In an earlier, I was explaining how to use FLDigi in Mac OS X to control your rig using the VOX circuit. The main reason for doing this was because I couldn’t find a viable solution to get the cable attached to the USB-serial adapter to control the rig using Push-to-talk (PTT). I’m pleased to report that with a little more tinkering, I’ve solved the problem!

Usb To Serial Driver

For those of you who are wondering, FLDigi is a free program that allows you to operate digital modes such as PSK31, RTTY, and a host of others using the sound card in your computer. There are a few different ways that you can interface your rig with your computer. One of the ways I do this is with the. Here are the steps to get FLDigi to use Push-to-talk to control your rig using a USB-serial adapter. A picture of the FLDigi settings. Make sure your computer and radio are properly connected. I would turn the rig on, and make sure the transmitter is on a dummy load.

You’re going to want to test, and calibrate your rig while doing this. Launch FLDigi. On FLDigi’s menu bar, click “Configure,” then select, “Rig Control.” A new window should open up with two sets of tabs across the top. The “Rig” tab should be selected on the first row of the tabs.

In the second row, select the first tab: “Hardware PTT.”. I selected “Use separate serial port PTT.” Under “Device,” select the appropriate device that you know is your USB-serial adapter.

In my case it’s “/dev/tty.usbserial”. You may need to experiment a little with this next step, but I had to make sure there was a check in the box next to “use RTS” and “use DTR.” In my limited research, I believe that the RigBlaster Nomic requires that both be checked. Don’t take my word for it, though.

Your rig also may require positive voltage for RTS and/or DTR. If that’s the case, make sure the appropriate box(es) are checked. Again, you may need to experiment.

Make sure you press the “ Initialize” button. If you don’t, it won’t work. Save your settings, then close the window. At this point, you’re back on the main screen for FLDigi. Press the “TX/RX” button, or the “Tune” button (either will work) and see if you’re transmitter is activated. If it is, press the “TX/RX” button, or the “Tune” button to unkey the transmitter, and see if it’s unkeyed.

If it doesn’t work, play around with the above settings. Once you do get it to work, make sure you use the “Tune” button to adjust the power output of your rig. You should be all set! Keep in mind, these steps are specific to Mac OS X. They may work in other operating systems as well. Using the above steps, you should be able to key and unkey your transmitter while using the transmit/receive button, or by using one of the pre-programmed macro buttons in FLDigi. I prefer this method of operation over the VOX circuit, although that method will work in a pinch.

Now, have fun operating PSK31, or your favorite digital mode! Interesting reading but, what is one to do if they choose to build their own interface?

Why is it today that everyone wants to buy for Plun-N-Play? It appears that building these boxes is a thing of the past.

Usb To Serial Mac

I have scoured the Internet looking for folks that run Macs and FLdigi. Very rare breeds they are. I am a DIY kinda Amateur Radio Operator so I choose to build interfaces and such, the larger part of the problem exists in that the powers to be at FLdigi do not publish any technical literature.

The Application is probably capable of controlling not only the Serial Port but the USB ports as well. But try as you may locating information on how Fldigi controls the Comm & USB ports is next to impossible. Do you have any suggestions? Where are all the folks that wrote FLdigi, I’m sure some of them have the answers? Cordially, Don Righello W6PJJ. Yes, I certainly agree.

FLDigi seems to lack in the documentation department, doesn’t it? I ran into this problem as well, which is why I really don’t use the program anymore, though I still do have it installed on the Mac just in case the PSK31 bug bites me again. I’m not sure that it will anytime soon. I’m not quite sure I understand what you are trying to build, so I’ll try to address your post as best I can. Let’s start with the USB-to-Serial interface. Back in the day, hams as well as other computer hobbyists could build cables for their computers fairly easily.

We still can build some of the cables today, but the USB-to-Serial interface is quite tricky with the newer computer. Well, because the newer computers don’t have USB ports that put out enough power for the serial end of the adaptor, which, to my understanding, drivers are required. The serial part of the interface actually uses a chip. KeySpan USB-to-Serial adaptors are probably the easiest ones to configure and set up.

