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KRC2 Question

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K6LMP

KRC2 Question

I'm thinking of ordering a KCR2 Band Decoder from Aptos.

I'm trying to figure out how it could be configured to control antenna selection based on mode of operation. My station has Yagi beams for UHF/VHF weak signal work, and also verticals for FM and repeater use. I know I can get the KCR2 set up to select the appropriate relay readout for a given band, but I can't see a way to automate the process of selecting between the two available antenna on (for example) 2 meters.

Obviously I can do this with a manual switch setup. Any way to automate it so that I won't forget to change antennas when I switch from SSB to FM?

Thanks,

Lew K6LMP

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KRC2 Question

Lew,

You are correct, the KRC2 cannot do that directly, but it does have the
AC outputs that can be put to use such that with a bit of external diode
logic it can be semi-automatic. I say semi-automatic because the
selection of the AC outputs depend on tapping or holding the 4 buttons
on the KRC2.
Secondly, the KRC2 does not decode 2 meters, so you would have to
improvise something. It could be made to work after some fashion by
using the band data outputs of the K3 and substituting the decode for 2
meters with some other band.

I believe that a less expensive band decoder and a manual switch is the
KISS solution. The K3 has no output that indicates the mode, so a SMART
solution involving a dedicated processor that polls the K3 for the
relevant data on the RS-232 bus would be the only automated solution
that I can think of.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/23/2011 9:22 AM, Lew Phelps K6LMP wrote:

> I'm thinking of ordering a KCR2 Band Decoder from Aptos.
>
> I'm trying to figure out how it could be configured to control antenna selection based on mode of operation. My station has Yagi beams for UHF/VHF weak signal work, and also verticals for FM and repeater use. I know I can get the KCR2 set up to select the appropriate relay readout for a given band, but I can't see a way to automate the process of selecting between the two available antenna on (for example) 2 meters.
>
> Obviously I can do this with a manual switch setup. Any way to automate it so that I won't forget to change antennas when I switch from SSB to FM?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lew K6LMP
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KRC2 Question

In reply to this post by K6LMP

Sorry, but I was hasty and erred in that last post by saying the KRC2
does not decode 2 meters - it does not directly, but the TRN outputs can
be configured to select 2 meters.

73,
Don W3FPR
--------------------------------------------
Lew,

You are correct, the KRC2 cannot do that directly, but it does have the
AC outputs that can be put to use such that with a bit of external diode
logic it can be semi-automatic. I say semi-automatic because the
selection of the AC outputs depend on tapping or holding the 4 buttons
on the KRC2.
Secondly, the KRC2 does not decode 2 meters, so you would have to
improvise something. It could be made to work after some fashion by
using the band data outputs of the K3 and substituting the decode for 2
meters with some other band.

I believe that a less expensive band decoder and a manual switch is the
KISS solution. The K3 has no output that indicates the mode, so a SMART
solution involving a dedicated processor that polls the K3 for the
relevant data on the RS-232 bus would be the only automated solution
that I can think of.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/23/2011 9:22 AM, Lew Phelps K6LMP wrote:

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: KRC2 Question

In reply to this post by K6LMP

>> I'm trying to figure out how it could be configured to control
>> antenna selection based on mode of operation. My station has Yagi
>> beams for UHF/VHF weak signal work, and also verticals for FM and
>> repeater use. I know I can get the KCR2 set up to select the
>> appropriate relay readout for a given band, but I can't see a way
>> to automate the process of selecting between the two available
>> antenna on (for example) 2 meters.

As you have probably heard by now, the KRC2 does not directly decode
2 meters (I don't believe it decodes above 30 MHz except as XVTR
bands - but that may be 54 MHz) and certainly does not decode within
any band.

As far as I know, the only band decoder currently available that
will decode within a band is the microHAM Station Master. As long
as the CAT interface provides the correct RF frequency (e.g., IF
+/- LO), Station Master can be configured to decode "band" based
on that frequency. For example, this would allow one to define
144.0-144.5 and 144.5-148 MHz "bands" and select the yagis for
144.0-144.5 and a vertical elsewhere. Another use is selecting
loading coils on an 80/75 meter antenna ... one might configure
four or five separate "bands" depending on bandwidth and number
of tap settings.

73,

... Joe Subich, W4TV
microHAM America, LLC.
http://www.microHAM-USA.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM

e-mail: [hidden email]

On 1/23/2011 9:22 AM, Lew Phelps K6LMP wrote: