Hi,
I have been trying unsuccessfully for some time to control my Expert 1.3K-FA power amplifier with the SunSDR2-DX (automatic band switching). I bought this cable especially for this purpose:

https://pileupdx.com/product/ptt-band-data-cable-for-spe-expert-amplifiers/

In the ExperSDR2 software, I have set all the ticks in the "Device-Ext Ctrl" tab as described everywhere. I have also read through all possible manuals and watched YouTube. In the PA, I set the CAT settings to YAESU Band-Data. The PA gives the error message "Band not permitted". In the Manual Tune section of the PA I can see that the frequency transmitted by the SunSDR is 0.00 MHz. I think this is the reason for the error message. What am I doing wrong? Is the cable defective? I am desperate and don't know what to do. I hope I can find some help here.



73 de Torsten - DL9GTB

Torsten.

I have a similar issue with 1K5FA. 1K3FA is working perfectly, Firmware version of Expert Linear is Rel.31_07_18_C/15s. Works as intended.
1K5FA firmware version Rel.01_07_21_A/15s no connection (same screen, band not permitted). The menu in this firmware changed and band data is a separate item, moved out from the Yaesu's model selector.
Maybe need to contact Expert Linears and clarify it?
Also, Checkmarks in Band data are not saved in 1.0.3 beta if the radio is turned off.

73, Yuri N3QQ

Thanks for your help and sorry for my late reply, I was away on business and not at home. I still don't understand why it doesn't work for me. I want to measure the pins of the cable today to see if there is voltage. If so, I want to test whether the changes in the checkmarks in the band data also cause changes in the voltage at the pins of the cable.

73 de Torsten - DL9GTB

Hi Torsten,
Looking at your Expert 1.3K-FA screenshot, it looks like you have choosen the wrong CAT protocol in the PA. Use Band Data, and it will be OK.

73 de LB2EG Richard

I use the firmware version Rel.31_07_18_C/15s for my 1.3k. I can only select band data in the CAT menu "YAESU", as Yuri described earlier.

I can measure the voltage at the pins of the connection cable, which also matches the band data checkmarks of the software exactly. However, the voltage is only 0.58 volts. I measured the pins against the ground of the connector. It seems very low to me, I would have expected about 5 volts. Is it possible that I am not getting enough voltage from the pins of the Ext CTRL socket? Who can help and measure the voltage at the pins of the cable connector? That would help me a lot.






73 de Torsten - DL9GTB

Hi Torsten

I have the same combo (Sunsdr2DX and Expert 1.5K-FA). You may want to consider using CAT data instead of BCD (Band data) for your amp to follow radio. That way you not only set the proper band but also proper ATU segment on that given band while you tune around.

If you have SDC you can easily accomplish this with the "PA" function via Virtual Com port which in turn will connect your computer to the amp by using USB to Com port cable.
You can still PTT key the amp from your radio by using the cable you have. This combo has been working reliably for me.

Perhaps you can also accomplish CAT via RigSync but I am not sure how to do it.

73 Nick, VE3EY
DL9GTB wrote:

VE3EY wrote:

Hi Torsten. You still need a custom cable made for Expert amp or order one from Dan Tassel. DB15 connector on the amp is not standard but it is easy to construct a cable / adapter which you will use to connect your USB dongle from your computer USB-->DB9 and then DB9-DB15 for Expert cable. If CAT data is all you need, then likely you will only need 3 wires.

VE3EY wrote:
I have tried it with a USB dongle and it works. I use the additional program SDC by UT4LW for this. The Expert 1.3K switches the bands and receives the CAT information correctly from the SDC program. The cable from the dongle to the plug on the PA is currently connected with 2 wires (Pin 1 and 4), see picture:



What does not work yet is the PTT. The PA does not yet switch to transmit mode, but that was to be expected. I have now found this picture in the SDC manual:



Does this wiring also work for the Expert 1.3K? Or is there another solution for PTT switching?

73 de Torsten - DL9GTB

Hi Torsten.
We are using the following circuit - a relay between SunSDR2 DX ext ctrl and RY1 connector on Expert amp. Transistor or Optoisolator likely will work as well. Obviously you will need to enable "PA" button in EESDR for PTT from radio to key the amp.

VE3EY wrote:
I have to ask again to understand correctly. The wire of Pin12 (RD) comes to the central connection of the chinch plug. And on the outer connection of the chinch plug comes the wire of pin 4 (GR). I hope this is correct so far? What about the connection of pins 16? Do I need that too?

73 de Torsten - DL9GTB

You are correct Torsten. Only pin 4 (GND) and Pin 12 (RY) will be needed on DB-15M connector on the amp or use RY1 RCA connector. Regards. 73

Everything now works as it should. Thanks to everyone here for the great help.

One more small question. Is it advisable to set a PTT delay in the settings? If so, how much ms and where do I set it? The PA should already be on TX before the signal from the SunSDR arrives at the PA.

73 de Torsten - DL9GTB

I believe there is a recommendation for 10ms delay. But I set mine to 20 ms delay just to be sure.

Cheers,

Dave.

I ran into the same problem. I tried using heavier wire and that fixed it. I presume that there is a very small margin for voltage drop. Otherwise, the SPE does not read the BCD data. Subsequently, I built a CAT control and PTT cable to use with the PA feature in SDC. Here again, the SDR PTT output would not trigger the SPE relay. Fortunately, there is a $10 relay on Amazon that accepts a low trigger. Powering the relay with the 12v output of the SDR and using the SDR PTT as a trigger works perfectly. This is the recommended solution from EE as noted previously. It's too bad that there are so many hoops to jump to get this pair working together.