How to connect a Chrony to laptop PC

[MinimumMOA]

Today I finished connecting a Beta Chrony to a laptop using about $8 worth of parts.

This was done because the cost of software (about $100) and the cost of the USB connector and Chrony (stereo) connector (about $50) are excessive.

Listed below:
buy the USB $5
buy the stereo connector $3
download the USB driver (free)
download the software to talk to the USB (free or if you have windows xp it is already on you PC)
download the basic instructions used to talk to the chrony (free)


Hardware
PL2303 USB2.0 to RS232 TTL Converter Module + 4 x cable
Obtained from e-bay
Male stereo 1/8 Phone Plug (3 conductor)
Obtained from e-bay (or Radio Shack)

Driver
Prolific – obtained from prolific website
PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1.8.0.exe
checkChipVersion_v1006.exe
PL2303 Windows Driver User Manual v1.8.0.pdf
PL2303_DriverInstallerv1.8.0_ReleaseNote.txt
PL2303CheckChipVersion_ReadMe.txt

Software
Hyperterminal software
hypertrm.exe
hypertrm.dll
hypertrm.hlp
Obtained from - any windows XP program files

ExtraPutty
ExtraPuTTY-installer.exe
README.txt
Obtained from ExtraPutty website

Hardware
PL2303 USB2.0 to RS232 TTL Converter Module + 4 x cable
Obtained from e-bay
Male stereo 1/8 Phone Plug (3 conductor)
Obtained from e-bay (or Radio Shack)

Driver
Prolific – obtained from prolific website
PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1.8.0.exe
checkChipVersion_v1006.exe
PL2303 Windows Driver User Manual v1.8.0.pdf
PL2303_DriverInstallerv1.8.0_ReleaseNote.txt
PL2303CheckChipVersion_ReadMe.txt

Software
Hyperterminal software
hypertrm.exe
hypertrm.dll
hypertrm.hlp
Obtained from - any windows XP program files location

Or use ExtraPutty
ExtraPuTTY-installer.exe
README.txt
Obtained from ExtraPutty website


How to set up and run the software
Reference
nopLabs, Shooting Chrony PC Protocol

Set up notes
Both Hyperterminal and ExtraPutty use the same parameters
The serial port settings are:
4800bps
8 data bits
no parity
1 stop bit.
Name the setup so you can click on it later

Running the software notes
Use the following commands
SYSX – Enter the PC mode
X.ALO – Ping Chrony (Hello I am here)
X.INC – increment to the next string
X.END – get out of PC mode

A day at the range
Set up the Chrony on the range
Put the battery in the Chrony
Plug in the USB to the PC
Plug the USB into the Chrony
Turn on the chrony (last step is to turn the unit on)
Turn on your PC
Click on Hyperterminal or extraputty
An empty window should show up
Type in SYSX – Enter the PC mode
X.ALO – Ping Chrony (Hello I am here)
Type in X.GEE
This should be empty if you cleared out your Chrony memory
If not – refer to the Chrony owner's manual and clear out the memory
Type in X.END

Begin shooting … YES we are actually shooting NOW

Shoot ten (successful) shots
Type in SYSX – Enter the PC mode
Type in X.GEE
Copy this to a notepad file for later use in Excel
Type in X.INC
To increment to the next string
Type in X.END

Repeat as needed …
Have FUN …

 

[Mikecr]

You should put this in 'Equipment Discussions' or 'Rifles, Bullets, Barrels and Ballistics' instead of 'Long Range Scopes and Other Optics'
Just a thought