Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and other projects).

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Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and other projects).

Glen Torr-2
Hi Wayne and all,

Thanks for the invite to ask Q's about macros.

I want a remote tuner for the K3 and have purchased an Icom AH-4.  I
built a simple controller but have been thinking I would program a PIC
to automate the process but maybe macros will provide a better
solution. What I need to do is:-

1) obtain and store current power
2) obtain and store current mode
3) set power to 10 W
4) set mode to CW
5) key TX
6) wait for tune successful (dig I/O on acc. skt).
7) restore power to stored value.
8) restore mode to stored value.

I was looking at the programmers reference to see if this was doable
in a PIC but if I can do it in the K3 terrific.

Secondly, when the KX1 was released an article by Wayne appeared in
the ARS Sojourner where Wayne said that at the expense of current
projects the KX1 was developed, was the current project the K3?

Thanks all,

Glen VK1FB
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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and other projects).

Stephen  Prior
Glen

I too am using an Icom AH-4 tuner with the K3, it has behaved faultlessly
for the past 5 years.  Currently I have a manual push to make switch which I
manually push with the K3 in tune mode (7.5W) and that works fine.  I would,
however, love to be able to seemlessly integrate it with the K3 in some
manner.  I have the Yaesu tune control from The Better RF Company which
allows the AH-4 to work with the FT-857/897 radios but have never looked
into whether it could be adapted for use with the K3.

Too many things to do, too little time....

73 Stephen  G4SJP


On 29/10/2009 08:41, "Glen Torr" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Hi Wayne and all,
>
> Thanks for the invite to ask Q's about macros.
>
> I want a remote tuner for the K3 and have purchased an Icom AH-4.  I
> built a simple controller but have been thinking I would program a PIC
> to automate the process but maybe macros will provide a better
> solution. What I need to do is:-
>
> 1) obtain and store current power
> 2) obtain and store current mode
> 3) set power to 10 W
> 4) set mode to CW
> 5) key TX
> 6) wait for tune successful (dig I/O on acc. skt).
> 7) restore power to stored value.
> 8) restore mode to stored value.
>
> I was looking at the programmers reference to see if this was doable
> in a PIC but if I can do it in the K3 terrific.
>
> Secondly, when the KX1 was released an article by Wayne appeared in
> the ARS Sojourner where Wayne said that at the expense of current
> projects the KX1 was developed, was the current project the K3?
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Glen VK1FB
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and other projects).

juergen piezo

Hi Stephen

It would be great if Elecraft could produce a wide range auto antenna tuner like the SGC230 that would work with a K3. It would even be better if it was a true balanced tuner. A waterproof reliable coupler from Elecraft I am sure would be a big hit.


John


--- On Thu, 10/29/09, Stephen Prior <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Stephen Prior <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and other projects).
> To: "Glen Torr" <[hidden email]>, "elecraft" <[hidden email]>
> Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 2:13 AM
> Glen
>
> I too am using an Icom AH-4 tuner with the K3, it has
> behaved faultlessly
> for the past 5 years.  Currently I have a manual push
> to make switch which I
> manually push with the K3 in tune mode (7.5W) and that
> works fine.  I would,
> however, love to be able to seemlessly integrate it with
> the K3 in some
> manner.  I have the Yaesu tune control from The Better
> RF Company which
> allows the AH-4 to work with the FT-857/897 radios but have
> never looked
> into whether it could be adapted for use with the K3.
>
> Too many things to do, too little time....
>
> 73 Stephen  G4SJP
>
>
> On 29/10/2009 08:41, "Glen Torr" <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > Hi Wayne and all,
> >
> > Thanks for the invite to ask Q's about macros.
> >
> > I want a remote tuner for the K3 and have purchased an
> Icom AH-4.  I
> > built a simple controller but have been thinking I
> would program a PIC
> > to automate the process but maybe macros will provide
> a better
> > solution. What I need to do is:-
> >
> > 1) obtain and store current power
> > 2) obtain and store current mode
> > 3) set power to 10 W
> > 4) set mode to CW
> > 5) key TX
> > 6) wait for tune successful (dig I/O on acc. skt).
> > 7) restore power to stored value.
> > 8) restore mode to stored value.
> >
> > I was looking at the programmers reference to see if
> this was doable
> > in a PIC but if I can do it in the K3 terrific.
> >
> > Secondly, when the KX1 was released an article by
> Wayne appeared in
> > the ARS Sojourner where Wayne said that at the expense
> of current
> > projects the KX1 was developed, was the current
> project the K3?
> >
> > Thanks all,
> >
> > Glen VK1FB
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and other projects).

Frank R. Oppedijk
In reply to this post by Glen Torr-2
Hi Glen,

Having a remote tuner, integrated with the K3 would be great...

I'm currently at work, so am recalling from my head. I think you can
achieve steps 1) through 5) by a hold on the TUNE front panel button.
Holding TUNE will set power output to the power specified in the
CONFIG:TUN PWR setting. IIRC, pressing and holding a front panel
button can be done from a macro with a SWHnn; command. Steps 7) and
8) are performed by a button tap, ending tune mode (SWTnn;).

Thus, your problem is reduced to step 6). I think the current macro
capabilities don't include reading the accessory socket and acting on
a certain condition on it. I'm curious whether Wayne has a good idea
on this matter.

