ADT-200A - updating firmware - the bare metal way

Hans, HB9CBU, has created a new firmware version 1.36e for the ADT-200A . This release has a few very much needed updates I talked about with Hans - one of them making it possible to create a Rig file for CW Skimmer (which I am working on now).

Unfortunately, updating the firmware turned out to not be an easy task. As I am on Mac OS X I looked for an easy way to talk to the serial device of the ADT-200A. The ADT-200A is connected via USB using the internal USB-to-Serial converter in the TRX. As such the TRX is recognized as device "/dev/cu.usbserial-1004079" on my Mac.

After a bit of fiddling I came up with the following little Python script:

'''
Created on 07.12.2012

@author: frgo
'''

import serial

def update
    ser = serial.Serial( '/dev/cu.usbserial-1004079', 9600 )
    ser.write( '$DNL?' )
    ser.write( '\r' )
    ser.read()
    p0 = open("/var/data/frgo/Funk/ADT-200a/Firmware/Hardware/1.36e/136e_p0.dat", "r")
    data = p0.read()
    ser.write( data )
    p0.close()

def main():
    update()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()


This script requires PySerial . If you want to use this script you have to adapt the serial device to match your ADT-200A and also the path to the firmware file. You should be able to find the relevant places in the script above - if not, this script is not meant for you ;-)

73, Frank DG1SBG

The ADT-200A SDR TRX in practice ... A talk @ DARC P31

Dr YLs es OMs !

On March 23rd I gave a presentation of the features of the ADT-200A Software Defined Transceiver at the local Amateur Radio Club, DARC e.V. OV Ermstal DOK P31. 

The presentation focused on practical aspects of actually using the ADT-200A. We had about 15 radio amateurs (only OMs, unfortunately, HI) in the room and what was planned as a 1 hour talk turned into a 2 hour session ... We had fun using the TRX and two CW QSOs have been completed with RA9XU - about 3000 km with just 50 watts into a dipole on 40 meters. 

The exceptional performance of this TRX created some "wow" and "ah" effects -  it was a pleasure listening to CW signals with just 150 Hz bandwidth - the digital CW filters are going down to 50 Hz (we used 150 Hz for the QSOs) and there's no signal degradation whatsoever. Really sweet  ... One OM asked if I would by another TRX if I had all the money I can imagine - I just answered "Why should I ?" ... For the technical specification see the web page of Hans, HB9CBU, the creator of the ADT-200A. 

The presentation can be downloaded here.

Interested in buying this transceiver? I really can recommend Reimesch Kommunikationssysteme GmbH -  Call Christian Reimesch, DL2KCK, and he will provide you the commercial details.

Any interested YL or OM is invited to contact me  - I am glad to show you my shack and to let you work the ADT-200A by yourself...

Vy 73 de Frank DG1SBG

... Hamlib Backend for ADAT ADT-200A COMPLETED !

... yes, it's done. As announced in my other blog post I was working on the Hamlib Backend for the ADT-200A- it now is ready. The implemented capabilities available are:


