Interlock / RCA TX REQ not active during TX!

Ruediger Kolb

I want to use the Interlock / RCA TX REQ input for safety features, e.g. temporary SWR fault.

I was able to setup all the stuff (activation per band, active level etc.) BUT the "external" signal level is only handle at startup of a transmission.

DURING transmission the state of the input pin is meaningless!

 

This is in my opinion not useful.

Idea in general was, to remove/suppress driving power from transceiver to prevent rf power switching during faulty situations.

 

Does anyone find the same behaviour?

How you fixed the "mis-behaviour"?

 

Is there a plan to check also the RCA TX REQ pin during transmission from FlexRadio (e.g. interrupt handling in the firmware)?

 

Used HW, Flex-6500, SwVersion in use is 3.0.19 + Smorf Wattmeter

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hello, I plan to use same concept with Smorf wattmeter. But have not yet investigated it. You mean the RCA TX REQ is only a short pulse at start of TX? It then goes to normal (low or high?) when TX continous.

Sergey KN7K

I agree this is not useful.
I had ticket open and I was told that it works as designed.
In my opinion it is not "Safe interlock" for my station.
Here is my original post - https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/flex-steppir-and-ver3

I think I understan FLEX logic - it could be useful in SO2R situation to let one operator to complete transmit before 2nd operator start transmit.

However, in case of Steppir, all works if I start transmit during antenna tune - it will prevent transmit. But, if during transmit I by accident start to tune Steppir - it willl trasmit to antenna - no interlock.

I did not hear about any plans to change that behaviour. Unless many of us will request it.
Sergey, KN7K

Sergey KN7K

I also have SM0RF and configured internal interlock to stop TX in case SWR>3.

Sergey, KN7K

Ruediger Kolb

Kari,
the RCA TX Req state is checked when you want to transmit only.
During transmission e.g. 300ms after PTT the state is not checked!
Therefore no protection for other equipment -:)

This is a software development item -> Therefore not difficult to implement.
Either change for interrupt service or polling routine.

FlexRadio task.

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hallo Ruediger, OK I see. I did not know. I hope Flex implements this as it is an important issue. 73