[TenTec] tentec orion

[Ron Castro]

I have seen this problem come up quite often, not only with TT equipment, 
but with a variety of things.  The one USB to serial converter that has 
worked every time for me, including with my Orion II, a friend's "original" 
Orion, my old TS-870, GPS units and more is the Cables To Go unit:

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1529&sku=26886

But you can buy it on Amazon for about half the price:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-26886-Serial-Adapter/dp/B000067RVJ/ref=pd_cp_e_2


            Ron  N6IE
       www.N6IE.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rolf Krogstad" <rolf.krogstad at gmail.com>
To: <w1dxh at aol.com>; <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 9:15 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] tentec orion


> To W1DXH,
>
> I was looking at the Ten-Tec email archives from Christmas-time and saw 
> your
> questions about computer control of the Orion.
>
> I recently attempted the same thing, to control my Orion from N1MM and
> DX4WIN.  All the advice that was given you on the email reflector looked
> good.  But missing was one tidbit that made the difference for me.
>
> Here is what I found.   In my case I was using a USB to Serial device
> connected to a laptop and plugging my serial cable between that and the
> rig.  I could successfully send the raw commands using HyperTerminal and
> what I found in the Orion 565 Programmers Manual, but the commercial
> programs wouldn't work.
>
> It turned out to be an issue with the type of chip used in the 
> USB-to-serial
> interface which I had.  I tried many different drivers but nothing worked.
> I finally followed advice from local hams and bought a new USB-to-COM port
> interface from Byte Runner:
> http://www.byterunner.com/byterunner/new_frontpage=usbserialadapters
>
> The description of the problem I was given is this:
> "The problem you report is a symptom of a USB to Serial converter based on
> the Prolific chip set. Their drivers work okay with SOME applications but
> not others.  The ultimate solution is to be purchase a USB to Serial
> converter based on the FDTI chipset.  The manufacturer "Byterunner" is one
> source of converters that works. They are not the least expensive, but 
> this
> should solve your problem".
>
> That solved all my problems.  Hope this helps.
>
> Rolf NR0T
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