System Considerations - microHAM MK2R User Manual

ENABLE: When a pin is configured as enable (inhibit output), it can be connected to the transceiver inhibit
or enable ("LINEAR") input with the proper driver to assure completely safe, hot switch free
operation even if the transceiver is operated in VOX or is switched to transmit by CAT command.
MK2R automatically generates an ENABLE signal after the PTT lead defined on the the PTT tab.
The radio will not generate power until the enable line becomes active which provides time for any
slow power amplifier or LNA/RX antenna switcher to activate.
The radio PTT output must be connected to the MK2R PTT IN jack for proper ENABLE generation.
INHIBIT IN: When a pin is configured as an inhibit input, an external device can lock out the radio as long
as the input is active. This interface can be used with external devices like antenna controllers,
power amplifiers or any other device that provides a control output when the device requires "no
power" from the radio.
MK2R and MK2R+ can be used with a wide variety of software applications. The capabilities of those
packages will have a large impact on the level of computing power needed to utilize MK2R.
DOS Applications: MK2R can be used as a traditional SO2R controller with DOS loggers like CT, TRlog
and NA. In this mode, MK2R requires a PC compatible computer running Windows 2000, 64 MB RAM,
CDROM, and USB 1.1 port for configuration purposes only. MK2R is controlled through the LPT input in
"classic" mode. The advanced features provided by microHAM Router are not available in DOS Mode.
However, if the DOS application is capable of operating in a Windows "DOS box" or is run on a separate
computer, a limited subset of advanced features may be available.
Windows Applications: When used with Windows based contest logging applications like CTWin, N1MM
Logger, Win-Test, and WriteLog or Windows based general logging applications like DXBase 2007, DXLab
Suite, DX4WIN, Logger 32 and others, the microHAM control and interface application "microHAM Router"
must run along side the application program. Since both the logging programs and microHAM Router are
real-time applications, system performance will be dependent on both CPU speed and the amount of
available RAM.
While microHAM Router will run on slower computers, the minimum tested system is an 450 MHz Pentium
III or Celeron, Windows 2000, 256MB RAM, CD-ROM, and USB 1.1 port. Whether Router can run as
designed on slower speed machines and leave sufficient free resources for application programs has not
been determined. It has not been and won't be a priority to make it run on clunkers or discontinued
operating systems. Two sound cards are required for the full capability of MK2R.
In order to provide sufficient performance for simultaneous operation of microHAM Router, logging
application, Internet connectivity and other accessory programs, the recommended system is a 1.6 GHz PC
compatible computer with Windows XP Home or higher, 512 MB RAM, two sound cards (MK2R only), CD-
ROM, USB 2.0 port, and two transceivers with supported CAT protocols. A parallel port is desirable for
"classic" interface applications.
microHAM © 2008 All rights reserved

System Considerations

69