Optocom

[KAZ7ED]

OK, you rekindled my interest with the Pro-2042 and Opticomm OS535 board. Pulled mine back out of the garage and will tinker with it. Hoping to find something that will run with it in Windows 10, after all, its just a serial port - right?

 

[N8YX]

Install ESXi or VirtualBox, grab a copy of Freedos 1.2 and build a VM. Win10 can directly mount the .VHD to allow you to import files of your favorite DOS-based control programs. I had to use makeisofs to do same on my Linux hosts (building a CD image) but whatever gets you there...

My DOS programs of choice are ProbeV7 (for the Optocom-based receivers) and Probe1k (for the PCR-1000).

Should you have access to XP Pro install media and all the service updates, build an XP VM and grab a copy of ScanCAT-Gold or Spectrum Commander IX (the latter if Signal Intelligence staff will answer their emails). Years ago I was gifted a copy of ScanSTAR and ran it on a WfW 3.11 system - which I recently virtualized under VirtualBox. It works nicely with my OS-535 equipped Pro-2035 or the Optocoms (in emulation mode).

 

[3rdHarmonic]

Why not use NTVDMx64?

Regards
3rd

 

[theoldcop]

I realize this is a shot in the dark, but would anyone be able to tell me where the Spectrum Commander license/reg. file is installed once activated? I purchased SC years ago and have it stored in an uninstalled HDD. I would like to transfer the file to a new install, but can’t locate it.

 

[Ubbe]

In many cases a license are stored together with the serial# of the motherboard or CPU so that a file cannot be copied and used on unlimited amount of computers. It then sometimes have a function to uninstall it to "free" the license that then can be installed to another computer.

/Ubbe

 

[theoldcop]

Thank you Ubbe. For this and all your many contributions!

 

[N8YX]

I realize this is a shot in the dark, but would anyone be able to tell me where the Spectrum Commander license/reg. file is installed once activated? I purchased SC years ago and have it stored in an uninstalled HDD. I would like to transfer the file to a new install, but can’t locate it.

I emailed Signal Intelligence a few days back and they're still up and running - anticipating orders. Ping them and see if they kept records of your license information.

I can look on one of my systems later this evening and see if it's a registry entry.

 

[theoldcop]

Thank you! I, too, sent an email to them but never heard back.
I’ll give it another shot.
As an aside, I downloaded the trial version and used it with my Icom 8500. It worked very well.

 

[Charlie]

I've had a lot of fun following this. So much so that I warmed up my Optocom and gave Probe via DOSBox a try on my Mac Mini.

It took a little while to get things sorted but I have them talking...for a while. I can get about 5 minutes of runtime before the Mac/DOSBox stops talking to the Optocom. So, I come seeking sage advice and wisdom.

This is what I'm working with:
Mac Mini 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo with 16GB memory running OSX 10.12.6

DOSBox 0.74-3 set for ~107,000 cycles, connected to the Optocom via a Trendnet TU-S9 v3.0r USB/serial converter.

I initialize the DOSBox serial port thus: serial1=directserial realport:tty.usbserial

Probe is set to communicate as OPTO on COM1 at 38400 baud. The Probe manual advises faster is better (versus 9600 or 19200).
After experimenting, I would agree.

I have fiddled with the Dwelltime in Probe but finally settled on 20ms. It seems happiest here. Also have fiddled with the Cycles setting in DOSBox and results vary somewhat but it's happiest at ~107,000 cycles or ~52,000 cycles. At the higher Cycles setting Probe shows about 45cps. The lower setting shows about 27cps. Not too bad.

Dear readers, I'd be interested to know what you learned getting your Mac/DOSBox/Probe to play well.

Thanks for a fun project while we wait for spring up here.

 

[N8YX]

I wonder if your version of MacOS has the same problem with its serial port driver which VirtualBox did. Back around the 6.1.1ish version of that package, something changed which would result in serial_IOCTL errors after about 5 minutes of VM operation.

I helped fix that one, albeit through lots of testing and analysis for the dev team.

Might want to head to one of the Mac usergroups and see if anyone is noticing serial-port issues with the release you're running.