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USB-8 Relay card and V1.10.xx

George Moranian
edited April 2020 in SmartSDR for Windows
Has anyone successfully used a USB-8 Relay card with V1.10.xx and the Flex-6000?
If so have any tips or ideas, which USB cable?
I'm using the USB-8 Relay card with DDUtil V3 and the Flex now and wondering if this will work with the USB ports on the 6000 thus eliminating the DDUtility.

George N1NAZ

Answers

  • Ria
    Ria Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 2019
    As long as it is genuine FTDI it will work. 
  • Sergey R5AU
    Sergey R5AU Member ✭✭
    edited April 2017
    George logic is completely different, supported RS232 FTDI chipsets directly with radio
    i use this board with DDUtil successfully as well.
  • pa0bie
    pa0bie Member
    edited January 2017
    The USB-8 relay card in under software control from DDutil. It does not work directly on the USB port from the Flex.  I am using a homebrew 16 relay card through a LPT port on the PC and DDutil.
  • George Moranian
    edited April 2020

    I plugged in a usb-8 relay card into a usb port in the back of the 6000 and set it for the BCD format and it worked the relays changed per the band it was set for as per the Yaesu binary notation.

    However, the 60 and 30 meter Bands do not change. The output from the usb logger is

     17:09:49 (TX): 0x01          160M

    17:09:49 (TX): 0x00

    17:09:52 (TX): 0x02          80M

    17:09:52 (TX): 0x00

    17:09:55 (TX): 0x00          60M

    17:09:56 (TX): 0x03

    17:09:57 (TX): 0x03          40M

    17:10:00 (TX): 0x00

    17:10:01 (TX): 0x00          30M

    17:10:03 (TX): 0x05

    17:10:05 (TX): 0x05          20M

    17:10:07 (TX): 0x00

    17:10:07 (TX): 0x06          17M

    17:10:10 (TX): 0x00

    17:10:11 (TX): 0x07          15M

    17:10:13 (TX): 0x00

    17:10:13 (TX): 0x08          12M

    17:10:37 (TX): 0x00

    17:10:37 (TX): 0x09          10M

    As you can see at 60M and 30M the values are 0x00. I can see why because no amplifiers aloud on those bands. However, if you are using this for antenna switching and the such this will not work. 

    George N1NAZ

  • George Moranian
    edited January 2017
    Update, Reading the manual, what a concept :), 60M is supposed to be 0x00 and 30M is supposed to be 0x04 and if you actually have the 6000 tuned to a 30M freq. ,maybe if I opened my eyes and looked, it actually does output 0x04. So the relay card does work on all bands, just have to keep in mind that 0x00 is 60M
  • Romas-LY3CU
    Romas-LY3CU Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
    Сергеи привет ! постаяно смотрю ваши посты на CQHAM.RU ,,и тоже слежу сдесь.А вы видели что у флекса скоро будет платная прошифка,цена будет 200 $ почему народу там не пишите.,что прошифка скоро будет платная ? Я тоже очень хотел купить 6500 НО ! по кокому причину он здорово подорожал верх ! и ище будет платная програма,КОШМАР ! тогда лучше сансдр2-про !
  • Sergey R5AU
    Sergey R5AU Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
    Ромас добрый день !, не всё так или всё не так, если есть время напишите мне R5AU at rambler DOT ru  я Вам отвечу или в любом колбуке есть мой сотовый номер
  • Romas-LY3CU
    Romas-LY3CU Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
    Сергеи я вам писал но письмо вернулся ! писал по адресу r5au eta ramlerdot точка ру ето правильно ?
  • Romas-LY3CU
    Romas-LY3CU Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
    напишите мне romas.ly3cu@gmail.com
  • Sergey R5AU
    Sergey R5AU Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
  • Romas-LY3CU
    Romas-LY3CU Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
    ок уже почитал,вы как всегда Сергеи молодец ! жду от вас письмо !
  • Rob G6EIH
    Rob G6EIH Member
    edited January 2017
    Which usb relay card are you using?
  • George Moranian
    edited January 2017
    SainSmart USB Eight Channel Relay Board
  • Cosmos (Alan KB5CUS)
    Cosmos (Alan KB5CUS) Member ✭✭
    edited December 2018
    Just built a USB  BCD interface & still testing it.  Using the  KISS method..LOL...  The Proto PCB has a Quad Darlington output Opto ic, Motorola  MC14495 bcd to 7 segment driver , 12 volt input with 5 volt regulator & 3,  5 volt relays with 12 volts through them to control an Ameritron  RCS-10  8 port antenna switch.  I bought the  C232HM-EDHL-0  cable from Mouser..  $26..  I'll try to find that Cheaper cable that Ria (N2RJ) found @ $11.  If the PCB works out well I may make some PCB's ....imageimage
  • Craig K9CT
    Craig K9CT Member ✭✭
    edited March 2019
    Several of us have successfully used the Denkovi and the SainSmart USB/relay combinations. https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-Eight-Channel-Relay-Automation/dp/B0093Y89DE/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1485139771&sr=8-13&keywords=sainsmart+relay http://denkovi.com/usb-eight-channel-relay-board-for-automation I am using these for switching the XVTR IF and PTT lines to several XVTRS from 144 - 1296. They also have been used for filter and antenna switching. They use the BIT setup. Very simple setup in the USB setup page. 73, Craig K9CT
  • Rob G6EIH
    Rob G6EIH Member
    edited January 2017
    I ordered the SainSmart USB Eight Channel Relay Board and will try it out.
  • Wayne VK4ACN
    Wayne VK4ACN Member ✭✭✭
    edited January 2017
    Ive tried this but I think I need a bit of help.  Ive got the sain smart set as a bit cable.  Ive got it controlling my remote antenna switch with a 40/30 dipole on same feedline and a 6 band hex.  I set up the frequencies and it works.  I can close down ssdr and not the radio, and all is fine but when I shut down the radio, and then restart, the frequencies are all different.  Im not using bands trigger because i would need to jumper the relays to the one with the 6band hex on, I thought Id try this first.. Im probably entering them in wrong.  Any help appreciated.

    Ive entered the frequency as 100 and 11.000000 for the first one and this is how it sets itself. Works till I turn off the radio
    image


    When I turn the radio back on this is what it says, and I have no antenna energized.

    image

    Must be entering wrong,  Any help?

    Wayne

  • Wayne VK4ACN
    Wayne VK4ACN Member ✭✭✭
    edited January 2017
    This seems to have fixed itself on the latest update SSDR 1.10.15.  Im entering the frequency in mhz and it is saving even after powering down, which wasnt happening before.
    Means I can run the Maestro around the house most of the day, and not have to have the pc on to use the antenna switch. 
    image

    Thanks Flex for the fix
    Wayne

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