microHAM STATION MASTER DeLuxe Manual

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STATION MASTER

DeLuxe

microHAM

fax: +421 2 4594 5100

e-mail:

support@microham.com

homepage:

www.microham.com

Version 2.1

10 June 2016

Summary of Contents for microHAM STATION MASTER DeLuxe

Page 2 4. BLOCK DIAGRAM ........................12 5. INSTALLATION ........................12 Configuration Management/Terms..................13 Preparing Station Master Deluxe for Use................16 Installing microHAM USB Device Router ................18 Configuring microHAM USB Device Router ..............19 Station Master Deluxe Status .................... 19 Creating and Using Virtual Serial Ports ................20 6.
Page 3 © 2016 All rights reserved 7. OPERATING STATION MASTER DELUXE ................76 8. CONNECTING SMD HARDWARE ................... 87 Output Ports ........................87 Rotator Port ........................88 Power Amplifier Port ......................91 Serial Port …........................91 Important Considerations ....................93 CONNECTING uLINK HARDWARE .....................
Page 4 Receive only antenna support • Optical isolation from computer • PS/2 keyboard or keypad with dual control of Station Master Deluxe and microHAM “keyer” • Integrated chokes and filters for maximum RFI resistance • Metal/Aluminum case, powder coated and silk screened •...
Page 5 Special handling of "shared" devices – e.g., muti-band antennas, shared amplifiers, SteppIR and • UltraBeam antennas 2 - IMPORTANT WARNINGS ALWAYS check the polarity of the 13.8 V power supply. If your radio includes upgradeable firmware DO NOT perform any upgrade through Station Master Deluxe.
Page 6 © 2016 All rights reserved 3 - HARDWARE DESCRIPTION Front Panel STATUS LEDs POWER LED lights when +13.8V is applied (power switch on). ALARM LED lights when “ALARM” condition happens, transmission may be inhibited. BUSY LED lights when “BUSY” condition happens, transmission is inhibited.
Page 7 © 2016 All rights reserved RX1-RX2-TX/RX SPLIT A short press moves between antenna selections for the RX1, RX2 and TX paths Press and hold for more than one second toggles RX1/RX2 receive antennas split “RX SPLIT” RX SPLIT is indicated by small 1 or 2 number on left side of focus mark [1] Antenna sub-selection nr.
Page 8 INHIBIT Power inhibit output for transceiver. RCA jack TIP - Signal SHELL – GND. 4 pole 3.5mm phone jack for transceiver control. Compatible with microHAM “CAT” cables. Terminal for connection to station ground. iLINK MiniDIN-6 for connection with microHAM microKEYER II, MK2R, or function expansion module.
Page 9 (SMD). Such shared devices are antenna switches, stack switches, four square controllers, rotator controllers, tuners, serial port wattmeters, matching networks, power amplifiers etc … microHAM provides several modules with different control interfaces and functions to control a variety of shared devices.
Page 10 C and GND terminal. This module can be used with almost all antenna switches on the market including microHAM switches as well as DX Engineering or Array Solutions boxes. uLINK ROTATOR uLINK ROTATOR is an uLINK module which can control commercial or home made rotator with discrete control of AC or DC (non PWM) motors.
Page 11 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK BUS uLINK is a name for microHAM station network. It is an isolated, industrial standard RS-485 multi-master bus which provides device control networking for the SMD system. All SMDs are connected to the uLINK bus through uLINK HUB boxes and share control of multiple uLINK modules.
Page 12 4) Layout and install the uLINK network. 5) Prepare Station Master Deluxe for your station – set the jumpers, make the necessary connections to antenna switches, power amplifiers, rotators, the uLINK bus, transceiver and microHAM Keyer (if present) 6) Install microHAM USB Device Router (the control and interface software).
Page 13 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT TERMS In order to make a valid configuration there are several precautions which have to be observed. Layout and document your RF installation. It is vital to start with a diagram showing the entire system, •...
Page 14 © 2016 All rights reserved TERM RF BOX RF box is any device in the RF system controlled by SMD or uLINK module. RF boxes have “A” and “R” ports. Termination points - transceivers and antennas - are special RF boxes which have only A ports (transceivers - a simple transceiver has one A port, a dual RX transceiver with separate 2 antenna port has two A ports) or only R ports (antennas).
Page 15 © 2016 All rights reserved IMPORTANT: All outputs on the slave module must be used. Master for a slave module must be the first unit (Unit 1) of a different module. Pin numbering always begins with the first (lowest) output of the slave unit and continues upward with the lowest output on the first unit of the Master module.
Page 16 Using an RCA “Y” cable (Radio Shack 274-881 or equivalent, not supplied), connect the PAPTT output of microKEYER or DigiKEYER or the PTT output of CW Keyer to the PTT IN jack of Station Master Deluxe. If your transceiver has an INHIBIT input (Yaesu often labels INHIBIT “LINEAR” on the BAND DATA jack), connect the inhibit input of your transceiver to the INHIBIT output jack of SMD.
