TOP16 USB IO boards

[VK4ADC]

I am trying to make up a down-model PICAXE-based replacement for the TOP16 USB I/O and while I can communicate with the PICAXE via the USB port / FT232RL and the FTDI D2XX.DLL using Delphi, I am not seeing any response through the TOP16.DLL. Given that I can make it all work in due course, I can use the envisioned new VKCL V4 release to log microwave frequencies properly & directly.

I wonder if anyone who has a TOP16 board could use the FTDI USBView utility ( http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Utiliti ... oftUSBView ) and send me (via PM) a screenshot of the TOP16 USB IO channel from your machine with the TOP16 plugged in. Hopefully there is something different/awry that may become obvious from that.

It will likely be found under one of the USB hubs and denoted as USB Serial Port.

Alternatively, post your screen shot on this forum topic if you don't want to PM.

Picaxe form, first version

Thanks
Doug VK4ADC

[VK4ADC]

I have had the info supplied by PM & have now got my PICAXE-based part-clone of the TOP16 working well enough to have VKCL able to read to input port values - at least as is shown by the TOP16 Manager software normally used to test the TOP16 boards. I haven't fully implemented the Port Output commands at this stage but since my microwave bandswitching is a manual rotary switch, the output part isn't necessary. I will need to bring out wires from that switch to the PCB but not much else.

Now I have to wait for VKCL V4 to be able to evaluate it fully.