Re : Weird project... maybe not... ?!?!?

[Jean-François Ménard-5]

Hi,

I have already built such switching box using fast relay and an external key from the K2 (and for my test, another rig and etx. key) This is working. And I think by using 2 K2, we will be able to give more intelligence to the swtiching box. but my main concern is between the 2 IO lines.... I think switching IO line between k2 #1 and k2 #2 should be confusing for both k2 firmware.... I'm guessing that concern, because transverter could not be switching manually to ON when choosing, by example, 6m band. it must be turn ON automatically by the IO line (the K2 itself).

Maybe a few gurus here could light up this idea !!?? ;-)

And for the control box for controlling 2 rigs with 1 mic, 1 cw key, etc... Very easy to do or find on the market.

----- Message initial ----
De : Ben Hofmann K1NT <[hidden email]>
À : [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Envoyé le : lundi 8 janvier 2007, 13 h 49 min 04 s
Objet : Re: [Elecraft] Weird project... maybe not... ?!?!?


Seems to me this wouldn't be too hard.  Would need to
switch the 4 control lines that pass between the 2
K2's and the KPA100/KAT100 combo via the I/O cable,
and then switch the RF path between the 2 K2's and the
KPA100/KAT100 combo.  You would have to be very
careful about the switch for the RF path to have
sufficient isolation so that transmitting via one K2
will not damage or overload the receiver on the other.
A more elaborate RF switch could be designed such
that each K2 had its own set of antennas connected to
it, and it would switch the KPA100/KAT100 combo in the
path for 1 K2 and out of the path for the other K2 at
the same time.  Isolation would need to be checked
either way.  You might be able to use a simple 9 pin
A/B switch intended for switching serial devices to
switch the 4 control lines that pass between the K2's
and the KPA100/KAT100 combo, and even the serial I/O
signals as well if desired.  I believe there is one
spare pin that is not used by either the serial I/O
and the K2 control lines that could be utilized to
drive relays to accomplish the RF switching.  Seems
workable.

-Ben  K1NT

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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Jean-Francois,

I am trying to think of some reason that this scheme will not work well.
The thing that occurs to me first is that there may be some initial
'strangeness' with the power level controls just after switching K2s, but
that should straighten itself out after a few dits - but there is no
guarantee that it would start at a low power as when changing bands, so be
prepared for an occasional burst of higher than requested power which might
damage something 'down the line' in a VHF (or other) setup.

The AUXBUS communications may get a bit confused about the 'state of things'
just after the switch, but if you allow for that (give it a few seconds),
things should be 'made right'.

I my be missing something here, but it is encouraging that you say you have
something similar working already - keep us posted on the results (including
any 'strange happenings').

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I have already built such switching box using fast relay and an
> external key from the K2 (and for my test, another rig and etx.
> key) This is working. And I think by using 2 K2, we will be able
> to give more intelligence to the swtiching box. but my main
> concern is between the 2 IO lines.... I think switching IO line
> between k2 #1 and k2 #2 should be confusing for both k2
> firmware.... I'm guessing that concern, because transverter could
> not be switching manually to ON when choosing, by example, 6m
> band. it must be turn ON automatically by the IO line (the K2 itself).
>
> Maybe a few gurus here could light up this idea !!?? ;-)
>
> And for the control box for controlling 2 rigs with 1 mic, 1 cw
> key, etc... Very easy to do or find on the market.
>
> ----- Message initial ----
>
> Seems to me this wouldn't be too hard.  Would need to
> switch the 4 control lines that pass between the 2
> K2's and the KPA100/KAT100 combo via the I/O cable,
> and then switch the RF path between the 2 K2's and the
> KPA100/KAT100 combo.  You would have to be very
> careful about the switch for the RF path to have
> sufficient isolation so that transmitting via one K2
> will not damage or overload the receiver on the other.
>

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