ACOM-1200S amplifier and the ACOM-04AT antenna-tuner autotune with FlexRadio

KlausP

Out of habit with my Yaesu FTDX3000, I wanted to use the autotuning function for the Antennatuner
04AT over my ACOM 1200S PA with the Flexradio as well.
Unfortunately, the interface on the FlexRadio is not suitable for this action, as it does not support all
of the commands used by ACOM. I think that it is essentially intended for frequency transmission to
the PA.
It would basically work via SmartCAT if there weren't a few inconsistencies in the ACOM code.
Apparently, the ACOM code is set up more for the Elecraft protocol, which is also referred for
Flexradio using parameter set 5.

So I tried to read the communication to understand what was going on.

ACOM queries the current status of the transceiver and saves the status.

Then the CAT commands run to control the transceiver.
Here, commands are called up that FlexRadio does not understand, but which are also not necessary.
I looked at the commands from the comunication of my Yaesu, which is operated via a different
parameter set, and this process is much simpler, but unfortunately it doesn't work for the Flex TRX
either.
ACOM uses the commands MG, DT, and DT2, which are unknown to FlexRadio.
In the first part of the tuning function, the DT commands are used, these are for Elecraft digital mode.
I send these directly back to Acom so that they can be saved for the internal process.

The MG (Mice Gain) command is not understood by FlexRadio and is translated to ZZMG, FlexRadio's
own command. Flexradio’s response is converted back to MG für ACOM.

The real problem here is that ACOM first uses a digital mode and then switches to FM mode without
first taking the TRX out of TX mode. This may work with Elecraft, but FlexRadio is different.
Now I've found an Arduino Mega 2560 in my craft box, which I use to create a translator for
communication between the two devices.
This allowed me to eliminate or convert commands that were incomprehensible to the Flex TRX, and
it works fine.

Maybe someone will find a better code or simpler hardware, but this is how I did it.

Please note that I assume no liability for my program and that anyone who imitates it does
so at their own risk.

The program and circuit diagram can be found here : https://my.hidrive.com/share/96abcyiihr