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

[Dana Roode]

Jack et al,

Thank you for your replies regarding the KRC2.  I may have missed it
in the discussion, but I don't recall anyone indicating how to control
the AUX outputs REMOTELY (using the F-Keys won't help me).  My station
is located 80 miles away from me, I would need to be able to do this
via RS232 commands to the KRC2, or to the K3 that trigger the proper
response in the KRC2.

I have a total of 8 antennas; my 80/160 meter vertical has two relays
that allow adding series capacitance or inductance; my 40 meter 4
square is steerable in 4 directions via 2 more relays;  I have
monobanders for 20 and 15, with a tribander I use on 10 and as a
second 20/15m antenna.  I have this all setup now using an old Kachina
product and a multiplexer I built but it is time to retire that
approach (http://roodes.com/k6nr/remote/index.html).

Probably not quite what the KRC2 is designed for, but I wanted to double check.

  Dana, K6NR


On Thu, Jan 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM, Jack Brindle <jackbrindle at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 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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