[Elecraft] KRC2 - More than one antenna per band? Aux outputs?

[Jack Brindle]

The KRC2 in its standard configuration can easily select multiple  
antennas. When a new band is indicated by the radio, the KRC2 will  
select that band. The user can then select other bands through the F  
keys, sequentially moving up or down the antenna selectors.

It is also possible to select alternate antennas using the Acc outputs  
as others have pointed out. This is easily done in the standard  
personality/configuration, again using the F keys.

There are other possibilities in the KRC2 design that would allow for  
alternate antenna selection. Users have been very innovative in their  
use of the various ACC and XVT outputs in combination with the main  
band outputs to select antennas. It would also be possible to create  
alternate personalities for the device which show other behaviors. The  
KRC2ACC is an excellent example of this, providing significantly  
different behavior compared to the standard version. If the original  
poster (K6NR, I believe) is interested in this, he should give me a  
shout.


I would be very interested as to why you think the KRC2 is not a good  
match for the K3, and what improvements could be made to improve this.  
The KRC2 was originally designed to communicate with the K2 using the  
AuxBus or serial port. The K3 was designed to support the AuxBus to  
enable KRC2 support. This is the primary method for K3-KRC2 band  
switching, although it is also quite possible to use the K3's serial  
port for gathering band and other information as well.

As for the AuxBus signals, their definition is not public. Wayne has  
elaborated very good reasons for this. AuxBus system requirements are  
necessarily very strict, and if not handled properly could lead to  
rather severe problems within the K2 system environment.

We are always interested in suggestions for improvements to Elecraft  
products. If anyone has suggestions for the KRC2, please give me a  
shout. Many product improvements come from the suggestions of the  
great customers Elecraft enjoys.


On Jan 7, 2009, at 10:39 AM, AD6XY wrote:

> Apart from using the aux outputs, which is probably the best method,  
> you
> might also be able to fool the K3 that there are two 40m bands by  
> pretending
> there is a transverter with a 40m IF that needs 100W of drive, has a  
> 0MHz LO
> and is connected to the main antenna. Then use the KRC2 transverter  
> outputs
> to select the relay.
>
> The KRC2 with the current firmware is not a particularly good match  
> to the
> K3. Hopefully we will see new firmware soon but as you are remotely
> operating the K3, why not use a PC to select the relay with a USB  
> relay
> board.
>
> If it is a fairly simple configuration the K3 has two logic outputs  
> that
> could probably be used, either directly to control two relays.
>
> I take it you are aware you can also use the KRC2 buttons and its  
> RS232
> port.
>
> Finally, if you wire up a toggle relay - e.g. via a flip-flop, you  
> could
> make the relay alternate between antennas each time you select 40m.
>
> Does anyone know if the auxbus commands are published ? I believe  
> there
> would be a market for 3rd party add-ons if it is. RS232 does not  
> announce
> everything, so can't be used passively.



- Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering
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