Using PUTTY to talk to radios ?

[merlin]

I am trying to compile a list of hex codes for the Harris radios. Like such you might use 'PUTTY' or terminal, sending commands and logging response. Radios are like Orion, M7100 etc, Portables like M-PA, M-RK, Jaguar, P7100 etc.
Anybody have anything ?
73s

 

[kj4jaq]

hyperterminal works better than putty

 

[merlin]

So you have hex commands to make HYPERTERM work ?
Can you clue me in ?

 

[kj4jaq]

sorry Sir, I just meant I have had better experience talking with Harris gear via hyperterminal than I have with putty or any of my other serial consoles. M7300 Conversion to Remote Mount Problem | RadioReference.com Forums & 2-3 other commands for the m7300 not listed in this link but would send to you via PM because running them may brick your radio if not done at correct time or in general.

 

[rescue161]

We use PuTTY to align the TCXO on the XG100M. Any terminal program will work as long as you set up the communication properly.

 

[a417]

We use PuTTY to align the TCXO on the XG100M. Any terminal program will work as long as you set up the communication properly.

PuTTY is the way.

There is so much flexibility, and it is so well documented, that I have yet to find a reason to not use it.

 

[merlin]

sorry Sir, I just meant I have had better experience talking with Harris gear via hyperterminal than I have with putty or any of my other serial consoles. M7300 Conversion to Remote Mount Problem | RadioReference.com Forums & 2-3 other commands for the m7300 not listed in this link but would send to you via PM because running them may brick your radio if not done at correct time or in general.

Hey, thanks. Not knocking hyperterminal at all, I just have a simpler terminal emmulator that will do the same thing.
Already used it for a modem that software for it is no longer available. difference is, I have all the ASCII and HEX codes to enter into terminal and send. Also details the response.
In my terminal the character following $ is hex, and following # is ASCII.
In your link, it used HYPERTERM to talk to the CH721. The question is does say an Orion radio use the same codes/HEX as the CH. In some long lost ham blog, there was a mod you use these codes to modify the radio itself.
I have it, just lost in 3 Tb of files. Also note the radios I want to do this with pre date the 7200/7300
Bricking a radio is the last of my worries. By all means, PM me with any of this stuff you have.
These newer documents I don't have, surely too big for RR can be posted on MEGA then supply a link.
What ever you have in this project. TYIA.
73s

 

[merlin]

We use PuTTY to align the TCXO on the XG100M. Any terminal program will work as long as you set up the communication properly.

That is much like what I have in mind but the older radios back to the M-PA.
My terminal app I have the port protocols set per documents 119200, N,8.1.
Newer radios with ARM CPUs have a JTAG port, that would solve all problems but like the Hillary CPU, it has no TAP or JTAG. So, the only hope is doing it like 'Programmer' does it.
Now an old project is logging data on the serial port. It will be New Year before I get that together.
If nothing, that will log all the HEX Programmer sends to the client (radio) and the response Programmer expects in return. If that pans out, that approach can be applied to any radio one has the software for, Motorola, Icom, Kenwood, Baofeng, etc. Then one is not stuck with the limits programming software imposes.
Even tweaking softpots outside the box.
73s

 

[IFRIED91]

I was wondering… is there a way to bring up the hyper terminal for an xg100 portable?

 

[a417]

I was wondering… is there a way to bring up the hyper terminal for an xg100 portable?

does it connect to the computer by a serial (or usb-supplied serial) interface? If it does, if anything does, you can just point PuTTy / hyperterm (or your terminal emulator of choice) at the COM port and bounce commands off it.

If it replies, it does.

 

[IFRIED91]

does it connect to the computer by a serial (or usb-supplied serial) interface? If it does, if anything does, you can just point PuTTy / hyperterm (or your terminal emulator of choice) at the COM port and bounce commands off it.

If it replies, it does.

Just curious on reading out data that’s all… this is is paperweight conversion territory 😂

 

[a417]

Just curious on reading out data that’s all… this is is paperweight conversion territory 😂

Haha, ok. I was being serious, though. I don't know that model, but if anything enumerates a serial port / or requires one for access...try bouncing terminal commands off it...never know. That is completely exclusionary of anything that uses a serial port for a non-standard protocol, however.

 

[IFRIED91]

Haha, ok. I was being serious, though. I don't know that model, but if anything enumerates a serial port / or requires one for access...try bouncing terminal commands off it...never know. That is completely exclusionary of anything that uses a serial port for a non-standard protocol, however.

let me try basic stuff with Putty

 

[merlin]

OK, some serious progress. I find 'commands' use the term loosly, more like radio talk between the host and radio.
I solved reads and writes IE: read features/write features.
It looks like different hex when working with tracking or personality but still similar.
The data flow is like packetized with 'radio talk' between packets. I'll put up a part of this talk (minus data)
I am seeing some juggling with handshake lines, a huch those sort of wake and setup the radio ??
Someone posted some means of using Putty to get into 'Debug', That could do a lot. (lost that info)

 

[merlin]

OK, I think where I got the notion that there are hex commands for Harris radios comes from Motorola
and a few modems I have.
Using 'Terminal' connected to an XTS5000 with a RS232/USB and programming cable.
Sending the command "AT&V" uploads the hex version info, the code CPS uses to display versioning.
Harris does a bit similar but far more complicated. Here is a screenshot of that session:

Answers: Yes, this method will work with with any Harris/Motorola/Icom/Kenwood radio that uses the serial port/USB for programming. (Harris, this was tested with radios using Programmer and RPM.) (includes XG-100)
A bit of warning: If you are just playing with sending random codes to a radio that is a write function, you can easily and permanently brick your radio.
Hey, Hyperterm for windows 10 has no provision for anything but a MODEM and remote connection. Won't work with any radio. (why I am using Terminal)
Putty, you could automate the process because with Harris radios, you have a timout that will drop the connection.,
Harris uses sort of a packetised Heaiarchy and expects an instant response between these segments. (See screenshot above)
Cheers

 

[merlin]

Well, I discovered there are not as many 'commands' as thought, 5 mapped out so far.
Except for 'AT' or reset, they all have sub commands, a string of bytes containing a function byte. This string passes parameters either to the radio or from the radio. (acknowledge) Commands include read from a block of memory, write to a block of memory. RPM expects an acknowledge at each block sent.
Read/ write to memory contains a start address, end address (16/32 bit fields) The radio responds with 'ACK' and sends data in blocks/packets terminated with checksum.
Strings are terminated with a CRC checksum of the previous bytes.
SO, some enlightening progress here.
Cheers

 

[k9wkj]

there are browser plugins that speak serial

 

[merlin]

there are browser plugins that speak serial

They wont work with port sniffers, Terminal works just fine.
Thanks.

 

[gdsteele]

I'm trying to connect to an XG100P and use a port sniffer. When I look in device manager, I don't see a COM port, but rather a Harris PSPC Radios port. Any idea how I can get PUTTY or a port sniffer to point to that?

 

[a417]

On windows? There was a conversation on here recently...and this program came up in the thread. I've never used it, as in linux where most everything is a file..it's just easier.

That program might help you on your journey, i'm sure someone here has used it.