Will this work with 8000 series?

K9SO

Any chance the TeensyMaestro code would work with my 8600?

KD0RC

The TeensyMaestro should work fine with the 8000 series radios. The TeensyMaestro uses the same API as SmartSDR so it will work on version 2 and 3 radios, regardless of model. I anticipate it working on version 4 when it comes out.

I have finally gotten around to including VFO control acceleration. I am testing it now and plan on releasing it in a week or two.

Do you have a TeensyMaestro, or are you planning on building one?

K9SO

Hi Len,

I've been working with Max, N5NHJ on his MORCONI project recently. That also uses the Teensy 4.1 and I built up a few of those. This project caught my eye only recently. I also recently finished a very similar (non Flex) project replacing a missing control head for an old Kenwood D700. That also uses a Teensy and a bunch of encoders. I'm ready for another project. This looks like a very similar build.

I like my Maestros, but I like the "instant on" features a direct access would bring and I only use them in local control mode anyway.

Since you're interfacing with the radio directly, I assume you're using the "time stamping" keying approach like is used in the Maestro (and Morconi)?

Fred, K9SO

KD0RC

HI Fred, Yes, I use the Flex API for CW keying. I helped Max get the CW keying working with his Morconi project, so I am pretty sure we both do it the same way. It was not intuitive (at least for me…) as to how the keying API works, but once I got it figured out, it was not hard to implement (thanks to Eric, KE5DTO for his insights). Thanks also to Enzo, IW7DMH for the excellent Flex Arduino library.

I just took a peek at your QRZ page - nice! I would say that the TeensyMaestro would be well within your capabilities and should be a fun (and hopefully useful) project. Take a look at the TeensyMaestro thread on this community to get insights on what others have done with theirs. All of the project material is out on Github:

https://github.com/KD0RC/Teensy-Maestro-for-Flex-6000-radios

I would start with the User Manual, Builder's Guide, Schematic and Bill Of Materials documents to get a feel for what it does and how it all goes together. If you are interested in modifying it, the source code is all out on the Github page. I also take requests (but no promises…) if you want a feature that is not currently there. I added quite a few features based on requests by other builders.

K9SO

ahh yes, a "Wouldn't it be cool if … .?" scenario. Ask Max about those!

I thought I read somewhere in this massive thread that someone did a PCB layout. Was that ever shared publicly? That might save me some time. I can read almost any PCB format.

On the D700A control head project shown above we (+KC9JOB) used a PCB with black solder mask and a white silk screened legend for the front panel. Such a nice, finished look and a whole lot cheaper than custom-screened metal panels. For the touch controller project on my QRZ page, we did a similar thing but even added gold plating on the buttons and my call sign! (part of a "wouldn't it be cool if … " discussion during that project). Such PCB front panels usually cost <$10 from JLCPCB (and you get 5 of them in under a week for that total price!)

Thanks for the info … and also for going through all of this effort! This is really cool.

Fred, K9SO

KD0RC

Thanks Fred, I appreciate it! It has been a really fun project.

A couple of people have done PC boards, but I don't have the gerbers for them. I would be happy to post any PC boards on my Github site.

A PC front panel like you did would be ideal. Looks great and very reasonably priced. A couple of guys have used Front Panel Express and got really nice looking panels. Very pricey though.

I did mine by printing the panel on plain paper, then overlaying it with clear plastic sheeting from the hardware store. Looks ok and is functional, but not as nice as what you did with your project.