Hey everyone,
Well, the inevitable happened. The radio modem (actually, only the RF module itself) just died in my TCPS26. Fortunately, I have a second one and was able to swap the actual RF modules over to prove that that was what the problem was. However, having multiple fully functioning 1100 series jiggers (guns) and two RCS1100 units but only one TCPS26 modem makes me very nervous.
After scanning the internet looking for another TCPS26 modem I quickly discovered three things:
a) Replacements modems, due to their rarity, are demanding obscene amounts of money,
b) Due to the rarity of these modems, it would be a shame to just throw the dead one away,
c) The RF module itself (the WIT2400M) hasn't been available on the market since Jesus, Elvis and Princess Diana opened their 7/11 together in Bangladesh. It's replacement, the WIT2410M, is still available and is "apparently" compatible, but cannot legally be sold where I am working at the moment (Germany) because of the metals used in its production. Damn dolphins.
Has anyone found a way to use some other form of communication module as a replacement? Two Parani SD1000's perhaps? If so, how did you wire them in? I'm posting here because I think I remember someone mentioning something to that effect in a passing comment at some point.
I've been playing around with some cheap Chinese RF modules but have had no joy as yet. The RCS1100 manual claims that "no handshake is required", and the "motherboard to RS232 connection" on the TCPS26 is showing (via testing) that all the usual suspects used for handshaking either go nowhere or go directly to ground. So I guess it's hard to handshake when you have no hands. However, testing this supposed "no handshake required" system on the RCS1100 "motherboard to RS232 connection" tells a very different story. No pins have continuity, they all test at different values when I ever-so-sensually molest them with my multimeter, and wiring the RF module in with (or without) handshaking achieves nothing. Again, no joy. Clearly there is a handshake happening between the RCS1100 and it's internal modem/module, but it would seem that instead of sending and receiving the same signal to achieve the handshake, it is sending and receiving a very different (but expected and required) signal from the modem/module. Obviously this isn't something I can replicate. I don't have an oscilloscope. I don't particualry want one either.
I'm basically hoping now that I'll be able to wire in some sort of communication module to the Lemo port in the RCS1100 (internally) and just tell the RCS that it is using an external modem. I'm then hoping to do away with the internal modem completely, mount the new communications module in it's place and use the existing antenna port.
Has anyone ever played around with something like this?
If I figure it out in the meantime I'll be sure to post some sort of tutorial on the subject here. I'm not about to throw away an entire car because of a flat tire.
Mick.