microHAM MK2R Manual page 62

Serial Port 1/Serial Port 2:
When configured for serial device support, each serial port can operate in one of two modes (each
mode requires the proper external hardware interface):
CI-V: When the serial device function is set to CI-V, MK2R simulates Icom's CI-V transceive function
and broadcasts the chosen frequency in Icom format even when the radio is not an Icom
transceiver. The CI-V address and baud rate of simulated radio is set in appropriate field.
One of six frequency sources can be selected: RX frequency, SUB RX frequency, TX
frequency, Operating frequency, VFO A frequency or VFO B frequency. In practice,
operation of each setting depends on the transceiver and its CAT protocol. All settings may
not work with some radios.
Antenna Control: MK2R can control SteppIR and Ultra Beam antennas using the antenna's native
protocol. For connection information see your antenna's manual.
NOTE: Connecting MK2R or MK2R+ to an antenna controller requires a TTL to RS-232 converter
like the microHAM ACC-DualSteppIR. The microHAM ACC-DualSteppIR is a dual TTL to RS-232
converter designed to connect the "serial port" lines to the DATA OUT ports of two antenna
controllers. Pin-out documentation for the ACC port can be found in Appendix A.
Native mode control has two advantages over control based on transceiver frequency only.
MK2R protects the antenna while elements are moving (retuning). Transmission can not be
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initiated using PTT while the antenna is retuning. When using VOX, MK2R will not activate
PAPTT to prevent a power amplifier from operating the SteppIR is tuning.
When operating in split frequency mode, the transmit frequency is sent to the SteppIR to
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prevent retuning between transmit and receive when operating with wide splits.
NOTE: This function does not replace the OEM controller, the original controller is still used.
A PS/2 keypad attached to MK2R permits suspending/resuming Antenna control, selecting 180
degree mode and/or selecting bidirectional mode. Using the keypad allows manual control while
keeping MK2R and Antenna controller in sync.
IMPORTANT: The original SteppIR controller MUST be switched into the GENERAL mode. Manual band
changes on controller front panel are disabled. Autotrack must be turned on with the SDA-100. Use 9,600
bps or less for reliability. Connect the serial port to the SteppIR DATA OUT port using a TTL to RS-232
converter and cross-wired ("null modem") cable which uses only three wires (pin 2 to pin 3, pin 3 to pin 2
and pin 5 to pin 5. The microHAM ACC-DualSteppIR is a dual TTL to RS-232 converter designed to
connect MK2R and the DATA OUT ports of two SteppIR controllers. Contact your microHAM distributor.
IMPORTANT: Baud rate must be set to 19200 bps for Ultra Beam. A special DB9M-DB9M adapter must be
used between the microHAM ACC-Dual SteppIR adapter. Connect pins 2-3, 3-2, 5-5 from end to end and
a jumper between pins 4 (DTR) and 8 (CTS) on the Ultra Beam end.
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