Page 17 IMPORTANT: Connecting INHIBIT is best way to prevent hot switching. Remove the top cover from Station Master Deluxe and set the CAT jumpers as shown in the following chart. The CAT interface jumpers must be configured to select the proper signal level for your transceiver.
Page 18 Connect a 13,8 to 16V DC supply to the DC 13.8V jack of SMD. • Be sure to observe the proper polarity. Plug in the USB cable. • Turn on the Station Master Deluxe and proceed to Configuration Management tab of Station Master • Deluxe device to enter your station configuration.
Page 19 In order to configure and use Station Master Deluxe with Windows compatible application programs, you must be running Router and have turned on Station Master Deluxe Router is then configured as required by the application (logging, control or digital mode) software.
Page 20 © 2016 All rights reserved Creating and Using Virtual Serial Ports microHAM Router provides a set of virtual serial ports which allow Windows applications (logging or control software) to work with Station Master just as they would work with "real" (hardware) serial ports.
Page 21 Router by double-clicking on the Router icon on the desktop or in the Programs menu. Exit: Clicking on this item will terminate Router. NOTE: When Router is terminated the virtual ports will be closed and application software will be unable to communicate with Station Master Deluxe and the radio.
Page 22 Each preset contains the settings for all devices connected to, and controlled by, Router. For example, if Router controls a Station Master Deluxe, microKEYER II, and a USB Interface II, each preset remembers the settings for ALL devices including the assignment of COM ports and the contents of all sub-tabs except the FSK and CW Messages tabs.
Page 23 Station Master's EEPROM. If Station Master Deluxe is operated without connection to the computer it will use the settings stored in EEPROM. If Station Master Deluxe is connected to a computer running Router, the power-up settings will be overridden by the Router settings but the default settings are retained in EEPROM.
Page 24 © 2016 All rights reserved NOTE: When upgrading Router, the upgrade will include the latest firmware for Station Master Deluxe. If the firmware is newer than the currently installed firmware, Router will automatically ask for permission to update the installed firmware the first time it connects to Station Master Deluxe.
Page 25 Cable Schematics: Link to cable diagrams. Documents must be installed from installation CD-ROM or downloaded by invoking Download Documents menu item. Download Documents: Downloads microHAM documentation including updated manuals and setup guides. You may specify the products for which you want documentation.
Page 26 © 2016 All rights reserved DEVICE CONFIGURATION TABS There are five (5) tabs for configuring Station Master Deluxe Each tab controls part of Station Master's functions. Except already explained tab for Configuration Management, any change is applied immediately. Ports: assign virtual ports to the Station Master Deluxe for use by applications.
Page 27 IMPORTANT: The baud rate must be supported by your radio. NOTE: When Station Master Deluxe is connected to microKEYER II, MK2R or MK2R+ via iLink, and set as coupled (see the iLink chapter below) there is no need to configure CAT ports or Radio in Station Master Deluxe All Icom and some Ten-Tec radios require the correct CI-V address.
Page 28 USB transmits data in frames with a delay between frames. Router indicates frame boundaries with three dots (...) when a packet is split between frames. IMPORTANT: If Station Master Deluxe is to operate in stand alone mode (without Router), the settings must be saved as power-up defaults using “Device | Store as Power-Up Settings.”...
Page 29 The Auxiliary Port allows an application program to control an auxiliary device attached to the SERIAL port on the rear panel of Station Master Deluxe Only serial in (RxD) and serial out (TxD) are supported. To enable the Auxiliary port, add local Serial Port control for a given R port of controlled RF box, and set it to Auxiliary function.
Page 30 Otherwise coupling will not work in stand alone mode. NOTE: If Station Master Deluxe is not physically connected to the iLINK port of a microHAM keyer or coupling is unwanted even when the devices are physically connected, select none in the coupling box.
Page 31 The FH-2 keypad must be connected to the PS/2 jack of SMD using a special adapter. FH-2 can operate at the same time as PS/2 keypad. NOTE: The FH-2 cannot control Station Master Deluxe and a transceiver at the same time. FH-2 can only be connected to the Station Master Deluxe or the transceiver.
Page 32 Returns the display to factory settings. IMPORTANT: The settings on this tab are recalled only when Station Master Deluxe is connected to microHAM Router. In order for SMD to function in stand alone mode, the settings must be saved to Station Master...
Page 33 When checked, SMD will generate three short beeps in an alarm condition. IMPORTANT: The settings on this tab are valid only when Station Master Deluxe is connected to microHAM Router. In order for SMD to function in stand alone mode, the settings must be saved to Station Master...
