[HOWTO] Program The Radio on Max OS X using an Arduino

[flipy]

If you got an Arduino, you have a working programmer for your radio!

Prerequisites:
- Arduino (obvious) and its software (http://arduino.googlecode.com/files/ard ... macosx.zip)
- 9X like radio
- soldering skills or smartie parts board (or similar)

First, start by following any guide to connect to the main chip.


I suggest you use any kind of adaptor (I'm using a 9-pin serial cable).

Identify your board and create the pin layout as follows:
For non-Mega boards:


Mega boards:
SCK: 52
MISO: 50
MOSI: 51
RESET: 53

If you have a newer version of the Board, you don't need to do the following step:
Download the FTDI drivers and install them: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP/Mac ... 2_2_18.dmg

If you like to use companion9x or any other software, follow the steps:
- Open terminal (mac+space to open spotlight, type terminal and enter)
- List your device:

Code: Select all

sudo ls /dev/tty.usbserial*

This will display an entry (in my case was /dev/tty.usbserial-A900F79O).
- Create a link for your device:
Replace mydevice with what you get in the previos step.

Code: Select all

sudo ln -s /dev/tty.usbserial-mydevice /dev/ttyUSB0

(in my case it was sudo ln -s /dev/tty.usbserial-A900F79O /dev/ttyUSB0)

Load the ArduinoISP sketch into your Arduino:
- Open the Arduino program
- Go to Tools>Board and select your Board
- Go to Tools>Serial Port and choose your Serial Port from above
- Go to File>Examples>ArduinoISP
- Go to File>Upload

Either using avrdude directly or any software like companion9x, use the following settings:
Programmer: avrisp
Baudrate: 19200

Example using avrdude:
avrdude -c avrisp -b 19200 -P /dev/tty.usbserial-A900F79O -U eeprom:r:/tmp/tmp.hex:i

Example using companion9x:
(will upload image later)

Sources:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1494444
http://diyjunky.blogspot.com.es/2011/09 ... rnigy.html

[Kilrah]

I think you forgot the step about loading ArduinoISP on the arduino, no?

[rperkins]

and according to this page the 'Uno' does not use the FTDI drivers. I dont think any of the current arduinos use ftdi anymore. most have a secondary avr to handle the usb communications. This post is still applicable to older arduino's though.

reference
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/MacOSX

in additon to the good point Kilrah mentions, you have to change the 'programmer' to avrisp in the avrdude section of Eepe/C9x as shown in the rcgroups link the OP posted.

yes the -B 19200 is critical. also there have been some issues with arduino as a programmer. If you have issues to a google search on your error. I know I had to upgrade the arduino IDE to get away from it

[flipy]

I think you forgot the step about loading ArduinoISP on the arduino, no?

Yes, you're right!

[flipy]

and according to this page the 'Uno' does not use the FTDI drivers. I dont think any of the current arduinos use ftdi anymore. most have a secondary avr to handle the usb communications. This post is still applicable to older arduino's though.

reference
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/MacOSX

Yes, you're right.
The reason of this post is because it wasn't clear how to do it with old Arduino boards (as it is not detected as USB).