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Station Automation
W5UR
Presentation AvailabilityNM TechFest Web Site
Updates After Original Posting
Additional Information
WWW References
Q&A at the End; I’ll Be Around
E-mail Me with Your Questions
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Today’s AgendaWhat’s in Your Station?
Simple to the Complex
Station Equipment Integration
Computer Interfacing
The Power of the Macro
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
“Perfect” Antenna (Resonant)
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
“Perfect” Antenna (Resonant)
Power Supply
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
“Perfect” Antenna (Resonant)
Power Supply
Computer?
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
Imperfect (Multi-Band) Antenna
Power Supply
Computer?
Antenna “Tuner?”
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
Imperfect (Multi-Band) Antenna
Power Supply
Computer?
Antenna “Tuner?”
Antenna Switch?
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What’s in Your Station?Transceiver or Transmitter/Receiver
Imperfect (Multi-Band) Antenna
Power Supply
Computer?
Antenna “Tuner?”
Antenna Switch?
Amplifier?
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What’s in Your Station?Power Up (Outlet Strip)
Band ChangesRadioImperfect (Multi-Band) Antenna(s)TunerAmplifier
Simple to Very Complex
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Why Does it Matter?Occasional QSO’s—Easy
Chasing DX—Easy
Chasing DXpeditions—Harder
Contesting—Challenging and Critical
Mistakes Can Be “Costly!”
0300 “Fog of ‘War’”
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Challenging ExampleARRL DX-CW Contest at KS5Z
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Multiple Multiples TH6-DXX at 70 ft. 10-15-20
Force 12 at 45 ft. 40 & 10-15-20 (2 Feedlines)
Dipoles for 80/40m x2
ALS-600 w/o Automatic Band Switching
LDG 1000 Pro w/o Automatic Band SwitchingOnly 2 Antenna Ports/Memories Sets
Team of Mostly Inexperienced OperatorsNew Station/New Contest/CW
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Band Switching StepsALS-600 into STANDBY
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Band Switching StepsALS-600 into STANDBY
Select Band on IC-7600
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Band Switching StepsALS-600 into STANDBY
Select Band on IC-7600
Select Antenna on LDG-1000
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Band Switching StepsALS-600 into STANDBY
Select Band on IC-7600
Select Antenna on LDG-1000
Hit TUNE on LDG-1000
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Band Switching StepsALS-600 into STANDBY
Select Band on IC-7600
Select Antenna on LDG-1000
Hit TUNE on LDG-1000
ALS-600 into OPERATE
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Band Switching StepsALS-600 into STANDBY
Select Band on IC-7600
Select Antenna on LDG-1000
Hit TUNE on LDG-1000
ALS-600 into OPERATE
Go Get ‘Em!
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What if it Goes Wrong?ALS-600 Faults (Hopefully) Noticed?
Re-set ALS-600 Fault
LDG-1000 Faults (Hopefully)
LDG-1000 Re-Tune Required
Correct Order This Time?
Possible ALS-600 PA Damage
Possible LDG-1000 Relay Damage
Oh No! Lost the Contact!
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K8TE Command Post (One-Half)
Added: Amplifier, x2 Ant. Switches, x2 Ant. Tuners, Six-Pak, Keypad, 2xKRC-2
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Simple Elecraft IntegrationK3-KPA500-KAT500 Interconnection
“Train” the KAT500 3 Antenna Ports160m Every 10 kHz80-12m Every 20 kHz10m Every 100 kHz6m Every 200 kHz
Save this Configuration—Stuff Happens
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Simple Elecraft IntegrationSelect Antenna for Each Band
“Tuning” Previously Done
KPA500/KAT500 Follow the K3 in RX!
Last Antenna Used Selected
KPA500 Band Selection Fed to K3
Easily Switching Among Antennas
“Instant” Band/Frequency Changes
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“Minimal” Effort/Cables
2 RF Jumpers15 Pin x2K3-KAT500-KPA500
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Whose Station “Grows?”2nd Radio?
SO2R (Single Operator 2 Radio)
2nd Amplifier? Multiple Tuners?
4, 5, 6 Antennas? HUGE Advantage!
Mic, RX, Digital/Recording Audio
RX Antenna, Noise Canceller, etc.
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K8TE Switching MatrixRADIO FILTERS DECODER SWITCH AMP TUNER ANTENNA 160 80 60 40 30 20 17 15 12 10 6 2 1.25 0.7
K3-2 ANT1 DSF-160 KRC2-2 MFJ-4724-IN1 KPA500-2-IN KAT-500-2-IN DX-CC X X X X X X X
K3-2 ANT2 DSF-160 MFJ-4724-IN2KPA500-2-OUT KAT-500-2-ANT1 OCF X X X X X X X X X X
K3-2 RX DSF-80 MFJ-4724-IN3KAT-500-2-IN-ANT2 R8 X X X X X X X X
DSF-40 MFJ-4724-IN4KAT-500-2-IN-ANT3 R7 X X X X X X X
DSF-20 MFJ-4724-OUT-1 10M3L X
K3-1 ANT1 DSF-15 KRC2-1MFJ-4724-OUT-2 KPA500-1-IN KAT-500-1-IN 6M3L X
K3-1 ANT2 DSF-10MFJ-4724-OUT-3
KPA500-1-OUT KAT-500-1-ANT1 160 L X X X
K3-1 RXMFJ-4724-OUT-4
KAT-500-1-IN-ANT2 2M10L X
DSF-160KAT-500-1-IN-ANT3 2M70CM X X
NCC-1-1-1 DSF-160 RCS-4-IN KT34 X X X
NCC-1-1-B DSF-80 RCS-4-OUT1 MFJ-988-IN Wilson X X X
NCC-1-RX-OUT DSF-40 RCS-4-OUT2 MFJ-988-ANT1 SteppIR X X X X X X
DSF-20 RCS-4-OUT3 MFJ-988-ANT2 10 Squalo X
TS-2000 ANT1 DSF-15 ANC-4-MAIN RCS-4-OUT4 A-2000-IN 6m Squalo X
TS-2000 ANT2 DSF-10ANC-4-RADIO A-2000-OUT MV-B-A1-1-IN 2M70CM X X
TS-2000 RXANC-4-NOISE Six-Pak-IN-A MV-B-A1-1-ANT1 70cm 4Bay X
TS-2000 2M Six-Pak-IN-B MV-B-A1-1-ANT2
TS-2000 70CM Six-Pak-160 MV-B-A1-1-WIRE Antenna Patch Panel?
Six-Pak-80 MV-B-A1-1-ANT2 Means to short-out feedline for 160M?
TS-940-1 Six-Pak-40 SB-220-IN TS-2000/TM-D700 for Initial Remote Control?
TS-940-RX Six-Pak-20 SB-220-OUT Review K3/KAT500/KPA500/PR6-10 Setup
Six-Pak-15 MV-B-A1-1-IN ALC-1 to prevent hot switching during VSWR problems
DX-40DOW KEY-NC Six-Pak-10 MV-B-A1-1-ANT1
2BDOW KEY-N0 MV-B-A1-1-ANT2
MV-B-A1-1-WIRE
QS1R MV-B-A1-1-ANT2
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K8TE Switching Matrix10 TX/RX Ports
22 Antenna Switching Ports
8 Amplifier Ports
21 Tuner Ports
7 RX Only Ports
Things Add Up Quickly!
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Craig Thompson’s, K9CT, Objectives Integrate All Controls on Operators Computer Screen
Two Computer Screens At Eye Level
Space for All Controls and Important Information
Select Any Antenna For Any Band
Filters/Screens Automatically Follow Band Changes
Rotators/Switches on Screen for That Band Only
All Screen Items Accessible via the Internet (Remote)
SteppIR Antennas Follow Band/Frequency
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K9CT Typical SO1R Station
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K9CT Station Integration-1 Green Heron Everywhere, N1MM Logger,
and PstRotatorAZ Software Control
Server Computer for GHE
StackMatch at Tower Base for Switching Interconnected to GHE Module
GHE Modules for 160m Array, HiZ 8, 4 Square, StackMatches
USB Hubs to Integrate Rotators and GH Base Unit
SteppIR SDA 100’s –Server viaUSB-Serial Converters
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K9CT Station Integration-2 UDP Broadcasts by N1MM+ to PstRotatorAZ
PstRotatorAZ Relays to GH Client
GH Client Setup Only Relevant Rotators and Antennas On Screen (Human Factors)
Configured Hotkeys to Switch HiZ 8 Directions.