Page 34 IMPORTANT: It is very important to realize that the configuration covers the entire installation including all operating positions, not just one Station Master Deluxe. IMPORTANT: The state of each SMD's internal ports is not visible to other SMDs in the uLINK network. This means that the local outputs of SMD (relay outputs, serial port, internal rotator controller) cannot be used for devices (antenna switches, rotators etc...) that must be accessed by other stations or if other stations...
Page 35 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - Control Boxes The Configuration Management sub-tab of Station Master Deluxe tab in Router contains all the sub-tabs pertinent to the RF network and associated Control Module configuration. It is recommended that configuration in Router only be attempted after making a detailed drawing of the setup, identifying the needed RF Boxes (transceivers, antennas, switches) with their associated Control Units (grouped into Control Modules), and auxiliary Control Modules controlling rotators, PAs, stepper antennas etc.
Page 36 NOTE: Besides explicitly saving through Save To File, network configuration is saved automatically when the Router program is closed unless no configuration was loaded/created. The automatically saved configuration is named “Last cfg [serial number] Station Master DeLuxe.uad”. NOTE: Clear, Load From File and Save To File buttons are global buttons available on all Configuration Management sub-tabs.
Page 37 © 2016 All rights reserved If the Control box is SMD, uLINK Relay 10 or uLINK Relay 6, their relay outputs can be split into individual units. Highlight the line with name of Control box, then after a short pause single-click on the description in the Relay units column and select either “slave”...
Page 38 © 2016 All rights reserved Main list contains all components of the uLINK network (SMDs and uLINK modules) and displays/edits their parameters in several columns. Columns Control box / Unit • Shows name of control boxes. When control box is expanded, column shows all configured units of the control box.
Page 39 © 2016 All rights reserved Used • Defines how many relay outputs a particular unit contains. “Virtual” is a special value meaning the unit will use zero (0) physical outputs. Virtual units are used to control virtual (conditional) switches which effect the operation of the network but do not control physical outputs.
Page 40 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - Rotators This tab serves for a management of all rotators included in the setup, the rotator connected to the SMD's local Rotator port or rotators connected to uLINK ROTATOR modules or uLINK DATA modules.
Page 41 © 2016 All rights reserved Rotators with discrete control - Parameters SMD supports two types of rotators. First is a rotator with discrete control – those in which the controller can directly switch power to motor and read its sensor. The...
Page 42 © 2016 All rights reserved Speed moves the antenna to the target by the shortest route as with accuracy strategy but if the shortest route to the destination is across the limits, the rotor can turn into the limits if the limit is within the “compromise”...
Page 43 © 2016 All rights reserved Rotators controlled by serial protocol SMD supports rotators with RS232 serial ports connected to uLINK DATA modules. Currently only Prosistel rotators and RS232 port rotators compatible with Hy-Gain DCU-1 protocol (GreenHeron etc …) are supported.
Page 44 © 2016 All rights reserved rotators. Function can be turned off assigning rotator to “Tower 0 (zero)”. NOTE: When Tower assignment is changed, even for just one rotator, configuration for all Rotator controllers must be updated (stored again). Idle •...
Page 45 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - RF Boxes The RF boxes tab is the most extensive part of the Configuration Management. On this tab are defined all RF boxes of the setup, interconnections between them, their relationship to Control boxes, their operation frequency ranges, relationship to sub-selection buttons, antenna assignment to rotators and many other details.
Page 46 © 2016 All rights reserved RF BOX CATEGORIES - Radio This type of RF Box is reserved for addition of all transceivers included in the setup. There are two sub-categories, one for a Radio with one A port (antenna port for...
Page 47 SMD inhibits transmission for this period after each relevant change. This value can be set individually for each control box/RF box. For all microHAM antenna switches the default 26 ms is a safe time. If you are using switches from another manufacturer, contact the manufacturer or distributor...
Page 48 © 2016 All rights reserved Break before make delay • Allows adjustment of this delay if the RF device box requires separate break and make control. Follow • Specifies which the source of the frequency values used to control the outputs. If set for RX frequency, the control box will automatically select main RX or RX2 frequency based on the path.
Page 49 © 2016 All rights reserved DATA type of control allows setting several parameters: CONTROL BOX • Specifies which control box will be used to control this RF box. uLINK DATA or SMD local PA Control Box must be present in the list of Control Boxes.
Page 50 © 2016 All rights reserved When input is set as INHIBIT, module generates INHIBIT signal for SMD when active. If both inputs are configured as INHIBIT, they can be processed by a logical function chosen in the next drop down box.
Page 51 © 2016 All rights reserved POWER AMPLIFIER controlled by local PA port of SMD (local PA type) Complementary to uLINK DATA control, Power Amplifier can be controlled also directly from the SMD local PA port. Local PA port provides dual...
