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USB transmits data in frames with a delay between frames, Router indicates frame boundaries with three dots
(...). When a packet ends with three dots it means that the data continues in the next frame.
IMPORTANT: If microKEYER II is to operate when Router is not running, the settings must be saved as power-
up defaults using “Device | Store as Power-Up Settings.”
2
nd
CAT PORT
Beginning with version 7.0, Router provides a unique control capability: the 2
nd
CAT Port is an intelligent
data fork (software 'Y' connector) that allows a second application to share control of the radio. Router
monitors when data is sent from each application and routes the radio's responses to the correct virtual
port.
IMPORTANT: Both applications must use same communication parameters (baud rate, data length, parity
and number of stop bits) for proper operation!
Neither CAT port has priority. Polls/commands from each application are processed alternately. In order
to avoid collisions and avoid confusion due to unexpected data, responses from the radio are returned only
to the application that generated the command. Unsolicited data from the radio such as automatic
frequency/mode updates (Icom "transceive" packets or "Auto-information" data from Kenwood, Elecraft
and recent Yaesu transceivers) can be forwarded to both CAT ports individually when appropriate
“Forward autoinformation to CAT port” box is checked.
Due to limitations in the data channel throughput in the radio and the controller capabilities in various
transceivers, there are several important rules which must be observed.
●
Total data throughput from both applications must not exceed maximum response rate of the
transceiver. In other words, the polling rate from one application may need to be decreased to
provide data space for the second application and vice versa.
●
Applications must be tolerant of response delays. Each logger must be able to wait for a response
while the other logger communicates with the radio.
●
Due to protocol deficiencies in handling VFO split commands with many transceivers (particularly
Icom), split mode must be initiated and ended by only one application and manual split control (from
the front panel of the radio) should not be used.
NOTE: Although Router has been tested extensively using many different applications on the CAT
and 2
nd
CAT ports, microHAM cannot guarantee proper operation with every possible combination
of software.
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