Monday 1 October 2012

K3 RS232 Band decoder

Having been disappointed with the ability of my K3 to readily provide outputs to switch VHF/UHF transverters I decided I needed a solution.

Initially I used some logic ICs to decode the band data on the rear panel ACC connector,  but having to reconfigure the interface every time I added or deleted a band was a right pain.  This was described at http://g4fre.com/k3vhf.pdf

Next I decided to use a PIC to do the decoding as it was easier to reprogramme a PIC chip than it was to redo the logic circuits. This decoded just 4 bands as it was intended for 4 bands HF, 6m, 2m and 70cm. This was described at http://g4fre.com/K3_PTT_sw.htm


Next I designed a circuit to decode the RS232 signals also available from the back panel. This looks at the 38400 Baud RS232 data and provides a 1 of 8 band output and a corresponding 1 of 8 PTT signal. It was designed for the 8 bands 144,432,23cm, 13cm, 9cm, 6cm 3cm and 1.2cm. This was written up at http://g4fre.com/K3_RS232_sw.htm . This worked fine for my station in the USA.  However I received a request to make it decode the 8 bands  4m, 2m 70cm, 23cm, 13cm, 9cm, 6cm and 3cm for use in the UK. So today I modified the code and tested it out and it works fine. This version is at http://g4fre.com/K3_RS232_UK.htm


I also tested it out on my Elecraft KX3. It worked fine, all we need now is for Wayne to write the software to support transverter mode in the KX3

No comments:

Post a Comment