Page 52 © 2016 All rights reserved OTHER TWO-PORT DEVICE (SEQuencer type) Additional types of two-port RF boxes can be added using Other template. When using Other template, Router generates Interconnections and Rules tabs as for the other two-port RF boxes but control box must be added manually using the Add Control button.
Page 53 © 2016 All rights reserved Tail • Defines delay between falling edge of PTT source (end of T-R source cycle) and end of sequencer output in milliseconds. Switching delay • Defines additional time which is added to the largest lead time. During this time control box generates INHIBIT signal for SMD.
Page 54 © 2016 All rights reserved RF BOX CATEGORIES – Antenna This type of RF Box allows adding R-port(s) only RF boxes – antennas to the configuration. There are three sub-categories with predefined templates by purpose and type of control. First template is for simple, Single Antenna. Second for Vertical Arrays and third named Other stands for any, custom antenna.
Page 55 © 2016 All rights reserved Attributes • This list, Generate names and Generate LEDs boxes have no function for this Single Antenna RF box as well as whole Switching and Buttons tabs. They will be described for Vertical Array antenna.
Page 56 © 2016 All rights reserved IMPORTANT: Local control can be used only if the antennas are accessed by one SMD (radio). For configurations using more than SMD, always use a uLINK module as the control box. VERTICAL ARRAY ANTENNA Is another sub-category of Antenna RF box.
Page 57 © 2016 All rights reserved RX safe antenna • Using this flag, an antenna can be set as “same band RX safe antenna”. This flag is useful only for installations with two or more SMDs and serves as a special antenna property which allows using the antenna for receiving even if two stations are on same band.
Page 58 © 2016 All rights reserved Switching delay • Specifies how much time is required for the antenna switching to settle in order to prevent hot switching. Break before make delay • Allows adjusting this delay parameter if RF box requires break before make delay.
Page 59 SINGLE SWITCH (1 to N) It is a simplest antenna switch with one R port and N number of A ports. Router includes predefined templates for antenna switches from microHAM as well as switches from Ameritron, Array Solutions, Comtek, DX-Engineering and Top-Ten. Any other two (2) to ten (10) way switch can be added as Other switch.
Page 60 © 2016 All rights reserved Switching delay • Specifies how much time is required till antenna switching is done and can be safely used. Safe value for all microHAM switches is 26ms. Break before make delay • Allows to adjust this delay parameter if RF box requires such kind of control.
Page 61 A ports. By design, the two R ports can not simultaneously select the same A port. microHAM provides two versions, Double Six Switch with six antenna ports and Double Ten Switch with ten (10) antenna ports. Settings on the sub-tabs are similar to Single Switch, so we will focus on what is different.
Page 62 For explanation we will use the microHAM three antenna Stack Switch, because it has a unique feature – the SUB port, a separate R port that allows independent use of any antenna not currently used for stacking on the MAIN port.
Page 63 © 2016 All rights reserved Switching The Switching tab contains two columns for InVectors because Stack Switch has two R ports, MAIN and SUB. All Output combinations are related to both InVectors applied at once according to Stack Switch internal control logic.
Page 64 © 2016 All rights reserved OTHER SWITCH The “other switch” template allows adding and defining any custom N to N switch. All configuration parameters must be set manually. MANual type of control With the definition of attributes and properties out of the way, we can introduce last type of added control for any R port –...
Page 65 © 2016 All rights reserved RF BOX CATEGORIES – Special Devices VIRTUAL EXCLUSIVITY BOX (VIRTUAL SWITCH) The Virtual Exclusivity Box (Virtual Switch) is a feature of the uLINK network. The virtual switch acts like a mechanical interlock – it prevents any SMD from accessing a resource (for example an antenna) if another SMD is already using a mutually exclusive resource.
Page 66 © 2016 All rights reserved IMPORTANT: Each InVector can control and define only its A port, other A ports must be zeroed. A virtual switch can only be used to connect an R port to its associated A port (R1 to A1, R2 to A2, etc.) - it can not be used for “cross switching.”...
Page 67 © 2016 All rights reserved Special R-port rules: Distinguishing point and Global attributes TERM ALTERNATIVE GROUP Is a group of all alternative antenna paths reaching same end point merged to one single Antenna Selection. In some setups (including our example) a particular end point can be reached using different antenna paths.
Page 68 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - Global Attributes The concept of Global Attributes is used for advanced configuration control and is unlikely to be used in simpler setups. It is recommended that the user leave this tab empty until he has become familiar with other elements of the configuration.
Page 69 © 2016 All rights reserved The “-” character is a special item that denotes “no attribute”, i.e. the match requires that after selecting the path's attributes according to Group, no attribute remains. It can be freely combined with other combinations in a Value list.
Page 70 For example, one of the automatically generated names for a path containing a microHAM Stack Switch, antenna (A1) and a controllable four-square (FS1) might be “(A1 + [FS1]) with STACK1.M:(BOP,FULL)”...