Caps dump for model: 2901
Model name: ADT-200A
Mfg name: ADAT www.adat.ch
Backend version: 1.36
Backend copyright: Frank Goenninger, DG1SBG. License: Creative Commons
Backend status: Beta
Rig type: Transceiver
PTT type: Rig capable
DCD type: None
Port type: RS-232
Serial speed: 115200..115200 bauds, 8N1
Write delay: 0ms, timeout 250ms, 3 retry
Post Write delay: 20ms
Has targetable VFO: N
Has transceive: N
Announce: 0x0
Max RIT: -9.999kHz/+9.999kHz
Max XIT: -9.999kHz/+9.999kHz
Max IF-SHIFT: -0.500kHz/+0.500kHz
Preamp: 5dB 10dB
Attenuator: 5dB 10dB 15dB 20dB 25dB
CTCSS: None
DCS: None
Get functions: NB VOX NR
Set functions: NB VOX NR
Get level: PREAMP(0..0/0) ATT(0..0/0) AF(0..0/0) NR(0..0/0) CWPITCH(0..0/0) RFPOWER(0..0/0) MICGAIN(0..0/0) KEYSPD(0..0/0) METER(0..0/0) BKIN_DLYMS(0..0/0) RAWSTR(0..0/0) SWR(0..0/0) ALC(0..0/0)
Warning--backend has get RAWSTR, but not calibration data
Set level: PREAMP(0..0/0) ATT(0..0/0) AF(0..0/0) NR(0..0/0) CWPITCH(0..0/0) RFPOWER(0..0/0) MICGAIN(0..0/0) KEYSPD(0..0/0) METER(0..0/0) BKIN_DLYMS(0..0/0)
Extra levels:
Get parameters:
Set parameters:
Extra parameters:
Mode list: AM CW USB LSB FM CWR SAL SAH
VFO list: VFOA VFOB VFOC
VFO Ops:
Scan Ops:
Number of banks: 1
Memory name desc size: 64
Memories:
0..99:   MEM
 Mem caps: ANT FREQ MODE WIDTH TXFREQ TXMODE TXWIDTH TS RIT XIT NAME
TX ranges status, region 1: OK (0)
RX ranges status, region 1: OK (0)
TX ranges status, region 2: OK (0)
RX ranges status, region 2: OK (0)
Tuning steps:
ANY:   AM CW USB LSB FM CWR SAL SAH
Tuning steps status: OK (0)
Filters:
50 Hz:   CW CWR
75 Hz:   CW CWR
100 Hz:   CW CWR
150 Hz:   CW CWR
200 Hz:   CW CWR
300 Hz:   CW CWR
750 Hz:   CW CWR
1 kHz:   CW CWR
1.2 kHz:   CW CWR
300 Hz:   USB LSB
500 Hz:   USB LSB
750 Hz:   USB LSB
1 kHz:   USB LSB
1.2 kHz:   USB LSB
1.5 kHz:   USB LSB
1.8 kHz:   USB LSB
2 kHz:   USB LSB
2.2 kHz:   USB LSB
2.4 kHz:   USB LSB
2.7 kHz:   USB LSB
3.5 kHz:   USB LSB
3 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
3.5 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
4 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
4.5 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
5 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
6 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
7 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
8 kHz:   AM SAL SAH
6 kHz:   FM
7 kHz:   FM
8 kHz:   FM
9 kHz:   FM
10 kHz:   FM
11 kHz:   FM
12 kHz:   FM
Bandwidths:
AM    Normal: 3 kHz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 3.5 kHz
CW    Normal: 50 Hz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 75 Hz
USB   Normal: 300 Hz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 500 Hz
LSB    Normal: 300 Hz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 500 Hz
FM    Normal: 6 kHz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 7 kHz
CWR  Normal: 50 Hz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 75 Hz
SAL    Normal: 3 kHz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 3.5 kHz
SAH   Normal: 3 kHz, Narrow: 0 Hz, Wide: 3.5 kHz
Has priv data: N
Has Init: Y
Has Cleanup: Y
Has Open: Y
Has Close: N
Can set Conf: Y
Can get Conf: Y
Can set Frequency: Y
Can get Frequency: Y
Can set Mode: Y
Can get Mode: Y
Can set VFO: Y
Can get VFO: Y
Can set PTT: Y
Can get PTT: Y
Can get DCD: N
Can set Repeater Duplex: N
Can get Repeater Duplex: N
Can set Repeater Offset: N
Can get Repeater Offset: N
Can set Split Freq: N
Can get Split Freq: N
Can set Split Mode: N
Can get Split Mode: N
Can set Split VFO: N
Can get Split VFO: N
Can set Tuning Step: N
Can get Tuning Step: N
Can set RIT: N
Can get RIT: N
Can set XIT: N
Can get XIT: N
Can set CTCSS: N
Can get CTCSS: N
Can set DCS: N
Can get DCS: N
Can set CTCSS Squelch: N
Can get CTCSS Squelch: N
Can set DCS Squelch: N
Can get DCS Squelch: N
Can set Power Stat: N
Can get Power Stat: Y
Can Reset: Y
Can get Ant: N
Can set Ant: N
Can set Transceive: N
Can get Transceive: N
Can set Func: N
Can get Func: N
Can set Level: Y
Can get Level: Y
Can set Param: N
Can get Param: N
Can send DTMF: N
Can recv DTMF: N
Can send Morse: N
Can decode Events: Y
Can set Bank: N
Can set Mem: N
Can get Mem: N
Can set Channel: N
Can get Channel: N
Can ctl Mem/VFO: N
Can Scan: N
Can get Info: Y
Can get power2mW: Y
Can get mW2power: Y

... Yes, it's not complete but is sufficient to use e.g. Fldigi successfully. The ADT-200A backend is available via the Hamlib GIT repository. 

You don't have an ADT-200A ? Here's some distributors ;-)

Enjoy! 

73, Frank DG1SBG

A new Hamlib backend for the ADAT ADT-200A

Dear fellow OMs!