Where’s the Mouse?Touchpad on Keyboard—Rarely Used!
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Green Heron Everywhere8 Antenna Ports
Wired or Wireless Remote Control
Sharing Among Stations
Custom On-Screen Controls
Auto Selection from Logger
Remote Internet Access
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Green Heron Components
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K9CT CW/SSB SO2R
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K9CT CW/SSB SO2R microHam MK2R+ for Audio and CW Keying
Keyboard Shortcuts to Combine Audio, Opposite Radio Focus, Toggle CQ and Change Focus Between Radios
The SteppIR’s Controlled by Either Radio
Keep Hands on the Keyboard Except for Tuning and Minor Adjustments
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K9CT Equipment List Elecraft K3 Transceiver P3 Panadapter microHam MKII and MK2R+ Heil Headsets (Yamaha CM500 $60) Array Solutions 8X4 Antenna Switch Array Solutions FilterMax III Alpha 87A Automatic Tuning Amplifiers Dell Vostro Computers Green Heron Everywhere Software N1MM Logger Software Array Solutions Antenna StackMatch Green Heron WIO* and Rotator Controls
*Wireless Input/Output
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Computer InterfacingLogging Programs
Frequency, Mode, Digital
2-Way Communications
“Hands-Off” Radio Control
Automated Spotting
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Logging ProgramsTracking DX Worked/Confirmed
Counties, WAS, WAZ, Grids, etc.
Automated LotW, ClubLog, etc.
“Instant” Searches
We Worked Back in…
Station Notes
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Rig ConnectionsRS-232 (Serial)
USB is the “New Standard”
AVOID Prolific USB to Serial Converters!
Use FTDI Chipset Converters
Old Computers with RS-232 Ports
Keep Devices on the Same USB PortsWindows Easily Confused
Disable Power Saving for ALL USB Ports
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The “Best” Logger?N3FJP Amateur Contact Log
DXLabs Suite
Log4OM
DX4WIN
Logger32
N1MM (Contesting)
What Works for YOU?
http://ac6v.com/logging.htm
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N3FJP Amateur Contact LogSimple
Effective
Inexpensive $24.9940+ Programs for $49.99
Many Different Contests
Great Support!
Scott is just a nice guy!
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DXLabs Suite by AA6YQSimple to Complex
Very Effective/Versatile
Free!
Extensive Web Site
Great Support!
Dave is another nice guy!
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Typical Logger SetupMake and Model Settings for:
Baud Rate
Parity
Stop Bits
Polling Rate
Connection Power
Commands to Read Mode/Frequency
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Loggers’ FeaturesAutomates the Usual Log Data:
Date, Time from ComputerFrequency, Mode from Radio
Manually Enter:CallsignSignal ReportsNotes
Automatic Beam Heading/Distance
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Power of the InternetQRZ.com Data
DX Spotting Send/Receive
One Click to Frequency/Mode
PLEASE Don’t Spot Calling Stations!
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Advanced Logger Features
Digital Mode Interfaces
CW/SSB/Digital Canned Msg’s
QSL Routing/Tracking
Real Time Propagation Data
More…
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Typical Radio Control TodaySoftware-Based Radio Control
Frequency/Mode/More
K3: 25 Front Panel Controls
Dozens of Layered Menu Controls15 Pages Plus!
Flexibility Equals Complexity
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Elecraft K3 Front Panel
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Chasing DX SSB Stations Operating Split Button Pushes
A>B Makes VFO’s Same Mode/Frequency
Split TX and RX Frequencies
Move VFO B UP 5 kHz
Enable Dual Receive Audio (Optional Sub-RX)
Four Switch Presses/Frequency Change
DX Goes QRT
Better Way?
