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

TOPIC: SPE 1.5K-FA with ExpertSDR3

Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 17 Sep 2022 22:21 #1

My SunSDR2 DX is up and running great. I have everything working except when I key the rig it doesn't key my SPE Expert 1.5KFA. I have a Band Data cable from NSI Communications ( www.nsiradio.com/PA-or-Band-Data-control-cable-for-SunSDR2PRO-DX-QRP-and-MB1-p262369775 ) connected from the amp to the SUN. I have the following in Band Mapping: (Image attached.) In addition, I'm attaching an image of my normal operating screen.

My setting in the SPE under CAT is Band Data, however, after I make that selection then go back to see the CAT connection status it says Yaesu for some reason. Maybe that's where the issue is. Interestingly, all other amp operations are being controlled i.e. band tracking, band following, input selection, antenna selection, etc..

There is no issue with the SUN transmitting because I have had several wonderful QSO's barefoot.
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 19 Sep 2022 11:21 #2

  • N8SDR
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To use the Band data and To Key the amp you need to use the settings in Band Manager
In your setup you have overlooked 2 steps from what I can see

1) you need to disable the PA function button on the EESDR3 application display to do so set according to picture

Screenshot2022-09-19071043.jpg


Next open Band manage back up and now you will see the column outline for the PA function in the picture below.

Screenshot2022-09-19071307.jpg



Check the boxes for which bands you want the Keyline to trigger the Amp
You will not have a PA button on your front EESDR3 display it will be controlled according to what bands you have selected in the Band Manager section.
Also make sure for your AMP that the correct boxes for RTX and TX (external Control) are set correctly I'm not showing any of this in my setup because it is strictly a manually controlled amp- I do however use the PA function as outlined and no issues with pins 13/15 for Keyline triggering

To disable the PA function, go back to the first windows and unselect the PA (save by Band) this will give you an PA button back on the display but for an AMP that needs BCD it will not key the amp that I know of.

Try the above suggestions and let us know
Please do not email me and ask for help I no longer will be part of this, If I could delete /remove my profile I would do so.
Last Edit: 19 Sep 2022 11:24 by N8SDR.
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 19 Sep 2022 12:15 #3

  • VE3EY
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I have the same radio-amp combo and SS2DX is keying the SPE amp just fine but I am using different (home brewed) cable.

By looking at the Band Data cable from the URL you listed, I wonder if the PA PTT line is indeed wired in addition to Band data. The product description is not very clear to me. SPE amp can certainly be keyed on pin 12 of its DB15 connector providing that the Band-data cable you purchased has it.

You have selected the PA option in EESDR3 and this is all you really need to key the amp. You don't need to enable "PA by band" unless you want that kind of granularity. Radio will just assert the PTT on any band.
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 20 Sep 2022 03:17 #4

Rick,
Thank you so much for your help. It turned out to be the settings in BM. Couldn't have done it without your help.

At this point, everything is working perfectly. now.
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 21 Sep 2022 23:59 #5

  • N8SDR
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Great I'm glad it is working :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Please do not email me and ask for help I no longer will be part of this, If I could delete /remove my profile I would do so.
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 22 Sep 2022 00:14 #6

I seem to have an issue very close to yours. My PA works fine in EESDR2 and in EESDR3 until I upgraded last week. Now v2 still works but v3 will no longer key my amp. I am using the basic homebrew cable using pins 13 & 15 and that cable has worked fine for over a year (and stull fine using v2). Any chance in helping me out?

Sonny WC8L
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 22 Sep 2022 15:09 #7

I'll share my settings with you Sonny. In addition to these settings, depending on your cabling you may need to use TCI and download and install RadioSync from EESDR. eesdr.com/en/software-en/software-en Since you already have V2 working, you can take a look at the CAT port in V2 and use that same port in V3. That's what I did. In addition, please read N8SDR's previous post.
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Not Keying SPE 1.5K-FA 12 Aug 2023 13:46 #8

It was a pain in the arse to get the MB1 running with the Expert 2k-fa. Enclosed a short view a a working cable (BCD-Cat, PTT and Remote on of the Amp). The 4 Cinch ptt outputs at the mb1 back panel are useless, no signals from there. :twisted:

Thanks to DB7GV and HB9PAE for experimenting and evaluating the configuration!
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