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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Alan
I have not tested without a Si570 so cannot be sure how the other tabsJeff, I've just found an old Softrock with a I2C plug to the Si570. When that is removed I still see what appears to be connection confirmation on the "General" tab. But this changes if I attempt to reset the Si570 on the "Si570" tab. Confusing, as I say just look at the "Test" tab, that's all you need. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Alan
im still confused as to why the CFGSR seems to recognize it except onthe test tab. Hopefully a fresh look at it tomorrow will have some results. Jeff, As I hope my page says CFGSR sees the ATTiny controller, confirmed on the Test Tab by the green dot. But if the ATTiny is not communicating with the Si570 then you get errors on the Test Tab. I have not tested without a Si570 so cannot be sure how the other tabs respond a lack of communication between the ATTiny and the Si570. The ATTiny stores the configuration, fundamentally all that passes between that and the Si570 is frequency register values. Ignore the other tabs. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Well I've checked the Si570 for solder bridges and found none. I'm going back through the stage tests for voltage as I cant really test anything else. So far everything is looking correct other than my lack of control over the Si570. That is obviously the biggest issue. I'm considering removing the Si570 entirely and re soldering itbut im still confused as to why the CFGSR seems to recognize it except on the test tab. Hopefully a fresh look at it tomorrow will have some results.
Jeff N3JSS |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Sid Boyce
All the time getting closer to CFGSR me thinks.
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73 ... Sid. On 16/07/17 23:01, Bob Macklin macklinbob@... [softrock40] wrote:
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Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Bob Macklin
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýGFHDR is a SCREW UP! (TYPO).
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I meant to type CFHDR!
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That's the program to operate the SI-570 on the Softrock Ensemble.
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Bob Macklin
K5MYJ Seattle, Wa. "Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýBob, what is GFHDR?On Jul 16, 2017, at 2:05 PM, Bob Macklin macklinbob@... [softrock40] <softrock40@...> wrote:
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Bob Macklin
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýThe first step is to get the Rx working with GFHDR. Until that works ignore everything else.
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Bob Macklin
K5MYJ Seattle, Wa. "Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýJeff,Did you copy that ExtIO.dll file (I am not sure of the exact name) to the HDSDR directory? That has to be done manually for HDSDR to be able to control the Si570. I could not find the instructions for this in a quick search, but will look further if you need the info. Roger On Jul 16, 2017, at 11:47 AM, jschoap@... [softrock40] <softrock40@...> wrote:
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Alan
On the Test tab in CFGSR, the light in the lower left corner is greenbut the "Si570 Reg" entry says "No Si570 connected or" the fields below that are also empty. Jeff, As I say that is the only test required. The usual cause is a bad joint at one or both of the I2C connections at each end of the Si570. A good eyeglass may show this. I've always used an ordinary iron for these. Maybe you could heat it again or use an iron? Other reasons could be associated with the few components and connections between the Si570 and the ATTiny chip but I cannot remember them ever being a problem. As Warren says the audio heard when powered down is due to the sound mixer being set to hear line Input which should be muted on the playback panel. Or, maybe some other setting. 73 Alan G4ZFQ The General tab says there's an Si570 connected, and the USB tab has entries in the fields and closing or opening the device seems like things are working. I the device list there is an entry. The Si570 tab provides info on a address and looks similar to the screen captures on your site The device also shows up in the device manager for the laptop I'm using which is running XP by the way.I don't see any issues with the soldering which was done with paste and an embossing blower.I am running though the stage tests again but the Si570 is the biggest red flag so far |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Hi Warren,
Thanks for the response. I was mistaken, it seems like my first issue may be with the Si570, I don't have tuning control like I thought, it seems like I'm listening to the same section of bandwidth regardless of where I tune. That and a (now better) understanding of what CFGSR information I should be seeing is the first hurdle to deal with. I did however take your advice and move my headphones to the pc soundcard rather than the USB one. Jeff N3JSS |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the suggestion. It seems something must not be correct? On the Test tab in CFGSR, the light in the lower left corner is green but the "Si570 Reg" entry says "No Si570 connected or" the fields below that are also empty.The General tab says there's an Si570 connected, and the USB tab has entries in the fields and closing or opening the device seems like things are working. I the device list there is an entry. ?The Si570 tab provides info on a address and looks similar to the screen captures on your site The device also shows up in the device manager for the laptop I'm using which is running XP by the way.I don't see any issues with the soldering which was done with paste and an embossing blower.I am running though the stage tests again but the Si570 is the biggest red flag so far Jeff N3JSS |
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Re: VHF Ensemble II calibration
MIKE DURKIN
¿ªÔÆÌåÓý
I try to do sensitivity tests with a known adjustable signal and reduce the signal untill its in the noise floor ....
