[Elecraft] Auto Bandpass Filter (sorry sent too soon)

[w5ov at w5ov.com]

Brett,

For all of the solutions you list, you will need a band-decoder to take
the band data (Yaesu standard) from the K3 and convert it to contact
closures that will drive any of the filter units you have mentioned. So,
the wiring depends on the band decoder you choose and it's pretty
straight-forward. One connection per band + ground.

The FilterMAX II you refer to uses W3NQN design bandpass filters and
therfore provides the best bandpass filtering - on the order of 75 to 80db
or so. The ICE and Dunestar filters are less capable and have filtering in
the range of only 30 to 35 db.

In addition to the filter quality, the FilterMAX II integrates with the
Array Solutions BandMaster II band decoder using a new 4-wire control
system along with 4-wire network integration with the new 8-pak SO2R
antenna switch. Details are on the Array Solutions website.

73,

Bob W5OV
Array Solutions
W5OV/1



> Ok so I'm looking for an auto band pass filter to use with the K3...
> Would be slick if the filter could be interfaced directly to the K3 but
> I'm planning on needing a band decoder/smart switch for different
> widgets later in life that I've been planning on starting so this may be
> the opportunity for that project to need to start.
>
> Anyway I've been trying to find all my options and some pros/cons of the
> different solutions from people who have experience with them.  These
> are the units I've found...  Please let me know if you have experience
> with these such as ease of interfacing, build quality, power handling,
> longevity, loss, out of band attenuation and what not.
>
> Array Solutions FilterMAX II:
> http://www.arraysolutions.com/Hamation/bandpassfilters.htm#top%20of%20page
>
> Array Solutions Filter Master (FM-6):
> http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/wx0bbpf6.htm
>
> I.C.E. 419B
> http://www.iceradioproducts.com/filtersrf.html#3
>
> DuneStar Model 600:
> http://www.dunestar.com/model600.htm
>
> Well crud I ended up sending too soon (hit ctrl+enter on accident)
>
> Anyway I've considered the FilterMAX II as it seems to be the best built
> with a nice modular filter replacement scheme but its the most
> expensive.  I wish that they were a bit more informative in the manual
> and explained what the pinouts were and how the thing determined what
> band to be on.  The switches mentioned don't really make a whole lot of
> sense as there are more positions mentioned than one can hold as far as
> filters...  Confusing to say the least but I'm sure once I had one in
> hand I could figure it out.
>
> Then there is the filter master 6 which is a slick little idea in that
> its just a coax switch essentially and then one can use individual
> filters from Dunestar, ICE, or Array Solutions (I'm sure there are
> others that I'm forgetting and I'd like to know about)...  I have the
> same gripe about not explaining the pin outs here but I'd bet it has the
> same configuration as the FilterMAX II
>
> Then there is the I.C.E. 419B which seems like its awfully small in
> comparison to some of the other units.  I begin to wonder about its
> power handling but I have a friend who has their individual filters and
> seems quite happy with them.  I don't think he uses them very often
> though so I don't know about longevity really or about power handling
> all that much.  I do mostly CW but would also like to be able to use
> this system during a RTTY contest at 100W.
>
> Finally the Dunestar model looks like its ok however power ratings seem
> a bit scary.  All they state is that the filters are intended for use
> wiht transceivers and then state that this is not to imply a 100% duty
> cycle.  What the heck does that mean?
>
> Anyway input is greatly appreciated.
>
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