Stand alone Interaface (Flex 6x00 - Maestro - Ultrabeam - Expert Linear)

Hardy

I have built an interface around a Flexradio 6x00 with Maestro console and amplifier (Expert 2K-FA) and dynamic antenna (Ultrabeam, Steppir is also possible) to be able to use together without PC.

Circuit plan and source text on my web page:

http://dl1glh.de/flexradioconnect.html

EA4GLI

This is just awesome! Thank you for sharing!

Hardy

I have added just all first version of the web interface. This will soon develop...

EA4GLI

Do you have a screen shot?

Hardy

Yes, have a look again on my web page.

Hardy

Hello,

So a device for a Flexradio seems to be very exotic.
Now, nevertheless, I have extended the web interface for a network accessible
rotor (Hygain DCU-1).

Now with my maestro and a tablet computer I can work with it wirelessly from everywhere on my area

http://dl1glh.de/flexradioconnect.html

EA4GLI

Cool! Thanks for sharing.

Andrew Holman2

I was working on this same thing, but it appears to be outside my skillset. I have an ACOM 600S amplifier and could not get connected to the RS-232 interface. It appears I might beed to do a custom cable to make it pinned like one of the few systems it supports for CAT.  I was then going to tie it into the Green Heron RT21 and HT-Auto, but like I said, way outside my skills I think.

Hardy

Hello,

I just extended the control to include the expert linear amplifier.
So all needed for remote operation is now included.

Ernest

Re your:http://dl1glh.de/flexradioconnect.html

Are you going to offer this as a kit or complete,ready to use in the near future?           

on5po

hello all,
We are looking for an ultrabeam antenna connection scheme with a 6500 flex
to control the control box the change of bands to the antenna
who could help us
tks 73
on5po, janny

Ria

You can use a USB cable, and connect it like a Kenwood or Elecraft transceiver.

Ali 9K2WA

I am currently using an UltraBeam with a USB cable and it is with the RCU-06 controller.

on5po

hello Ria and Ali,
Thank you for your answer, we all have the old version of controller.
Could you explain more, is it enough just to connect the usb cable and db25
what is the procedure .
Thank you for helping us
73, janny

on5po

sorry rs232 câble and usb,

Ali 9K2WA

Hello Janny,

I purchased the USB to Serial adapter for the FLEX-6000 series  from FRS store, connect the USB side of the cable to one of the two Flex USB port and the RS-232 to the RCU-06 controller.

Then open SmartSDR, go to setup menu and select USB Cable setup.

73s

Ria

Hi Janny.

As Ali said you have to get the USB to serial adapter and configure it. You should have it configured to follow the antenna port. 

Then you get the appropriate cable to use. You would use either the KENWOOD or ELECRAFT compatible cable. 

Connect the cable and setup the controller as you would for KENWOOD or ELECRAFT radios. Make sure it is setup to automatically follow the frequency.

Once that it is done, it will follow the radio as you QSY.

Be careful if you're using an amp. You may want to opt for the tuning relay option if available that unkeys your amp if you are transmitting so only low power goes through the antenna and saves your brushes from arcing.

If you also have an amp, get two USB cables. This is better than conventional knobbed radios because most of them only have one CAT port. With Flex you can have many of them, limited by what USB supports.

See my blog post for SPE 1.3K-FA

http://www.n2rj.com/2016/12/flex-radio-1108-beta-and-serial-port.html

Ria
N2RJ

on5po

Thank you Ria and Ali.
Ria, I drive my amp only the "ptt" via the "tx1", that's enough for me,
I suppose that wanting to control the controler, will not influence the control of the amp.
thank you for your answers, have tried this
73

on5po

another question, ,
no special program is required for the management of the order
in the controler / flex
In the (menu) command, there is no flex,
yaesu, kenwood, icom, cat-ttl, markV
i guess i have to take yaesu or kenwood?

73,Janny

Hardy

Hello!

At the time in that my interface has originated there was still no USB cable of Flexradio.

You can use such a cable now and, however, with it allow to transfer only the frequency to the
Ultrabeam and/or linear amplifier.
Further control (forward, reverse, bimode, retract) and the PTT protection while sending
then does not exist.

I use my interface in addition to remote switching of the Flexradio and the linear amplifier
and to control my rotor. Everything in one box (WITHOUT a PC!) solution.

73, Hardy

PS: Maybe even parts of the solution (hardware schematic or source code) is of use for you.

on5po

hank you,Hardy,
if I understand correctly, the fact of ordering via usb, I will not be able to use the command "UP / DN" and 180 ° / bi dir of the box ???

73, janny

Ria

Janny - ask ultra beam tech support how to connect a transceiver.

Then instead of connecting to a radio CAT port you will be using a USB to serial adapter in the back of your Flex.

Hardy

Yes Janny,

if you use the usb-cable connection from Flexradio you have to set the ultrabeam controller
(first version)! to one of the available cat-tranceiver protocols. Only frequency is transfered.
Flexradio doesn't know anything of the antenna. No further control.
Because of this an much more I use my interface. You can use DDUTIL with an Windows PC -
but this programme also cannot speak to ultrabeam controller natively - only frequency control.

73, Hardy

on5po

Sorry, if I did not understand your answer
if I use the USB cable, would I still have manual access to the other controls in the box?
if only the frecence or band  changes with the usb cable and I can always change, others manually control the box, it suits me.
thank you for answering my question
73

Ria

You would not have remote control over other functions. It would only allow frequency tracking. 

on5po

Ria,
that I understood correctly, but at the same time can I manually use the other controls of the controller
this is very important to know,

Ria

Yes you can use other controls of the controller.

on5po

Perfect allelouia
I have all my answers to my questions
if still one, about usb / rs232 cable, I notice that there are several kinds, aurriez you a reference, I must order 3, not to be wrong
thank you

on5po

Hello,
my last question was certainly wrongly asked:
Are there several kinds of rs232 -> usb cables or are they all the same, we are 3 to be interested, we would not want to order bad cables.
Thank you for helping us
73

Ria

You need a FTDI USB to serial. No other kind of adapter will work.

on5po

thanks Ria, and the others who helped
73