Good deal; thank you! I just ordered my UNO board and will order the other things within a couple weeks.
Homebrew Remotehead for DMA Uniden
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Good deal; thank you! I just ordered my UNO board and will order the other things within a couple weeks.
richk107
Member
Mancow - Here are two links to 20x4 LCD displays. As I wrote before, most LCDs with the HD44780 controller are wired the same, but you should check the datasheet to make sure. I prefer white text on blue.
Standard LCD 20x4 + extras [white on blue] ID: 198 - $17.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits
Basic 20x4 Character LCD - Black on Green 5V - SparkFun Electronics
Standard LCD 20x4 + extras [white on blue] ID: 198 - $17.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits
Basic 20x4 Character LCD - Black on Green 5V - SparkFun Electronics
Null Modem Adapter
Will this null modem adapter work for the purpose of the project? 9-Pin DB9 M-M Null Modem Adapter with Dual Hex Nuts ~STSI | eBay
Will this null modem adapter work for the purpose of the project? 9-Pin DB9 M-M Null Modem Adapter with Dual Hex Nuts ~STSI | eBay
It should. I ordered a few and they work fine.
richk107
Member
Should be. A simple null is pin 2 to pin 3, 3 to 2 and 5 to 5.
Rich
Rich
On the RS232 adaptor, I used a 233, has built in resistors, and on the Din9 I just switched the 2 and 3 pin around
So you can use a RS233 instead of having to buy a RS232 or build that part and it one chip that's it with wiring on a small breadboard when I get time ill take pictures of how I did mine.
So you can use a RS233 instead of having to buy a RS232 or build that part and it one chip that's it with wiring on a small breadboard when I get time ill take pictures of how I did mine.
nice!
Finally got mine built up. I put in a couple of RS232 to Bluetooth converter adapters on both the scanner and on the serial TTL. I must say, it works pretty damn good. Power is supplied via USB on both the Arduino and bluetooth converter on the "remote head" side. I'm looking into a RIGrunner 4004U with USB for the rear trunk where the scanner (a BCT15 for now) will sit. Exploring different options for the enclosure part and waiting on a 20x4 LCD to show up so I can see how much room I'll have in my current enclosure. Need to get some better buttons so I can mount them up on the outside. Good work everyone!
Finally got mine built up. I put in a couple of RS232 to Bluetooth converter adapters on both the scanner and on the serial TTL. I must say, it works pretty damn good. Power is supplied via USB on both the Arduino and bluetooth converter on the "remote head" side. I'm looking into a RIGrunner 4004U with USB for the rear trunk where the scanner (a BCT15 for now) will sit. Exploring different options for the enclosure part and waiting on a 20x4 LCD to show up so I can see how much room I'll have in my current enclosure. Need to get some better buttons so I can mount them up on the outside. Good work everyone!
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I have zero experience in electrical work so this is daunting to take on. I'll take any pointers for where to start. I'm fine writing code. I don't get what parts to order and how to read board schematics. No issues soldering.
I got mine built but have yet to put it to use when I'm in the car.. it works great. I had no experience doing this kind of thing but now it comes easy.. very hands on too :thumbup: Can anyone recommend an enclosure for a 20x4 LCD?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
I have been trying to get this build to work for several weeks and have been unsuccessful. I have tried the following:
I have connected everything exactly as Richk107 posted on 6-7-2011 using the digital pins for the buttons. I have also tried using the analog pins for the buttons as posted on 6-13-2011.
I am using HomebrewRemoteforUniden_v2. The display shows the startup screen. I have also tried using the UnidenLCDSerialTest as well with no success, the LCD just shows line 1 test and line 2 test.
I have tried using different baud rates to connect to the scanner and made sure the program and scanner's rates were the same.
I have tried using a BCT15, BC346xt and a BCT8.
I have tried three different rs232-to-ttl adapters.
I have tested the pins on the null modem and there is continuity between pins 2 to 3, pins 3 to 2 and pins 5 to 5.
I have resoldered all of the connections.
I have tried reversing the tx and rx pins.
I have tried with and without the null modem.
I have narrowed down that the problem seems to be somewhere with the communications from the scanner into the arduino.
I am getting 0 volts when I test pin 2 coming for the back of the scanner.
I am getting -5.62 volts when I test pin 3 coming from the back of the scanner.
I am getting 5 volts from the TX pin off the adapter.
I am getting 5 volts from the RX pin off the adapter.
So it appears that data is coming out of the back of the scanner and through the rs232-to-ttl adapter.
I believe the failure is somewhere between the rs232-to-ttl and the arduino processor.
