[RTTY] Startech USB COM port adapter

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> (NOTE: FSK RTTY with this hardware combination does *NOT* work with
> DM780!) The other serial port does work with CW on N1MM+, CWType and
> even DM780.

DM780 is "brain dead" when it comes to FSK in that it will not allow
both PTT and FSK on the same port - although it allows both CW and
PTT (figure that out <G>).  However, if you configure HRD to provide
PTT either using the RTS line of the CAT port (if your radio/interface
supports it) or by using CAT/CI-V commands and configure DM780 to have
HRD control PTT you can use the same configuration for both N1MM+/MMTTY
or HRD/DM780.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 9/3/2016 7:20 AM, Scott Schultz wrote:
> I have to start out by saying that I am not familiar with that Startech
> box, but if you are using a desktop, you may want to consider installing
> a serial card. When computers stopped coming with serial ports, I
> installed a dual serial card in my desktop rather than mess around with
> USB-to-serial adapters. The one I bought was from Newegg and cost about
> $12 (including shipping from China). My computer originally came with
> Windows 8.1 and the serial card installed with no issues (once I went to
> the manufacturer's website and got the latest drivers). I upgraded(?) to
> Windows 10 last year and it survived the transition with no issues.
>
> For the interface, I built the W3YY interface kit
> (http://www.w3yy.com/fsk.htm). My radio is an IC-7410 and I can report
> that FSK RTTY works flawlessly with MMTTY and N1MM+. (NOTE: FSK RTTY
> with this hardware combination does *NOT* work with DM780!) The other
> serial port does work with CW on N1MM+, CWType and even DM780.
>
> 73,
> de Scott N0IU
>
> On 9/2/2016 2:22 PM, William K Carr III wrote:
>> I have a Startech ICUSB2324X USB to 4 COM port adapter that I want to
>> use with N1MM+ and the MMTTY engine to key FSK and PTT through the
>> W1AN interface that plugs into the DB15 connector on my K3S.
>>
>> This Startech adapter was recommended by a local RTTY contester who
>> uses it without problems on Windows 7. I'm using Windows 10 64 bit.
>>
>> The drivers installed OK and I have 4 active COM ports (5, 6, 7 and 9)
>> in Device Manager. I decided to get this working with MMTTY by itself
>> before loading the MMTTY engine with N1MM+.  I have COM5 (first port
>> on the Startech box) cabled with a straight thru cable to the DB9 end
>> of the W1AN adapter. When I set MMTTY Options TX for FSK and select
>> COM 5 and hit OK, MMTTY throws an error that says it can't open COM 5.
>> Changing to another COM port gets the same result.
>>
>> Now here's the weird part. I configured MMTTY and the K3S to use the
>> USB sound interface built into the K3S, and that works fine with AFSK.
>> I left the serial cable connected. However, when I transmit, I noticed
>> that the PTT line on the W1AN adapter is activated by MMTTYand keys
>> the K3S!! The red LED on the adapter is on.  If MMTTY can't open open
>> the designated COM port, how can it toggle RTS?
>>
>> Anyone have suggestions on how to get this working or experience with
>> the ICUSB2324X adapter?
>>
>> Kim  K5TU
>