[WT-support] WT-support] CORRECTING: Win-test newbie questions Part I

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 1:06 PM, Bob Shohet, KQ2M <kq2m at kq2m.com> wrote:

>   In sum, you control the DX Doubler via the LPT (on one computer).  See
>
> http://lists.f5mzn.org/pipermail/support/2011-February/080824.html
>
> Now I’m confused.  Since I am using two computers for my SO2R setup
> and I want the lockout control and mic/keyer switching that the DX doubler
> provides,
> my understanding, perhaps incorrect, is that I need to connect the DX
> doubler to
> LPT port on BOTH radios.
>

No, the DX Doubler has a single parallel port input; that is the one and
only connection to a computer.  See diagram on Page 4 of the DX Doubler
Manual <http://www.qth.com/topten/dxdman.pdf> (underlined text is a
hyperlink, click to open manual).  Win-Test SO2R support, like the DX
Doubler, is designed for a single computer, not two networked computers.
 There is no software lockout in Win-Test between two networked computers.
 The DX Doubler doesn't provide a lockout system when you are using two
computers.  If you are using two computers, there is nothing in this system
to prevent you from hitting F1 on both computers at the same time.  As far
as I know, only N1MM software provides a software lockout system using two
networked computers for SO2R.

But if you use a single computer with two serial ports, and a parallel port
(printer port) connected to a DX Doubler for all TX / RX switching, then
Win-Test will ensure that you only transmit on one at a time, because it
can only key one radio at a time.

Some people do use two networked computers with Win-Test, but they have to
build some type of hardware lockout circuit that provides "First One Wins"
or "Last one Wins" logic.  I don't have any references for that, but maybe
someone else does.


>   I have been warned by people to make sure that the FT1000MP band data
> goes directly to the
> Band Decoders and and have that feed through to all the devices including
> the computer, rather than have
> the band data go from the radio to the computer to control the switching.
>

Yes, just take the Yaesu cable supplied with the Top Ten band decoder and
connect it to the Band Data jack on the back of the FT-1000MP.  The other
end connects to the Top Ten band decoder input labeled J1.  When you change
bands on the radio, the band decoder will track it (rotary switch must be
in the AUTO position).  No computer or software required.  No connection to
DX Doubler required.  The DX Doubler supports band data on LPT only for
those who have very old radios without any serial ports.

  You are suggesting that I use connect the computer directly to the radio
> (like with CT) rather
> than directly to the Band Decoders?
>

Yes you connect the RS-232 (or "serial") cable between the computer and the
radio.  This has a DE-9 (9-pin female) on each end.  But you also connect
the Top Ten cable between the radio and the Top Ten Band Decoder.  This has
a DIN plug on the radio side and a 25-pin connector for J1 input on the Top
Ten band decoder.  This way you can change bands on the radio even when the
computer is off, and everything will switch automatically.


>  As I said in an earlier email, I want to be able to electronically
> switch everything; I just thought
> that it would make sense to start with Win-test and the DX doubler to make
> sure that the most basic
> setup works.
>

The most basic setup uses a single computer with two serial ports and one
parallel port, and a DX Doubler, not two computers with two keyboards.

 Win-Test supports computer keying via the LPT port, same as CT.  But
> paddle input on the LPT port is not supported.
>
> I assume that if I want paddle support (that is not controlled by the DX
> doubler/Wintest), then I can still use a Y-adpater at the key jack with one
> of the inputs being the paddle and the other being the DX doubler.
> Correct?
>

No.  First, the paddle input on the back of the DX Doubler just provides a
convenient connection to the LPT pins used by CT for paddle input.  Since
Win-Test has no support for this, the paddle input to the DX Doubler cannot
be used with Win-Test.

The simplest solution is to use a single external keyer like a LogiKey.
 Plug your paddles into the keyer.  Plug the output of the keyer into the
"Key In" jack on the back of the DX Doubler.  Now manual keyer keying
(paddles) and Win-Test CW keying (which comes in via the LPT line) will be
wired in parallel to the selected radio's CW input.  However, if you try to
send CW on the paddle keyer at the same time that Win-Test is sending, you
will probably get mixed CW output (gibberish).  The only way to have
Win-Test keying interrupted by paddles is to use a WinKey (which requires
yet another serial port or USB port) instead of keying via LPT pins.

By the way, you don't need the W1WEF keying circuit any more, as the
equivalent keying circuit is built-in to the DX Doubler.


>  Most radios, including the FT-1000MP do not have an IP addresses.   They
> are assigned to a serial port like COM1, COM2, etc.
>
>
>>    Since I have all devices connected to a 24 port switch connected to a
>> LinkSys router, do I still need to manually set this?
>>
>
> There should be no Ethernet cables connected between your FT-1000MP and
> your LinkSys router or Ethernet switch, just a simple straight serial cable
> with DB-9 female connectors on both ends connected between your Windows XP
> machine and your FT-1000MP.  If you already have it working with CT, you
> don't need to change any wiring to make it work with Win-Test.
>
>  That’s entirely different from what I understood.  But then I still need
> a USB connection between the each computer and
>  the 24 port switch, correct?
>

No, you need an Ethernet connection, not USB.  If both Windows computers
can already view web pages on the Internet, then all the network wiring you
need is already in place.

Please refer to this image to see the difference between USB-A ports an
Ethernet RJ-45 ports (top row).  I assume your "24 port switch" has only
RJ-45 ports.  Otherwise, I don't understand what it is.

http://miotd.com/images/20130722.jpg

73,
Bob, N6TV
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