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RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

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Ignacy

RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

I have a few switches and would like to automate band changes. There are two choices:
1. Ameritron RCS-12. About $320 with the relay box. Very simple but one needs to use tricks to use two relay boxes.
2. Microham Station Master. Much more elaborate but more complicated, relying on computer, and needs additional relay boxes.

I don't consider the ELecraft box because its software has neither the simplicity of RCS-12 nor the flexibility of Station Master. Only firmware problems.

Looking for experiences, not opinions.

Ignacy, NO9E

Dave Perry N4QS

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

Ignacy,

I ordered and attempted to install the RCS-12 last summer. It did not
interface well with the K3/KPA500. I was going to have to build an
interface box to get it work with the K3. I also had problems with the type
of socket they were using for connecting the cable going to my remote
switch. Only five of eight positions worked at all, and they were
intermittent creating open circuits which weres causing my KPA500 solid
state amp to suddenly see very high SWR while transmitting. After a month
of trial and error and two replacement cable connectors from Ameritron, I
asked for my money back and to their credit they let me ship the unit back
for a full refund. So I would not recommend the RCS-12 based on my personal
experience.

I have not used or tried any Microham products. But I just recently
purchased the Elecraft KRC2 automatic band decoder. This is a very high
quality product and it was very easy to wire for my remote RC8S switch. It
interfaces very nicely to the K3/KPA500 when I use a Y cable coming out of
the Auxilliary Port on the K3. The Y cable splits in two -- one cable goes
to the KPA500 amp and the other connects to the KRC2. The KRC2 follows the
K3 automatically and switches between four antennas. It works really well
and I would highly recommend it. It even works on 6 meters.

Dave, N4QS

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ignacy" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 3:46 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

>I have a few switches and would like to automate band changes. There are
>two
> choices:
> 1. Ameritron RCS-12. About $320 with the relay box. Very simple but one
> needs to use tricks to use two relay boxes.
> 2. Microham Station Master. Much more elaborate but more complicated,
> relying on computer, and needs additional relay boxes.
>
> I don't consider the ELecraft box because its software has neither the
> simplicity of RCS-12 nor the flexibility of Station Master. Only firmware
> problems.
>
> Looking for experiences, not opinions.
>
> Ignacy, NO9E
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/RCS-12-or-Station-Master-for-K3-tp7556171.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
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W4CCS

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

I have used the MicroHam Station Master for many months without issues.
It does exactly what I wanted it to do. It interfaced with my Array
Solutions 6-Pak switch very well. That being said, It is not plug and
play. You will need to setup lots of parameters within the USB device
router software, But, once it is setup, no need for further action.

W4CCS

On 5/20/2012 5:23 PM, N4QS wrote:

> Ignacy,
>
> I ordered and attempted to install the RCS-12 last summer. It did not
> interface well with the K3/KPA500. I was going to have to build an
> interface box to get it work with the K3. I also had problems with the type
> of socket they were using for connecting the cable going to my remote
> switch. Only five of eight positions worked at all, and they were
> intermittent creating open circuits which weres causing my KPA500 solid
> state amp to suddenly see very high SWR while transmitting. After a month
> of trial and error and two replacement cable connectors from Ameritron, I
> asked for my money back and to their credit they let me ship the unit back
> for a full refund. So I would not recommend the RCS-12 based on my personal
> experience.
>
> I have not used or tried any Microham products. But I just recently
> purchased the Elecraft KRC2 automatic band decoder. This is a very high
> quality product and it was very easy to wire for my remote RC8S switch. It
> interfaces very nicely to the K3/KPA500 when I use a Y cable coming out of
> the Auxilliary Port on the K3. The Y cable splits in two -- one cable goes
> to the KPA500 amp and the other connects to the KRC2. The KRC2 follows the
> K3 automatically and switches between four antennas. It works really well
> and I would highly recommend it. It even works on 6 meters.
>
> Dave, N4QS
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ignacy"<[hidden email]>
> To:<[hidden email]>
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 3:46 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?
>
>
>> I have a few switches and would like to automate band changes. There are
>> two
>> choices:
>> 1. Ameritron RCS-12. About $320 with the relay box. Very simple but one
>> needs to use tricks to use two relay boxes.
>> 2. Microham Station Master. Much more elaborate but more complicated,
>> relying on computer, and needs additional relay boxes.
>>
>> I don't consider the ELecraft box because its software has neither the
>> simplicity of RCS-12 nor the flexibility of Station Master. Only firmware
>> problems.
>>
>> Looking for experiences, not opinions.
>>
>> Ignacy, NO9E
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context:
>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/RCS-12-or-Station-Master-for-K3-tp7556171.html
>> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
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Robby.VY2SS

