HQCT Module (new thread following HU RDS/RDBS)

[MGD]

I finaly got mine working and it is recognised as HID Device after I come out of Standby, but....
How do you save the data to the EEPROM of the module?
At first, I have to run the USBProject.exe and bring the volume up to about 50%, adjust Treble and Bass otherwise I can't hear anything and click the Send Settings button. Now when I am in the radio skin it works perfectly. I can switch between skins and all but when I go into Standby and come back the settings dissapeared and I can hear anything anymore untill I run USBProject again and adjust the settings. I think the module does not save my settings. There got to be a way to store those settings. Any ideas?

[Diogenes]

This post to try to clear some unknows and/or misunderstandings and assumptions. This is not chronological nor is it complete. If any of you had a particular question that is not covered here give a shout.

In general it appears that some problems are caused by bad contacts or wrong cables, some are due to wrong settings of (pc) control software.
I have personaly tested every module out there, the testing was 3-fold:
- first was a test of the pcb fitted with the smd devices (resistors, small caps, controller chips) on a test rig with power supply, X-tal and a tuner module, the firmware was programmed as part of this test.
- second was a similar test with all components (except for the tuner module) fitted,
- final test was with tuner module soldered in. Here the firmware was reprogrammed to get a 'clean' unit, then all functions were tested (FM, AM frequency setting, EEPROM reading, aux input, phone input, Nav input and back to FM)

The HQCT stores the last settings into its EEPROM in order to set the same settings on power on. This is automatic, there are no commands needed for it. Basicaly the HQCT distributes the commands from the controlling PC to the different parts and it stores them in dedicated non volatile memory, everytime a new setting is received, the previous values are overwritten.

This was done to overcome the boot-up time of the PC (the radio plays while windows is trying to wake up).

When controlling the volume, loudnes treble or bass from the HQCT1 program, the modified settings are sent automaticaly, no need to hit the 'Send settings' button.

When switching from radio to CD(Aux), phone or navigation you must use the corresponding buttons, when switching back to radio you must hit either FM or AM and THEN change the frequency (if needed).

I have not been able to reproduce the switch-on/reboot/out of hibernation mentioned by several of you, both my desktop and laptop have no problem reconnecting to the HQCT after switch on, even if the module remains powered. It may be related to the actual USB hardware.

The 'Read EEPROM' button sends a command to the unit to retreive the alignment data stured in the radio module, the 'Aply' button wil then transfer the relevant data to the program to use for calculating the radio settings. Th HQCT1 program does it automaticaly at start-up. I am not sure Road Runner uses the software version that does it, this feature was released at the same time the RoadRunner for HQCT was released.

The Llama found a bug in the antenna alignment calculation, it is now fixed and the corrected version is available for download on our site (www.Datalex.be). It will solve poor reception for known 'strong' stations.

Diogenes.

[Chuck]

Did you test these with an usb hub – not sure but think that was my problem – delay in hub powering up

Or maybe older motherboards did not have power to the usb port all the time like the newer ones do – I think

[Diogenes]

Did you test these with an usb hub – not sure but think that was my problem – delay in hub powering up 

I did not use a hub to do the testing, i'll get one and try it out.

BTW, the HQCT USB does not use power from the PC.

Diogenes

[CdRsKuLL]

This new software you posted .. the one with the fix for strong signals, I havent tried it yet, but If I run this and configure it how I want, and then close the app, am I right in thinking the the correct values will be stored in the radio, so then when I use RR it will use them values.. or will RR load its original values in ?

O.. btw your link above needs editing :-)

CdR

[Chuck]

Another way to test would be to have 2 pc’s one for the power supply and the other one for the usb then reboot the usb pc and see what happens in the usb pc in the device manager

That way the HQCT would always be powered and the usb would be rebooting

[Chuck]

This new software you posted .. the one with the fix for strong signals, I havent tried it yet, but If I run this and configure it how I want, and then close the app, am I right in thinking the the correct values will be stored in the radio, so then when I use RR it will use them values.. or will RR load its original values in ?

O.. btw your link above needs editing :-)

CdR

Not sure but I think RR uses the RRHQCT.INI to reset when you start radio in RR

[Diogenes]

As far as i know RR is using the version that does not retreive the Tuner alignment values for one and it definitely does not have this latest fix, so i am afraid that when switching to RR and then change frequencies the problems you expierience will remain as before. I did not have contact with Guino the last couple of weeks, i'll send him a mail to find out where he got.

Diogenes.

the link is www.datalex.be , somehow the closing bracket got stuck to the .be

[CdRsKuLL]

Not sure but I think RR uses the RRHQCT.INI to reset when you start radio in RR

If thats the case can we have a fix for the file that RR uses ?

[froop]

If thats the case can we have a fix for the file that RR uses ?

It looks like Guino used the source from the HQCT1 software to make his own software program (RRHQCT.EXE) to control the device from RR. So I'm guess that any changes made to the HQCT1.EXE will need to be replicated by Guino into his RRHQCT.EXE.

Edit: Diogenes, can some of that stuff be moved into a HQCT.dll instead?