Page 71 © 2016 All rights reserved Antenna Paths grouped into Alternative Groups In a complex setup, an antenna path may be directed through many branches (e. g., in a 1:N switch) and some of those branches may be merged (e. g., in an N:1 switch) later in the RF network. In such networks, several paths might reach a single end-point (or to a combination of end-points).
Page 72 © 2016 All rights reserved Accessibility It is worth noting that at this point, Antenna Paths (and thus also Alternative Groups) do not consider the starting points, i.e. Radio A-ports. This is because most antennas (and other end-points) are generally accessible from most starting points.
Page 73 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - Virtual Rotators Virtual Rotators are Antenna Selections, which consist of groups of Antenna Paths. Each Antenna Path in the Virtual Rotator has assigned an azimuth span. During operation, a Virtual Rotator is controlled in the same way as an antenna with rotator - i.e.
Page 75 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - Bands Menus of antenna choices for individual frequency bands can be set up on the Bands sub-tab. The frequency ranges for bands can be set arbitrarily to fit the specific installation and need not match the allocated radio amateur frequency bands.
Page 76 © 2016 All rights reserved Adding Antenna Selections to Bands Highlight one of the antenna selections inside the required band, then press the Add button at the bottom of the tab. A “No Antenna” selection will be added above the highlighted line and can be subsequently edited or moved using the Up and Down buttons as required.
Page 77 © 2016 All rights reserved CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - Security The Security sub-tab sets up the band-lock feature which prevents transmitting on bands where other radios are currently receiving on non RX safe antennas. Frequency ranges within which the band-locking occurs can be selected freely and are not bound in any way to frequency ranges in Bands tab.
Page 78 Antenna Selection Controls One of most important capabilities of Station Master Deluxe is the ability to select one of several available antenna paths on each band. When Station Master Deluxe is properly configured, antenna selection is extremely easy, just a button press.
Page 79 © 2016 All rights reserved Selecting RX/TX/SUB-RX focus When one or both splits are on, either of RX, TX or SUB-RX can be chosen (focused) for subsequent control. Pressing briefly button RX1-RX2-TX (Front panel, pos.10) cycles focus. Current focus is indicated by a dot (LCD display, pos.2), and if...
Page 80 © 2016 All rights reserved If the SMD uses SUB-RX and RX-SPLIT is on, the • newly selected path may collide with already built path on the same SMD originating on the other RX port. In this case, “OTHER RX - Take over? Y/N” is displayed.
Page 81 © 2016 All rights reserved The current subselection is indicated by LEDs above the buttons [1]-[4]. If the controlled point is an antenna (vertical array), the pattern of LEDs is governed by a table in Directions subtab of RF box. In addition, the displayed azimuth and corresponding compass arrow (LCD display, pos.4 and 5)
Page 82 Automatic antenna scan and its features can be enabled/disabled via the FUNCtion menu. Antenna Selection Properties Some antenna selections have additional features, e.g. a control unit controlling the microHAM Stack Switch can control its two BOP combinations. These settings are normally not controlled directly through push buttons and the rotary encoder;...
Page 83 © 2016 All rights reserved second. The stored status can later be recalled by briefly pressing the same button. Memory banks an easy way to quickly change complex antenna selection assignments. NOTE: Updating the configuration of SMD from Router will reset all items in the non-volatile memory and all of the memory banks to their default state.
Page 84 The function can be enabled or disabled using the left (Yes) and right (No) buttons. The rotary encoder is used to scroll through the functions. Changes in status are applied immediately and the values are retained even when Station Master Deluxe is turned off. [f1] Disconnect •...
Page 85 The alarm LED will flash if there is a loss of internally decoded band data, data from Router, or data from a microHAM keyer. The alarm LED will be permanently on if band data is not available at start-up. Transmitting is not restricted but changing antennas is not allowed.
Page 86 Check rotator connection and/or adjust OFFSET trimmer setting. BUSY: Indicates various busy conditions. Busy conditions are usually conditions which inhibit transmission for a given period of the time and Station Master Deluxe expects them to clear automatically. Busy conditions can not be cleared manually and must expire.
Page 87 8 - Connecting SMD hardware Output Ports Station Master Deluxe provides twenty (20) relay outputs. They are physically located on the two rear panel DB25 connectors - PORT A and PORT B. The connections are described in Appendix A. PORT A Has a common terminal and ten (10) relay outputs.
Page 88 © 2016 All rights reserved Rotator Port The ROTOR port connects to external rotator hardware. There are three (3) SPDT relay contacts for controlling CW and CCW direction and AUX for custom purpose (BRAKE or SPEED), analog pot input, pulse contact input, reference output for pot and 12V output for external power relays.
Page 89 If your rotator uses pulse counting, do not turn it CCW at all as this will result in an inaccurate pulse count and effect the calibration. If rotator has an ANALOG sensor set SCALE trimmer in Station Master Deluxe until sensor value shows 1021 (between 1020-1022) and click next.