If anyone has any advice or suggestions of things to test or try I am open to any ideas. My next step will probably be to purchase another arduino uno to determine if there is possibly something wrong with digital pin 0 on my board. Does anyone know if there is a way to test this pin?
Below is a picture of my project.
Thank you for any help. I think this a great idea and can't wait to get mine to work.
I have connected everything exactly as Richk107 posted on 6-7-2011 using the digital pins for the buttons. I have also tried using the analog pins for the buttons as posted on 6-13-2011.
I am using HomebrewRemoteforUniden_v2. The display shows the startup screen. I have also tried using the UnidenLCDSerialTest as well with no success, the LCD just shows line 1 test and line 2 test.
I have tried using different baud rates to connect to the scanner and made sure the program and scanner's rates were the same.
I have tried using a BCT15, BC346xt and a BCT8.
I have tried three different rs232-to-ttl adapters.
I have tested the pins on the null modem and there is continuity between pins 2 to 3, pins 3 to 2 and pins 5 to 5.
I have resoldered all of the connections.
I have tried reversing the tx and rx pins.
I have tried with and without the null modem.
I have narrowed down that the problem seems to be somewhere with the communications from the scanner into the arduino.
I am getting 0 volts when I test pin 2 coming for the back of the scanner.
I am getting -5.62 volts when I test pin 3 coming from the back of the scanner.
I am getting 5 volts from the TX pin off the adapter.
I am getting 5 volts from the RX pin off the adapter.
So it appears that data is coming out of the back of the scanner and through the rs232-to-ttl adapter.
I believe the failure is somewhere between the rs232-to-ttl and the arduino processor.
If anyone has any advice or suggestions of things to test or try I am open to any ideas. My next step will probably be to purchase another arduino uno to determine if there is possibly something wrong with digital pin 0 on my board. Does anyone know if there is a way to test this pin?
Below is a picture of my project.
Thank you for any help. I think this a great idea and can't wait to get mine to work.
richk107
Member
HI MDM38
The latest version of the sketch is 2.3 which I've attached here. The best baud rates I've found are either 57600 or 115200. I prefer 115200.
I've never tested my program with the BCT15, BC346XT or the BCT8. I was able to find the reference guide for the BC346XT and the commands it uses seem to be the same as on the 396XT and 996T.
The problem you are seeing might be because the Serial-to-TTL adapter isn't receiving enough power. I just had another issue when I tried to use another adapter that I normally wouldn't have used. In the end I tapped power from another USB port by hacking off the USB-B end and using just the power cables. I would also review the tech specs for the chip on the adapter to find the proper voltage needed. The MAX232 based adapter will work between +3V and +5V but my second adapter needs 5V +- 10% When I measure voltage going to the adapter I read only 4V which isn't enough to drive the second adapter.
I would also open the Serial Console. CTRL-SHIFT-M or Tools->Serial Monitor. The first three lines you should see are:
VOL
GLG
STS
What I'm doing is first reading your volume setting. The next two lines have to do with knowing what your scanner is currently doing, scanning or listening. These last two will repeat indefinitely unless you interact with the scanner in some way. ie. change the volume. If when you start the Serial Monitor and you only see VOL, that means that there is no communication between the adapter and your scanner.
Is the cable you are using the same you would use to program the scanner with your computer? To verify your cable you can use your computer to speak directly to your scanner.. Download PuTTY PuTTY Download Page Run the program, choose Serial and set the baud rate. Once connected type in VOL all in caps. It should return VOL followed by a number.
VOL,7
If that works try typing in GLG If the scanner isn't picking up anything it will return
GLG,,,,,,,,,,,,
if if something is found
GLG,36240,FM,0,0,NJ State Police,Troop B Northhhh,Detectives,1,0,NONE,NONE,NONE
Try the STS command:
STS,011000, ,,Troop B Northhhh,,4-COMM East ,, 858.4625 ,,S0:--3*------ ,,GRP12345678** ,,1,0,0,0,,,0,GREEN,0
If these work then the cable is good. If not, I would start there.
Rich
The latest version of the sketch is 2.3 which I've attached here. The best baud rates I've found are either 57600 or 115200. I prefer 115200.
I've never tested my program with the BCT15, BC346XT or the BCT8. I was able to find the reference guide for the BC346XT and the commands it uses seem to be the same as on the 396XT and 996T.
The problem you are seeing might be because the Serial-to-TTL adapter isn't receiving enough power. I just had another issue when I tried to use another adapter that I normally wouldn't have used. In the end I tapped power from another USB port by hacking off the USB-B end and using just the power cables. I would also review the tech specs for the chip on the adapter to find the proper voltage needed. The MAX232 based adapter will work between +3V and +5V but my second adapter needs 5V +- 10% When I measure voltage going to the adapter I read only 4V which isn't enough to drive the second adapter.
