Messages

1

General discussion forum / Re: Dual ts-480 control panel

« on: 2012-05-15, 07:45:33 »

DF3FX,

I sent you a private message through this group's message service. I'm sorry about the confusion.

73
Brad KB9BPF
kb9bpf -at- arrl -dot- net

2

General discussion forum / Re: Dual ts-480 control panel

« on: 2012-04-04, 10:32:24 »

As Mitch mentioned, I worked out a way to do this. Both the local head and the one connected with RemoteRig work in parallel, simultanously. If you've ever played with a TS-2000 with the RC-2000 panel attached, it has the same feel (except the TS-480 head is much nicer than the RC-2000.)

My scheme is based on a B and B Electronics PTC serial port combiner. The PCB I developed, which Mitch posted the link to, merely does TTL-to-RS232 level translation for use with the serial port combiner, using the same 6-conductor modular jacks on the TTL side as the radio-to-head cable.

It works great and I like the idea of having local control while the remote is in use.

I also developed a small three-channel mic audio mixer so that the local mic, RemoteRig, and an auxilliary mic input which can be attached to, for example, your computer sound card or the speaker output of a TM-D710A when using as the Transporter for a Sky Command setup. To facilitate local use of VOX, the local mic audio is always live except when the RemoteRig or Aux PTT inputs are active, in which case the local mic audio is muted. However, if the local operator picks up the mic and presses the PTT the local mic is given priority and the other mic inputs are muted, giving the local operator the ability to censor the remote operator. All accomplished by a quad op-amp, 4053 CMOS switch, and two CMOS logic gate chips, the 4025 and 4001. Eight-conductor modular jacks with Kenwood mic standard connections are used, and the mixer draws it's power from the 8V power on the mic line from the radio.

Between the serial port combiner and the mic multi-source, my TS-480 interface to RemoteRig allows for a great deal of flexibility while retaining a great deal of simplicity due to use of  modular connectors wired to be compatible with Kenwood's.

Not everyone will require or even desire to emulate my setup, but for those who do, the ExpressPCB designs are available free of charge. (See the link Mitch posted.)

73
Brad KB9BPF

3

General discussion forum / Re: Kenwood TM-V71A

« on: 2011-12-18, 10:44:50 »

Yes. The only difference is the connector on the panel itself. Since the D71A panel doesn't have the internal TNC there's no sub-band audio connections between it and the main chassis. The main chassis is the same for both radios.

73
Brad KB9BPF

4

General discussion forum / TM-D710 AUX/MIC jumper settings - error in manual?

« on: 2011-06-28, 08:10:49 »

Note to the developers:
I'm trying to thoroughly document various cables and such that have evolved in my stations (both fixed and portable) over time and in the course of puzzling it all out I think I've discovered an error in the jumper settings you recommend for the Kenwood TM-D710 mobile.

Your TM-D710 jumper settings are identical to the TS-480 "Configuration 2" jumper settings with Mic ground going to RJ-45 jack pin 6 (which Kenwood designates as pin 3) and the common ground (chassis and PTT) going to RJ-45 jack pin 4 (which Kenwood designates as pin 5.)

However, refering to page 15 of the TM-D710A instruction manual (the printed manual, not the expanded manual on CD) the microphone jack clearly shows the common ground going to the pin they designate as pin 3 (your pin 6) and the mic ground going to the pin they designate as pin 5 (your pin 4.) This is consistent with TS-480 "Configuration 1" and in the thread where the TS-480 mic ground inconsistenties were hashed out, a Kenwood representative said that this is indeed their standard, specifically mentioning the TM-D710. Further corroboration is provided by referring to Kenwood's cabling recommendations for Sky Command operation which can be found in the manuals for various applicable models of radios.

It is likely that nobody has experienced much difficulty with RFI due to the swapping of the grounds on the TM-D710A when used in relatively simple situations, but could become a problem as a station becomes more complex, with more pieces of hardware interacting under strong HF signals.

73
Brad KB9BPF

5

General discussion forum / Re: Two control panels simultaneously with TS-480

« on: 2011-05-23, 03:07:51 »

Hi Guy,

The solution you use is a good one. I see it integrates well into your station.


In recent years many remote control methods have emerged. I have not played with all of them.

I do not have a Webswitch, although it's tempting to get one because it combines several functions into one unit.

Several years ago when I started down the road to remote control, upon recommendation of my friend Jim KJ9T,  I got a Data Logger (DLI) Web Power Switch which has served me well. I also own one of N8LP's LP-Remote boards, which provides for some analog telemetry and control besides in addition to the relays. Larry was one of the first I found to provide detailed step-by-step instructions for getting a remote controlled station running and is the basis for most of what I've done. 

With the DLI Web Power Switch I never got around to integrating the LP-Remote board into my station but Larry's influence can be readily observed in my use of TRX-Manager and Lantronix UDS- series Serial Device Servers.

