[Dx4win] SO2R Question

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Randy's right about the USB-to-LPT converters.  Fortunately, real LPT 
portcards are still available for the PCI-E slot in newer PCs, and are 
dirt cheap. While you're at it, you could get one with an LPT and 2 COM 
ports, simplify your cabling, and avoid the cost of the USB-to-serial 
converters you'd otherwise need.  Hopefully, the next generation of 
radios will include a $2 USB transceiver chip.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 2/27/2014 9:48 PM, Randy Farmer wrote:
> I used a DX Doubler with DX4WIN for several years and it worked fine. 
> You MUST have a real LPT port to drive it; a USB to LPT converter 
> won't do the job. In version 8.x, the logic state for control for the 
> radio switching LPT pin can be controlled. Make sure you're in 
> "Expert" mode and open up the Preferences. On the CW tab just tick the 
> Radio 1/2 signal "Reverse" box at the top of the window. I'm not sure 
> if the LPT port band BCD code follows the radio selection. Good luck.
>
> 73...
> Randy, W8FN
>
> On 2/27/2014 2:44 PM, Dave Perry wrote:
>> Paul or anyone on the reflector:
>>
>>
>> I just purchased a second K3 and have it working nicely as the second 
>> rig
>> within DX4WIN.  I like the toggle feature that allows me to shift 
>> back and
>> forth between the two radios.
>>
>>
>> I am thinking about purchasing the DXDoubler SO2R product from Top Ten
>> Devices as well as their new band decoder.  I would like to use one band
>> decoder with both rigs since I have one feed line running out to a 
>> remote
>> antenna switch.  Here are my questions:
>>
>>
>> 1.      If I select Top Ten as the band decoder within the Control 
>> tab under
>> preferences and use LPT1 to connect the pc to the band decoder, will 
>> DX4WIN
>> send BCD data for both radios to the band decoder - depending on 
>> which one I
>> have toggled as the active radio (using Ctrl, Shift, F12)?  For 
>> example, if
>> radio 1 is on 20M and radio 2 is on 40M will DX4WIN send the required 
>> BCD
>> data depending on which one is toggled in DX4WIN?  The documentation
>> indicated that BCD data would be sent for radio 1 but did not appear to
>> mention if this would also happen if a second radio was also 
>> connected like
>> I have it now.  I would hope that BCD data is sent anytime I toggle 
>> between
>> the two radios.
>>
>>
>> 2.      My second question is about the DXDoubler and how it works with
>> DX4WIN.  Dave at Top Ten said that DX4WIN reverses the selected 
>> radio.  I
>> assume that what he means is that if I select Radio 1 in DX4WIN the
>> DXDoubler device will select Radio 2.  Is this a know issue with 
>> DX4WIN and
>> could this be fixed in a future update?  That is why I am checking.  
>> Here is
>> a quote from the Top Ten Devices website:
>>
>>
>> DX4WIN, like many other logging programs (eg. CT, NA, TR, WriteLog), 
>> toggles
>> Pin 14 on the selected LPT port when the operator changes radios. The
>> defacto standard is that Pin 14 is high when Radio 1 is selected. 
>> However,
>> DX4WIN drives Pin 14 high when Radio 2 is selected. Although there 
>> are ways
>> to reverse cables and the like, so that switching works properly, the 
>> LEDs
>> on the DXD will always be reversed. The purpose of this modification 
>> is to
>> rearrange the internal logic in the DXD, so that everything functions
>> properly, and the LEDs truly reflect the selected radio.
>>
>>
>> I will also be using the DXD with N1MM, so I would want both logging
>> programs to handle the radios the same way.  I would not want to make 
>> the
>> suggested Mod to the DXD to make it work with DX4WIN if it would then 
>> make
>> N1MM operate in reverse.  I wonder if Paul has a reason for not 
>> following
>> the de facto standard?  I would certainly want the LEDs to indicate the
>> correct radio when using either program.
>>
>>
>> Does anyone on the reflector use either of these products with 
>> DX4WIN?  Any
>> tips or suggestions would be welcome.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>
>> Dave, N4QS
>
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