I hope someone can shed light. I'm using SatPC32, but that does not affect this problem.
Awhile back I was forced to recycle both of my older computers that had one built in 9-pin serial port. Then, I connected the built-in port to the GS-232B rotor interface. I also purchased some HL USB-RS232 USB-to-Serial adapters, a cable with USB on one end and a 9 pin RS232 on the other end. I used this gadget to control my transceiver (which is a IC910H). Now I have a new computer which has no (zero) built in serial ports. I'm trying to use two of the USB-to-Serial gadgets and have run into trouble. If I disconnect all grounding back through the power, I can get one of the two to work, either the rotor or the rig-control, but not both at the same time. Without disconnecting grounding, neither work. It does not matter whether I'm plugging the USB ends directly into the computer, using a passive USB hub, or a powered hub--same result. All I have to do to get this to fail...is... Even if the USB ends are not plugged into the computer and the rig control box is powered off and unplugged from power, if I just touch the metal shield on the USB cable going to the rig control onto the shield connection in the computer or hub, that causes the rotor control to fail. When it fails, The azimuth reading on the G-5500 drops all the way to zero. The elevation meter is unaffected. It acts like a ground loop somewhere, but where and how? I've tried disconnecting the coaxes from the transceiver but no change. I'm thinking about scrapping these USB-to-Serial things and going to a 4-Port Keyspan box. HELP!! 73, Larry W7IN - DN27 in Plains, Montana _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