The cable can be had for AS little as $30. Yes, it is a little expensive for a cable, but remember, it doesn’t take long to set up and it does use a chip.

There are other ones out there that work well on the Mac, or even Windows for that matter. The Prolific USB-to-Serial adapter is a good choice. It runs well on Windows, Mac OS X, and even has drivers for Linux.

I’ve purchased a couple of these off of Amazon.com for around $10, NOT including shipping. It’s still a good deal, however. Now onto the “interface.” The problem with “sound card modems,” as I like to call them, is that you have to connect your computer with your radio using the sound card.

Monitoring the signal is pretty simple: Just run an audio cable from the headphone jack or speaker out jack of your rig into the line in or microphone input on your computer. Getting the signal generated by the sound card of your computer to the radio, however, is a different story. That’s where interfaces like the Rigblaster Nomic or SingnaLink USB come into play. What these devices do is make it possible for you to combine the output of your sound card AND the commands that are sent through your Serial-to-USB adapter to be sent through ONE cable that goes to your rig’s microphone input. Now, I’m not sure about the SignaLink USB product, but I DO know that the RigBlaster Nomic WAS built by a ham. So, it certainly IS possible to build one on your own.

There is nothing proprietary there. The problem is finding the schematics to build such a device. I thought I saw an article on this in a recent issue of QST, but for the life of me, I can’t remember which edition it was. If I find it, I’ll let you know. I’m not sure if I answered your question or not, but hopefully this sheds some light on the topic. As for FLDigi: Hopefully enough people will notice the lack of documentation and start an unofficial wiki, or the developers will wise up and do the same. 73 de Andre KC0MMY ADDENDUM: Concerning the USB-to-Serial adapters: The other reason why they use a chip and drivers is so that the OS can actually find and actually make use of it as a serial port.

The Rigblaster Nomic (and possibly the SignaLink USB) DOES come with a disc, but they just have some programs on it that you can use to play around with the various digital modes. I don’t recall as to whether or not the disc has “drivers” on it.

RS485 to USB Adapter Auto Transmit A 4-Port RS-422, RS-485 adapter for serial communication that utilizes four external DIP switches for easy access to the signal used. Automatic transmit and receive control for 2-wire RS-485 half-duplex mode. Use your existing USB port to expand your serial communication. Self-powered, with one switching power adapter 5V 2A included. High-Speed Communication with 128 byte FIFO chip, works through heavy loads. Industrial-grade metal housing for rugged applications. Product Description The USB-4COMi-M 4-Port RS-422 / 485 USB to Serial Adapter combines serial communication signals, RS-422 and RS-485 port with USB technology to allow further expansion of existing serial devices.

Newer PC’s and Laptops are now being manufactured without serial COM ports, because of this, even new technology PC’s or Laptops can utilize this 4-Port RS-422 / RS-485 adapter. The high speed serial adapter carries with it the 128 byte FIFO chip that allows for high speed communication, even in heavy loaded systems. The serial adapter also allows unusual speed settings like 500.000bps. Our unit’s unique features help to reduce the system load. The USB-4COMi-M utilizes four external DIP switches for easy RS-422, RS-485 mode settings. This device is constructed with industrial metal housing and offers a DIN rail bracket and DIP switch mode settings for RS-485 signals.

Serial To Usb Converter For Mac Pro

Additional Features:. Automatic transmit and receive control for 2-wire RS-485 half-duplex mode. Built-in termination and biasing. Baud Rate from 300bps up to 921.6Kbps supported. Transmit (TxD) and Receive (RxD) LEDS on unit for visual reference.

Self-powered. One switching power adapter 5V 2A included. COM port number assigned can be changed to any COM port number required. Universal Serial Bus (USB) port offers easy plug and Play Operation.

Item Dimensions: 6.63(L) x 3.67(W) x 1.18in(H) Data Signals Supported:. RS-422 data signals: TxD-, TxD+, RxD+, RxD-, GND, RTS-, RTS+, CTS+, CTS-. RS-485 4-wire data signals: TxD-, TxD+, RxD+, RxD-. RS-485 2-wire data signals: Data-, Data+ OS Support:. Windows Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.

Linux and Mac OS 10.X.