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

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

In addition to the prepackaged solutions one can purchase a set
of individual band filters from Rig Expert or Array Solutions
(or build your own W3NQN design filters from the published data)
and use a pair of "double" switches (two radio antenna switches)
to select the appropriate filter.

The dual switch/single band filters have the advantage of
permitting the addition of single band stubs where needed.

As suggested by someone else, W9XT BCD-10 is a very good, simple
decoder for use with the K3 if you are only controlling a single
device (e.g. filter switch).  If you are controlling filters
plus multiple antennas, plus amplifiers, plus receive antennas
a more capable band decoder would be appropriate <G>.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 7/5/2010 6:15 AM, Brett Howard wrote:
> 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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