[GreenKeys] USBTTY experiences with Windows XP Service Pack 2

[dave sigafoose]

Received the newUSBTTY board a couple of weeks ago and finally had some time to install it,with Heavy Iron as the software.
 First, decided toput it a small plastic case.  There are 4mounting holes on the PC board that accept 4-40 steel hardware.  Decided to use ¼” standoffs / spacers to liftthe board off of the case as the soldering for the 60 ma current loop setscrews extend well off the underside of the circuit board. But when I tried tomount the standoffs, one was very close to the current loop solder point, andone of the others covered one of the PC board traces.  

 In retrospect, Ishould have used nylon screws and standoffs, but, as a simpler solution, whichworks just as well, I chose to attach the PC board to the case with 2 smallpieces of velcro hook and loop.  

 To connect the USBcable, I bought a 12” USB converter from mini USB to standard USB, and thenused a 10” USB M/F extension cable.  

 Following thedirections was easy.  Downloaded the .INFfile, right click, and Install.  

 Plugged in theUSBTTY USB port and Windows recognized the new hardware USB Teletype, andproceeded to look for software.  Said‘NO’ to the option to search the internet for drivers and let XP search for thedrivers, which it found and soon got a message that my new hardware had beensuccessfully installed and was ready to use.

 So, first had tofind the COM port that Windows had assigned. Start, Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, Ports COM &LPT.  Found it listed as Teletypeinterface COM3.

 Now to configure theinterface. Start, all programs, accessories, communications,Hyperterminal.  Hyperterminal wanted aname for the connect, so I just entered TTY.  Hyperterminal thenasked me for my area code and wouldn’t let me continue until I entered it.  Entered the area code and took the defaultsfor the bit rate, etc., and selected COM3 as the associated port.  Typed a fewcharacters and saw the LED light on the USB TYY board flicker.  Pressed the reset button and up came theUSBTTY configuration menu.  Issued thefollowing commands:

 BAUD 75       - set the baud rate

USOS          - set unshift on space to match myhardware

NOTRANSLATE   - since using Heavymetal, 

                no translation to ASCII

SAVE          - saved the new configuration

SHOW          - look at the configuration

 As everything wasworking, decided to hook up the tty current loop to the PC board.  Unplugged the USB cable and, with a rathersmall Phillips screwdriver, hooked up the Teletype current loop.  Turned on my Teletype and immediately gotchatter from the tty as the USBTTY PC board, when not powered, opens thecurrent loop.  

 Plugged back in theUSB cable and typed on HYPERTERM, but nothing was getting through to the PC board.  Closed and reopened Hyperterm with nosuccess.  Logged off of the Windows XPuser and relogged on with no success. Stared Heavy Metal, but was unable to select COM3.  At this point, realized that COM3 was stillreserved for some other program.  So, hadto shut down Windows XP and reboot the system. Started Hyperterm and easily selected COM3.  Typed a couple of characters, but what wasprinted was not correct as no one was translating from Baudot to ASCII.  

 Closed downHyperterm and started HeavyMetal.  I wasrunning Ver 1.27 from 2006.  SelectedCONFIG and it immediately complained:

 “failed setting wordsize”

“failed setting stopbits”

“failed setting baudrate”

 Not just one, but atotal of 9 times I had to answer OK to get past the problem.  

 Typed a fewcharacters and everything worked in both directions.

 Ran the Quick Browntest and RY test and everything worked perfectly.  Also ran the UP latest news at it alsoprinted with no problem.  

  So, everything isworking and would highly recommend this interface board, as it works and isvery easy to configure.   Going to updatemy Heavy Metal program as soon as I have some time.  

 Dave – N2CZB

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