Re: [Gpredict-discussion] D700 Hamlib Testing

[Charles S. <ham...@gm...>]

Alex,

It would be a script or text file that automates the testing with the
different modes of controlling the rig in gpredict for less
experienced users.  (RX, TX,817, Full Duplex, VFO A/B,split...Not sure
what the full list has.) Notionally it would send a bunch of commands
through rigctl and rigctld to the radio and then either check the
feedback from the radio or ask the human what happened. Testing with
rigctl is great for developers and folks who want to look under the
hood.  For the "appliance operators", (not sure this is a universal
term, people who buy radio and have little interest in understanding
how they work), rigctl versus rigctld  is too much detail.  Also for
folks who have spiffy hardware but no time, it is a way to contribute.

In the simplest case of the RX only, it would step the radio through a
range of frequencies and read back the frequency from the rig (Both
things that rig does.) It would also ask the user to turn the dial and
read back the frequency and confirm that the readback frequency is
good.  If these things all work fine, then it could give the user an
indication that the rig is suitable for use as an RX only rig.  It
also may give the user an example of a rigctld command line to use the
radio.   If it fails, then it automagically creates the tracefile for
submission to the hamlib developers list for improvement and prompts
the user on how to submit it, perhaps by sending it to a gpredict list
or even directly to the hamlib list (after significant testing).

As time goes on, if it passes the test for RX, then TX, the all the
split modes, it might suggest which mode to use for the radio.

Basically, as new radios become available, it seems worthwhile to
lessen the load on users to get their equipment supported.

I should probably draft an quick sample for consideration.

73

Charles
AA1VS


On Thu, Sep 9, 2010 at 3:09 PM, Alexandru Csete <oz...@gm...> wrote:
> On Thu, Sep 9, 2010 at 5:51 PM, Charles Suprin <ham...@gm...> wrote:
>> Alex et al,
>>
>> As you may have seen I have been posting test reports to the hamlib
>> developers list to get the Kenwood TM-D700 up and working in hamlib.
>> The idea is that I can use my D700 for satellite contacts under the
>> control of my netbook.
>>
>> To this end, I hope to assemble a list of the hamlib commands used by
>> gpredict into a few files.  These could then be used for testing
>> hamlib implementations as new radios become available.
>>
>> Is there someplace, where this could go on into the gpredict
>> development tree to assist those with new radios get the hamlib
>> support they need/desire? Is this a good idea?  It seems they would
>> also be good tool for helping users select the correct radio
>> configuration for their hardware.
>
> Hi Charles,
>
> Do you mean something like a small application that would replace
> testing with rigctl? That would be nice, but maybe I misunderstand.
>
> Alex
>