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

In reply to this post by Ignacy

I have been using the Elecraft KRC2 for remote switching for several years.

It drives a MicroHAM 10 port switch. The switch is well made in a heavy casting and can be used in the shack or on your tower. I have never had the slightest problem with it.

I built the KRC2 as a kit (easy) and the only problem came after a minor lightning event which prevented me from communicating with the KRC2 proccessor to upgrade the S/W. Elecraft responded immediately with a new chip with the latest software already installed. The cable interface with the switch box allows one or more bands to use a single antenna.

I am an avid contester and it is great to have one less thing to remember on a band change.

73,

-Robby
VY2SS

Ignacy

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

Is there any way for KRC2 to switch more than 1 antenna per band?
Ignacy

On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 7:39 AM, Robby.VY2SS [via Elecraft] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I have been using the Elecraft KRC2 for remote switching for several years.

It drives a MicroHAM 10 port switch. The switch is well made in a heavy casting and can be used in the shack or on your tower. I have never had the slightest problem with it.

I built the KRC2 as a kit (easy) and the only problem came after a minor lightning event which prevented me from communicating with the KRC2 proccessor to upgrade the S/W. Elecraft responded immediately with a new chip with the latest software already installed. The cable interface with the switch box allows one or more bands to use a single antenna.

I am an avid contester and it is great to have one less thing to remember on a band change.

73,

-Robby
VY2SS

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

Yes,
You can use the high side switching for one set of relays and the low
side for another set. That gives you two. If you need more than 2, you
will have to be more creative and add a few components external to the
KRC2 - a little it of logic done with diodes and relay coils.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/21/2012 2:54 PM, Ignacy wrote:

> Is there any way for KRC2 to switch more than 1 antenna per band?
> Ignacy
>
>
> On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 7:39 AM, Robby.VY2SS [via Elecraft]<
> [hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I have been using the Elecraft KRC2 for remote switching for several
>> years.
>>
>> It drives a MicroHAM 10 port switch. The switch is well made in a heavy
>> casting and can be used in the shack or on your tower. I have never had the
>> slightest problem with it.
>>
>> I built the KRC2 as a kit (easy) and the only problem came after a minor
>> lightning event which prevented me from communicating with the KRC2
>> proccessor to upgrade the S/W. Elecraft responded immediately with a new
>> chip with the latest software already installed. The cable interface with
>> the switch box allows one or more bands to use a single antenna.
>>
>> I am an avid contester and it is great to have one less thing to remember
>> on a band change.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> -Robby
>> VY2SS
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion
>> below:
>>
>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/RCS-12-or-Station-Master-for-K3-tp7556171p7556199.html
>> To unsubscribe from RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?, click here<
>> .
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>
> --
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Mark n2qt

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

In reply to this post by Robby.VY2SS

I've been real happy with the MH Station Master. It's go enough outputs to
control bandpass filters for SO2R as well as doing the normal antenna
selection
duties. You can select more than one output for a given selection so you
can
do binary encoding to your relays and save on wires if you need to. It also
allows
you do reconfigure on the fly rather than making up new diode matrixes like
I used
to do. A bit of a learning curve, but then again what doesn't have one
anymore?

