[WT-support] wtRotators - wrong Baud rate for Spid RAK

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 8:42 AM, Ivo 9A3TY <9a3ty at zadar.net> wrote:

> On 13.11.2013 20:23, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote:
>
>  See page 14 of the AlphaSpid RAK Manual<http://alfaradio.ca/docs/manuals/tobe_RAK/AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_04April2013_Master.pdf>.
>  You can switch the AlphaSpid into Hygain mode using the Program Simulation
> Menu (PS H).  Then in wtRotators, change the rotator type to Hygain DCU-1.
>
> thank you for trying to help me, but setting DCU-1 mode made no change -
> still not working.
>

Did you power everything (rotator controller and computer) off and on after
changing these settings to reset everything to initial conditions?  Did you
change the rotator type to Hygain DCU-1 in wtRotators?  Did you configure
wtRotators with an antenna on every band as shown in the Wiki
Pages<http://docs.win-test.com/wiki/Rotators#Configuring_wtRotators_.28single_PC.2C_no_network.29>?
 If not, wtRotators won't operate the controller at all, so it may never
reset the baud rate.

Namely, even with DCU-1 mode selected, wtRotators initializes serial port
> at 4800 and SpidRAK controller (Rot1Prog_USB in my case) communicates only
> at 1200.


I cannot find anything in the new manual (linked above) that says that
Rot1Prog_USB *only* operates at 1200 baud.  The old
manual<http://alfaradio.ca/docs/manuals/tobe_RAK/AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_Sept15_2008.pdf>says
"Note: some programs may not support the 1200 Baud requirements of the
controller in emulation mode", but that sentence was removed from the new
manual<http://alfaradio.ca/docs/manuals/tobe_RAK/AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_04April2013_Master.pdf>.
 On Page 24, at the very end:  "Experimentation done at Alfa Radio Ltd. has
determined that no other set-up is required. Ensure that the AlfaSpid
Controller is in the “A” mode, run the PC program and enjoy."

There is also very good information on Page 24 about how to get the latest
FTDI drivers to make sure everything is working properly.  You can also try
manually changing the baud rate in the Windows Device Manager:

   1. Start, Run, *devmgmt.msc*
   2. Expand *Ports*
   3. Right click on COM port for rotator
   4. *Properties*
   5. *Port Settings* tab
   6. Change baud rate
   7. Click *OK*

I wonder why both programmers made such limited possibility of setting
> communication parameters....
>

If rotators operate at one and only one baud rate, there is no need to
provide a way for the user to change it.

As for second option I must say that I don't need so many features like
> PstRotators has, so I will try to find another solution, even if it means
> writing one on my own. At least, I will learn something new :-)


Maybe you have heard the expression, "There is no need to reinvent the
wheel<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinventing_the_wheel>."
 I can't believe that everyone else is having the same problems getting an
AlphaSpid to work with Win-Test.  I don't recall seeing any complaints
about that posted here.  It seems like there is a configuration issue, or a
device driver issue, or maybe hardware issue.  You should contact AlphaSpid
because their documentation implies that it should work OK with most
software.  I assume they tried it with Win-Test / wtRotators.

If you still can't figure it out, please send me all relevant screen shots,
including Windows Device Manager, wtRotators Setup screens, Win-Teset
Setup, etc.

73,
Bob, N6TV
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