Material on this web site copyright © 1995-2010, TelePost, Inc. All rights reserved.
Pricing and specifications subject to change without notice.

LP-Bridge Software Page
Overview:

LP-Bridge provides two main functions... to link the SDR softwareto the K3 for interactive control, and to allow multiple applications to talk to the K3 at the same time. Throughout this page, the term "SDR software" refers to FlexRadio Systems PowerSDRTM software modified and supported by WU2X, ver. 1.19.3.5.

SDR Linking... The following functions are currently linked between the K3 and the SDR software: VFO A, VFO B, Mode, IF Offset and TX/RX. The links are bidirectional, meaning that any change made on the SDR software will be reflected at the K3, and vice versa. In addition, LP-Bridge provides links for VFO B, K3 bandwidth and Preamp/Attenuator settings to allow the vertical scale in the SDR software to be re-adjusted whenever the K3 preamp or attenuator are activated. These require setting up an additional CAT interface port in the SDR software.

Rig Sharing... LP-Bridge is unique in this regard, going far beyond what any other com port sharing application does. LP-Bridge actually creates a mirror K3 in memory, with constantly updated data about the current state of the hardware. Multiple programs can query the mirror about status for almost any supported command, and receive an instant response just as though they were talking to a real K3. Commands sent other than queries, are passed on to the K3 with the proper timing. Most of the traffic from an application is polling queries, so the mirror removes the burden of responding to those from the K3. The mirror also emiminates the possibility of multiple polling commands colliding with each other trying to communicate with the K3, since they are intercepted by the mirror. The normal polling for K3 status is handled entirely by LP-Bridge. Data requiring constant updating is polled for rapidly, and lesser used functions broadcast their status from the K3 to LP-Bridge. Some commands are intenionally blocked altogether. For this reason, the K3 Utility should not be used with LP-Bridge.

Download:

Warning: If you are using microHam Router, it appears that there is a conflict between Router drivers prior to version 7, and LP-Bridge (both programs use Eltima drivers). You must upgrade the Router software to avoid this conflict. This is easily done in the Help section of Router.

LP-Bridge is beta software. You should understand this when you use it. There may be bugs, and some things that are not finished yet, but it is solid in my testing. Report any bugs or feature requests to my email. It is also wise to monitor the LP-PAN User's Group for up to date feedback.

Before installing, make sure you are logged in as Administrator, or that your user account has admin privileges. This will save headaches, especially with Vista. Normally, if you are the main or only user, your default account will be Administrator or have these privileges. Click on one of the links below to either open and run the installation program, or save to your downloads folder, where you can open and run it. Install both the "full" version and the most recent release update the first time you install LP-Bridge. Install just the "update" version if you are just updating the program, and have already installed the full version at some point. If you ever uninstall LP-Bridge, you will have to install the "full" version again, plus the latest update.


Approved beta - FlexRadio Systems PowerSDRTM software modified and supported by WU2X, ver. 1.19.3.5

LP-Bridge_09980_full.zip  Required for Windows 7.
This is the latest beta full version with all supporting files. Use this version if you do not have LP-Bridge installed on your PC. It installs the program, plus all the additional files needed to run it.  This version has been tested with K3 firmware up through v3.91.

LP-Bridge_09980_update.zip  NOTE: For Windows 7, install full version instead.
Latest beta update version. Use this to update an existing LP-Bridge installation. It will only update the executable file. This version has been tested with K3 firmware up through v3.91, and the latest versions of N1MM, HRD and TRX-Manager as of 15 February 2010.

NOTE: The instructions on this page refer to older versions in large part. Check the LP-PAN User Group for configuration information on this beta version for now.

In addition, there are postings to the LP-PAN User Group occasionally about other beta versions. You can read about the various versions by clicking on Software Version History. The directory for the beta versions is www.telepostinc.com/Files/. The files have the format  LP-Bridge_xxxx_update.zip, where xxxx is the version number you want. Note: When updating from a very old version, you might have to re-select ports and data such as polling rate and CW Pitch, because the save file format changed at about version 0.982. If you install the full version and a newer update at the same time, this is not necessary.

Once unzipped, click on the program folder, then click on setup.exe to start installation. Accept the default installation directory. The virtual port drivers in LP-Bridge are different for each operating system. During installation, LP-Bridge Installation will detect your OS and install and register the correct versions. LP-Bridge will run on Windows 2000, XP, XP64, Vista and Vista64. You will see a command console open up during installation to run the registration programs, and you will see messages that the registration was successful for the two drivers. Click OK on the two registration messages when they appear. Click Finish to finish installation. You will see a message asking you if you want to reboot. Click yes, console will close and your PC will reboot.


