Christer" wrote: Thanks for the replays so far. I have tested my interface with "jimīs interface test software" and its replaying as it should. Then the Interface must be working "ok" ??? I read that it could be something with the version of the radio. My radio is manifactured april 2004, so that makes it a newer version `i guess. It would be interesting to find out if the original software "ADMS-1G" could work. But i canīt get it if i donīt buy it, and it comes with a cable and costs 70 euros here in sweden. The money is no problem, but as i wrote before, it would be a waste if the original software didnīt work either. I have worked many hours on this problem now, and i hope there is a way to get it to work. Many thanks to you all........73...de SM7SUB. Hi there! I built the interface to the Vx-7r. Its the most common interface published on the net, contaning 6 transistors. IT DOESNīT WORK!!!!!!!!! I have checked it several times now, and it is exacly built after the schematic on the net. I even tryed to connect 5V direct to the interface, rather than taking it from the computers rs232 port, It didnīt help either. My comport is working ok with an homebrew cat- interface to my Icom-706. Im using the vx7 commander software, and have also tryed several settings in the softwares port setup. I donīt get any respond from the software or radio. The radio says "Clone error" and the software says................. "Opening Port... "Waiting for first data block... "ERROR: Timeout while waiting for first data block. "Number of bytes in buffer: 0 "Dump of buffer: Port closed. Is there anyone out there that had the same trouble with the interface? Iīm thinking about buying the original interface, but it feels like a waste of money if that also fails to work. Im open for any suggestions to my problem........ Best 73....de SM7SUB / Christer. =================================================================== Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 22:34:57 -0000 From: "Jim" Subject: Re: Interface problems!!! It sounds like your interface is working. That means, that the problem is likely the connection between your interface cable and the radio. How are you connecting it to your radio? The setup should be similar to this: http://www.qsl.net/kc8unj/7r_connect.jpg If you are using the CT-91 cable, be sure that you are using a stereo adapter and not mono, and also be sure that you are using the small jack in the CT-91 (2.5mm) since that is the one to use for programming. Also be sure the CT-91 is -screwed in- to the radio all the way. If you are not using the CT-91 cable, and are using an interface with a "ground down" 4-conductor plug, then I recommend getting the CT-91. Some people find it difficult to grind it down just right for a proper connection. Also, be sure you have the plug connected properly, since an interface could still pass my test if some pins are swapped: http://www.qsl.net/kc8unj/pinout.jpg http://www.qsl.net/kc8unj/pinout2.jpg Good Luck! Jim KC8UNJ ======================================================================== Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 23:30:23 -0000 From: "Christer" Subject: Re: Interface problems!!! Thanks for replying to my problems. This is a long story........ I have 3 interfaces. 1. is the interface im using with my IC-706. It works very fine with the 706, but not at all with vx7. 2. is a interface i builded once for reprograming Nokia cellphones, it works in "m-bus and f-bus" M-bus is transmitting and reciving on the same wires, but F-bus has two different wires, one for rx and one for tx. If i use this interface in M-bus i can read my vx7 six times out of ten, But when i try to write to the vx7 it stopes after 15%. 3: is the interface i just builded. It doesenīt work at all with the vx7. All of the interfaces passes your test. I have the CT-91 cable and a stereo 2.5mm plug connected to it. It is wired after your pinout photos. The only thing that i have done is that i have switched out the diods and transistors to other values. The Zenerdiod is of course 5.1v. The transistors are BC547, and BC558 and diods are 1N4148. I have tryed 3 different computers now, and all with the same result. I am tired now i have been working on this problem hole day now. BTW interface 1 and 2 are built on HIN232, and i have a lot of them laying around. I dicided to build the 6 transistor interface, since this was the one working best for the vx7. I donīt have a clue what seems to be my problem here, exept that i own a VX7 (hi hi). I have built interfaces before to other radios, and they all worked fine. Ok Jim....thats my story........ after a good nights sleep i will continue this project. One of us is going to win....me or the interface. Best 73......and i do belive that your software is a very good one....better than ADMS-1G. I just wish it will work for me so i can see it with my own eyes. Take care.....de SM7SUB / Christer (sm7sub@ssa.se) ======================================================================= Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:16:19 -0500 From: Amir Findling Subject: Re: Re: Interface problems!!! Hi Christer: Jim answered about the interface and he sure knows more than I do. I've sometimes had problems writing to the radio. One thing I do is always read from the radio before sending a file to the radio. Some of the time it was bad contacts, plugs not connected tight etc. My problems were compounded because I had to use a serial-USB converter on my laptop. Reading from the radio is especially important when your radio is set to transmit on freeband etc. Some of the differences between the European model and the US model may be at fault here and reading again might just be the solution. Of course if your cable doesn't read... If you know someone with a working cable, you could try borrowing it and work by elimination. When I had problems, the ADMS-1G software didn't work either. Might be your case too. I know this is not much help but perhaps in the morning, you will find that there is a simple solution that was not evident without some rest. been there, done that... ======================================================================= Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:06:23 -0600 From: "William Johnson" Subject: RE: Re: Interface problems!!! One thing overlooked? reboot if you had another piece of hardware using the same comport. Be sure to disable the software/hardware first, and be sure it is disabled before you try read your VX7-r. Of course, easier said than done unless you are a computer geek. :-) Bill K9YEQ ======================================================================= Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 09:54:26 +0100 (CET) From: Trond Smevik Subject: Re: Re: Interface problems!!! I had similar problems with my interface. I had to replace one of the resistors with a larger value, because the radio could not pull down such a small resistor. I don't have the schematics here, as I am on a text only interface, but I believe it was 4.7kohm. Replace this with a larger resistor (e.g 15kohm). If you have an oscilloscope, you should be able to see if the radio pulls down the data pin. It was very easy to see when it didn't pull it down properly. Good luck! Trond ======================================================================= Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 12:40:46 +0100 From: Christian Treldal Subject: Re: Interface problems!!! lør, 15 01 2005 kl. 10:33 +0000, skrev Christer: > > Hi there! I built the interface to the Vx-7r. Its the most common > interface published on the net, contaning 6 transistors. > > IT DOESNīT WORK!!!!!!!!! > Hi Christer Yes it works. I build the interface with the same component changes as you have, and it works. > I have checked it several times now, and it is exacly built after the > schematic on the net. I even tryed to connect 5V direct to the > interface, rather than taking it from the computers rs232 port, It > didnīt help either. My comport is working ok with an homebrew cat- > interface to my Icom-706. > > Im using the vx7 commander software, and have also tryed several > settings in the softwares port setup. I donīt get any respond from the > software or radio. The radio says "Clone error" and the software > says................. > Be sure that nothing are accessing the port (packet radio ptt??). I had some probs. similar to yours but following got things right. Fresh reboot (remember it's windows based) Make a read from radio Enable mods write back to vx7 Now everything works, as long as nothing had access to the port in between. P.s. My radio has a newer fab. date. Vy 73's de oz1gnn ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= =======================================================================