ID keying mode sounds much better than the modulated mode.

Ron ny3j

On 6/17/2012 1:45 PM, Rick Muething wrote:

 

Ron,

I probably missed something. I used code from another application for the TS-590S.  It should be USB digital and it also has to switch the internal mux from Aux to USB sound card input to the radio.  I’ll check it out ...may be a day or two. I have a TS-590 here just not currently setup.

 

Rick KN6KB

 

 

From: Ron Wenig

Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 7:59 AM

To: V4Protocol@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [V4Protocol] TS-590 USB Data Mode

 

 

Fine Ron,

 

Glad it is working OK.  I am using it here.

 

The same simple setup works well with RMS Express using the WINMOR sound card protocol (see ftp://autoupdate.winlink.org/User%20Programs/ ) . RMS Express lets you send messages with attachments to other hams or to internet recipients through the WL2K system.

 

I really like the simplicity of setup using radios like the the TS-590S and IC–7200  with sound card modes. 

 

73,

 

Rick KN6KB

 

 

: get more interest in RMS Express on HF but I can't get people to put
: forth the effort to learn how to setup and use the program.


Info?  Link?

Kurt

Until 10Z

Auto update ok. Tnx, 73, Peter Z.

--- In V4Protocol@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Muething" <rmuething@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks to all those that reported the problems with the 1.0.2.0 update (Radio
driver for the TS-590S and help).  I have fixed these and verified operation
here on a test TS-590S.  The Help is also updated to support the IC-7200,
IC-7600 and TS-590S.  The latest V4 TNC version is still 1.0.2.0.
>
>
> The full install has been uploaded to the Yahoo V4Protocol server files
session and the Winlink user programs download FTP
ftp://autoupdate.winlink.org/User%20Programs/  (refresh your browser window if
you don’t see the V4 Chat 1.0.3.0 full install)
>
> 73,
>
> Rick Muething, KN6KB
>

 

: get more interest in RMS Express on HF but I can't get people to put
: forth the effort to learn how to setup and use the program.

Info? Link?

Kurt

Hi Rick

I have just been trying 1.0.3 with the TS-590S. You're nearly there, but
you still don't get the T-shirt.

Recall that earlier this year I reported that V4 does not always read
the TS-590S display frequency. Yes, it does read the radio's frequency
*if you are not using a memory channel*, but if you set the frequency
from a memory channel, V4 does not recognize this.

Well, the bug is still there in 1.0.3. As I mentioned before, this is
because you are incorrectly reading the *VFO-A* frequency, with the
"FA;" CAT command. When you select a TS-590S memory channel, the radio's
*display* frequency will change, but the *VFO-A* frequency does not.

Instead, you should be using the "IF;" command to read the radio's
display frequency, not the "FA;" command. Then V4 will always be in step
with the radio.

See how Simon's HRD does it -- it uses "IF;" not "FA;" to get the
display frequency, and it works fine with memory and non-memory channels
alike.

As I said before, V4 needs to display and log the frequency that is
*actually* in use by the radio, regardless of whether it is a memory
channel or not.

--
73
Ian, G3NRW

___Original Message_________________________________________
From: Rick Muething <rmuething@...>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012   Time: 11:33:04

> 
>When you click an item in the mini contact log it will set the radio to that
>frequency (assuming a valid frequency is in the log) using the FA
>command...

Correct.

>You wouldn’t want to set a memory location with that.

Correct. But I am talking about *reading* the radio's frequency, not
*setting* it. I am not suggesting you try to change a memory location.

  >
>
>When you rotate the tuning knob manually you want the waterfall display 
>to “track” showing the center RF frequency and that requires reading the
>FA since you are reading the currently tuned frequency not the saved
>memory.  The displayed frequency won’t change with a tuning knob
>rotation on a memory recall (unless it is transferred to VFO using the M>V
>button)

Not correct. There is an option in the TS-590S (menu 18) that lets you
override the memory. If menu 18 is set to ON, you can change the
frequency with FA.

  >
> 
>When you click on  a nearby signal showing on the waterfall or spectrum
>display you want to change the VFO frequency to center that signal (to
>the red line) and that requires using the FA command.

No problem, provided menu 18 is ON.

  >
> 
>So I am not sure that reading the memory frequency (displayed frequency
>using the IF command) makes sense as the above 3 operations are based
>on the A VFO.  