If asked at any time about replacing newer files on your system with older ones from the LP-Bridge installation, always keep your newer existing files. After the reboot, you can start LP-Bridge from the Start menu, or create a shortcut for your desktop. If you are running Vista, the shortcut should be set for administrator privileges (by right clicking on it and choosing the Run As selection).


Setup & Operation:

When LP-Bridge first starts, it will be in Normal mode, shown below in reduced size.



This can be expanded to show diagnostic terminal windows to help verify comms with the K3 and various programs. The terminal windows contain the last 100 commands sent and received between the port and its target. This can be invaluable in troubleshooting. For users with older PCs, hiding setup will use a little less CPU, or LP-Bridge can be run minimized for minimum peocessor load.

Refer to http://www.telepostinc.com/PSDR119/LP-PAN-Install_Op_Manual.pdf for further details.

73,
Larry N8LP




Software Version History: Note: The name "PowerSDR-IF" below refers to the FlexRadio Systems PowerSDRTM software modified and supported by WU2X.
Version
 Release Date
 Notes
0.9981 update
 4-10-10
 Adds support for K3 Memory Editor
0.9980
full
 4-10-10
 Bug fix for Win 7 config.ini path in installer
0.9980 update
 4-7-10
 Adds support for PowerSDR-IF v1.19.35
0.9976
full & update
 10-5-09
 Fixed problem with IF command that prevented proper reporting of K3 Data Sub-Modes
0.9974
 10-3-09
 Extensive changes to add all known K3 commands, and change behavior of SET command pass-throughs
0.9973
 8-31-09
 Improved AI1 operation
0.9972
 8-25-09
 Improved AI2 operation
0.997
 8-24-09
 Fixed bugs with AI1 and AI2
0.996
 8-23-09
 New version for PowerSDR-IF v1.19.02
0.994
 3-20-09
 Bug Fixes for PowerSDR-IQ v1.12.20 - Last version for PowerSDR-IQ
0.992
 3-15-09
 Adds support for PowerSDR-IQ v1.12.20
0.989
 3-5-09
 Enabled virtual ports 4 & 5
0.988
 3-2-09
 Added AutoLaunch path entry field for PowerSDR
Added AutoLaunch option for 2nd instance of PowerSDR
0.987
 3-1-09 Autostart enabled for all real and virtual ports.
Autolaunch added for virtual port connected apps
Autolaunch added for PowerSDR
LP-Bridge "start minimized" option added
0.986
 2-18-09
 Added support for some special modes for N1MM
0.985
 2-1-09
 Fixed DXBase not working on VPorts 2 & 3
0.984
 1-31-09
 Fixed timing problems with DXBase
Fixed truncated frequencies above 99,999.999 MHz.
Fixed frequency reporting on the Output ports in Split mode.
0.983
 10-31-08
 Adds support for K3 firmware release 2.46
Adds support for HRD 4.1 Build 1989
Adds IF; and FB; outputs for the two Output Ports to support microHam band decoder
0.982
 9-25-08
 Fixed bug in Split mode for two Output Ports
0.981
 9-11-08
 Fixed bug that caused Output Port 2 to recall the com port number for Output port 1.
0.980
 9-7-08
 1. Fixed a bug where the position lines in config.ini were not being saved under certain conditions.
2. Changed the way ports are saved to eliminate the possibility of the wrong port being recalled
3. Fixed RX command problem.
0.979
 8-15-08
 Added output ports for SteppIR and other hardware.
0.978
 08-07-08
 Made a change to correct for an apparent intermittent K3 bug causing errors when polling a VPort for commands which use the K3 extended command set.
0.977
 08-05-08
 1. Changed polling in TX mode to reduce load on K3 which was causing problems with ALC algorithm in K3.
2. Added AI2 option for VPorts 2 & 3
3. Added error trapping and message for K3 port connection.
4. Fixed a couple minor bugs.
0.976
 08-03-08
 1. Fixed a problem with microHam Router and the way it and at least one other USB to serial adapter handled AI2 generated responses from the K3.
2. Re-enabled blocking of AI commands from V Ports
0.975
 08-01-08
 1. Fixed a problem with buffer overrun on microHam Router and other USB to serial adapters when polling for all the data to initially populate the virtual K3 parameters in LP-Bridge.
2. Fixed bug where polling was being unibtentionally be repeated twice each polling interval.
0.974
 07-30-08
 Initial alpha release of LP-Bridge