[Elecraft] Preliminary EDC100 screwdrive antenna controller review
Paul Ermisch
[email protected]
Sun Jun 29 02:57:01 2003
Dave,
Hopefully this post makes it to the general Elecraft list (my last one
bounced). Could you please forward if it does not?
Disclaimer: I've been using this antenna controller for a couple of weeks
and have not totally exhausted all configurations/solutions. This review is
not intended as 'final' and my particular configuration should be considered
as part of all the information I'm providing here. In other words, while
I'm having some particular configuration/operation problems with this
controller, I still need to work on optimizing the setup. Also, I have not
yet contacted Superantennas about any of the issues I'm having.
This controller is advertised to work with the Elecraft K2, Yaesu FT100D,
FT847, FT817, and ICOM 706 and a screwdriver antenna as usually used in
mobile and portable stations. I get the impression that it was designed
particularly for the motorized MP2 antenna.
My mobile station consists of a Yaesu FT100D and HiQ screwdriver antenna.
The hookups for this unit are as follows:
1. Coax input (female BNC connector) from rig
2. Coax output (female BNC connector) to antenna
3. 12V power (5.5 by 2.5mm barrel connector?)
4. PTT connector - I'm not using this so I can't remember what connector it
uses
5. Rig control connector - standard Yaesu 8 or 9-pin barrel?
6. CPU programming connector - 8 or 9-pin barrel (PS-2?)
7. Antenna motor - +/- miniature pushdown
It is very straightforward for hookup. I used the 12V relay that they also
sell because of the larger 'screwdrive' motor in my antenna.
The panel controls are up/down buttons for manual motor control and a button
for autotune. There are lights showing motor direction and low/high SWR.
As I understand the autotune operation (once you push the autotune button on
the controller) - get the current frequency from the rig, compare that
frequency to the last frequency tuned, move the motor up/down in the
direction of the new frequency (if needed), sample the SWR at the programmed
rate while the motor is turning, stop the motor once low SWR is obtained.
If low SWR is not obtained, stop turning the motor and indicate (flashing
LEDs) that match couldn't be made.
The CPU programming connector hooks into your serial port on your PC (no
Mac). The programming cable comes with the controller. You then run the
'superdrive' program to review/modify some of the controller parameters.
Some of the items you can modify are the minimum and high SWR tuning points
(1.5 and 2.5 for example), fine-tuning when in the 10-meter band, what
direction to move after not obtaining low SWR, etc.
The unit generally works as advertised. The main problem I'm having is that
the SWR while the motor is turning is not the same SWR that appears when the
motor stops. So the controller usually overshoots the low SWR mark because
SWR is lower while the motor is turning - does that make sense? I'm
reluctant to blame the controller at this point and need to figure out if
some additional shielding/chokes will solve this problem.
When going down into 80M, the controller can easily miss the low SWR mark.
This has been improved somewhat after I added a caphat which broadened the
tuning a bit on the low end. I believe I can increase the sampling rate on
the controller to help with this but have not done so yet. I'm sure this is
somewhat dependent on motor speed as well.
If the controller gets confused, it is difficult to get it back 'on track' -
at least with my particular setup. The problem I have with tuning into 80M
causes the controller to keep moving the motor in the same direction and it
will bottom out the coil. Once I know it has missed the 80M mark, it is a
hassle to get it to change tuning direction. I usually use the up button
(or 'down' in my case - see below) to move the tap point back into one of
the higher bands and change the rig's band to try to match it. Once the
controller can get a new match it will function normally.
The manual is in typical Japlish. Enough information badly translated to
make the manual frustrating to use.
When going into autotune, the controller temporarily sets my rig into AM
mode and transmits at whatever power to which the rig is set. They warn
against tuning up at 100W (at which my mobile setup is usually set). I am
going to recommend that they put in some additional programming into the
controller to set the rig power to 5W and tune in CW mode - then return
power and mode to original settings. It'll tune when I have the rig set at
100W and I haven't incurred any damage that I've been able to recognize.
The unit is well constructed and has easy-to-read silk-screened lettering
and graphics.
I'm planning on writing a review of the unit for eham.net once I'm satisfied
that I've optimized the installation so thanks for giving me the opportunity
to collect my thoughts on this so far. If you've dealt with
Vern/Superantennas before, you know he's very reputable and stands by his
products. I talked to him at Dayton this year and it sounded like he worked
very closely with the Japanese designer/manufacturer of this controller to
get it to market.
73, Paul KB0LUR
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave White [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 6:06 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SuperAntenna MP-2
Thanks for the tip Paul. I had not been to the Super Antennas site for a
while and was not aware of the new controller. Agreed; it has some sticker
shock associated with it ;-). The information on the web site is a bit thin.
Have you tried the antenna/controller with the K2? Does it operate from the
"tune" button on the radio or does it constantly scan for mismatches?
BTW, Super Antennas web site is at www.superantennas.com.
Thanks again
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Ermisch" <[email protected]>
To: "Dave White" <[email protected]>; <":elecraft"@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: 2003.06.26 20:31
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] SuperAntenna MP-2
> Superantennas (www.superantenna.com) also sells the "EDC SDC100 screw
drive
> controller" to use with the MP2 and K2. It is has specific configurations
> for that combination. I'm using one with a HiQ screwdriver and an FT100D
in
> my Dodge Durango. Still working out some configuration issues on my end
(I
> think my 'screwdriver' motor is faster than the SWR monitor on 80M) but it
> generally works as advertised. It monitors SWR while moving the
> 'screwdriver'. The motor stops when the SWR reaches the set range. It
uses
> both hardware jumpers and serial port programming to set configuration
> parameters.
>
> Not cheap but probably the best solution for the combination you're
quoting.
>
> Paul KB0LUR
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Dave White
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 2:00 PM
> To: ":elecraft"@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] SuperAntenna MP-2
>
>
> This may have been answered before ...
>
> I like the idea of using the MP-2 motorized portable antenna for mobile
> operation with the K2. Is there any method of hooking the MP-2 drive
motor
> to either the KAT2 or KAT-100 to implement automatic tuning?
>
> Also, any advice from the wise on using either the MP-1 or MP-2 in mobile
> configuration?
>
> Regards
>
> Dave
> VE6DRW
> K2 S/N 2171
>
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