Thanks Tim,
Very good response :)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tim Ellison
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:01 AM
To: Anthony Martin; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Dumb question about com0com
You asked a lot of questions. See my comments in-line below
-Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Anthony Martin
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 5:26 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Dumb question about com0com
Speaking of Virtual Serial Port software..
Does anyone have an opinion (or hard data) to show which is the best,
[Tim] I recommend the Eltima drivers for numerous reasons. If you are using
32-bit operating systems that do not require signed drivers, then I
recommend Com0Com.
Lowest CPU use,
[Tim] They all use so little it is insignificant.
fastest and easiest to use?
[Tim] Speed isn't an issue, they all pass data at the data rates you
configure them for. I rank Eltima (1), Com0Com (2) from a compatibility and
ease of use stand point. vCom should only be momentarily considered if
using XP since the Configurator does not work under Vista and it is no
longer supported by the developer. Com0Com works better than vCom on XP
Is VSP (Eltima) better than the free alternatives?
[Tim] Yes, Eltima is, IMHO better. It has to do with two factors. The
drivers are digitally signed and will work with Win7 and Vista x64 operating
systems. Second, the Eltima driver does not exhibit the behavior of locking
up on x64 operating systems like Com0Com does on my system (aka "it works").
Is there something else that is better?
[Tim] Not that I have found.
On the same topic, im currently running HRD to connect to my Flex3k. Its
laggy as hell! A good second delay when doing anything in powerSDR or HRD..
I must admit I do not really use HRD for anything other than running the IP
server thing so that the logging program reads frequency from powerSDR...
So really there is a couple of issues..
1: Is the lag normal, if not - is it the program?
[Tim] This is a well know anomaly (bug) in HRD, it doesn't like virtual
comport drivers. There have been reports it works somewhat faster with the
Eltima drivers, but your mileage will vary. I don't use HRD. It is a lot
of overhead for getting CAT control of DM780, so I don't use DM780.
Im using Com0Com and windows 7.
2: Is there a good logger that will work (fast) with PowerSDR that will read
the mode/frequency
[Tim] Just about all of them. The CAT command (ZZIF or IF) returns just one
text string with the info needed for the logger to read the frequency and
mode. The speed is directly related to how frequently the logger polls.
The speed of the virtual comport connection is insignificant compared to the
polling time.
While I'm ranting, is there any real reason to use VAC?
[Tim] Oh, well, let's see...because there is nothing else available that
will allow you to transfer audio digitally from PowerSDR to other sound card
based programs.
I mean the cost of
IT hardware nowdays is loose change - why not just buy a second soundcard
and reduce the load on the CPU ?
[Tim] Actually it will increase the CP load and incur hardware interrupts
for the OS to access the sound card. These can adversely affect the
performance of the Firewire driver and the radio hardware.
Is there a reason?
[Tim] The reasons are several.
1. The additional A-to-D and D-A conversion adds noise to the signal and
degrades your S/N ratio.
2. The additional audio cables are multiple ingress points for RF getting
into the radio or the computer.
3. The additional audio cables are additional low potential connections
between the computer and the radio resulting in ground loops
4. The dynamic range of the 2nd sound card degrades your S/N ratio.
5. Convenience
6. It is "old school". Using a physical audio interface was the way it was
done with old traditional legacy radios
Thanks Guys,
Anthony
VK3FAJM
AOARC - Australian Online Amateur Radio Club
http://www.radiogeeks.net
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tim Ellison
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 6:01 AM
To: Mark Lunday; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Dumb question about com0com
The answer is DDUtil
Without it you can only connect one CAT enabled software package to
PowerSDR.
Also dump vCom. Go with Com0Com or the VSP (Eltima) drivers for virtual com
port pair software.
-Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mark Lunday
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 2:58 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: [Flexradio] Dumb question about com0com
And maybe N8VB COM Emulator, this question applies also.
I admit I am hard-headed, but I am confused about something.
I have F3K, MixW, and OmniRig (let's go with this as an example).
I want MixW and OmniRig to both read and control the frequency of the F3K.
I set up a virtual Serial Port pair in either com0com or N8VB; let's say it
is COM 7/COM 17. I then select COM 7 under CAT in the Power SDR, and COM 17
under MixW. Works like a charm.
Now, I want OmniRig to also control the frequency (so I can use CW skimmer).
So I pick COM 17 under Omni Rig.whoops, already in use. So I go to create
another pair of COM 8/COM 18. I select COM 18 for OmniRig.but wait, if I
pick COM8 for the SDR then it no longer works with MixW.
Maybe the answer is right in front of me.
Mark Lunday
WD4ELG
Hillsborough, NC - FM06kb
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
<http://wd4elg.net> http://wd4elg.net
<http://wd4elg.net> http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
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