Page 90 © 2016 All rights reserved Slightly readjust SCALE trimmer for improved accuracy until sensor value shows 1021 (between 1020- 1022) and click next. If “Reverse Sensor” was checked, readjust OFFSET trimmer for improved accuracy until sensor value shows 0002 (between 0001-0003) and click next.
Page 91 Serial Port Station Master Deluxe contains one RS232 port that can be used for control of a locally connected SteppIR or UltraBeam antenna, provide support for Icom compatible accessories, or be used as a general purpose serial port.
Page 92 Due to software issues with some versions of the SteppIR transceiver interface, it is not possible to always keep Station Master Deluxe and the SteppIR controller in sync if changes are made using the SteppIR local controls. If you make changes using the SteppIR controller, it will be necessary to “undo” the function (¾, wave, bi-dir, 180, band change, etc.) on the SteppIR controller.
Page 93 TIP: If your radio does not have an INHIBIT input you may be able to use Station Master Deluxe to bypass receive devices or for split TX/RX antennas. To do so, the transceiver PTT must be controlled entirely by footswitch or computer generated PTT;...
Page 94 © 2016 All rights reserved 9 - Connecting uLINK hardware uLINK hardware contains two types of devices, uLINK HUB and uLINK modules. uLINK HUB The uLINK HUB serves as a concentrator and isolated power source for SMD boxes connected to the uLINK bus. Up to four SMDs can be connected to one uLINK HUB.
Page 95 © 2016 All rights reserved CAT5 wire color uLINK HUB terminals Orange Orange/White Blue Blue/White Green R or N/C Green/White R or N/C Brown R or N/C Brown/White R or N/C Shield SH or Earth IMPORTANT: When connecting uLINK HUB to the uLINK network, always use two twisted pairs of CAT5/6 cable.
Page 96 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK MODULES The module enclosures are industrial standard 70mm wide cases designed to be mounted onto DIN rail. The terminals are removable but in order to avoid unnecessary stress we do not recommend removing them except for emergency purposes, troubleshooting or setup.
Page 97 © 2016 All rights reserved Basic uLINK bus troubleshooting Careful stripping of cable ends and proper tightening of the terminal screws is of key importance for proper bus operation. Intermittent connections may cause hard to troubleshoot problems. However, open, short or miswired connections can be diagnosed using a simple digital multimeter.
Page 98 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK MODULES Settings Every module has four (4) buttons, a set of status LEDs and a 3 digit display. Description below is valid for all modules. STATUS LED provides information about the state of the module.
Page 99 C and GND terminal. This module can be used with almost all antenna switches on the market including microHAM switches (of course) as well as those be DX Engineering or Array Solutions.
Page 100 © 2016 All rights reserved MANUAL CONTROL Normally when the display is set to #/MAN, the module will display the index # for the module's output vector table and will cycles the display for each configured unit. Different units are indicated by decimal points in the same manner as they are shown in USER display.
Page 101 © 2016 All rights reserved Connecting uLINK hardware: uLINK ROTATOR uLINK ROTATOR is an uLINK module which can control any non PWM driven commercial or home made rotator. uLINK ROTATOR supports either analog sensor (pot) or pulse counting sensor (reed contact) direction indicators.
Page 102 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK ROTATOR Calibration The calibration process is absolutely necessary for proper rotator control and consist of two parts: setting rotation limits and calibrating the position indicator. Both calibrations can be done separately. Prior first use of each uLINK ROTATOR module, A/D converter min/max ranges (CW/CCW limits) must be set if module is going to be used with analog sensor.
Page 103 © 2016 All rights reserved Calibration IMPORTANT: During calibration the previously defined parameters are not used. Clicking Cancel during the calibration will abort the process and retain the old values. Select the rotator to be calibrated in the rotators list of the RF boxes tab and click Calibrate button. Make sure that the CONTROL BOX field shows proper module address (uLINK ROTATOR).
Page 104 © 2016 All rights reserved Adjust (Quick Recalibration) Due to their nature, PULSE sensor rotators need occasional recalibration. In these cases it is only necessary reset the current heading. IMPORTANT: Quick Recalibration cannot be used before performing a full calibration and is available only for PULSE sensor rotators.
Page 105 Due to software issues with early versions of the SteppIR transceiver interface controller, it is not possible to keep Station Master Deluxe and the SteppIR controller in sync if changes are made using the SteppIR local controls. If you make changes using the SteppIR controller, it will be necessary to “undo” the function (¾, wave, bi-dir, 180, band change, etc.) on the SteppIR controller.
Page 106 © 2016 All rights reserved 10 - CONFIGURATION EXAMPLES Using several examples from simple to complex we will show SMD configuration. The examples were chosen to show as many varied situations as possible. The RF boxes used were chosen from real products available off the shelf with no preference to any manufacturer.
