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In this category, you can discuss different ways of connection between EE radios and external Power Amplifiers.

TOPIC: PA Remote Control - On / Off

PA Remote Control - On / Off 28 Dec 2022 11:46 #1

Hi All,

I have searched on the forum and have not found an answer yet.

I have an Acom 1200S which is working perfectly with my SunSDR2 DX using the latest version of ExpertSDR 3.

I use the amplifier exclusively on 50Mhz and so have a basic setup with PTT X8 from the SDR2 driving a relay which then keys the amplifier PTT IN connection - is working perfectly, I don't use BCD decode as its always set to 50MHZ !

Now my question - I am in the process of setting up the station to be remote and the A1200S can be switched on remotely either via a £500 box from Acom or via a +5 - 12V signal on pin 11 of the amps CAT control connector, obviously I want to use the CAT connector!

I've tried it and it works fine +12 on pin 11 of the A1200S CAT connector and the amp turns on, remove +12v and the amp turns off.

I would like to be able to do this using the SDR3 software - it has a PA on and off button - I'm not clear what that actually does, it doesn't seem to disable the keying line X8 as I can see it triggering the X8 relay

how does this button on the software actually function ? - does it set a pin high or low somewhere?

The user manual says "enable/disable an external power amplifier (PA)" but doesn't seem to indicate how this happens - I apologise if I am missing something obvious!

Ideally, I would like to have it turn on and off a +12V line so I can connect it to the A1200S - and then when switched on in the software it would switch on the amplifier - perfect!

Very happy to build a suitable circuit or level converter - I've considered using the BCD function available to do that - I think that this might be how the PA on off might work but I can't seem to quite find it in the documents !

Can anyone help ?

Thanks
73
Chris
M1ABK
Last Edit: 28 Dec 2022 11:46 by RutlandBoy.
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PA Remote Control - On / Off 30 Dec 2022 02:46 #2

  • VK6NX
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the place to start is the Ext CTRL description in the user manual: eesdr.com/images/Document/SunSDR2_DX/SunSDR2_DX_User_Manual_ENG.pdf and ACOM connectivity diag: eesdr.com/images/Document/SunSDR2_DX/SunSDR2DX-ACOM.pdf from this documentation section: eesdr.com/en/products-en/transceivers-en/sunsdr2dx-en#documentation-2

Also try to search forum, there were many topics about ACOM.

PA button triggers common ground via X8 pin of the Ext CRTL connector. The fucntionality also explained in docs. ESDR2 and ESDR3 are similar on fucntion for this button, but ESDR3 has some extra functions, configurale in Options (for the details either ask your questions here, or in Test Telegram channel).
Last Edit: 30 Dec 2022 02:51 by VK6NX.
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PA Remote Control - On / Off 31 Dec 2022 11:28 #3

Hi Thanks for the reply !

I've checked the forums and all of them are about the use of the ext connector to pass BCD data to the ACOM not about remote power on sadly :sorry:

The diagram to connect to the ACOM amplifier will work great for BCD but not for what I want as the power on the remote pin of the A120)S is there permanently which will mean the amp is on all the time - I want to control that rail but the PA ON / OFF button ideally

I understand how the PA on off button is meant to work with the X8 output, I will revisit it again and see if I can use something with it to give the +ve voltage needed on the remote pin of the A1200S - I guess should be simple enough !

Thanks for the help, I will look at it again and see what I can work out - just wondered if anyone had done it already !

73
good DX for 2023
Chris
M1ABK
Last Edit: 31 Dec 2022 11:31 by RutlandBoy.
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PA Remote Control - On / Off 31 Dec 2022 16:12 #4

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Hi Chris

Yes, you right, everyhting about PA (Acom included) on forum is all about "local".
Practically, no one was asked about "remote PA" on the forum as yet. There were some background conversations, though.

FYI, earlier last year there was a talk to add trigger for PA into TCI. At this stage this request in on hold, because intended functionality was implemented different way. However, I believe, nothing will stop EE to put it back on, if needed. PA trigger also might have a place in ERS.

Have a look at TCI, think if it might go "live" in your custom system. The ideas like this are usually much apprecialted by EE, specifically if you will be able to make some diagrams and description of practical use case scenario. EE is back online by 9th of Jan (I think).
Last Edit: 31 Dec 2022 16:13 by VK6NX.
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PA Remote Control - On / Off 01 Jan 2023 11:06 #5

Hi Pavel,

Thank you I will continue my work and will feedback when I've got it working - after some more investigation the PA on/off does simply turn off the PTT signal on X8 - which I 'sort off' understand and makes sense.

It would be great if it had the option of additionally using one of the other output lines as an on / signal as that would make interfacing it really simple to the ACOM amplifiers - although I understand why perhaps the team might not want to do it as there are plenty of other amplifiers out there !

It just seems that the ACOM solution is a lot of money >450 Euros and so I thought I'd take a look !

The obvious way I think is to use one of the outputs on the BM panel to turn one of the outlines on and off - this looks like it will work - a little manual and not elegant but functional !

If I were to suggest a change it would be to add a panel with some nice buttons that turn them on and off without going to the BM area to do so - that way with some custom labels you could switch on fans etc. - a lot more elegant !!

Thanks for your help and suggestions - I'll feedback when I've got it working !

73 and good DX for 2023
Chris
M1ABK
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