[Orion] Controlling the Orion from a Computer

[Martin AA6E]

Chris,

Be sure your computer is using RTS/CTS signalling.  I believe the Orion
will do nothing if it does not receive RTS on pin 7.

I send the first command = "XX<cr>" which is supposed to be "software
restart".  The Orion should respond with " ORION START".  You can then
send "?V<cr>" which should return the firmware version ID.  Etc.

You can see some samples in Python for Linux at
http://www.aa6e.net/aa6e/software/index.html.

73 Martin AA6E

--- Christoph Rheker <christor at microsoft.com> wrote:

> Hello,
>  
> I want to learn more abt how to control the Orion from my PC, also I
> have a few
> programs that I want to "teach" how to talk to it. Like VE3SUN's
> Beacon Observer
> for example.
>  
> I have connected my PC using a 1:1 serial cable and using the
> settings as described
> in the programers ref guide on the rfsquared web site. (57.6k, 8/N/1,
> Hardware flow control)
>  
> Now when sending for example a command to change the freq (like
> *AF14.250<cr>) or mode, 
> I would expect the Orion to react. But it does nothing. Accoring to
> the guide, it should send back
> a "Z!" if it receives an invalid or incomplete command. That is also
> not happening.
>  
> It seems obvious, I am having a communication problem somewhere...
> however the exact same
> cable works fine with my packet radio modem. 
>  
> Interesting enough, the exact same PC and cable work fine when trying
> to update the firmware
> on the Orion, I just tried it. So the PC and the Orion DO talk to
> each other.. at least sometimes...
>  
> I can't find, what I am missing. 
>  
> Do I need to enable Computer control on the Orion before it's going
> to accept commands?
> Or anything else that I might have forgotten?
>  
> Any hints and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>  
> Many thanks and 73 from MUNICH,
> Chris, DL4YAO
>  
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