I have been busy the last few days creating a new Hamlib backend for the ADAT ADT-200A transceiver.

This transceiver is the best one currently available for a hobbyist budget. I really can recommend this TRX for any ambitious radio amateur. A missing piece was the support of Hamlib for the ADT-200A. Well, Winter holidays are a perfect time to just sit down and implement this - so I did.

The software will be released in a few days ... Just for a teaser here's a screenshot of an interactive session with rigctl (the control application of Hamlib):

Terminal session on Mac OS X, connected to an ADAT ADT-200A via Hamlib 1.2.14

The session shows that there is a ADT-200A with Serial Nr 1004079 connected that has loaded Firmware version 1.36bg (This firmware version will soon be released - please be patient - final testing is happening these days).

Huge thanks go to Hans, HB9CBU, the inventor of the ADAT ADT-200A. OM Hans helped me answer endless questions and always was very prompt in responding to emails. It is a real joy to work with him!

Yeah ! A few more days and we see a lot more functions implemented.

Keep you posted.

73, Frank DG1SBG

Islam - a major threat for mankind - let us work against it!

I am very reluctant to post this - but decided to speak up against a major threat for mankind that is gaining track world-wide:

Islam - the biggest lie being told today.

We see global attacks by radical Islam human beings - even during those days of peace and global humanism, Christmas 2011. I am asking everyone to actively work against any Islam presence - not by using violence, no. Violence is the way of those brain-fucked Islam people - don't let you get brought down on such low level of intelligence and human development. You may simply speak up against any signs of Islam activity by clearly expressing that you do not want to communicate, deal or interact in any way with people being associated in any way with Islam. If at all possible stop doing business with them, stop communicating with them.

Islam is threatening everybody simply because it uses mass stultification to make innocent children into radical, violent human beings. It is a shame for anyone accepting this practice and for not working against it. Any educated person should ask oneself how you can contribute to make Islam fail to attract more people thereby causing personal loss of freedom for those people. 

Islam uses the poverty and non-education of people to make them believe the lies they tell. Therefore, it is mandatory to bring education and self-confidence to these people. Knowing that this will only work when people are assured of their day-to-day survival I also beg you to support any humanistic organization that brings immediate goods like food and medical support to suffering people.

Thank you for reading and for your support.

I really, simply had to express this.

Frank Goenninger

Antenna project part II - The tower and antenna installation

As a sequel to Part I of the Antenna Tower Project here's the tower and antenna setup ... - it was a real effort with up to 10 people working on it. The photos hopefully convey how much sweat it cost to almost finish this - the beam still needs two more sleeve element sets being installed - with luck (weather, help from my fellow antenna installers) we should be able to actually complete this by next Saturday ...

The tower is a Hummelmasten Explora 500 and the beam is an OptiBeam OB16-5 . Pretty impressive 30 feet boom and maximum element length (no traps, nowhere) of 34 feet. But:

See the pictures below and enjoy!

At 07:00 AM work began ... - Hummelmasten delivers the tower.

Unloading stuff ...

The truck-mounted crane - maximum height 55 meters / 165 feet - came half an hour early....

tower ready to be lifted to its place.

My father-in-law (red shirt) and a neighbor discussing why on earth this thing has to be so large  ;-)

Mr Hummel, designer of the tower and company owner of Hummelmasten, directing the crane guy how to position the tower ...

Almost there !

Goenninger family (two of my three brothers) at work !

Helga Hummel fastening some screws - Hummel family completely here to install the tower. Besides the work and sweat we had a good time together ...

Mr Allenstein, son of Mr Hummel, getting ready to climb the tower.

The crane controller - funny guy with very accurate positioning of the crane - he had to go to 189% of spec'ed limits to cross the 39 meters distance between point of installation of the tower and the location of the crane on the street ! 

Real teamwork ! ;-)

Family was not enough - our neighbor had to help, too.

Trying to put together the cables for mounting at the antenna and tower.

Installation of the rotor -  a Pro.Sis.Tel PST-61D .

The tech data of the winch.

The tech data of the rotor.

The 20m reflector and the 12m and 17m sleeves being assembled.

After sunset (around 20:00 PM) we stopped work ...

... it was enough for this day. 

A big THANK YOU to all the helpers (Alexander Schwab, Dirk Goenninger, Marc Goenninger, Marian Goenninger, Stefan Hild) and the Hummel family for the superb teamwork and the incredibly good work results ! There will be a topping-out ceremony with real Ham Radio QSOs to demonstrate the capabilities of my new toys ;-)

73, Frank DG1SBG