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From: softrock40@... on behalf of Dave Sublette k4to@... [softrock40]
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2017 9:23:24 AM To: softrock40@... Subject: [softrock40] VHF Ensemble II calibration ?
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I am happy to report that I was able to calibrate both amplitude and frequency with the new HDSDR software version. Many thanks to Alan for alerting me to this. |
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Re: Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Jeff
If the peaks are moving on the spectrum display then your tuning is working. From your description it sounds like you may be somehow listening to the IQ Output of the RXTX itself rather than the processed audio output of the HDSDR application. Make sure your headphones are plugged into a sound card on your PC and that sound card is selected in the HDSDR Soundcard selector RX Output (To Speakers) section. You might also take a look at the Windows Sound control panel at the soundcard input that is connected to the RXTX Line In output. Make sure the tick box "Listen to this device" is unchecked. When you get it right it will sound and operated exactly any other HF radio in your shack, allowing for differences in speakers of course. Warren Allgyer - WA8TOD |
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VHF Ensemble II calibration
I am happy to report that I was able to calibrate both amplitude and frequency with the new HDSDR software version. Many thanks to Alan for alerting me to this.
My previous concern about differences in displayed level between Ensemble II VHF and SDR-14 are greatly removed. The two now read very close to each other. I am still convinced that my Ensemble II VHF is the more sensitive of the two, but I am still learning how to run the Spectraview program. I will withhold judgement until I¡¯m satisfied that I have all the parameters set correctly for the SDR-14. Thanks to all who came along with me on this adventure. 73, Dave, K4TO |
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Softrock Ensemble RxTx build
Hello group,
I have recently completed a Ensemble RxTx build for 40,30 and 20m. During the build I did as many of the stage tests as my equipment would allow which is to say a good multimeter. All of the voltage and continuity tests seemed to jibe with the build notes. It is an older kit that has been cooling its heels on a shelf for a long time. Board date is 5/24/10. I had some major software issues at first but as far as receive goes, it's definitely not deaf. I'm using HDSDR but it seems I may not have tuning control? While listening to a signal, if I change frequency I don't hear a change in pitch. It seems like the spectrum changes, i.e. Peaks appear in different locations but it's so different sounding than any of my other HF gear it's disconcerting. The next thing is that with the software stopped, I can still hear faint signals through the headphones. Since I've never built one, I don't know what to expect. I'm about to run back through all the stage tests but thought I'd post here and see if anyone has a suggestion. Thanks in advance, Jeff N3JSS |
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Re: Comparison Ensemble II VHF/2M
Alan
Dave,
I made my last post just before I went to bed, I realise I had got lost, you are feeding both from a transverter so normally sensitivity and front end filtering is set by that rather than the radio used at the 2m IF. As the SDR-14 and the Ensemble are completely different ignore the displayed signal levels and concentrate on SNR. (Or set the calibration of HDSDR so signal levels are the same.) Does reducing the gain on the SDR-14 increase displayed SNR? It seems to me that preamps and filters should not normally be necessary after the transverter but the SDR-14 should at least be as good as the Ensemble. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Re: Comparison Ensemble II VHF/2M
Hi Dave
I know you said to drop this but I am curious how you are making the measurements. Are you using HDSDR S meter and spectrum levels to characterize the Ensemble II? If so, these measurements are subject to the S Meter calibration function within HDSDR. Calibration requires an RF signal of known level into the Ensemble and then using the S Meter calibration function to make HDSDR indicate the known level. Warren Allgyer - WA8TOD |
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