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The Power of the MacroProgrammable Function Keys PF1, PF2
1st Press Enables; 2nd Press Disables
But ONLY 2 Keys!*
Loggers Use Keyboard Function KeysTypically for CW/SSB/Digital “Messages”
Also, Send Other Commands to the Radio
*M1-M4/M1-M4 HOLD Also Programmablefor a total of 10 PF Keys
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K3 Split Macro ExampleName Description
SWT13 Tap A>B
FT1 Enter SPLIT Mode
UPB5 Moves B VFO Up 2 kHz
RT0 Clears RIT
XT0 Clears XIT
CW DX split starting point: A>B twice, enterSPLIT, move VFO B up 2 kHz, RIT/XIT off“SWT13;SWT13;FT1; UPB5; RT0;XT0;”
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Weak Signal Diversity (Sub-RX)Enable Diversity Mode
Turn On Main/Sub Pre-amps
Narrow Bandwidth to 200 Hz
Disable IF Shift
DV1;PA1;PA$1;BW0020;IS 9999;
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Don’t Mess with my ButtonsOnly 2 “Spare” Programmable Function
Switches
M1-M4 Buttons for Frequency, Digital Voice Keyer and CW Keyer Memories
Many More than Just 10 Possibilities
What to do?
Use the Connected Computer
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K3 Utility
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K3 Utility ProgramSave Radio Configurations
Restore Configuration after “Damage”
Update K3 Firmware
Use for Calibration Procedures
Enter/Test MacrosOr…
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Use Your Logger/OtherKeyboard Function Keys
Combination Keys (CTRL+?)
Software “Buttons”
AutoHotKey (Windows Program)Automates Key Strokes/Mouse Clicks
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N1MM+ Entry Window F-Keys
K8TEShow contacts
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N1MM+Function Key Message Editorfor CW
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N1MM+Function Key Message EditorUsing K3 DVK
F1 CQ,{CATA1ASC
SWT21;}{CATA2ASC SWT21;}
F2 Exch,{CATA1ASC
SWT31;}{CATA2ASC SWT31;}
F3 Thanks!,{CATA1ASC
SWT35;}{CATA2ASC SWT35;}
F4 {MYCALL},{CATA1ASC
SWT39;}{CATA2ASC SWT39;}
F5 -,
F6 RptCQ,{CATA1ASC
SWH21;}{CATA2ASC SWH21;}
F7 REC,{CATA1ASC
SWT37;}{CATA2ASC SWT37;}
F8 -,
F9 -,
F10 -,
F11 -,
F12 STOP,{CATA1ASC
RX;}{CATA2ASC RX;}
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Hardware SolutionGenovation 48 KeyControlPad HIDHuman Interface Devicehttp://nk7z.net/adding-an-external-keypad-to-the-k3/
Via the P3 Panadaptor
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Genovation 48 Key HIDSends Macro’s via USB or RS-232
Macro’s Stored in Flash MemoryBack-up on Computer/Jump Drive
Extends “Normal” Keyboard F-Keys
Excel File for Creating Labels
Firmware Customizable
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Sample Macro’s from NK7Z
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Beyond the RadioComplex Antenna Choices
Using Two Antennas for 10/15/20 metersAlternate Antennas Every Three CQ’s
Another Antenna for 80/40 metersEach Requires a Different Tuner
Switch Among TX/RX Antennas
Multiple Audio Sources
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Beyond the RadioRotate Antennas from Loggers
Tune SteppIR Antennas Automatically
Disable Amplifier on High VSWR
Provide Warnings of Low Power, VSWR, Wrong Antenna, etc.
Et Cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera (Yul Brynner in the King and I)
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What’s the Point?Simplify the Complexity
Prevent/Mitigate Human Factors
Save the Gear
Fully Use Equipment Capabilities
Off-Load Machine-Capable Tasks
Have More Fun!
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Old Folks’ ChantWhat do we want?
More memory!
When do we want it?
What do we want?
Questions & Comments