Page 107 © 2016 All rights reserved DXE TFS-4 Frequency coverage RX/TX: 80m RX Only: NO Control: 12V, 2 wires for BCD direction control + 1 wire for Omni Rotator: 4 fixed directions + Omni Placement: Free RX safe: NO Special requirement: Subselection buttons control direction. Azimuth [1]=SW, [2]=NW, [3]=NE, [4]=SE,...
Page 108 © 2016 All rights reserved Two wire Beverage #2 Frequency coverage RX: 160-30m RX Only: YES Control: 12V, 1 wire for direction control Rotator: 2 fixed directions, SW, NE Placement: Free RX safe: YES Special requirement: LNA3 Note: Default (no control power) direction is NE...
Page 109 © 2016 All rights reserved Other parts of the setup: Automatic Power Amplifier Frequency coverage: 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6m Control: Low voltage (12V) keying, active when closed to ground Band Data source: CI-V...
Page 110 © 2016 All rights reserved Yaesu G-1000DXC Control: Own controller with low voltage interface Sensor: Analog Associated antennas: OB2-80 Superior rotator: None Special requirement: None Note: None TIC RING + RT-20 Control: RT-20 controller with RS232 port, Hi-Gain protocol...
Page 111 © 2016 All rights reserved Analyze Setup Having all requirements we can start analysis. UltraBeam and both SteppIRs have to be phased therefore they need to be connected to the Stack • Switch. OB2-80, OB16-3 and Shunt Fed tower have a conditional use therefore they need to be connected •...
Page 112 © 2016 All rights reserved The number and kind of uLINK modules used as control boxes depends on the configuration requirements and style of construction. If the control wires from all antennas, switches, and rotators go to the shack or a common “equipment room”...
Page 113 © 2016 All rights reserved RFS-2 • RF box control directly connected to uLINK RELAY 10, Unit 2, 2 outputs for direction control. Address #46 Preamplifiers controlled by two sequencer Units 1 and Unit 2 of uLINK RELAY 6. SEQ units assigned to R ports of colliding antennas, TFS-4 and Low Dipole.
Page 114 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK RELAY 10 ADR=43 Relay Units=2 • Unit=1, 2 outputs + 10 on Slave #44 Unit=2, virtual uLINK RELAY 10 ADR=44 Relay Units=Slave • uLINK RELAY 10 ADR=45 Relay Units=2 • Unit=1, 4 outputs...
Page 115 © 2016 All rights reserved Setup configuration Now we have all information and can start making configuration. The first step is to add all the control boxes to Router. Then for each uLINK RELAY module we set the number of units, number of relays per unit and assign Slave units to their Masters.
Page 116 © 2016 All rights reserved Now we can add the RF Boxes. UltraBeam is added as a Simple Antenna. The Direction tab is set to Rotator=Prosistel. The Switching tab needs no entry. Frequency range is set to 7000-54000kHz for RX and each band is set explicitly for TX on the Rules tab.
Page 117 © 2016 All rights reserved Beverage 2 is added as a Vertical Antenna Array using built in template for “Vertical Array Antenna, Other without Omni type.” Except for the Control box (ADR: 055 Unit 2 (uLINK RELAY 6)) and Fixed Azimuth (45 degrees), the other parameters are identical to Beverage 1.
Page 118 SteppIR 1 and SteppIR 2 out of phase. The Control box is set to ADR: 047, Unit 1 (uLINK RELAY 10). Double Six is added as microHAM Double Six Switch. No settings required. The Control box is set to ADR: 043, Unit 1 (uLINK RELAY 10).
Page 121 © 2016 All rights reserved Setup has no Global Attributes, therefore this tab is empty. On Antenna Paths Router shows all Antenna Paths and their alternatives as defined on the previous tabs. The automatically generated Names and Labels can be edited to be more understandable if needed.
Page 122 © 2016 All rights reserved This Setup has no Virtual Rotator requirement, but using an Antenna Group for Beverage selection would be a useful control enhancement. By adding each beverage direction as a separate antenna in one Antenna Group, SMD can select each direction in a same way it does for the RFS-2 or TFS-4 four squares and the Beverages can be selected using the rotary encoder or Subselection buttons.
Page 124 © 2016 All rights reserved BASIC DUAL RADIO (SO2R) CONFIGURATION EXAMPLE Setup requirements This example configuration shows configuring a system for two radios. The same antenna farm and restrictions are used as in the initial example. Converting for two radios is very simple with the only change in front of the Double Ten Switch R ports as shown in the partial schematic below.
Page 125 Four + Four 4+4 switch or two Top-Ten A/BSS switches. Using the microHAM switch, one half of the 4+4 switch steers B port of the Double Ten switch between RX2 input of R1 and RX/TX port of R2 while the other half steers A port of the Double Ten switch between RX2 input of R2 and RX/TX port of R1.
