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T1 Operational Question

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James Bennett

T1 Operational Question

I hope I haven't made a $150 mistake. I'm looking for information from other T1 Automatic Antenna Tuner owners ---->

A couple months ago I built a SoftRock RXTX 1 watt transceiver to use as a WSPR sending and receiving rig. My intention was to use it on at least 20 and 30 meters, with the WSPR software doing "band hopping". The WSPR software, when set to do band hopping, can be made to send a few seconds of continuous tone RF so an attached antenna tuner could do it's thing before the WSPR stuff is transmitted. The antenna I use is an 88 foot long doublet fed with 600 ohm ladder line. Obviously this antenna needs to be used with a tuner. I purchased the Elecraft T1 for this purpose.

I was under the impression that the "automatic" part of the T1 meant that it would recall L/C values from memory automatically, so that when the WSPR software changed bands on the SoftRock and the radio sent out it's tuning signal, the T1 would see the RF frequency and automatically set the recalled L/C values. Mine does not.

I am testing the newly-built T1 with my KX3. Here is what happens: First, I put the T1 into auto mode, and then I set the KX3 to a frequency on 20 meters and make the T1 tune. This works fine; my SWR on the KX3 goes from ugly to 1:1. Then I go to 30 meters and do the same thing. If I now put the KX3 back on 20 meters on that exact same frequency and press my key, I have the ugly SWR back again. I thought this tuner would recall the previous setting when it saw that 20 meter RF. But alas, it does not.

So, my question is - have I messed something up in building the tuner, am I doing something wrong in my procedure, or have I bought myself a Christmas present I can't use?

Jim Bennett / W6JHB
Folsom, CA
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wayne burdick

Re: T1 Operational Question

Administrator

Hi Jim,

The T1 does not have RF sensing capability. That would have increased the size and cost of the tuner.

It does, however, have remote-control capability, as described in the manual. You can send a simple pulse stream to the T1 to go to a given band (160-6 m) and recall the last-used settings. A microcontroller or PC program could be used to create the pulse stream. You should only have to tune up once on each band, assuming you don't change antennas.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

(Taking a brief break from Christmas wrapping)

On Dec 24, 2015, at 8:50 PM, James Bennett <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I hope I haven't made a $150 mistake. I'm looking for information from other T1 Automatic Antenna Tuner owners ---->
>
> A couple months ago I built a SoftRock RXTX 1 watt transceiver to use as a WSPR sending and receiving rig. My intention was to use it on at least 20 and 30 meters, with the WSPR software doing "band hopping". The WSPR software, when set to do band hopping, can be made to send a few seconds of continuous tone RF so an attached antenna tuner could do it's thing before the WSPR stuff is transmitted. The antenna I use is an 88 foot long doublet fed with 600 ohm ladder line. Obviously this antenna needs to be used with a tuner. I purchased the Elecraft T1 for this purpose.
>
> I was under the impression that the "automatic" part of the T1 meant that it would recall L/C values from memory automatically, so that when the WSPR software changed bands on the SoftRock and the radio sent out it's tuning signal, the T1 would see the RF frequency and automatically set the recalled L/C values. Mine does not.
>
> I am testing the newly-built T1 with my KX3. Here is what happens: First, I put the T1 into auto mode, and then I set the KX3 to a frequency on 20 meters and make the T1 tune. This works fine; my SWR on the KX3 goes from ugly to 1:1. Then I go to 30 meters and do the same thing. If I now put the KX3 back on 20 meters on that exact same frequency and press my key, I have the ugly SWR back again. I thought this tuner would recall the previous setting when it saw that 20 meter RF. But alas, it does not.
>
> So, my question is - have I messed something up in building the tuner, am I doing something wrong in my procedure, or have I bought myself a Christmas present I can't use?
>
> Jim Bennett / W6JHB
> Folsom, CA
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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James Bennett

Re: T1 Operational Question

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for the reply, but……. you are supposed to be wrapping Christmas presents!!! :-)

Understood about the size and cost thing. Unfortunately, it pretty much means that it is actually a “semi-automatic” tuner. And, since the band changing is being done from within a program K1JT’s WSPR, I have a feeling I’ve got no way to do the remote control stuff per the manual. I’ll investigate the feasibility of user mods to WSPR, but not holding my breath at this point.

Thanks again, and have a happy holiday.

