Accessory connector pin 9

K9SO

Pin 9: +5VDC
"This pin is a +5VDC output for use by external equipment. This pin is capable of sourcing up to 500mA of current. A thermally resetting fuse will protect the radio from damage."

When is this voltage active? Does it follow the radio connection status (e.g., when a client connects?)

KD0RC

Hi Fred, I don't think so. I think it just comes on with the radio. The only way I know to tell if a client connects is via the API.

What is it that you are trying to do?

K9SO

Hi Len,

We are setting up a remote access Flex station for our club. While I can easily disconnect antennas remotely with remote switches, I am looking for a way to do so automatically. I like physical disconnects at my remote stations (see my QRZ page) and I need a control signal. I don't want to depend on someone remembering to shut down the station properly.

Max added a connect pin (API) in his MORCONI that follows a client connection to the radio. I may have to go that route.

Fred

KD0RC

Hi Fred, I did a project for a radio club in Tampa for just that purpose. It is called the FlexAntDisconnector.

/*

  FlexAntDisconnector

   Len Koppl, KDØRC

   08/29/2020

   Teensy 4.1 (with built-in Ethernet)




  Built for Lu Romero, W4LT to be used with his club station.

  This connects to a Flex and checks for the presence of a logged-in GUI-client.  

  If one or more are found, set pin 33.  A config file is used to determine if pin 33 
  is active high or low. 

A NPN switch can be used to drive an antenna 

disconnect relay.

*/

It also detects the band and can switch bandpass filters. It behaves differently depending on logged in clients and which bands each client is on. I will need to go back and re-read everything about it, but if the program comments (above) are what you are after, I can send you everything. Here is the schematic. In retrospect, I would probably use opto-isolators instead of NPN transistors.

K9SO

Yes. Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Any SW details available?

KD0RC

I completely forgot… I put this out on Github a while back:

https://github.com/KD0RC/Flex-Antenna-Disconnector

Config.zip should be unzipped and placed on an SD card inserted in the Teensy board.

The next file down is the documentation (very sparse…) and contains the schematic.

The next file (.hex) is the executable file to be loaded onto the Teensy.

The next two .zip files are the source and library in case you want to see how it was done, or to make modifications.

KD0RC

Funny, you asked me that question as I was already preparing an answer! To make this work, you only need the config and .hex files.

The code is designed to work with multiple Flex radios on the same LAN. In that case, you need one Teensy for each radio/ant disconnector combo and you need to specify which radio by serial number that each Teensy will connect to. If you only have one radio on the LAN, you can leave the Serial: parameter off or commented out in the Config.ini file.

K9SO

…. hmmm I wonder what it's seeing?

Fred

KD0RC

That is a false positive. Some of the virus detectors give a warning because it is not something that is downloaded by lots of people.

You should be OK to keep and extract the files.

To test the disconnector, you only need the .hex file and the Config.ini file.

K9SO

Will do Len, and thanks very much. I don't download much from GitHub so I wasn't sure.

I am going to attempt my own just for fun, but it will be my first attempt at working with the Flex API. I will be using your source code as a guide and certainly the HEX to try things out.

Your help is much appreciated once again.

73,

Fred, K9SO

KD0RC

Sounds good Fred!

Mike-VA3MW

Another Option is to use a RPI with NodeRed on it. You can easily detect when the radio has no users connected and then disconnect antennas. As well, it will give you a remote web page to managed many other things.

That just scratches the surface of what it can do.

K9SO

Thanks for pointing that out Mike. Node Red is also on the learning curve roadmap … decisions, decisions … . 😶

Fred

K9SO

Thanks for the ideas guys … I built this "open frame" generic Din rail implementation (lower right) today and got it to work with the MORCONI code. The Amazon relay board works with 3.3v I/O pins and enables/disables the antenna selection circuitry. Len, I'll load your disconnect code and experiment with that too. Really simple to do.

Fred, K9SO