Station Master Features

Figure 1: Station Master Block Diagram

General:

• Programmable Antenna, BPF, Rotor and PA controller
• Twenty (20) programmable relay outputs
• Integrated level converter for transceiver computer control port
• Decodes all frequencies of connected transceiver, including 75m, 6m, VHF and UHF
• Unlimited number of custom defined frequency segments "bands"
• Single USB connection to computer
• Stand alone operation
• Internal Rotator control
• Virtual Rotators function
• Separate RX/TX antenna support
• Automatic Antenna Scan function
• Separately programmable up to 20 outputs sequencer
• Automatic power amplifier support
• Fully compatible and simple integrated with microHAM "keyers" MK, DK, CK, MKII and MK2R
• Proprietary SteppIR/UltraBeam support for automatic tunning and protection
• Hot Switch protection with user defined timing
• TX Inhibit support for Yaesu's transceivers
• Receive only antennas support
• Optical isolation from computer
• PS/2 keyboard or keypad with dual control of Station Master and microHAM "keyer"
• Integrated chokes and filters for maximum RFI immunity
• Metal/Aluminum case, powder coated and silk screened
• Free, no time limit firmware/software upgrades via Internet

Radio control:

• Integrated level converter for CI-V, FIF-232, IF-232, or RS-232
• Up to 57600 Baud with fake handshake support
• Supports most Elecraft, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Yaesu and other radios

Antennas Control (Port A):

• Ten (10) programmable relay outputs
• Configurable power for common
  • ground
  • 13.8V positive
  • external power, max. + 24V
• Compatible with all remote antenna switches using common ground or positive control

Additional Antennas or BPF Control (Port B):

• Six (6) programmable relay outputs
• Configurable power for common
  • ground
  • 13.8V positive
  • external power max. + 24V
• Compatible with all automatic BPF on the market

RX Antennas and TX Sequencer (Port B):

• Four (4) programmable relay outputs
• Both poles of relay contact available
• Independent settings of Lead and Tail delay for each sequencer output

Internal Rotator Control:

• Three (3) programmable relay outputs
• Both poles of relay contact available
• Configurable support for BRAKE or SPEED control
• Support for multi-turn rotators
• Support for rotators with analog (pot) or discrete (pulse) azimuth read back
• Programmable software limit switches
• Dead zone definition
• Target finding strategy selection for optimal handling
• Support for "slipping" rotators
• Four memories for most wanted azimuths
• Automatic azimuth control from logger

Virtual Rotator Control:

• Unlimited number of antennas can be joined to Virtual Rotator
• Programmable azimuth ranges for each Virtual Rotator antenna
• Automatic azimuth control from logger
• Unlimited number of Virtual Rotators per Band

Power Amplifier Control:

• Automatic tunning for CI-V controlled automatic amplifiers (Icom PW1, Expert SPE, Tokyo Hy-Power)
• Automatic band switching for BCD controlled amplifiers (Yaesu VL-1000, FL-7000)
• Support for QSK Power Amplifiers

Specifications

USB: USB 2.0 Full speed, USB 1.1 compatible

Power consumption: USB – less than 100mA Power supply – max.1.8A at +13.8V (max. +16V)

CAT: RxD, TxD – max. 57600 Baud, RTS fixed level output max.1mA Levels: TTL, inverted TTL, open collector bus, RS232

Serial: RS232 levels, RTS fixed level output max.1mA, up to 9600 baud

PA CI-V: open collector bus max.40mA, up to 9600 baud

All relay outputs: 30VDC, 48VAC, max.2A

External PORT A power: max. +24V/1.3A

External PORT B power: max. +24V/1.3A

PS/2 consumption: max. 200mA at +5V

Rotator analog input: 10K ohm, max. +/-12V

Rotator pulse input: active when grounded, max.+24V/5mA

Rotator reference output: 9V, max.20mA

PA Keying output: open collector, max.+45V/800mA

PA Keying input: active when grounded, max.+24V/5mA

PA ON/OFF control: +12V, max.100mA

Dimensions: W 230mm (9") x H 44mm (1.73") x D 160mm (6.3")

Weight: 1.3 kg (1.875 lbs.)

1. POWER LED lights when +13.8V is applied (power switch on).
2. ALARM LED lights when "ALARM" condition happens, transmission is allowed. LED flashes when "ALARM" condition happens, transmission is inhibited.
3. READY LED lights when transmission is allowed. LED flashes when transmit condition has been changed and will be applied on next transmission cycle
4. FUNC/MENU Short press and release opens "Function" list. Press and hold for more than one second opens "Menu" list.
5. ENCODER> Rotary encoder with push button. Function vary on configuration and antenna selection.
6. YES Button for browsing between available antennas backward and menu navigation.
7. NO Button for browsing between available antennas forward and menus navigation.

1. DC 13.8V Power Supply - 2.1 x 5.5 mm coaxial jack, center is positive (+).
2. iLINK MiniDIN-6 for connection with microHAM "keyer" or function expansion module.
3. USB: USB B connector for computer connection. Standard USB A-B cable.
4. SERIAL RS232 level serial port. DB9 female jack. See Appendix "Connectors" for details.
5. PA DB15 female jack for connection with Power Amplifier. Compatible with microHAM "CAT" cables See Appendix "Connectors" for details
6. PORT A DB25 female jack for antenna switch connection. See Appendix "Connectors" for details.
7. PS/2 MiniDIN6 for PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 keypad.
8. INHIBIT Power inhibit output for Yaesu's transceivers.

   RCA jack TIP - Signal SHELL - GND

9. CAT 4 pole 3.5mm phono jack for transceiver control. Compatible with microHAM "CAT" cables.
10. GND Terminal for connection to station ground.
11. iLINK MiniDIN-6 for connection with microHAM "keyer" or function expansion module.
12. POWER Power Switch.
13. ROTOR DB15 female jack for connection with Antenna Rotator. See Appendix "Connectors" for details.
14. PORT B DB25 female jack for antenna switch, BPF and/or sequencer connection. See Appendix "Connectors" for details.
15. PTTIN PTT Input for connection with PTT output from transceiver or PAPTT output from microHAM "keyer". Active when closed to ground. RCA jack TIP - Signal SHELL – GND