Smart Shelf Book Project Problems

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   Hi All!!

I had a friend (much smarter than I) lend me his RFID toys book to read while on the road. (I drive truck)

Loved the book BTW Amal!!

I decided to tackle the smart shelf project and purchased an M1 reader and the antenna from digikey as the book suggests. I also purchased 25 Tag-it HF-1 tags from digikey. 
I assembled everything as the book instructed yet after installing the software I have nothing showing up on my smart shelf inventory. 
I have power to the M1 and antenna according to my cheap multi-meter. I'm guessing I need to do something with my computer to make things work? Or do I have improper components? Or is there something I need to check on the M1?

Unfortunately I am not real computer savvy (just enough to get me in trouble) and I am at a loss as to what to do next. 
I searched the forum this evening and am beginning to wonder if I'm in over my head, lol. 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I spent all evening reading posts and love what I read, I just need to educate myself to have a better grasp on what the posters are referring to and apparently learn something about writing codes.

I see much more reading in my future, lol. 

Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you all!!

DT........the newb.

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FTEDT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 April 2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote FTEDT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Smart Shelf Book Project Problems Posted: 28 April 2011 at 9:20pm
	Hi All!! I had a friend (much smarter than I) lend me his RFID toys book to read while on the road. (I drive truck) Loved the book BTW Amal!! I decided to tackle the smart shelf project and purchased an M1 reader and the antenna from digikey as the book suggests. I also purchased 25 Tag-it HF-1 tags from digikey. I assembled everything as the book instructed yet after installing the software I have nothing showing up on my smart shelf inventory. I have power to the M1 and antenna according to my cheap multi-meter. I'm guessing I need to do something with my computer to make things work? Or do I have improper components? Or is there something I need to check on the M1? Unfortunately I am not real computer savvy (just enough to get me in trouble) and I am at a loss as to what to do next. I searched the forum this evening and am beginning to wonder if I'm in over my head, lol. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I spent all evening reading posts and love what I read, I just need to educate myself to have a better grasp on what the posters are referring to and apparently learn something about writing codes. I see much more reading in my future, lol. Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you all!! DT........the newb.
	Not so wise one trying to be wiser!! :-)

amal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 22 November 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2062	Post Options Post Reply Quote amal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 11:28am
	Hi DT, Welcome to the forum! Do you have the RS232 version of the M1? There are several versions of the M1, and some do not come with pins that can handle RS232 data voltage levels. Some versions come with TTL pins that only handle 0v to +5v data voltages, while RS232 uses -12v to +12v. Where did you purchase your M1 from?
	Amal ;) www.amal.net

FTEDT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 April 2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote FTEDT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 1:03pm
	Hi Amal, Thank you for your response!! I purchased the M1 from eBay and in hindsight am realizing that probably wasn't the route to go. I did not realize/pay attention to the differences in the M1 and I betting that is what my issue is. How to I tell which M1 I have would be my next question. And when I call Skyetek do I just need to clarify an rs232 M1?? I will go to Skyetek's website and see if I can discern what it is I actually have. Thank you so much for your help/this forum/ and being accessible for newb's such as myself to be able to ask questions!! I really excited to make this work, every person who has asked what it is that I am doing gives me the deer in the headlights look and says WOW. Lol. Thanks again, DT
	Not so wise one trying to be wiser!! :-)

amal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 22 November 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2062	Post Options Post Reply Quote amal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 1:20pm
	Hmm, how about posting a picture of the front and back of it. Usually the pins are marked. Other than that, not sure how one would be able to tell, but maybe something in the photos will give it away.
	Amal ;) www.amal.net

FTEDT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 April 2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote FTEDT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 3:43pm
	https://picasaweb.google.com/WhiteyFTE/M12?feat=directlink https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LoZjnnZwCMdCKycjmt94Ag?feat=directlink Hopefully those pics are good enough for you to look at. I assume I need to get a photobucket account or something along those lines. If you cannot tell what you are looking at holler and I'll try to get you better pictures this evening. Thank you so much for your time and efforts!! I appreciate it. I'm really excited to get this working. Also, while I'm thinking about it. I talked to Skyetek and they said they are out of the M1 with the rs232 capabilities. They directed me to Digikey or Mouser. I have an account with Digikey but they show several different M1's. All appear to be round which I'm assuming isn't a big deal, just a different design. However, is there something in particular I should be looking for if I do need to buy a new reader from them? Thanks again. I have to drive this weekend but I should be back Sunday evening!! Tip of the hat to you my friend!! DT Edited by FTEDT - 29 April 2011 at 3:52pm
	Not so wise one trying to be wiser!! :-)

amal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 22 November 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2062	Post Options Post Reply Quote amal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 3:50pm
	Yep, that looks like you have the RS232 type. Does the TX wire from the M1 go into the RX pin on the PC port and RX wire from the M1 go to the TX pin on the PC port? Seems simple but sometimes people overlook it.
	Amal ;) www.amal.net

FTEDT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 April 2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote FTEDT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 3:58pm
	HOLY CRAP!!....I do have the TX and RX wires crossed!! UGH....I feel so stupid....I'll do some changing and report back!! Edited by FTEDT - 29 April 2011 at 3:59pm
	Not so wise one trying to be wiser!! :-)

FTEDT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 April 2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote FTEDT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 5:12pm
	Baaaahhhh....still don't show anything. I did however just notice that what appears to be a tiny inductor on the board is broken at the top (has 220 stamped on it). I cannot see any broken wires per say, but I did not notice that when I opened the package. You can somewhat see it on the previous picture link. I wonder if that could be causing my grief? I will try to get a picture up later this evening before I have to leave. Thanks again for all your advice!! I appreciate it! DT While I'm thinking about it, if I do have to order a new board, do any of these from Digikey work? I'm not quite sure how to decipher which on I should be looking for. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=3539638&k=Skyetek%20M1 Edited by FTEDT - 29 April 2011 at 5:16pm
	Not so wise one trying to be wiser!! :-)

FTEDT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 April 2011 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote FTEDT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 April 2011 at 5:58pm
	Here is a pic of the possible problem. https://picasaweb.google.com/WhiteyFTE/M13?authkey=Gv1sRgCIXqgdqcjaaAxQE&feat=directlink
	Not so wise one trying to be wiser!! :-)

amal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 22 November 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2062	Post Options Post Reply Quote amal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 April 2011 at 1:15pm
	As long as the copper windings are not broken, it shouldn't be too big a problem. PS, I've fixed photo attachments on the forum, you can directly upload and insert photos now.
	Amal ;) www.amal.net