Page 126 “expander” must be constructed as a matrix. microHAM have developed the Four + Four (4+4) Switch as a building block for matrix applications; five 4+4 switches and four Double Ten Switches creates matrix switch containing ten (10) A ports and eight (8) R ports.
Page 128 11 – SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS Station Master Deluxe can be used in a with variety of configurations. Your ability to use the advanced features of Station Master Deluxe will be determined entirely by the capability of your station hardware. microHAM have attempted to implement these features in a way that they can be used in most installations.
Page 129 © 2016 All rights reserved 12 – HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS SMD: Hardware Specifications & Connectors USB: USB 2.0 Full speed, USB 1.1 compatible Power consumption: USB – less than 100mA Power supply – max.1.8A at +13.8V (max. +16V) CAT: RxD, TxD – max. 57600 Baud, RTS fixed level output max.1mA...
Page 130 © 2016 All rights reserved PORT A, DB25F Pin # Label Description EXT PWR IN External power input for PORT A, max. +24V* Not connected Not connected Not connected Not connected Not connected Not connected Not connected Not connected...
Page 131 © 2016 All rights reserved PORT B, DB25F Pin # Label Description EXT PWR IN External power input for PORT B, max. +24V* Not connected Not connected Common output. Output depends on jumpers configuration. Not connected PORT B7-COM PORT B7 common**...
Page 132 © 2016 All rights reserved PA, DB15F Pin # Label Description BAND DATA A TTL level BCD band data output bit 0 BAND DATA B TTL level BCD band data output bit 1 BAND DATA C TTL level BCD band data output bit 2...
Page 133 © 2016 All rights reserved SERIAL, DB9F Pin # Label Description Not connected RS232 level data input to SM RS232 level data output from SM Not connected Connected to the system ground and case. Not connected +12V output, max.1mA. Connected to input power via 10K ohm resistor.
Page 134 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK HUB: Hardware Specifications & Connectors Power consumption: Power supply – max. 500mA at +13.8V (max. +15V) Bus: Two wire differential RS-485, max. 7V at 120 ohm Dimensions: W 100mm (3.9") x H 75mm (2.9") x D 110mm (4.3")
Page 135 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK RELAY10: Hardware Specifications & Connectors Power consumption: Power supply – max. 1.5A at +13.8V (max. +15V) Bus: Two wire differential RS-485, max. 7V at 120 ohm Outputs: 10 isolated SPST contacts, shared common...
Page 136 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK RELAY6: Hardware Specifications & Connectors Power consumption: Power supply – max. 150mA at +13.8V (max. +15V) Bus: Two wire differential RS-485, max. 7V at 120 ohm Outputs: 6 isolated SPST contacts Contacts rating: 3A/125VAC/30VDC Dimensions: W 70mm (2.7") x H 75mm (2.9") x D 110mm (4.3")
Page 137 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK ROTATOR: Hardware Specifications & Connectors Power consumption: Power supply – max. 150mA at +13.8V (max. +15V) Bus: Two wire differential RS-485, max. 7V at 120 ohm Outputs: 3 isolated SPDT contacts CW, AUX, CCW Contacts rating: 16A/250VAC/30VDC Reference output 9V, max.20mA...
Page 138 © 2016 All rights reserved uLINK DATA: Hardware Specifications & Connectors Power consumption: Power supply – max. 200mA at +13.8V (max. +15V) Bus: Two wire differential RS-485, max. 7V at 120 ohm Outputs: OPT Collector and emitter of internal PC817 opto-coupler, max. 10mA O1, O2 Open collector output, max.
Page 139 © 2016 All rights reserved 13 - PACKAGE CONTENTS The product includes STATION MASTER Deluxe, USB cable, miniDIN 6 to miniDIN 6 cable, RCA to RCA cable, coaxial 2.1mm/5.5mm power plug and CD-ROM containing the microHAM USB Device Router program and documentation.
Page 140 © 2016 All rights reserved DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Federal Communications Commission Statement (USA) This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Page 141 © 2016 All rights reserved APPENDIX A – Tracking NOTE: Tracking is experimental code for linking the transceiver frequency to a tracking receiver begun in Router 7.5.0. Bidirectional frequency tracking is not supported. Radio: Specifies SDR receiver model. Current choices are Perseus and TS-2000 Compatible.
Page 142 © 2016 All rights reserved APPENDIX B – Cables and Bridges Cables are Bridges are an experimental capability – microHAM provides no support or warranty for the Cables and Bridges capability. These features are undocumented but relatively self-explanatory. Cables (cross wired, aka “null modem” cable) create interconnected virtual ports which can be configured as a bus, point to point pair like com0com, or point to multi-point (star, splitter or combiner) - like VSPE.

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