This post doesn’t pretend to be an exhaustive source on this topic, but hopefully gives some ideas and helps troubleshoot and resolve common CAT control stability issues. Once middleware is configured just select corresponding name from the rig list in your digital mode apps, test the controls and you are all set: Omnirig runs in background and releases the COM port automatically when last app using it is closed.įlrig has to be launched manually and stays open until closed while offering rig controls and display: Expect similar options in other packages. Below are the Omnirig and Flrig settings I use for my Xiegu G90 on COM6 using Digirig as the interface. The rig type selection and port configuration migrates from the individual digital mode apps into the rig control software of your choosing. If you decided to give rig control middleware a try then go ahead and download the software from the author’s website (most would put craigslist to shame with their “contemporary” designs ?), close any running digital modes apps, install/run and start configuring. Personally, I use Omnirig 1.x and switch to Flrig when occasionally using Fldigi. Please comment with your favorite app/CAT control combos and reasons you choose them. MMSSTV, YONIQ supports Omnirig and nothing else.Fldigi supports Flrig (no surprise there) and Hamlib, but not Omnirig.WSJT-X and JS8Call support Omnirig v1, but not Omnirig v2.The biggest issue is that not all digital mode apps support all of the rig control packages, so you’ll need to pick up your priorities and sometimes switch around. The improvement doesn’t come without a price. In cases where all other defenses against RFI failed, Omnirig will quickly recover and you will not even notice while naked WSJT-X will barrage you with dreaded rig control error messages. It is so happens that middleware rig control software has a more resilient CAT implementation with quick retries when errors do happen. More Resilient CATĪnd finally we are back to CAT stability. This offers opportunities for implementing a remotely controlled station. I haven’t seen it in Omnirig, but Flrig and others provide an option to act as an internet server so the apps accessing the rig controls don’t have to be on the same computer. Remember receiving the error message when you tried to run SSTV while WSJT-X was still open? With the middleware software acting as a broker between the CAT interface and the digital modes apps, you can keep multiple apps open and switch around them as you wish. Typically, once an app takes control over the COM port, other apps have no chance of getting to it. This is brought to you by the established convention and all the intermediary machinery that hides the differences in the internal workings. Think of familiar consistent controls you expect when you get into a new car’s driver seat. This saves the app developers from maintaining a huge list of rig profiles and allow them to focus on the app’s core functionality. The original value proposition for rig control software was to provide digital modes apps with a uniform interface for controlling different makes and models of the transceivers. Why do we want another piece of software when our digital modes apps already offer a direct CAT control? Standardized Interface I’m talking about likes of Omnirig (free), Flrig (free), Hamlib (free), Ham Radio Deluxe (paid), etc. Use ferrite beads on serial line to suppress RF.Shortening the length of the serial cable making it less of the antenna for RFI (shameless plug: consider Digirig – improving CAT control stability was one of the design objectives).Using choke baluns (RF Isolators) to block any stay RF early on.Making sure your antenna is in tune – low SWR means that less energy is reflected back into the shack.Not the type our radio picks up from the neighbor’s grow lights, but the type that our transmission induces on the serial cable flipping zeroes to ones and ones to zeroes. In many cases the reason for unstable behavior of otherwise correctly configured serial CAT interface is RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). Reading through the ham forums and groups it is clear that these issues are quite common. The problem would not go away until the whole setup was rebooted and by then the elusive DX would be long gone. This was especially annoying when happened during a rare QSO. I vividly remember the struggle with rig control errors and PTT that seemingly developed the mind of its own sticking well into the middle of next FT8 time slot.
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