band decoder for 6400 ??

Frank W2YK

Besides a $380 box from Array Solutions, any other way to get band data from a 6400 for my SixPak??Thanks

David Decoons, wo2x

You can use a USB bit cble plugged into the back of the radio. http://www.flexradio.com/downloads/usb-cable-interface-guide-pdf/ Dave wo2x

Craig_KØCF

Or you can use DDUtil and a $30 Denkovi or SainSmart Relay board. Works very nicely!

73,
Craig, KØCF

Craig_KØCF

Or, you can do the $500 solution: the 4O3A Antenna Genius 8x1 Ethernet antenna switch. Very elegant... I have one coming Monday to replace the DDUtil/SainSmart that I am now using. My RATpak will be going up for sale soon.

73,
Craig, KØCF

Mack

Or you can use the $24 device: http://www.unifiedmicro.com/decoder.html . Just feed it with a USB to BCD cable from the USB port on the rear of the radio. Details are in the Flex USB guide. A separate computer is not needed.

Mack
W4AX
Alpha Team

Frank W2YK

Thanks to all for the suggestions!  Appreciate the support here.  Frank, W2YK

Frank W2YK

In for a penny, in for a pound!  I'd have to go the 2 x 8 to also accommodate the 1000MP!!  Thanks!

Frank W2YK

Thanks Dave, didn't know there was Band Data directly on the USB port.

Frank W2YK

Thanks Mack.  Appreciate the help. I actually have one inside the SixPak switch box for my FT1000MP...

Rich McCabe

It was my understanding that the array solutions antenna switches using bandmaster could not be switched with a relay setup like the 4O3A can? 

So basically I thought you have to use their ShackLan setup. Am I wrong?

I am feeding my 6600 into an indoor 8 pack so I can switch any multitude of antennas to either SCU. I am just using their switchbox as they software they offer is too cumbersome to use for my application.

Frank W2YK

For the SixPak, you need the unifiedmicro BCD14 and the HSD together.  I stuffed them both in the switch box for 'Radio A' and switch Radio B manually.  recently bough a single radio switch box to put another set of BCD/HSD boards inside...  hopefully for the 6400!

Craig_KØCF

The new BandMaster V will accept a USB cable directly from a flex-6000 series radio, and connects directly to a RATpak or, I assume a SixPak. It is programmable in a manner similar to the Antenna Genius. That is the $380 solution!

73,
Craig, KØCF

Frank W2YK

Frank W2YK

If you have the switch box, here's a $40 solution...

Rich McCabe

Frank, what have you done there?

I am running what I think is the older box.

Rich

Steven WA8Y

What are you using to automate the switching from the ft-1000mp to the flex?

Steven WA8Y

I ordered the USB to BCD cable from flex and it came with my 6600. I'm planning to somehow switch My ameritron RCS 10 which controls the quad loops.

Frank W2YK

It's the BCD14 and the HSD stuffed into what I guess is the 'newer' box.  Just on "Radio A".  I will probably disconnect "Radio B" and stuff another set of  BCD14 and the HSD into a single radio switch box, which I just bought recently.

Frank W2YK

Hi Steven,  Nothing.  Each rig feeds an Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch, which is a 6x2 (6 antenna/2 radio) antenna switch.  I can operate both radios at the same time as long as they are on different antennas/bands

Frank W2YK

If the control box for the RCS grounds out a cable to switch a relay you will just need a BCD-14 board from unifiedmicro.com.  If the relays need voltage to switch, you will need to add a HSD-9 board to the BCD board, as I've done above.  GL!

Neal - K3NC

Microham has a nice Stationmaster
http://microham-usa.com/store/product-info.php?pid12.html

Rich McCabe

Frank, I think I might be wrong on what is newer. I just remember Jay telling me he would make me a deal on an old style box.   I finally got around to taking the cover off and it does not look like I have the same options that you have.

I almost bought a 4o3a 2x6 but ended up with the 8 pack instead.  I am regretting it at this point as their proprietary ShackLan really limits you.  I would consider running my SteppIR, Acom 600s and 8 pack off of DDUTIL if I could, but for now with my basic use the SteppIR and Acom are going to stay connected direct to Flex.

Ria

Or you can just plug the same denkovi board into the radio and not have to use DDUtil.

Craig_KØCF

Have you actually made this work, Ria? I couldn't find any tech specs on the Denkovi board to know what protocol might work with it, so I just stayed with DDUtil. Actually a moot point for me now, as I have an Antenna Genius installed and working, but the direct connect to the Denkovi board is an interesting option.

73,
Craig, KØCF