The General forum is where users can discuss any topic regarding Motorola communications equipment - hardware, software, etc. There are also several focused forums on this board, so please take the time to ensure that your questions doesn't fall into one of those categories before posting here!
Motorola says in their documentation accompanying the CP200 Radius series CPS that the BAFO Technologies BF-810 USB to serial converter works. I have one of these converters, and I've also found that it works fine with the CP200 CPS. Since Mot has tested this unit with one version of the CPS, it seems likely that if in the future they rewrite *other* CPS like HVN9025M to accept USB to serial units that the BAFO unit possibly will work with future revisions.
Hey Astromodat, does SP4 cure the intermittent crashes when using USB serial adapters? I use a Dell with Win2K in my work car and Belkin adapter to connect a radio modem. It used to crash about once a day. I installed SP4 and it hasn't happened again. I wasn't quite ready to call it cured. PL.
I would avoid USB for radio programming. Motorola, in a technical document, states that USB is not supported. I don't know M's reasons, but I can think of a good one.
Motorola RSS and CPS writes to the radio on a bit-basis. Most serial communications take place on a byte basis, so some fairly complex gymnastics are required to maintain the communications without corrupting the radio. The USB protocol is not equipped to do this.
Use a straight serial connection, preferably via a 16550 UART chip.
SP4 on W2K has cured many problems, such as the LONG shutdown time. With SP2 and SP3, shutdown was taking 2 minutes, most of this attributed to the "Saving Settings" function. Even with the Shutdown patch, the Save Settings was still taking forever. With SP4, it shuts down in 12 to 15 seconds, max.
Nevertheless, I completely agree with RKG that one is well advised to use the normal serial port when running RSS and CPS, rather than a USB adaptor connection.
Todd,
I run DOS, 98SE and XP pro.
I use DOS for Quantars, Astrotac 3000 and my DIU's.
98SE for Simoco and ICOM software.
XP for Astro CPS ver 2.05.00 and Astro tuner 1.01.01.
Its a nightmare but I had it all working before buying the Bafo. The obvious thing to do would be to buy another Belkin or try to get the Dell's Com1 to work properly.
Regards Kevin
I use a USB to serial adapter for programming and it seems to work. I had to change the default COM Port setting from Com port 10 to either COM Port 1,2,3 or 4. (RSS's usually only see 1-4).
I have used the quatech serial cards with great sucess.
Never a hitch, no matter what OS, or speed, or RSS.
i use a genuine Motorola RIB or a sandy clone, happy all the way around.