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Software
Connecting to the computer
The LP-100 provides a RS-232 serial port.
The serial settings are 38,400 baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. The required cable is a
straight through (not crossover or null modem), with a male DB9 at one end and a female DB9 at the other. With typical motherboard or
bus card provided serial ports, there are no settings required in the computer or driver, just in the application which controls the LP-100.
In the case of the provided software such as LP-100 VCP and Plot, these settings are automatic except for com port selection. Any free
com port from 1-15 is acceptable.
If your computer doesn’t have a serial port, which is becoming increasingly the case, there is a simple solution as long as the computer
has a USB port, which is usually the case. A number of USB to serial adapters are available on the web or at computer/appliance
stores. The LP-100 has been successfully used with a number of these. I can personally vouch for the Keyspan USA-19HS, although I
don’t know if they have a driver yet for the 64-bit version of Microsoft Vista. An inexpensive converter that some have reported good
results with is the Y-105 from ByteRunner,
. They cost $8.69 plus shipping as of this date, and provide full
handshaking (not needed for LP-100, but useful for some rigs and devices) and Vista support. This adapter uses the Prolific chipset,
which may not be supported in the future. ByteRunner also sells an adapter which uses the well supported FTDI chipset for about $18.
These adapters are both much cheaper than the ones typically sold at computer stores, and should work well. I have been asked about
a USB port for the LP-100, and it would be easy to do, but since all ham software has native RS-232 com support, and older machines
don’t have USB ports, I think a RS-232 port with an inexpensive USB adapter where needed is the most flexible choice.
The LP-100 has been used successfully over the Internet using serial device servers such as those offered by Lantronix and Digi. I
have personally used several of the Lantronix models with no problems.
LP-100 VCP
The LP-100 VCP (Virtual Control Panel) is provided for computer or remote operation of your LP-100 wattmeter. The LP-100 VCP
allows you to control the basic functions of the LP-100, and it also allows you to monitor the LP-100 parameters remotely.
The are three views for the VCP, selectable under the Style pulldown. The two shown above, plus one which shows all but the setup
info. The Menu choices provide the following functionality…
Style: Selects among the three views mentioned above
Upgrade: Launches the MCLoader program. This program can also be launched manually by adding a shortcut to the program.
Help: A work in progress.
The setup controls include Com port selection, callsign entry and a polling rate slider, adjustable from 50 msec to 5 sec. The normal
setting is 80 msec, which gives an update rate of 12 samples per second. On slower computers, or over the internet, you can use a
slower rate.
Monitoring…
Power
SWR
Impedance
Phase
Resistance
Reactance
Alarm Status
Control…
Alarm Set
Fast/Slow Mode
Call Sign Entry
Содержание LP-100
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