Since there is no serial port on the 6x00 series and I dont see any provision for BCD data on the ACC connector how does Flex plan on controlling external accessories (Bandswitching, Amp, SteppIR controller, etc) without the use of a computer? Is there something planned with the USB ports to cover this aspect? How far into the future is this planned? Inquiring minds want to know.
- 705 Posts
- 117 Reply Likes
Posted 5 years ago
- 1654 Posts
- 563 Reply Likes
Larry,
I emailed Steve H and asked about it last year, here is the his reply. Also posted his reply on my FAQs page.
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FAQ...
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ

I emailed Steve H and asked about it last year, here is the his reply. Also posted his reply on my FAQs page.
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FAQ...
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ

- 1654 Posts
- 563 Reply Likes
Dan,
Here is a diagram showing the BCD data from one of my other radios to an amplifier. The BCD data requires 4 lines. That is one reason an external dedicated interface box might be the best solution. It could be attached via the accessory USB port on the radio or be network attached.
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
CLICK to enlarge -- see highlighted BCD signals.

Here is a diagram showing the BCD data from one of my other radios to an amplifier. The BCD data requires 4 lines. That is one reason an external dedicated interface box might be the best solution. It could be attached via the accessory USB port on the radio or be network attached.
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
CLICK to enlarge -- see highlighted BCD signals.

- 562 Posts
- 82 Reply Likes
cool, Al. maybe there is some magic box that will translate I2C to BCD...
- 705 Posts
- 117 Reply Likes
An interesting protocol Dan...been doing a little reading up on it...
I2C is appropriate for peripherals where simplicity and low manufacturing cost are more important than speed. Common applications of the I2C bus are:
Reading configuration data from SPD EEPROMs on SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM memory sticks (DIMM) and other stacked PC boards
Supporting systems management for PCI cards, through an SMBus 2.0 connection.
Accessing NVRAM chips that keep user settings.
Accessing low speed DACs and ADCs.
Changing contrast, hue, and color balance settings in monitors (Display Data Channel).
Changing sound volume in intelligent speakers.
Controlling OLED/LCD displays, like in a cellphone.
Reading hardware monitors and diagnostic sensors, like a CPU thermostat[citation needed] and fan speed.
Reading real-time clocks.
Turning on and turning off the power supply of system components.
A particular strength of I2C is the capability of a microcontroller to control a network of device chips with just two general purpose I/O pins and software. Many other bus technologies used in similar applications, such as Serial Peripheral Interface Bus, require more pins and signals to connect devices.
http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7m...
I2C is appropriate for peripherals where simplicity and low manufacturing cost are more important than speed. Common applications of the I2C bus are:
Reading configuration data from SPD EEPROMs on SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM memory sticks (DIMM) and other stacked PC boards
Supporting systems management for PCI cards, through an SMBus 2.0 connection.
Accessing NVRAM chips that keep user settings.
Accessing low speed DACs and ADCs.
Changing contrast, hue, and color balance settings in monitors (Display Data Channel).
Changing sound volume in intelligent speakers.
Controlling OLED/LCD displays, like in a cellphone.
Reading hardware monitors and diagnostic sensors, like a CPU thermostat[citation needed] and fan speed.
Reading real-time clocks.
Turning on and turning off the power supply of system components.
A particular strength of I2C is the capability of a microcontroller to control a network of device chips with just two general purpose I/O pins and software. Many other bus technologies used in similar applications, such as Serial Peripheral Interface Bus, require more pins and signals to connect devices.
http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7m...
- 562 Posts
- 82 Reply Likes
yeah, bubba, das what i'm talkin about....not that < I > know anything about I2C...
- 562 Posts
- 82 Reply Likes
that's why I have these really sharp guys down in Austin on the payroll !!
< grin >
< grin >
- 1654 Posts
- 563 Reply Likes
Another potential feature of a dedicated external box is it could provide multiple protocols with several connectors for each
- BCD
- CAT
- CiV
And eventually when peripherals are all network attached, and the box is no longer needed it can simply be disconnected. ( that could be quite a few years away though )
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
- BCD
- CAT
- CiV
And eventually when peripherals are all network attached, and the box is no longer needed it can simply be disconnected. ( that could be quite a few years away though )
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
- 656 Posts
- 63 Reply Likes
I am using a Microham StationMaster for amp and antenna control. Presently it has to be connected to a computer. You only need to run the Microham Router software to set it up. But, the box needs to be tethered to something to get the serial data for frequency and mode monitoring. If the USB ports on the radio were able to be used for a USB to serial adapter and the Flex settings panel had an option to set the output type on that port (kenwood 2K, Flex...etc) then the StationMaster could connect directly to the radio and provide a multitude of output controls.
73
Greg
73
Greg
Related Categories
-
SmartSDR for Windows
- 4449 Conversations
- 1211 Followers
K1UO - Larry