I would also open the Serial Console. CTRL-SHIFT-M or Tools->Serial Monitor. The first three lines you should see are:
VOL
GLG
STS
What I'm doing is first reading your volume setting. The next two lines have to do with knowing what your scanner is currently doing, scanning or listening. These last two will repeat indefinitely unless you interact with the scanner in some way. ie. change the volume. If when you start the Serial Monitor and you only see VOL, that means that there is no communication between the adapter and your scanner.
Is the cable you are using the same you would use to program the scanner with your computer? To verify your cable you can use your computer to speak directly to your scanner.. Download PuTTY PuTTY Download Page Run the program, choose Serial and set the baud rate. Once connected type in VOL all in caps. It should return VOL followed by a number.
VOL,7
If that works try typing in GLG If the scanner isn't picking up anything it will return
GLG,,,,,,,,,,,,
if if something is found
GLG,36240,FM,0,0,NJ State Police,Troop B Northhhh,Detectives,1,0,NONE,NONE,NONE
Try the STS command:
STS,011000, ,,Troop B Northhhh,,4-COMM East ,, 858.4625 ,,S0:--3*------ ,,GRP12345678** ,,1,0,0,0,,,0,GREEN,0
If these work then the cable is good. If not, I would start there.
Rich
Attachments
MDM38
There are some example sketches pre-loaded in the arduino IDE that deal with RS232 comms. You could try one of those simple programs with your adapter to at least make sure you are getting the proper RS232 signalling between the board and computer.
Also, something I just thought of and I might be totally incorrect here but could it be baud related? It seems I have to use 57600 on my BCT15 when interfacing with proscan out the back RS232 9 pin jack of the radio. No other baud rate seemed to work.
You might try setting the radio to 57600 then changing this line:
Serial.begin(115200); // This line needs to be the same as the serial port on your scanner.
from 115200 to 57600
There are some example sketches pre-loaded in the arduino IDE that deal with RS232 comms. You could try one of those simple programs with your adapter to at least make sure you are getting the proper RS232 signalling between the board and computer.
Also, something I just thought of and I might be totally incorrect here but could it be baud related? It seems I have to use 57600 on my BCT15 when interfacing with proscan out the back RS232 9 pin jack of the radio. No other baud rate seemed to work.
You might try setting the radio to 57600 then changing this line:
Serial.begin(115200); // This line needs to be the same as the serial port on your scanner.
from 115200 to 57600
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richk107
Member
I found the manual for the BCT8 and it will not work as the control commands are different. I also found the protocol manual for the BCT15 and it should work. My program should work with any scanner that is compatible with the Uniden remote head, BCD996T, BCD996XT, BCT15, BCT15X, BCD396T, BCD396XT, BC346XT and the BR330T, as I believe they all share the same PC protocol.
Rich
Rich
Thank you for your help! I have it up and running now.
I believe the issue was with the power to the serial-to-ttl adapter. I did as you suggested richk107 and pulled power from a separate usb and that did the trick. I also loaded your version 2.3. I am not sure which fixed the problem but either way it is up and running.
I am running the baud at 115,200 currently. I tired both 115,200 and 57,600 on both the BC346XT and the BCT15 and it works seamlessly.
I also found the remote commands for the BC346XT from the Uniden wiki page, so I will experiment with some of that later.
Has anyone tried to control volume with a rotary potentiometer? I am going to try experimenting with that also.
Thank you everyone for your help!
-Mark
I believe the issue was with the power to the serial-to-ttl adapter. I did as you suggested richk107 and pulled power from a separate usb and that did the trick. I also loaded your version 2.3. I am not sure which fixed the problem but either way it is up and running.
I am running the baud at 115,200 currently. I tired both 115,200 and 57,600 on both the BC346XT and the BCT15 and it works seamlessly.
I also found the remote commands for the BC346XT from the Uniden wiki page, so I will experiment with some of that later.
Has anyone tried to control volume with a rotary potentiometer? I am going to try experimenting with that also.
Thank you everyone for your help!
-Mark
richk107
Member
I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Which chip did your Serial to TTL adapter use? It would be good to document which will work off the Arduino and which will require an external power source.
Potentiometers won't work because of the way the program is written. I'll take a look but I can't make any promises.
Rich
Potentiometers won't work because of the way the program is written. I'll take a look but I can't make any promises.
Rich
Rich, I used an potentiometer with my micom control by sampling the value across some analog pins. It then changes a variable value and transmits that corresponding volume code to the radio. If you want to copy my volume portion from my sketch to get it started feel free. I can send it if interested.
If I get the time I might do some modding of your program if you don't mind.
If I get the time I might do some modding of your program if you don't mind.
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