Plot Anritsu MS2668C with Prologix GPIB interface and KE5FX 7470 Plotter Emulator

One of our Spectrum Analyser here at work is an old but good Anritsu MS2668C.
For the uninitiated, a spectrum analyser plots power on the Y axis against frequency on the X axis.  The MS2668 can operate from 9kHz to 40GHz. 

The problem is that while one can view the result on its nice colour screen, the unit does not have a ethernet port or a USB port.  It has a serial port and a GPIB port.  Those of us with grey hair know GPIB.  We also know what a plotter is. 

A plotter is a thig of the 70's and 80's where a pen was driven around on a piece of paper by a computer.  HP now a maker of computers made several models with model numbers like 7470 and 7474 as I recall.

We have a Prologix GPIB to USB interface and a Mr John Mills http://www.ke5fx.com has a suit of handy and free programs that talk to GPIB instruments via the Prologix board.

These are the things I did to get the Anritsu MS2668C to plot to a file on my Windows 8.0 Laptop.

Downloaded the latest program from KE5FX and installed it.
On the Prologix board, set the Dip switch to "Controller".
Plugged in the USB lead.
Ran the Prologix USB Configurator program
Clicked on the device In my case - Com 5 (USB Serial Port)
Clicked "Update Connect.ini"
Observed where it put connect.ini
c:\users\frank_000\AppData\Local\KE5FX\GPIB\connect.ini
Edited connect.ini with Notepad++ & set is_prologix to 0 (was 1)
saved it.
Unplugged USB cable
Set DIP switch to "Device"
Plugged USB in
Ran "HP7470 Emulator"

On the Anritsu MS2668C
Pressed Shift (blue button) + Interface (dot key on numeric key pad)
Set the menus as follows
RS232C Setup - not touched
GPIB My Address   = 18
-
Connect to Controller = None
Connect to Prt/Plt       = GPIB
Connect to Peripheral = None
Menu -> Off
Pressed "Copy" (Left hand side of screen)
And walla it worked!
Everyone was happy and the universe was restored.

Blue River Challenge

4:00am Frank, Megan and Chris rise but perhaps shine is yet to come.  We collected our gear and drove into the BGS shed at West End.  Megan had signed up along with Cybele, Edwina and Lee, Felicity, Susan to do the BGS corporate rowing - The blue river challenge.

Chris and I were there just to help out.  Holding boats and the like.  In the end one of the crews were short a member so Chris stepped in.  The photo below shows Chris in the stroke position.  He is second from the left.  Light blue tee shirt.  I (Frank) ended up coxing megans crew.  No photo I am afraid.  Although just prior to departure someone had kindly bought me a take away coffee so I enjoyed the fun of sitting sideways in a too small coxes seat and sipping a latte while steering and assisting the crew to row.  The coach who had a motor boat had responsibility for most things.  I just had responsibility for not spilling my coffee and not running aground.

Gantt Chart Programs

http://teamgantt.com  $29/mo.  5 users 10 projects


http://creately.com/plans   -- Free it seems



http://creately.com/plans  1user$5, 5 users $25/month
Hmm - its a bit ????

Gantter.com
Integrated with google docs - sort of.  It seems to take a bit of clicking each time to load up.  Almost there.
You do have to be logged into google.  No "just share with the link"

ganttic.com/home-new   $49/mo.  There is a free version but no collaboration as far as I can see.  ie everyone had to log in and they would need the same user name password.

gantto.com  --> Redirect to tomsplanner


liquidplanner.com  $29/mo/user

https://teamweek.com/  5 mombers for free -
Cant seem to zoom.  The x axis is in days.  The duration popup seems only in hours.  gave up.
www.smartsheet.com  $US14/m (Paid yearly)

http://teamgantt.com/    $US29/month 5 users  10 Projects

http://www.tomsplanner.com/  They do have a free version....

http://www.projectmanager.com  $35/user/month (Note Starter does not have Gantt)

www.wrike.com   $US49   5 users  (Note the free offering does not have Gantt)

http://www.ganttproject.biz/
Stalled since 2011
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ganttproject/
Seems more active.


OpenProj
OK BUT cant annotate the Gantt bars with task names.  Only resources.

http://www.smartdraw.com

Chris's GR10 1st Quad Crew Dinner

We being the parents and crew (minus the cox and his parents) met for dinner at "Grilled" at Rosalie.  We were informed that the cox has gastro and so were rather glad he did not show.
Next Saturday is the big day.  The Head Of the River (HOR).

 Chris       Joe       David   Paddy
(Stroke)    (2)       (bow)     (3)
The back of the head belongs to Richard their coach.
Not visible is George the cox who was away sick.

Here is video of them in action at last weekends regatta.  They are the last race.  at 13:46

Brother 9450CDN Unable To Print Error 32 Fix

This is handy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bob34TLrPQ

1 Open front cover and remove the tray with the toner units (green handles)

2 Lift out the paper conveyor that is under it.

Open Back Cover

Remove back cover.  (Two screws)

Remove this thing....
(2 screws)

 Pull off cover
Reveals 4 white plugs

Lift this thing out















Pull out 4 white plugs at the front & unthread the red wires.
Unplug theribbon cable with blue flag
Unplug white and red plugs.
Undo 2 screws
remove assembly

Sunday-
Drove to Coomera with Jeff Clark to participate in the Masters rowing regatta.
I was in two races.  The mens D and the Mixed Masters D (I assume).
Did not win either.  Exhausting and a good prod to do some exercise