[Elecraft] - K3 INTERFACE WITH LDG Z100A

Wed Sep 14 07:36:39 EDT 2022

Hi Dan.

As I suspected, been done already!   Using a PIC microcontroller in this 
case.

I have one of the early LDG / Icom specific tuners (well, matching 
units) in my 4x4 that works well with the IC-706Mk2G, well, that's what 
it was designed for of course.

I have played with an Arduino between my shack radio (TS-870s) and a 
Yaesu FC1000, it sort of works, but I still need to "finesse" the timing 
between radio and tuner controller.   (Someone one time suggested 
talking direct to the outside tuner itself, but hey ho.)

I could not see anything in the AH-4 "Manual" where it can be configured 
for Yaesu/Icom or Kenwood, so I presume different firmware is needed for 
the PIC for each radio.   Elecraft rigs of course largely emulate the 
generic Kenwood remote control protocol, so it should be possible with 
that interface to do what's needed. (There is no such thing as a 
"Standard" universal rig control protocol, sadly...)

However, I think (from a quick skim through the document) that it can 
key a radio, and produce an audio tone that would in turn generate a 
"carrier" (dial +- tone frequency) from a SSB radio to do the job.  
Neat!  Just a bit more wiring to mix in an audio tone into the mic 
input, or in the case of some Kenwoods, just plumb the thing into the 
AUX/Accessory port, where as well as PTT you can feed TX Audio in too.

If the "Tuner" used can provide an ALC voltage back into the rig, to 
control/limit the TX power to what it needs, even better.

The firmware is quite well documented PIC source code, so could be 
adapted/altered as needed by anyone.

An interesting kit.

73.

Dave G8KBV

On 14/09/2022 11:26, Daniel Brown wrote:
> 
> 
>
> Its been a bit since I’ve owned an LDG tuner, but, to my recollection, 
> the interface was similar to what Icom uses on their AH-4. The LDG 
> tuner was pretty much a drop in replacement for the Icom, with a very 
> simple cable. And, there were, at one point, a couple sites online for 
> “universal” interfaces to use with an AH-4 - here’s one:
>
> https://www.hamoperator.com/Hamoperator/AH-4_Universal_Interface.html
>
> http://www.hamoperator.com/Hamoperator/AH-4_Universal_Interface_files/ah4-manual-5.pdf
>
> Near the end of that PDF is a description of how the interface works, 
> including what signals are needed to do the tuning.
>
> Again, to my recollection, the LDG tuner’s I’ve owned also have an 
> auto-tune mode, where, if they see a mis-match while you’re 
> transmitting, will automatically go through their cycle to find a 
> better match.
>
> The LDG group previously mentioned has Manuals available online as zip 
> files.
>
> Apologies if this is a bit vague, I sold my LDG, and just use the 
> built in tuner on my K3 these days. I will say I think it would be 
> nice if there was an easy drop in product or method for using a non 
> Elecraft external or an at-the-antenna tuner with the Elecraft, such 
> as the LDG or Icom’s, but I’ll leave that to the savvy entrepreneurs 
> to bring to market.
>
> 73,
> N8YSZ.
>
>
>
> -- 
> Dan Brown
>
>> On Sep 14, 2022, at 04:06, Dave B via Elecraft 
>> <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>
>> Morning...
>>
>> Sounds like a job for an Arduino or PIC Micro, to interface between 
>> radio and ATU, and possibly with additional indicators/buttons etc...
>>
>> ATU on one side (two I/O lines from the sound of things, with maybe 
>> some voltage level changing) and radio CAT interface on the other on 
>> a serial port (or whatever a K2/K3 or ??? needs.)
>>
>> That is the sort of project where you may find someone else has 
>> already done something similar for other needs, so part way there, 
>> that you can adapt and build on.  (Google is your friend of course.)
>>
>> Best of all, the needed development software is freely available (for 
>> zero cost) and the hardware is low cost too.  Plus...  LOTS of 
>> tutorials on-line to point you in the right direction...
>>
>> From the below, it sounds like the needed event sequencing is already 
>> known too, that helps enormously.
>>
>> A nice winter project...
>>
>> 73.
>>
>> Dave G8kBV
>>
>>
>>
>> On 13/09/2022 20:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>> On 04/09/2022 09:37,elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net  wrote:
>>>> I looked up the Owner's Manual for the Z100A and it does not have
>>>> a "Molex" connector on the tuner.  The radio interface cable is a
>>>> miniDIN6.  The manual also does not list a cable for K3 (or any
>>>> Elecraft transceiver) - only the "IC106" cable for connecting power.
>>> The DIN connector has 4 active pins it seems - plus and minus power, a
>>> signal that should trigger the transceiver if you press the tune button
>>> to trigger the radio to make RF, and a signal that indicates the tuning
>>> process is complete.
>>>
>>> None of the indication signals directly interface with the K3.
>>>
>>> As others already said, I don't think the K3 has an interface for either
>>> of these signals. The procedure would then be:
>>> 1. reduce output power on K3
>>> 2. press TUNE on K2 to start generating RF
>>> 3. Press TUNE on tuner to make it start a tune cycle
>>> 4. Tuner will indicate completion of cycle
>>> 5. Press TUNE to stop K2 generating power.
>>> 6. Restore RF power setting.
>>>
>>> There is no integration between the K3 and the Z100A unfortunately.
>>>
>>> LDG makes many tuner models, some actually talk to the radio to do part
>>> of the above process automatically.
>>>
>>> My suggestion is to join the LDG group at
>>> https://groups.io/g/ldgelectronics
>>>
>>> 73, Geert Jan PE1HZG
>>
>> -- 
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