The Center connector is a male DB9, and is the Auxiliary connector. As such, it has connections that are not needed for most operation. However if you wish to develop a Mouse based, or parallel data based EL/AZ interface, or do your own programming of the PICC processor you will need to use the AUX connector. Contact us via email if you need further information on these activities.

Pin 1 is an output that is in parallel with the TX LED on the board. It goes high when DrzTrack or the F1EHN EME program indicates that it is your transmit period. This could be used to key your rig, start your keyer, etc.

Pins 7 and 8 can be used with a hardware motor speed control device.  They go to logic high during the low speed conditions set in the control program.  When low speed is not required, the lines go low, allowing the motors to run at full speed.  When tracking, normally the motors will run slow all the time because the new target position will be achieved before the low speed conditions are exceeded.  But when moving the antenna a large distance to initially achieve tracking, the motors will be able to run at full speed.

Male DB9 - Auxillary Connector
1 Tx LED output (for F1EHN sequencing)
2 Txd out (for mouse)
3 Rxd in (for mouse)
4 Processor reset
5 Ground
6 Parallel Load out and Processor RB7 (for programming)
7 Parallel Clock out and Processor RB6 (for programming). Also speed control for Elevation.
8 Parallel Data in, Mouse clock in or out, and Processor RB3 (for debugging). Also speed control for Azimuth.
9 VCC out (+5 vdc)

Programming Connections for the CT-2

In order to program the PIC processor with new firmware you must have a programming interface.  The one we recommend is the ICD-U40 sold by Custom Computer Services.  This box connects to a standard USB port on your PC and to the programming port (male DB9) on the CT-2.  It is necessary to build an adaptor cable to go between the U40 and the CT-2.  Here are the directions for wiring the cable.

Use a standard CAT5 network cable with RJ45 connectors at each end.  Cut the RJ12 cable to provide a suitable length for connecting in your environment.  Connect a standard female DB9 connector to the cut end as shown in the wiring chart below. Be sure that the RJ12 pin 1 is to DB9 pin 8.

Note that the board needs to be powered up to program the PIC.

ICD-U40
(RJ45)		 DB-9 CT-2 Usage Programming usage
1 8 RB3 PGM
2 7 RB6 PGC
3 6 RB7 PGD
4 5 Ground  
5 9 +5 volts  
6 4 MCLR PIC Reset

The software that comes with the ICD package is used to write the program into the PIC program memory space.  You need a HEX File containing the code to be written.  You can get that from us under the terms outlined in the upgrade section of the products page.  The ICD program also contains a diagnostic section to help figure out what is wrong in case the interface does not work.

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