>You can on the TS-590S of course simply do a Memory
>recall followed by a M>V push which transfers the memory contents to
>VFO which then permits the display, following the tuning knob and click to
>tune capability above. These are important features users have asked for.
> 

All the user has to do is set menu 18 to ON, and your code will work for
*setting* the VFO. No need for M>V.

But I am talking about *reading* the radio's frequency, not *setting*
it.

  >
>
[Snip]
  >
  >

>I want to keep the setup options minimized and having multiple ways of
>reading the frequency (Memory, VFO A, VFO B etc) are all possible but
>add confusion and complexity.  

With respect, it is *extremely* confusing when you see a frequency on
the radio display that is totally unrelated to the center frequency on
the V4 display. Above all, the radio display is what counts, and you
need to bend V4 to fit.

--
73
Ian, G3NRW

___Original Message_________________________________________
From: Rick Muething <rmuething@...>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012   Time: 15:30:05

> 
>Setting menu 18 to “tunable” makes a big difference. Then it can work as I
>described.  Rather than actually changing those menu settings in the
>program I’ll write it up in the Help setup for the TS-590S.  I don’t like
to add
>more complexity there by changing more menu functions than are needed.
>The only downside is it takes special code since the readback and parsing
>are non standard (compared to other Kenwood models).  I’ll have to dig in
>and see if Icom has something equivalent on the 7200 and 7600.
> 
>I’ll put the change it on my list....I wish however there was more time to
>work on some of the more critical things like improving the BER in weak
>conditions. Those kinds of enhancements benefit all users.
> 

Rick

Agreed on all points. And, yes, spending more time on improving weak
signal handling is much more important (and interesting!) than tweaking
CAT commands.

Good luck.

--
73
Ian, G3NRW

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the V4Protocol
group.

   File        : /V4Chat 1.0.3.1 Patch.zip
   Uploaded by : kn6kb <rmuething@...>
   Description : Pre release patch update of V4Chat 1.0.3.1 with Help

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/V4Protocol/files/V4Chat%201.0.3.1%20Patch.zip

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html
Regards,

kn6kb <rmuething@...>

All,

To use this patch downlaod the zip file V4Chat 1.0.3.1 Patch.zip and unzip.
Replace the exisiting V4Chat.exe and the V4Chat.chm file in your V4Chat
directory. No install is needed. No changes will be needed for your setup.

I have made several changes that affect the operation of those radios with built
in TNCs (TS-590S, IC-7200, IC-7600).   The following changes should work in this
test release:

1) Now reads the display (vs VFO on TS-590S allowing operation of memory recall
values including tuning. See the new Help on the TS-590S page. Memory recall
will also work on IC-7200 & IC-7600.

2) Now reads the internal audio mux value upon program start, saves it locally
and restores it upon exit from V4Chat (this applies to all three radios). The
initial mux state and restore state are logged to the display and main log. When
operating V4Chat will automatically select data mode, USB and use the internal
USB sound card.  Operation has been verified on the TS-590S and IC-7200 and
should be OK on the IC-7600 (but I don't have access to a IC-7600.

Feedback appreciated before release of this.  Especially confirmation with the
IC-7600. Once confirmed I will post a new full V4Chat install and an autoupdate
to 1.0.4.0

Other radio types should not be affected.

73 and Thanks,

Rick KN6KB

Rick;

Good to see that you have found some time to devote to V4 again. Your work is
enjoyed and appreciated by all of us V4 testers.

One thing I do want to question though is the appearance of the following which
I quote from the help files:

"Received text (FEC or unconnected ARQ) with uncorrectable errors is Red strike
through (log tag: {Rcv Text Err} )"

As I sit here watching this accumulate in my Text Box I'm wondering why should
this be cluttering up my text box anyway?

I would prefer to only see correctly decoded text printed. Or at least have an
option to turn off uncorrectable text being printed to the Text Box if I prefer
not to see it.

Could that be made possible?

73/Russ
K1DOW

----- Original Message -----

From: Rick Muething

To: V4Protocol@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:21 PM

Subject: Re: [V4Protocol] V4 Text Box

 

Russ,

 

Remember there are two modes that V4 Works in ...selectable by the user.

 

1) FEC mode.  This tries to correct errors with V4’s FEC but there is no “back channel” so the receiving station cannot request a repeat.  This mode is used primarily for broadcast (one sender to many recipients) and in that case most users would want to see the data even if a frame were corrupted. Much of the time you can still “read through” an uncorrectable error just as you can in RTTY or CW or phone.  When V4 gets an error that the FEC can’t correct in FEC mode it shows that text in red strikethrough. It doesn’t know what characters in the frame are actually bad so it has no choice but to mark the entire frame bad.