Several years ago when I began this journey the only rotor control boards were by EA4TX, which is parallel port-based. Recently I learned about the serial port-based Easy Rotator Controller boards from Germany and purchased a pair of them. 


If anyone is interested in duplicating the RS232 level converter board I designed for use with the B&B Electronics 232PTC series serial port combiners and the TS-480, they should contact me directly for the ExpressPCB files. Breadboarding is also a viable option for this straightforward project. As mentioned previously, schematics can be downloaded from the Files section of the RemoteRig group on Yahoo! groups.

73
Brad KB9BPF

6

General discussion forum / Re: Two control panels simultaneously with TS-480

« on: 2011-05-22, 04:51:21 »

Dear Guy, and everyone else,

This is the text of the group description page on the Yahoo! RemoteRig group which I started last fall:
 
"This group is primarily for users of the SM2O RemoteRig radio remote control system.
Developer's web site: http://www.remoterig.com

"There is also an excellent forum supported directly by the developer:
http://www.styrefors.se/sm2oan/remote/forum/index.php

"Ours is a technically-oriented forum for the purpose of sharing radio remote control experience and techniques with others in the amateur radio community. While RemoteRig is the focus of the group, general amateur radio remote control discussion is also encouraged.

"The intent of this group is not to challenge the official forum, but rather to supplement it. This group can serve an important function in the radio remote control community through broad technical discussions which include not only RemoteRig but also the many other means of implementing radio remote control. Many of the techniques and experiences overlap with each other and probably this is a more appropriate venue for those discussions than on the RemoteRig.com forum.

"When applying for membership, please:
- state your name and amateur call sign, and
- why you are interested in joining.
Failure to do so will result in rejection of your request."

I hope it is obvious to all that my intent is only to compliment this official forum by providing an outlet for discussion which may range beyond what is welcome or appropriate here.

As far as my criteria for acceptance or rejection of membership, that is my decision to make, and I choose to err on the conservative side. I do not wish to make it easy for someone to bootleg a legitimate account for the purposes of posting SPAM. You, and anyone else, are welcome to join my group if you are willing to abide by guidelines which it is my responsibility as group owner to set forth.

Regarding your simple switch solution to the problem of attaching two heads to the TS-480, that is certainly a workable solution. I prefer my own because there is no user intervention necessary once the initial connections are made. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that one could forget to switch your interface back to RemoteRig before leaving the shack after a session of local rig operation. This could pose a serious inconvenience if not discovered before attempting remote operation in a motel room a continent away. As I point out, mine also has the additional advantage of simultaneous local and remote use. Your simple switch will suffice for many, if not most, users. Mine is for those who yearn for a little more flexibility.


73,
Brad KB9BPF
Owner, Yahoo! RemoteRig group
 

7

General discussion forum / Two control panels simultaneously with TS-480

« on: 2011-05-18, 02:18:19 »

Yesterday evening I connected two control panels to my TS-480 at the same time using a B&B Electronics 232PTC serial port combiner and a simple TTL-RS232 level translator made with MAX232 chips. It works! (The schematic for the level translator including connections and cabling can be downloaded from the Yahoo! RemoteRig group's files.)

This means that it will work if one of the control heads is connected through the RemoteRig system. Now I can leave both the local control panel and RemoteRig connected without having to connect and disconnect them from the single 'Panel' jack on the radio.

It also means that the radio can be operated locally while someone else is operating it remotely.

One of the things that I find attractive about using the TS-2000 with RemoteRig is way the RC-2000 control panel integrates so nicely into the system. Now the TS-480 can have the same flexibility if one has the RC480-KIT which became available in early December 2010 through HRO in the USA and Difona in Germany (if I recall correctly). The RC-480KIT consists of a spare control panel, mounting hardware, and cabling.

I haven't tried it, but I am willing to bet that this concept can be adapted for use with a TM-D710/71A and RC-710 combo.

73,
Brad KB9BPF

8

General discussion forum / Re: Use of a web hosting switch in conjuction with the RCC system

« on: 2011-05-18, 02:04:13 »

Steve,

I have used a DLI Web Power Switch for several years. It has worked flawlessly and I have had no problems making it play nicely with anything else on my network. The web interface is basic and functional and doesn't require much bandwidth.

My router/firewall is configured so that the Web Power Switch's public port number is unusual.

Hope this helps,
Brad KB9BPF

9

General discussion forum / Connecting multiple sources to rig's mic input

« on: 2011-03-19, 10:28:43 »

Hello group,

I run a RemoteRig setup to operate my TS-2000 station remotely but I also use
the station locally. Also, I've found that there are some computer control
applications that require use of the mic input - using the CAT PTT command
activates the mic audio input, not the back panel accessory jack audio input.

This means a lot of plugging and unplugging stuff, and it's easy to forget to
reconnect the RemoteRig when finishing a session in the shack.