73, Jim

> On Thursday, Dec 24, 2015, at Thursday, 9:24 PM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Jim,
>
> The T1 does not have RF sensing capability. That would have increased the size and cost of the tuner.
>
> It does, however, have remote-control capability, as described in the manual. You can send a simple pulse stream to the T1 to go to a given band (160-6 m) and recall the last-used settings. A microcontroller or PC program could be used to create the pulse stream. You should only have to tune up once on each band, assuming you don't change antennas.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> (Taking a brief break from Christmas wrapping)
>
>
> On Dec 24, 2015, at 8:50 PM, James Bennett <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
>> I hope I haven't made a $150 mistake. I'm looking for information from other T1 Automatic Antenna Tuner owners ---->
>>
>> A couple months ago I built a SoftRock RXTX 1 watt transceiver to use as a WSPR sending and receiving rig. My intention was to use it on at least 20 and 30 meters, with the WSPR software doing "band hopping". The WSPR software, when set to do band hopping, can be made to send a few seconds of continuous tone RF so an attached antenna tuner could do it's thing before the WSPR stuff is transmitted. The antenna I use is an 88 foot long doublet fed with 600 ohm ladder line. Obviously this antenna needs to be used with a tuner. I purchased the Elecraft T1 for this purpose.
>>
>> I was under the impression that the "automatic" part of the T1 meant that it would recall L/C values from memory automatically, so that when the WSPR software changed bands on the SoftRock and the radio sent out it's tuning signal, the T1 would see the RF frequency and automatically set the recalled L/C values. Mine does not.
>>
>> I am testing the newly-built T1 with my KX3. Here is what happens: First, I put the T1 into auto mode, and then I set the KX3 to a frequency on 20 meters and make the T1 tune. This works fine; my SWR on the KX3 goes from ugly to 1:1. Then I go to 30 meters and do the same thing. If I now put the KX3 back on 20 meters on that exact same frequency and press my key, I have the ugly SWR back again. I thought this tuner would recall the previous setting when it saw that 20 meter RF. But alas, it does not.
>>
>> So, my question is - have I messed something up in building the tuner, am I doing something wrong in my procedure, or have I bought myself a Christmas present I can't use?
>>
>> Jim Bennett / W6JHB
>> Folsom, CA
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

James Bennett

Re: T1 Operational Question

In reply to this post by James Bennett

Ray - Exactly! I have the KAT500 Autotuner to go with my K3 and KPA500. Also have the internal tuners for the K3 and my KX3. I was thinking that the T1 would act in a similar manner, since it IS called an Autotuner. But that part of it isn’t auto!!! After reading Wayne’s reply last night my first inclination was to put the T1 up for sale and look elsewhere for something that would work with the SoftRock and WSPR for multi-band use. But I’ll hang on to it for now and see what I can do. My WSPR software is not able to make the SoftRock send any sort of band/freq signal to the T1 - only a burst of RF, so the T1 WILL work with my setup, but not exactly in the manner I was hoping. Adding more outside wires is a problem for me, as we are in a HOA/CCR restricted area and I’m not supposed to have any antennas out there at all. As it is I have the doublet, an 80 meter Inverted L, a 160 meter Inverted L, a ground mounted Hustler 5BTV, and a 144/440 ground plane for local repeater use. I’m really pushing it with all that stuff, although most is fairly stealthy.

Someone suggested trying the Peaberry, but it is no longer in production. It’s successor, the Omnia SDR very well may be what I need to use instead of the SoftRock. It’s slated to be available some time in January and I sure hope to get one soon after they are out. I’ll use the T1 in conjunction with my SoftRock and WSPR, but un a semi-automatic setup for now.

73, Jim

> On Friday, Dec 25, 2015, at Friday, 7:00 AM, Ray Sills <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> HI Jim:
>
> I saw Wayne’s response to your inquiry. My guess is that it’s easy to assume that the “auto” capability that -is- part of the larger tuners the Elecraft offers (like those for the K3S, and the KPA500) also applies to the T1. I have a T1, but for my part, I have never used it but on one band at a time.
>
> My T1 also has the connection cable for the Yaesu FT-817. It uses the 817’s CAT port to decode the band in use, and then recalls the most recent setting for that band in the T1.
>
> So, I’d think that there is a way to set up that dual band scenario that you want to do. In any event, I certainly don’t think you have made a “$150” mistake. The T1 is an excellent tuner. It is designed to make use of random wire lengths, as you might have to deal with for portable operation.
>
> Another possibility for you, since only 2 bands are in play, is to add a second set of antenna wires to that doublet, and make it a resonant antenna for each band. Now, of course, that takes the T1 out of play.
>
> I’ll bet others will chime in and offer advice from their experiences. I don’t operate WSPR, so take that into account with regard to my advice. :)
>
> 73 de Ray
> K2ULR
>
>> On Dec 24, 2015, at 11:50 PM, James Bennett <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>>
>> I hope I haven't made a $150 mistake. I'm looking for information from other T1 Automatic Antenna Tuner owners ---->
>>
>> A couple months ago I built a SoftRock RXTX 1 watt transceiver to use as a WSPR sending and receiving rig. My intention was to use it on at least 20 and 30 meters, with the WSPR software doing "band hopping". The WSPR software, when set to do band hopping, can be made to send a few seconds of continuous tone RF so an attached antenna tuner could do it's thing before the WSPR stuff is transmitted. The antenna I use is an 88 foot long doublet fed with 600 ohm ladder line. Obviously this antenna needs to be used with a tuner. I purchased the Elecraft T1 for this purpose.
>>
>> I was under the impression that the "automatic" part of the T1 meant that it would recall L/C values from memory automatically, so that when the WSPR software changed bands on the SoftRock and the radio sent out it's tuning signal, the T1 would see the RF frequency and automatically set the recalled L/C values. Mine does not.
>>
>> I am testing the newly-built T1 with my KX3. Here is what happens: First, I put the T1 into auto mode, and then I set the KX3 to a frequency on 20 meters and make the T1 tune. This works fine; my SWR on the KX3 goes from ugly to 1:1. Then I go to 30 meters and do the same thing. If I now put the KX3 back on 20 meters on that exact same frequency and press my key, I have the ugly SWR back again. I thought this tuner would recall the previous setting when it saw that 20 meter RF. But alas, it does not.
>>
>> So, my question is - have I messed something up in building the tuner, am I doing something wrong in my procedure, or have I bought myself a Christmas present I can't use?
>>
>> Jim Bennett / W6JHB
>> Folsom, CA
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

