You'll recall from our literature that the NUE-PSK Digital Modem may be upgraded to newer software in the field (that is, by *you*) simply by connecting the serial port of your PC to an adapter, which in turn plugs into the "Field Upgrade" connector in the battery compartment of the modem.  Then with the proper program running on your PC (available for free download from the NUE-PSK website) you can send the modem the latest-and-greatest software we supply on this NUE-PSK website.  This is a great way to keep your modem up to date with the latest features and bug fixes!

 

     See the Refresher Tip at the bottom of this page for some guidance on where you can get the appropriate serial adapter for your computer.

 

     The USB or RS-232 serial interface adapter that you do get will probably need a cable to connect it to the modem's "Field Programming" port -- the 4-pos'n, 0.1" pinheader "P5" on the bottom side of the modem pcb, as accessed from the battery compartment.  You can fabricate a simple four-wire ribbon cable terminated on one end in a mating SIP connector (Mouser p/n 517-974-01-04, as shown on catalog page http://www.mouser.com/catalog/633/1299.pdf).  The other end would connect to your SparkFun, HVW, or custom-built adapter.  (Note, the Wulfden adapters do not require this serial cable, as their adapters plug directly into the modem connector.)

 

     If you wish to purchase the serial cable from us, you may do so on our main Order page.  However, if you decide to make your own cable, it would end up looking something like this ...

 

Homebrew 4-wire serial interface cable

 

Homebrew 4-wire serial interface cable attached to a SparkFun USB-to-TTL adapter
Black 4-pin connector on end of ribbon cable plugs into the NUE-PSK serial "Field Programming"
port at P5 pinheader on underside of modem pcb, as accessed from the battery compartment.
 

The serial cable connects to the modem’s “Field Programming” connector to the serial port of your PC, as shown below …

 

Be sure to check out your work by following the simple steps outlined at Testing Your Serial Cable.

 

 

Refresher Tip #1 ... "Where do I get one of those serial interfaces?"

     Again from the QST and QEX articles, we mentioned that we do not provide a serial interface with the modem purchase because everyone's computer and way of operating are different.  There are some great products out there and you can purchase specifically just what you need for about $20 from a number of good vendors.  Based on what kind of serial port you have on your computer, you will want to purchase a USB-to-TTL interface or an RS232-to_TTL interface. Of course you could instead homebrew a simple one-IC version of the interface right from the schematic we provide in the manual and in the articles, thus saving you the purchase of the adapter.  

     Any way you get there, the interface adapters are available from ...

1) Wulfden at Hawk's Mountain -- http://www.wulfden.org/pa/index.shtml

2) SparkFun Electronics -- http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=198 (USB)

3) HVW Technologies -- http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=409 (USB), http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=289 (RS-232)

 

 

Back to the NUE-PSK Home Page