Cheers,

Frank PA4N


At 09:41 29/10/2009, Glen Torr wrote:

>Hi Wayne and all,
>
>Thanks for the invite to ask Q's about macros.
>
>I want a remote tuner for the K3 and have purchased an Icom AH-4.  I
>built a simple controller but have been thinking I would program a PIC
>to automate the process but maybe macros will provide a better
>solution. What I need to do is:-
>
>1) obtain and store current power
>2) obtain and store current mode
>3) set power to 10 W
>4) set mode to CW
>5) key TX
>6) wait for tune successful (dig I/O on acc. skt).
>7) restore power to stored value.
>8) restore mode to stored value.
>
>I was looking at the programmers reference to see if this was doable
>in a PIC but if I can do it in the K3 terrific.
>
>Secondly, when the KX1 was released an article by Wayne appeared in
>the ARS Sojourner where Wayne said that at the expense of current
>projects the KX1 was developed, was the current project the K3?
>
>Thanks all,
>
>Glen VK1FB
>______________________________________________________________
>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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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and otherprojects).

Craig Smith
In reply to this post by juergen piezo
<> It would be great if Elecraft could produce a wide range auto antenna
tuner that would <> work with a K3. It would even be better if it was a true
balanced
<> tuner. A waterproof reliable coupler from Elecraft I am sure would be a
big hit.

YES indeed!  I'm currently using a remote CG-3000 on my multiband vertical,
but would MUCH rather have an Elecraft tuner that interfaced with the K3.  I
love the internal Elecraft tuners and believe it is time for them to start
thinking "outside the box"  ;>)

73  Craig   AC0DS



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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and otherprojects).

ab2tc
I support this, too. I currently use an MFJ autotuner which is not designed for remote operation. I use it remotely with a 'tune' switch in the shack via a 100' cable to the tuner wired in parallel with the tune button on the tuner. I use an MFJ current balun between the tuner and the antenna which is not ideal since the SWR can be as high as 6:1 on some bands. So a true balanced, remote controlled autotuner by Elecraft would be very welcome by me. The remote control can be very crude, just a means to start tuning is all I need. I do not like to use the fully automatic mode provided by most tuners as they sometimes start tuning when I talk and then they generally fail to find a match because of the wild gyrations in an SSB signal.

AB2TC - Knut

Craig D. Smith wrote
<> It would be great if Elecraft could produce a wide range auto antenna
tuner that would <> work with a K3. It would even be better if it was a true
balanced
<> tuner. A waterproof reliable coupler from Elecraft I am sure would be a
big hit.

YES indeed!  I'm currently using a remote CG-3000 on my multiband vertical,
but would MUCH rather have an Elecraft tuner that interfaced with the K3.  I
love the internal Elecraft tuners and believe it is time for them to start
thinking "outside the box"  ;>)

73  Craig   AC0DS

<snip>
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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and otherprojects).

Joe Subich, W4TV-4
In reply to this post by Glen Torr-2


> 6) wait for tune successful (dig I/O on acc. skt).

I originally looked for similar support (an input line that  
would place the K3 in "tune" mode when closed) to support
the "TF" function of the Yaesu Quadra.  Unfortunately, the K3
has no uncommitted input (the only to input lines are FSK and
XVTR-ON/TX Inhibit) the closest available option is Key In.  

One interesting option for AH-4 type tuners would be for the
K3 to generate a one second pulse on DIGOUT 0 when the "Tune"
button was pressed.  This could be used to initiate a tune
cycle in external tuners.  Since a low to high transition on
the Key In or PTT lines will already cause the K3 to end the
"tune" signal, connecting the "tuning" signal to either PTT
or Key In would automate the tuning operation with the AH-4
with no external interface except maybe some driver hardware.

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV
 




> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Glen Torr
> Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 4:42 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner
> (and otherprojects).
>
>
> Hi Wayne and all,
>
> Thanks for the invite to ask Q's about macros.
>
> I want a remote tuner for the K3 and have purchased an Icom
> AH-4.  I built a simple controller but have been thinking I
> would program a PIC to automate the process but maybe macros
> will provide a better solution. What I need to do is:-
>
> 1) obtain and store current power
> 2) obtain and store current mode
> 3) set power to 10 W
> 4) set mode to CW
> 5) key TX
> 6) wait for tune successful (dig I/O on acc. skt).
> 7) restore power to stored value.
> 8) restore mode to stored value.
>
> I was looking at the programmers reference to see if this was
> doable in a PIC but if I can do it in the K3 terrific.
>
> Secondly, when the KX1 was released an article by Wayne
> appeared in the ARS Sojourner where Wayne said that at the
> expense of current projects the KX1 was developed, was the
> current project the K3?
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Glen VK1FB
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Re: Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and otherprojects).

Bill Hammond
In reply to this post by Craig Smith

Funny, I guess many of us have had a remote waterproof balanced/unbalenced tuner on our wish list.  Currently, I use a AH-4 and tune it with a Icom radio on the desk and then manually switch the coax to all Elecraft gear, K1, KX1, K2 and K3. I use the Icom rig as a remote tuner activator for Elecraft rigs.

Lets start our pre orders now :)
73,
Bill AK5X  


-----Original Message-----
From: Craig D. Smith <[hidden email]>
To: 'juergen piezo' <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Sent: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 7:03 am
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Macro control of AH-4 remote tuner (and otherprojects).



<> It would be great if Elecraft could produce a wide range auto antenna
uner that would <> work with a K3. It would even be better if it was a true
alanced
> tuner. A waterproof reliable coupler from Elecraft I am sure would be a
ig hit.
YES indeed!  I'm currently using a remote CG-3000 on my multiband vertical,
ut would MUCH rather have an Elecraft tuner that interfaced with the K3.  I
ove the internal Elecraft tuners and believe it is time for them to start
hinking "outside the box"  ;>)
73  Craig   AC0DS

______________________________________________________________
lecraft mailing list
ome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
elp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
ost: mailto:[hidden email]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
lease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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