I found myself with some spare time and knocked out a little design project I've
had rolling around in my head for a while which I'm calling a Microphone
Multi-source interface. It's a little interface that allows up to three
microphone sources to be connected at once to a transceiver.

Here's a brief description:
Three inputs:
- Local Mic. PTT on this takes priority and mutes audio from other inputs. Local
Mic audio unmuted if neither other PTT active, enabling local VOX operation.
- RemoteRig. Activating this PTT will mute idle local mic audio, preventing
pickup of shack noise.
- Aux (for use with computer or maybe a TM-D710 as Sky Command Transporter?)
Activating this PTT will also mute idle local mic audio.

Other design features:
- Individual trim-pot level controls on each input and the output for level
balancing, as well as test points for taking measurements.
- Four paralleled 3-conductor mini jacks for sharing Speaker Audio.
- Audio ground on pin 7 maintained separate from PTT ground on pin 8, with
optional jumper block to connect them through a small RF choke.
- Speaker audio common maintained separate, with optional jumper block to
connect it to audio common through a small RF choke.
- Power is drawn from the 8V present on the TS-2000 mic jack.

This project could easily be built on a breadboard, but I used ExpressPCB's free
software to design double-sided PCBs. I've uploaded image files of the three
schematic sheets and of the PC silkscreen to the files area of the RemoteRig
Yahoo! group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/remoterig/

Although the mic connector pinouts are laid out with the Kenwood round 8-pin mic
connector used on the TS-2000 in mind, there's no reason why one could not adapt
it to other mic pinouts or makes of radio.

73
Brad KB9BPF

10

General discussion forum / Re: UBox Application Software

« on: 2011-03-15, 05:06:30 »

The Lantronix page for Uboxes clearly shows that the product is being phased out, (http://www.lantronix.com/device-networking/external-device-servers/?tab=2) but I cannot find any evidence anywhere that the company is defunct. This is good news to those of us who like to use the internet for remote control, whether it be ham radio or anything else. Lantronix is a big player in that market, and lots of it eventually makes it's way to ebay at very affordable prices.

Perhaps it would be wise to refrain from posting comments regarding companies going broke unless you include a link to your source?

73
Brad KB9BPF

11

General discussion forum / Omission in A12 manual - COM1 Mode 6

« on: 2011-03-13, 04:06:49 »

Hello,

I noticed that there is an omission in the A12 manual, in the section regarding serial settings beginning on p. 42

In the explanation of COM1 Mode, discussion of mode 6 (CAT to COM2) is omitted.

It is included in the online RRC configuration web page.

Also, perhaps it would be helpful to include an example setup of COM1 mode 6 use somewhere.

Thanks for a wonderful product and support to match,
Brad KB9BPF

12

General discussion forum / Re: TS-B2000 + RRC-1258 MkII-Set + RC-2000 = Works?

« on: 2010-12-16, 21:42:47 »

I've only had my TS-2000 apart once, at the very beginning when I installed the filters and stuff. Didn't pay much attention to the front panel connection. I just assumed it used a RJ-11 style jack like the TS-480, TM-D71/710, and TM-732 that I'm familiar with.

I pulled up the .pdf of the service manual for the TS-2000 and I see what you mean - it's not that simple. Several interconnections...

Maybe the TS-480 would be a better choice for you? I'm sure anyone who tried to use the RC-2000 for serious HF work such as a contest or DXing where agility is a concern would be pretty disappointed.

I have had my laptop PC running TRX-Manager running concurrently with the RC-2000 at the control end so I wouldn't have to piddle with the menus on the RC-2000. But then you're kinda back to the TS-B2000 idea again.

Sorry to have gotten your hopes up. Now I know why nobody had done it before when the solution seemed (to me) so obvious...

13

General discussion forum / Re: TS-B2000 + RRC-1258 MkII-Set + RC-2000 = Works?

« on: 2010-12-16, 16:06:14 »

The TS-B2000 is just a TS-2000 without a front panel. I've got an RC-2000 which I use with my remoterig boxes and while it works, it's much harder to use than the standard TS-2000 front panel due to extensive use of menus. Very difficult to operate on HF - seems like any time I want to change anything, even the most basic things like VFOs or memories I have to piddle with the menus.

My recommendation to you, assuming you haven't yet purchased a TS-B2000, is to get a full TS-2000 and use the front panel remotely. You'll have to figure out some way to mount it, though (I've never had mine off, so I don't know what it would entail.)

73
Brad KB9BPF

14

General discussion forum / Re: Kenwood TS-480 series front panels to be available soon

« on: 2010-12-01, 22:50:51 »

I just got off the phone with HRO. Their Burbank store has some available. I ordered one...

73
Brad KB9BPF

15

General discussion forum / Re: Kenwood TS-480 series front panels to be available soon

« on: 2010-10-16, 19:27:46 »

Is there any updated information available regarding when these will be available?
73
Brad KB9BPF