So2R green/red light bulb -anyone done it?

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Embarrased to ask but what is THE easiest technical implementation of an external green or red light bulb that indicates which radio (slice A/B) is in TX or RX when using a full duplex radio like 6700 or 6600? Or even better taking in account status of audio channels (R1R1, R1R2, R2R2). This relates to 2BSIQ operating. Thought I would not invent the wheel...

Ted VE3TRQ

Should be entirely possible by connecting to the radio via Ethernet, subscribing to certain events, and then monitoring. I did this for monitoring receive levels for multiple slices (for signal and antenna comparison).

With a cheap RPi, it would be trivial to activate GPIO pins based on status info received from the radio. I think I'll play around with this, given I already have the software infrastructure built to connect and monitor.

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Ted, OK sounds very thrilling. I beleive there is a demand for this as SO2R is increasing among all contesters. 
"Reading" the Flex API:s is perhaps another solution but requires the competence to accomplish it. Or is it in "your cards" ?

Ted VE3TRQ

I think I'll play with it, see what I can do. I am starting to use FDX with my 6600, and something like this would be useful, and will work nicely remote or local.

Ted VE3TRQ

Just did a bit of investigation - with a RPi it’s easily possible to provide indications of rcv state (incl antenna, if so desired), plus tx state of any slice. Would also provide which slice has tx “focus” currently. Could use LEDs or, with relays, brighter lights or other indicators. I think I might just see what I can come up with (although it’s so easy, I’d be surprised if no one has already done it, probably with ddutil or whatever with external devices). I can see an immediate use for this with my 6600M which I operate remotely with the front panel connected as the GUI (and only CAT/DAX on the remote for digital apps).

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Great Ted, I would be glad to test out and also support in any other way if I can. 
To be able to see where is RX and TX focus including active earphones per slice is highly sought after. Especially now when SO3R is becoming of interest  - how can we do keep track of all "active slices" and their status. 
73s and a pleasant weekend.