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band decode/antenna switch controller

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David F. Reed-2

band decode/antenna switch controller

In planning my next station, I have not found one item I would like to
add...

I wish to automatically select the correct antenna per band when using a K3
or K4 with associated amplifier. The objective is to select the
appropriate 1 of 8 possibilities remotely, I am currently doing this
satisfactorily with a microHam StationMaster, but it has a lot more
capabilities that I am not using, and for my next station, a simpler band
decode, select remote antenna capability would be what I am looking for.

I thought Elecraft used to offer such a best, but I can't seem to find it.
Suggestion?

Thanks and 73 de W5SV, Dave
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

David

Elecraft does and its the KCR2 kit.

See my blog for snaps etc

https://nomadic.blog/2019/01/07/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-step-1-the-elecraft-krc2/ <https://nomadic.blog/2019/01/07/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-step-1-the-elecraft-krc2/>

Also, I have been down a similar path recently and you might some of my station automation posts of value (or not…).

You will need something like this.

https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/07/suitcase-dxpedition-2x6-antenna-switch/ <https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/07/suitcase-dxpedition-2x6-antenna-switch/>

Paul
W6PNg/M0SNA

> On Jun 6, 2019, at 3:52 PM, David F. Reed <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> In planning my next station, I have not found one item I would like to
> add...
>
> I wish to automatically select the correct antenna per band when using a K3
> or K4 with associated amplifier. The objective is to select the
> appropriate 1 of 8 possibilities remotely, I am currently doing this
> satisfactorily with a microHam StationMaster, but it has a lot more
> capabilities that I am not using, and for my next station, a simpler band
> decode, select remote antenna capability would be what I am looking for.
>
> I thought Elecraft used to offer such a best, but I can't seem to find it.
> Suggestion?
>
> Thanks and 73 de W5SV, Dave
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

N7US

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

I've used band decoders from Top Ten Devices for many years.

https://toptendevices.com/products/band-aide-band-decoder/

Jim N7US

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Don Wilhelm

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

In reply to this post by David F. Reed-2

David,

You are apparently looking for the Elecraft KRC2. It is on the website
- enter KRC2 in the website search box to find it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/6/2019 10:52 AM, David F. Reed wrote:

> In planning my next station, I have not found one item I would like to
> add...
>
> I wish to automatically select the correct antenna per band when using a K3
> or K4 with associated amplifier. The objective is to select the
> appropriate 1 of 8 possibilities remotely, I am currently doing this
> satisfactorily with a microHam StationMaster, but it has a lot more
> capabilities that I am not using, and for my next station, a simpler band
> decode, select remote antenna capability would be what I am looking for.
>
> I thought Elecraft used to offer such a best, but I can't seem to find it.
> Suggestion?
>

Evert Bakker (PA2KW)

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

A Q abt the KRC2:

Is it possible two switch to two different antennes within one band but
based on frequency span ?

Example:
3.500 - 3.650 Mc Antenna 1
3.650 - 3.800 Mc Antenne 2

73's, Evert PA2KW

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john@kk9a.com

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

In reply to this post by David F. Reed-2

I concur. I have owned the original Top Ten six position Banddecoders
for decades. They work very well with Elecraft as well as other brands
of transceivers and N3RD offers fantastic support. Automatic antenna
and bandpass filter switching is so nice to have. I even brought one
along with a Top Ten 6 way relay box with me to Bonaire last March.

John KK9A - PJ4R

Jim N7US wrote:

I've used band decoders from Top Ten Devices for many years.

https://toptendevices.com/products/band-aide-band-decoder/

Jim N7US

> On Jun 6, 2019, at 3:52 PM, David F. Reed <w5sv.dave at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> In planning my next station, I have not found one item I would like to add...
>
> I wish to automatically select the correct antenna per band when
> using a K3 or K4 with associated amplifier. The objective is to
> select the appropriate 1 of 8 possibilities remotely, I am
> currently doing this satisfactorily with a microHam StationMaster,
> but it has a lot more capabilities that I am not using, and for my
> next station, a simpler band decode, select remote antenna
> capability would be what I am looking for.
>
> I thought Elecraft used to offer such a best, but I can't seem to find it.
> Suggestion?
>
> Thanks and 73 de W5SV, Dave

Randy Farmer

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

In reply to this post by Evert Bakker (PA2KW)

Going in a slightly different direction, you might want to consider the
Green Heron Everyware system. It will allow you to do all kinds of
things, pretty much anything you can think up, and has the added
advantage of eliminating a bunch of control cables. You can use
inexpensive multiple relay cards that are readily available online to
activate any kind of switch you want. I replaced a pair of Station
Masters with the GHE system a couple of years ago and have been very
happy with the results.

73...
Randy, W8FN

On 6/6/2019 10:32 AM, Evert Bakker wrote:

> A Q abt the KRC2:
>
> Is it possible two switch to two different antennes within one band but
> based on frequency span ?
>
> Example:
> 3.500 - 3.650 Mc Antenna 1
> 3.650 - 3.800 Mc Antenne 2
>
> 73's, Evert PA2KW

Don Wilhelm

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

In reply to this post by Evert Bakker (PA2KW)

Evert,

No, it decodes by band and not by frequency segments.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/6/2019 11:32 AM, Evert Bakker wrote:
>
> A Q abt the KRC2:
>
> Is it possible two switch to two different antennes within one band but
> based on frequency span ?
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Note: the SM2WMV 6x2 switch (including "lockout" board") is
essentially a knock off of the microHAM "Double Six Switch."

