[Elecraft] Interfacing

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> K3 is connected to the micro Keyer II via the cable provided 
> by them.  In turn, the MK2 is connected to the computer via 
> RS-232 cable.

Huh?  The microKEYER II does not have an RS-232 input.  It is 
connected to the computer with an USB cable. 

> The K3 is connected directly to the Palstar AT-Auto using a 
> cable with mini-phone plugs (tip and ring) from the CI-V 
> output on the K3 to one of the CI-V inputs on the PalStar.

How?  The K3 does not have a CI-V (Icom compatible open 
collector bus) connection.  As far as I can tell from the 
most recent Palstar manual, there is only one CI-V input 
- the 5 pin Foster jack (pin 5 = tip, pin 4 = sleeve) on 
the AT-Auto. 

> The other CI-V line from the PalStar is connected to the THP 
> HL-1.5KFX amp CI-V input.

What other CI-V line? 

> With this setup, when I change bands, either by the radio 
> directly or via N1MM Logger, all equipment changes to the 
> selected band except the amplifier.  If I change my wiring so 
> the CI-V cable from the MK2 goes to the THP amplifier, it 
> changes no problem.  If I connect the CI-V from the MK2 to 
> the PalStar, it changes band no problem.  But, when I connect 
> the tuner CI-V output to the amplifier, the amplifier does not 
> change.

What connectors are you using on the CI-V cable between the 
microKEYER II and the Palstar - are they mono or stereo 3.5 mm 
plugs?  You should be connecting the microKEYER II CI-V output 
to the Palstar 5-pin Foster input using the Palstar supplied 
Icom cable (Tuner plug is not used).

what connectors are you using on the CI-V cable between the 
Palstar and HL-1.5Kfx - are they mono or stereo 3.5 mm plugs? 

Connections should be as shown in the AT-Auto manual - pages 
24 and 25 (Figure 4.5).  

> CIV Address - AT-Auto: D0 (does this make a difference?)

This makes a difference.  The Icom "transceive" broadcast is 
on address E0.  microKEYER II emulates the Icom standard and 
the AT-Auto should be set to E0 (not D0).  The AT-Auto should 
also be set to expect Transceive Data (Frequency broadcast on 
E0 address).  

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Peter Chamalian
> Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 4:55 PM
> To: Elecraft
> Subject: [Elecraft] Interfacing
> 
> 
> I'm hoping someone has a solution for my dilemma.  I am 
> trying to attain full automation using all the equipment 
> listed below so that when I change bands, all the equipment 
> follows.  I am 90 percent there with the set up I describe.  
> The one piece that is not working properly is the amplifier 
> is not switching bands automatically.
> 
> Here's what I have:
> 
> Rig: K3
> 
> Interface Unit to computer: micro Keyer II (MK2)
> 
> Amp: Tokyo High Power HL-1.5KFX
> 
> Tuner: PalStar AT-Auto
> 
> Band Decoder: Top Ten Devices Band Decoder connected to a Top 
> Ten Device antenna switch
> 
> Interconnections:
>  
> K3 is connected to the micro Keyer II via the cable provided 
> by them.  In turn, the MK2 is connected to the computer via 
> RS-232 cable.
> 
> The K3 is connected directly to the PalStar AT-Auto using a 
> cable with mini-phone plugs (tip and ring) from the CI-V 
> output on the K3 to one of the CI-V inputs on the PalStar.
> 
> The other CI-V line from the PalStar is connected to the THP 
> HL-1.5KFX amp CI-V input.
> 
> Settings:
> 
> PalStar AT-Auto Setup
> 
> CIV Transceive from Any Icon
> CIV Address - Radio: 5C
> CIV Address - AT-Auto: D0 (does this make a difference?)
> Radio set to Any Icom, no external tuner
> Tuner set to 9600 8 - N - 1
> 
> Tokyo HP HL-1.5KFX
>
> Set to band select (on front panel) as Icom
> Rear switch icom-CIV set to CI-V 
> Native CIV address is 5C and speed 9600
> 
> Micro Keyer II
> 
> CI-V port settings:
> Function: TX Frequency
> Speed: 9600
> Address 5C
> 
> With this setup, when I change bands, either by the radio 
> directly or via N1MM Logger, all equipment changes to the 
> selected band except the amplifier.  If I change my wiring so 
> the CI-V cable from the MK2 goes to the THP amplifier, it 
> changes no problem.  If I connect the CI-V from the MK2 to 
> the PalStar, it changes band no problem.  But, when I connect 
> the tuner CI-V output to the amplifier, the amplifier does not 
> change.
> 
> Pete, W1RM
>