Looking for: Tektronix TX3 IR interface cable and serial commands/protocol specs

[n3mmr]

I'm looking for an IR interface cable for my TX3 DMM.

Either a DIY design or an existing cable.

And also documentation of the commands to control and read data from the meter.

[Jimkoz]

The TX3 can use the same cable as the Fluke 18x series meters. I believe it’s the IR189USB, but you can sometimes find a serial version on eBay.

FlukeView Forms will also work with the TX3. The software recognizes it as a Fluke 183/185, which are what the Tektronix TX1/TX3 were sold as in Europe.

[Jimkoz]

The Fluke IR189USB uses a receptacle with a long "tongue" that slides into a slot in the Fluke boots.  My TX3 was missing the original receptacle that fits inside of the boot, so I cut off the tongue on the Fluke receptacle and attached it to my TX3 boot with some small machine screws.

You'll see from the attached image that my cable is the old RS232 serial version.

[Jimkoz]

Attached is a MATLAB file that I use to read from my TX3.   I had to give it a ".txt" extension to upload it.

The only commands that I've found to be useful are:

  !K?  =  Rotary switch position
  !M?  =  Value on main display
  !U?  =  Value on upper display

Communication Parameters:

  Baud Rate = 9600
  Terminator Character = Carriage Return
  Flow Control = "Hardware"
  Data Bits = 7
  Stop Bits = 1
  Parity = "Even"