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band decoder for 6400 ??

Frank W2YK
Frank W2YK Member
edited June 2020 in FLEX-6000 Signature Series
Besides a $380 box from Array Solutions, any other way to get band data from a 6400 for my SixPak??Thanks


Answers

  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited June 2020
    You can use a USB bit cble plugged into the back of the radio. http://www.flexradio.com/downloads/usb-cable-interface-guide-pdf/ Dave wo2x
  • Craig_KØCF
    Craig_KØCF Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 2019
    Or you can use DDUtil and a $30 Denkovi or SainSmart Relay board. Works very nicely!

    73,
    Craig, KØCF

  • Craig_KØCF
    Craig_KØCF Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2019
    Or, you can do the $500 solution: the 4O3A Antenna Genius 8x1 Ethernet antenna switch. Very elegant... I have one coming Monday to replace the DDUtil/SainSmart that I am now using. My RATpak will be going up for sale soon.

    73,
    Craig, KØCF

  • Mack
    Mack Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2019
    Or you can use the $24 device: http://www.unifiedmicro.com/decoder.html . Just feed it with a USB to BCD cable from the USB port on the rear of the radio. Details are in the Flex USB guide. A separate computer is not needed.

    Mack
    W4AX
    Alpha Team
  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited June 2019
    Thanks to all for the suggestions!  Appreciate the support here.  Frank, W2YK


  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    In for a penny, in for a pound!  I'd have to go the 2 x 8 to also accommodate the 1000MP!!  Thanks!


  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    Thanks Dave, didn't know there was Band Data directly on the USB port.
  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    Thanks Mack.  Appreciate the help. I actually have one inside the SixPak switch box for my FT1000MP...
  • Rich McCabe
    Rich McCabe Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2019
    It was my understanding that the array solutions antenna switches using bandmaster could not be switched with a relay setup like the 4O3A can? 

    So basically I thought you have to use their ShackLan setup. Am I wrong?

    I am feeding my 6600 into an indoor 8 pack so I can switch any multitude of antennas to either SCU. I am just using their switchbox as they software they offer is too cumbersome to use for my application.


  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    For the SixPak, you need the unifiedmicro BCD14 and the HSD together.  I stuffed them both in the switch box for 'Radio A' and switch Radio B manually.  recently bough a single radio switch box to put another set of BCD/HSD boards inside...  hopefully for the 6400!
  • Craig_KØCF
    Craig_KØCF Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2018
    The new BandMaster V will accept a USB cable directly from a flex-6000 series radio, and connects directly to a RATpak or, I assume a SixPak. It is programmable in a manner similar to the Antenna Genius. That is the $380 solution!

    73,
    Craig, KØCF

  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    image
  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    If you have the switch box, here's a $40 solution...
  • Rich McCabe
    Rich McCabe Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2018
    Frank, what have you done there?

    I am running what I think is the older box.

    Rich


    image


  • Steven WA8Y
    Steven WA8Y Member ✭✭
    edited March 2018
    What are you using to automate the switching from the ft-1000mp to the flex?
  • Steven WA8Y
    Steven WA8Y Member ✭✭
    edited June 2019
    I ordered the USB to BCD cable from flex and it came with my 6600. I'm planning to somehow switch My ameritron RCS 10 which controls the quad loops.
  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    It's the BCD14 and the HSD stuffed into what I guess is the 'newer' box.  Just on "Radio A".  I will probably disconnect "Radio B" and stuff another set of  BCD14 and the HSD into a single radio switch box, which I just bought recently.
    image
  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    Hi Steven,  Nothing.  Each rig feeds an Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch, which is a 6x2 (6 antenna/2 radio) antenna switch.  I can operate both radios at the same time as long as they are on different antennas/bands
  • Frank W2YK
    Frank W2YK Member
    edited March 2018
    If the control box for the RCS grounds out a cable to switch a relay you will just need a BCD-14 board from unifiedmicro.com.  If the relays need voltage to switch, you will need to add a HSD-9 board to the BCD board, as I've done above.  GL!
  • Neal - K3NC
    Neal - K3NC Inactive Employee ✭✭
    edited March 2018
    Microham has a nice Stationmaster
    http://microham-usa.com/store/product-info.php?pid12.html
  • Rich McCabe
    Rich McCabe Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2018
    Frank, I think I might be wrong on what is newer. I just remember Jay telling me he would make me a deal on an old style box.   I finally got around to taking the cover off and it does not look like I have the same options that you have.

    I almost bought a 4o3a 2x6 but ended up with the 8 pack instead.  I am regretting it at this point as their proprietary ShackLan really limits you.  I would consider running my SteppIR, Acom 600s and 8 pack off of DDUTIL if I could, but for now with my basic use the SteppIR and Acom are going to stay connected direct to Flex.

    image


  • Ria
    Ria Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2018
    Or you can just plug the same denkovi board into the radio and not have to use DDUtil.
  • Craig_KØCF
    Craig_KØCF Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2018
    Have you actually made this work, Ria? I couldn't find any tech specs on the Denkovi board to know what protocol might work with it, so I just stayed with DDUtil. Actually a moot point for me now, as I have an Antenna Genius installed and working, but the direct connect to the Denkovi board is an interesting option.

    73,
    Craig, KØCF

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