PC / SSB Interface

chasroberts

chasroberts

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Can anyone assist with a query regarding the above. I have purchased the NASA SSB receiver. As far as I can tell it's fitted OK and reception is good. The WEFAX software has all been installed according to instructions and all the rlevant creens seem to appear.

I seem to be getting a signal from the SSB as it chirps and warbles when the book says it should. When I try to receive a weatherfax the reception screen stays black. Acc to the manual this is because the wrong com port has been selected. The Wefax software only gives an option of COM 1 or 2. I have the supplied 9 pin connection fitted to a Toshiba Sattelite Laptop.

Looking through Control Panel my laptop shows only the following com ports
COM 1 Nokia phone cable
COM 3 Toshiba Internal Modem
COM 4 No modem installed

Here my knowledge of computers ceases. Can anyone tell me how to configure the 9 pin serial to become COM 2 or is there something else I need to do?

Help please......

Thanks

Chas Roberts
Southerly 105 Noosa

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper in excretum sum. Sole profundum variat!
 
Possibly ..... Add Remove Hardware ..... manually select Com Ports..... or you may be lucky enough to have it detect the serial connection if all connected when it searches ..... if not in the manual phase you should be able to select Com 2 to install - seems strange as Com 4 is there as you say ..... 4 is a virtual of 2 ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>
 
Just how many 9-pin connectors are there on your laptop? If only one and it's already in use as Com1 with the Nokia thing, then you coukld unplug it...Don't think you can use com1 and com3 at the same time because they are physically the same; neither can you use 2&4 at the same time...Some years ago there would have been 2 x 9 pin comports but now you don't even get one on some desktops let alone laptops - there may be a usb with which you can use a usb to serial adaptor - just avoid Belkin - not only are they huge and cumbersome, they also cost too much! Should be able to get one for c£10 or less from ebay...hope this helps more than it confuses!

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Nokia phone cable ....

Extra to previous post .....

I use Nokia Data suite and it knocks out every other use of the com port serial - unless I exit the program ..... even the quick launch is enough to block all attempts by other prog's to connect.

So to use my GPS for example .... I right click data suite and exit - then restart GPS program .... bingo !


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>
 
I Suppose having bought the SSB and software this is not the most welcome suggestion

But

Far easier to use an audio connection to the confuser.

The receiver will have a headfone or audio out jack socket and the confuser an audio in jack simply buy a suitable lead at Maplins or Currys and connect them up.

Dunno if WEFAX will work on audio but if not there is lots of free software on the net that will.

Its so much simpler and you can get Navtex and RTTY stuff as well.

hope you get it working

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I bought exactly the same kit. The software only works with MSDOS - I suspect you are running Windows of some sort. Ditch the software - goto Maplin and buy an audio to audio jack. Plug it in the back of the radio, plug the other end into your PC/Laptop. Download JVCOMM32 (Google search) and away you go.

Richard.

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Agree with the advice about both getting the JV32Com programme downloadeed and using the audio to audio jacks into the microphone socket on laptop. Configure the software for microphone and FAX and you will be able to receive the weather fax. I have found that you need to sometimes wander off the quoted frequency slightly to tune in to a decent signal using the NASA kit, by only a kHz or 2. Been using it for last couple of years, works well here in Caribbean.

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Or if you want real PC/receiver integration use an Icom PCR1000 receiver with Radiocom...., just select the required fax, SYNOP etc station from Radiocom's database and everything is totally automated.

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If its a NASA with de-moduklator built in, which it is, it has noo radio output jack, you have to fit one, by removing the demodulator from inside the radio, and fitting the audio jack, NASA will tell you how. The wefax program they give you is crap.

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I have the icom pcr1000, but it has a serial port cable and floppy discs for the program, do they do a CD and a USB cable for it, do you know.As my confuser has no floppy and no serial port.

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OK people have lots of problems with this.
What you need to do is Swap your NASA RX for a /P version with the audio out socket, if it hasnt got one already.
Use an audio jack lead from the PC line in socket to the NASA audio out socket.

Ditch the supplied software and download JVComm 32, which is a superb WFAX NAVTEX RTTY program intended for both marine and amateur radio use, and is pretty much the "industry standard" amongst Hams.

Download for free from:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jvcomm.de>http://www.jvcomm.de</A>

Use this exact system on my boat and it works very well.

Hope this helps.
PM me if you need any further info or guidance.

Steve. g1fip


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Thanx all for your suggestions. I'll try the JVcomm but budget won't stretch to another SSB receiver, so will try to make this one work!

Chas Roberts S105 Noosa

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper in excretum sum. Sole profundum variat!
 
Chas,

I have just bought the same receiver. Works fine, I agree the software is a bit basic by modern standards and so far I have only used it at home on an old computer that allows me to select a good old DOS environment.

My biggest complaint is that when I download the weather charts the Northwood station have decided to print the date and time information in the most distortable print size possible so I have no idea mostly what time the chart relates too. (could be my age I suppose) No doubt with practice I can guess but why should I need too (make the print bigger! get rid of the Northwood bit for a start! check the Offenbach site). Surely this cant be deliberate?

Found my monitor creates a lot of interference at certain frequencies.

Good luck

John


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You can download the PCR-1000 software from: http://www.icomamerica.com/products/receivers/pcr1000/software.asp

I do not believe the PCR-1000 has USB connectivity other than possibly through a USB/Serial Port converter.

However, I don't think it will work with a USB/Serial port converter. Certainly Bonito RadioCom software with the PCR-1000 only works with a "serial port recognised by the PC BIOS" but I could try the ICOM software and JVComm32 through my USB/Serial port next weekend. PM me to remind me to try it.

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