 

2) ARQ mode.  This is a “connected” protocol between two stations (and ONLY two stations) and the ARQ mechanism along with FEC insures the data is eventually perfect or else the link will time out eventually (about 2 minutes with no data flowing).  In this mode V4Chat suppresses all errors showing only fully corrected text (you should never see strike through text when connected in ARQ mode).  When you are in ARQ mode but not connected it works exactly like FEC mode so you can see text (even if it corrupted) or you can also monitor another FEC transmission.

 

Although it is possible to but some display option to block all uncorrectable text I think it would generally not be good operating practice.  E.g. a weak station is calling CQ but rarely decoding without errors. Most would choose to at least see everything received since you often get at least partial data that caries some information.   I would like to get feedback on this from more users before putting in such an option because I am afraid it will cause more confusion (e.g. “I hear a station but I don’t see any printing” etc.)

 

73,

 

Rick KN6KB

 

 

From: k1dow_4

Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 3:54 PM

To: V4Protocol@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [V4Protocol] V4 Text Box

 

 

Rick;

Good to see that you have found some time to devote to V4 again. Your work is enjoyed and appreciated by all of us V4 testers.

One thing I do want to question though is the appearance of the following which I quote from the help files:

"Received text (FEC or unconnected ARQ) with uncorrectable errors is Red strike through (log tag: {Rcv Text Err} )"

As I sit here watching this accumulate in my Text Box I'm wondering why should this be cluttering up my text box anyway?

I would prefer to only see correctly decoded text printed. Or at least have an option to turn off uncorrectable text being printed to the Text Box if I prefer not to see it.

Could that be made possible?

73/Russ
K1DOW

 

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the V4Protocol
group.

File : /V4Chat 1.0.3.1 Patch.zip
Uploaded by : kn6kb <rmuething@...>
Description : Pre release patch update of V4Chat 1.0.3.1 with Help

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/V4Protocol/files/V4Chat%201.0.3.1%20Patch.zip

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html
Regards,

kn6kb <rmuething@...>

 

Thanks Ron,

 

You identified a bug I introduced that cleared the antenna tuner check box. I’ll have it fixed in the next release.

Rick KN6KB

 

 

From: Ron Wenig

Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 9:48 PM

To: V4Protocol@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [V4Protocol] New file uploaded to V4Protocol

All,

I will post today a full install for V4Chat to 1.0.4.0  This will correct some
problmes with radio control on some radios (Kenwood using tuners).  It required
making a change in the way the ini file radio data is saved and that will
require re setting the parameters in your Radio control setup file of V4Chat.

My suggestion is to make a backup copy of your V4Chat.ini file and if you can't
remember how to set up the Radio check this. It will be in the section labled
[V4 Chat]  note the space between V4 and Chat)

You can use these settings to enter the new Radio menu values which will be
saved in a new "[Radio] section of the V4Chat.ini file. Use the menus to make
updates do NOT try to edit the ini file.

Sorry for this inconvenience but it is the best time to clean up this error.

I will also post an auto update and by chance if that occurs you can always go
into the V4Chat.ini file and look at the old (and now unused) "[V4 Chat]"
section to see the values you had in the previous setup.

73,

Rick KN6KB

Example of "V4 Chat" section of V4Chat.ini file that holds the radio control
info...this will no longer be by V4Chat bebeginning 1.0.4.0


[V4 Chat]
Antenna Baud=9600
PTT Baud=19200
Control Baud=115200
Antenna Control=
Antenna RTS=False
Antenna DTR=True
Antenna Port=None
Antenna Selection=Default
Control DTR=False
Control RTS=True
Control Port=COM7
FM=False
USB=False
USBDigital=True
Icom Address=76
Model=Kenwood TS-590S
PTT Port=K590S
PTT DTR=True
PTT RTS=True
Tuner=True

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the V4Protocol
group.

   File        : /V4Chat 1.0.4.0 Full Install.zip
   Uploaded by : kn6kb <rmuething@...>
   Description : V4Chat 1.0.4.0 Full Install with Help, V4 TNC and revision
history

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/V4Protocol/files/V4Chat%201.0.4.0%20Full%20Install\
.zip

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html
Regards,

kn6kb <rmuething@...>