While it handles the antenna switching, it does not perform
any band decoding. That requires a separate decoder for each
transmitter - from a simple BCD to 1 of N decoder (like the
Unified Microsystems BCD-14) from the K3/K3s ACC jack to the
more complex (and more capable) microHAM Station Master.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2019-06-06 10:59 AM, Paul Gacek via Elecraft wrote:

> David
>
> Elecraft does and its the KCR2 kit.
>
> See my blog for snaps etc
>
> https://nomadic.blog/2019/01/07/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-step-1-the-elecraft-krc2/ <https://nomadic.blog/2019/01/07/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-step-1-the-elecraft-krc2/>
>
> Also, I have been down a similar path recently and you might some of my station automation posts of value (or not…).
>
> You will need something like this.
>
> https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/07/suitcase-dxpedition-2x6-antenna-switch/ <https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/07/suitcase-dxpedition-2x6-antenna-switch/>
>
> Paul
> W6PNg/M0SNA
>
>> On Jun 6, 2019, at 3:52 PM, David F. Reed <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> In planning my next station, I have not found one item I would like to
>> add...
>>
>> I wish to automatically select the correct antenna per band when using a K3
>> or K4 with associated amplifier. The objective is to select the
>> appropriate 1 of 8 possibilities remotely, I am currently doing this
>> satisfactorily with a microHam StationMaster, but it has a lot more
>> capabilities that I am not using, and for my next station, a simpler band
>> decode, select remote antenna capability would be what I am looking for.
>>
>> I thought Elecraft used to offer such a best, but I can't seem to find it.
>> Suggestion?
>>
>> Thanks and 73 de W5SV, Dave

Larry (K8UT)

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

In reply to this post by Evert Bakker (PA2KW)

If you'd like to tackle a DIY project, take a look at the FreqEZ Band
Decoder project.

http://hamprojects.info/freqez/

Decode by: BCD output, Radio Frequency, or up to 250 Band Segments16
SPDT relay outputsNo DIP switches, diodes, solder-bridges. All
configuration is via software settingsFree software. You buy your
hardware from your favorite sources
Watch a short (5 minutes) FreqEZ Overview video HERE
<http://hamprojects.info/hamprojects-download-page/#elf_l1_RnJlcUVa>
(FreqEZ Overview_Video.MP4)

-larry (K8UT)

------ Original Message ------
From: "Evert Bakker" <[hidden email]>
To: "'elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 2019-06-06 11:32:02
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] band decode/antenna switch controller

>
>A Q abt the KRC2:
>
>Is it possible two switch to two different antennes within one band but
>based on frequency span ?
>
>Example:
>3.500 - 3.650 Mc Antenna 1
>3.650 - 3.800 Mc Antenne 2
>
>73's, Evert PA2KW
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: band decode/antenna switch controller

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

Joe

I have built the SM2WMW 2x6 and have a separate Arduino based decoder that supports SO2R configuration and works with N1MM.

Its not too difficult to design nor pull together the code to have it interface between N1MM and the 2x6 switch.

Details here….

https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/25/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-part-3-an-arduino-based-2x6-antenna-switch-controller/

Paul
W6PNG/M0SNA

> On Jun 6, 2019, at 8:11 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Note: the SM2WMV 6x2 switch (including "lockout" board") is
> essentially a knock off of the microHAM "Double Six Switch."
>
> While it handles the antenna switching, it does not perform
> any band decoding. That requires a separate decoder for each
> transmitter - from a simple BCD to 1 of N decoder (like the
> Unified Microsystems BCD-14) from the K3/K3s ACC jack to the
> more complex (and more capable) microHAM Station Master.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 2019-06-06 10:59 AM, Paul Gacek via Elecraft wrote:
>> David
>> Elecraft does and its the KCR2 kit.
>> See my blog for snaps etc
>> https://nomadic.blog/2019/01/07/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-step-1-the-elecraft-krc2/ <https://nomadic.blog/2019/01/07/suitcase-dxpedition-station-automation-step-1-the-elecraft-krc2/>
>> Also, I have been down a similar path recently and you might some of my station automation posts of value (or not…).
>> You will need something like this.
>> https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/07/suitcase-dxpedition-2x6-antenna-switch/ <https://nomadic.blog/2019/04/07/suitcase-dxpedition-2x6-antenna-switch/>
>> Paul
>> W6PNg/M0SNA
>>> On Jun 6, 2019, at 3:52 PM, David F. Reed <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> In planning my next station, I have not found one item I would like to
>>> add...
>>>
>>> I wish to automatically select the correct antenna per band when using a K3
>>> or K4 with associated amplifier. The objective is to select the
>>> appropriate 1 of 8 possibilities remotely, I am currently doing this
>>> satisfactorily with a microHam StationMaster, but it has a lot more
>>> capabilities that I am not using, and for my next station, a simpler band
>>> decode, select remote antenna capability would be what I am looking for.
>>>
>>> I thought Elecraft used to offer such a best, but I can't seem to find it.
>>> Suggestion?
>>>
>>> Thanks and 73 de W5SV, Dave
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]