I control a dunestar 600 and a combination of dowkey transfer relays and a
couple
of ameritron RCS8s with mine.

Mark n2qt

-----Original Message-----
From: Robby.VY2SS
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 7:39 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

I have been using the Elecraft KRC2 for remote switching for several years.

It drives a MicroHAM 10 port switch. The switch is well made in a heavy
casting and can be used in the shack or on your tower. I have never had the
slightest problem with it.

I built the KRC2 as a kit (easy) and the only problem came after a minor
lightning event which prevented me from communicating with the KRC2
proccessor to upgrade the S/W. Elecraft responded immediately with a new
chip with the latest software already installed. The cable interface with
the switch box allows one or more bands to use a single antenna.

I am an avid contester and it is great to have one less thing to remember on
a band change.

73,

-Robby
VY2SS

--
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N2TK

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

In reply to this post by Ignacy

What would be real nice is if you could switch between two different
antennas per band with the KRC2 using the "ANT" switch on the K3.
73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ignacy
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 2:54 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

Is there any way for KRC2 to switch more than 1 antenna per band?
Ignacy

On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 7:39 AM, Robby.VY2SS [via Elecraft] <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have been using the Elecraft KRC2 for remote switching for several
> years.
>
> It drives a MicroHAM 10 port switch. The switch is well made in a
> heavy casting and can be used in the shack or on your tower. I have
> never had the slightest problem with it.
>
> I built the KRC2 as a kit (easy) and the only problem came after a
> minor lightning event which prevented me from communicating with the
> KRC2 proccessor to upgrade the S/W. Elecraft responded immediately
> with a new chip with the latest software already installed. The cable
> interface with the switch box allows one or more bands to use a single

antenna.

>
> I am an avid contester and it is great to have one less thing to
> remember on a band change.
>
> 73,
>
> -Robby
> VY2SS
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
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> discussion
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Jack Brindle-2

Re: RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?

In reply to this post by Ignacy

Yes! The KRC2 can be configured to enable any output terminal for any
input band. In the severe case, you could turn all of them on for a
band. My own KRC2 is set to drive a single band for 20, 15 and 10
meters to support my tribander, while a second output is enabled for
80 and 40 meters to use a trap dipole.

The best way to do this is with the KRC2 Configuration Tool, which
allows you to change the band mapping just about any way you would
like. Unfortunately the version of the tool currently on the Elecraft
Web site does not work with the 1.5 or 1.6 KRC2 firmware, but we will
be releasing a new version very soon that does support these versions.

If you need more information or help with this, just send me an email...

Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

On May 21, 2012, at 11:54 AM, Ignacy wrote:

> Is there any way for KRC2 to switch more than 1 antenna per band?
> Ignacy
>
>
> On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 7:39 AM, Robby.VY2SS [via Elecraft] <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I have been using the Elecraft KRC2 for remote switching for several
>> years.
>>
>> It drives a MicroHAM 10 port switch. The switch is well made in a
>> heavy
>> casting and can be used in the shack or on your tower. I have never
>> had the
>> slightest problem with it.
>>
>> I built the KRC2 as a kit (easy) and the only problem came after a
>> minor
>> lightning event which prevented me from communicating with the KRC2
>> proccessor to upgrade the S/W. Elecraft responded immediately with
>> a new
>> chip with the latest software already installed. The cable
>> interface with
>> the switch box allows one or more bands to use a single antenna.
>>
>> I am an avid contester and it is great to have one less thing to
>> remember
>> on a band change.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> -Robby
>> VY2SS
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the
>> discussion
>> below:
>>
>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/RCS-12-or-Station-Master-for-K3-tp7556171p7556199.html
>> To unsubscribe from RCS-12 or Station Master for K3?, click here<
>> >
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>>
>
>
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