Elecraft mailing list

Re: T1 Operational Question

In reply to this post by James Bennett

Hi.

I don't know the T1, but...

The WSJT programs are all open source, so you can do anything you
want/need to do with them, subject to tools and skills availability of
course (the latter is often the stumbling block for most of us, sadly.)

The SoftRock kits: The embedded micro controller they use for USB<>I2C
work, may have a spare pin or two, or you can hang another I2C I/O chip
on the I2C bus (a PCF8574 for example) to get generic digital I/O
ports. I've done that to control a bank of band filters between the
antenna and a SoftRock here. The hardware was fairly simple,
re-engineering the software however, is an "ongoing" project...

The other way might be to check out what Hamlib has hiding, as that is
used with the WSJT programs for rig control. Maybe, there is something
in there that can send simple one byte values to a simple UART IC, that
you can then pull some identifying code from, to poke the T1 tuner to
change bands. Sadly, Hamlib on Windows is usually embedded in the main
program, so you're stuck with what it has already.

With the KX3 (+ K3, and other Kenwood remote like radios) you can also
put the rig into AutoInfo mode, where it will spit out (among other
things) the working frequency periodically, and when things change.
There are other kits and products about, that can decode that info, and
set/clear a small array of I/O bits, specifically for changing
antenna's, and kicking ATU's into life. It does add to the overall
complexity however.

There is bound to be a WSJT support list/forum somewhere, you could ask
on that to see what may be possible already to suit you needs.

73 & Seasons Greetings.

Dave G0WBX.

On 25/12/15 14:36, [hidden email] wrote:

> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] T1 Operational Question
> Message-ID:<[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Hi Wayne,
>
> Thanks for the reply, but??. you are supposed to be wrapping Christmas presents!!!:-)
>
> Understood about the size and cost thing. Unfortunately, it pretty much means that it is actually a ?semi-automatic? tuner. And, since the band changing is being done from within a program K1JT?s WSPR, I have a feeling I?ve got no way to do the remote control stuff per the manual. I?ll investigate the feasibility of user mods to WSPR, but not holding my breath at this point.
>
> Thanks again, and have a happy holiday.
>
> 73, Jim

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: T1 Operational Question

I don't know the T1 either, but the design seems simple enough: it's
meant to run on batteries, so one has to wake it up to do the tuning.

Does it need the band information to tune, or does it just need to be
"tickled" somehow to wake up the tuner?

I see a few buttons that I'm guessing would "wake" the tuner and then
it'd match the load and go back to sleep?

-- Lynn

On 12/26/2015 3:46 AM, Dave B via Elecraft wrote:
> The SoftRock kits: The embedded micro controller they use for
> USB<>I2C work, may have a spare pin or two, or you can hang another
> I2C I/O chip on the I2C bus (a PCF8574 for example) to get generic
> digital I/O ports. I've done that to control a bank of band filters
> between the antenna and a SoftRock here. The hardware was fairly
> simple, re-engineering the software however, is an "ongoing" project...

______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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James Bennett

Re: T1 Operational Question

There is a button on the front, that needs to be pushed until the green light on the left starts flashing. One then has three seconds to send RF to it for it to either recall a stored setting or re-tune to find the best match.

There is also a side jack where one can send the correct band data to it, if it is available from the transmitter.

Jim / W6JHB

> On Saturday, Dec 26, 2015, at Saturday, 11:11 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I don't know the T1 either, but the design seems simple enough: it's meant to run on batteries, so one has to wake it up to do the tuning.
>
> Does it need the band information to tune, or does it just need to be "tickled" somehow to wake up the tuner?
>
> I see a few buttons that I'm guessing would "wake" the tuner and then it'd match the load and go back to sleep?
>
> -- Lynn
>
> On 12/26/2015 3:46 AM, Dave B via Elecraft wrote:
>> The SoftRock kits: The embedded micro controller they use for USB<>I2C work, may have a spare pin or two, or you can hang another I2C I/O chip on the I2C bus (a PCF8574 for example) to get generic digital I/O ports. I've done that to control a bank of band filters between the antenna and a SoftRock here. The hardware was fairly simple, re-engineering the software however, is an "ongoing" project...
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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